Welcome to the world of indoor cannabis cultivation with Harborside’s guide. If you’re stepping into indoor growing for the first time, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s dive into the basics of indoor cannabis cultivation and equip you with the tools you need to start your journey.
Cannabis Genetics: A Quick Overview
Before you sow your first seed, let’s understand the different types of cannabis strains:
- Sativa Strains: Sativa strains flower over a longer period and grow tall and thin. They prefer high temperatures and yield smaller harvests.
- Hybrid Strains: These strains have a varied flowering period and diverse growth patterns. Many hybrids are high-yielding and combine traits from both Indica and Sativa strains.
- Indica Strains: Indica strains flower quickly and grow short and bushy. They are high-yielding and prefer lower temperatures.
Sativa Strains
Flower for a longer time
Usually grow tall and thin
Produce smaller yields
Thrive in high temperatures
Hybrid Strains
Flowering times vary
Show a wide range of growth patterns
Many of them yield high
Blended traits of Indica and Sativa
Indica Strains
Flower for a shorter time
Usually grow short and bushy
Produce larger yields
Thrive in lower temperatures
Kickstart Your Indoor Growing Journey
Soil
We recommend these three California-based companies that create soil blends specifically for cannabis:
- Fox Farm: Ocean Forest
- E.B. Stone: 420 Mix
- Royal Gold: Basement Mix
Pots
Begin with a 1-5 gallon pot with a saucer for water drainage. Here are some pot types you can consider:
- Air Pot: This pot type helps avoid root-bound plants, resists overwatering, but needs watering more often.
- Basic Pot (clay, plastic, etc.): You can easily find these in most stores and they are simple to make.
- Fabric, or Smart Pot: These pots provide more oxygen to the roots, dry out faster, and are excellent at dissipating heat.
Grow Tents
Grow tents are simple to set up and dismantle, and they ensure complete darkness for night cycles. We suggest the brand Secret Jardin.
Lights
Different types of lights can be used for indoor cannabis cultivation:
Metal Halide (MH)
MH lights offer a broad light spectrum, suitable for vegetative growth, but have a low red output.
High-Pressure Sodium (HPS)
HPS lights emit mainly red/orange/green light spectrum, suitable for flowering, and offer more watts per light than MH.
Fluorescent (T5 bulbs)
These are less expensive, create less light per watt than MH or HPS, and yield lower harvests.
LED
LED lights have the highest upfront cost, emit less heat, and perform best in a tall space.
PH Measurements
Before feeding your plants, always check the pH of your water. The correct pH creates an ideal environment for soil microorganisms and helps prevent diseases. We recommend the test kit from General Hydroponics.
Different types of lights can be used for indoor cannabis cultivation:
Airflow
Proper airflow is crucial for indoor cannabis cultivation. You can use an exhaust fan (size depends on heat generated by the lights, more efficient but more expensive) or an oscillating fan (easy to find, shouldn’t be aimed directly at plants).
Further Guidance
Local Gardening Supplies
We appreciate your trust in Harborside. Since 2006, we’ve been committed to supporting growers like you on their cultivation journey. Thank you for choosing us.