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Which Is Better: Growing Cannabis Indoors Or Outdoors?
Should you consider growing your cannabis strain indoor or simply cultivating it outdoor? You might have to consider many things. The debate of whether indoor cannabis or outdoor cannabis cultivation is better has raged on for many years. The plant in itself is considered one of the oldest plants in human history. For much of cannabis cultivation history, the breeding processes were completed outdoors. So, essentially, the open space is considered the natural habitat of the cannabis plant. Although this is true, cannabis can also be cultivated indoor using a small space.
There is a long history about why breeders started growing their cannabis strain indoors, secretly in closed spaces. Historical records suggest that indoor cannabis cultivation began in the year 1911. That year, the state of Massachusetts placed a legislative ban on the cultivation of cannabis. In subsequent years, many defaulters continued to plant cannabis in remote open spaces far away from the prying eyes of the authorities. The anti-cannabis law spread beyond Massachusetts as other states soon began to clamp down on marijuana cultivation using the law.
In 1937, the federal government passed controversial legislation criminalizing the cultivation of marijuana.
The Marijuana Tax Act designated marijuana as a schedule 1 substance with ‘no beneficial medical use and a high tendency for abuse.' This law was strictly implemented, forcing marijuana farmers to consider new methods of farming. These new methods of forming completely changed how marijuana enthusiasts grow their favorite plant. To avoid state prosecution, cannabis farmers developed different methods of cultivating cannabis indoor. This movement gave birth to indoor cannabis farming tips and helped keep the seeds in circulation until favorable laws were passed.
Factors to Consider Before Selecting a Growing Method
Regardless of the method you've selected, there are many factors you need to consider. Not only will these factors guide your choice, but they will also help you consider making the necessary changes along the way.
1. Price
Both outdoor and indoor cultivation require that you incur a staging price. For indoor cultivation, it starts with securing a growing space. There are a few indoor enclosures you can purchase online. Since the equipment you need for both types of setup are a bit different, you should consider the price before selecting one. Indoor lighting and humidity control systems might also be needed. You might also need to erect a support shed as your plants transition into the flowering stage in outdoor cultivation. A good price estimate consideration will go a long way in helping you arrive at the best decision.
2. Climate Conditions
Get a better understanding of the climate in your city before you choose a method of cultivation. Indoor cultivation might be appropriate if the prevailing climate conditions can severely affect the productivity of your plant. You will want to consider this if you live in arid regions or areas with a long period of winter in a year. However, it is possible to grow your cannabis strain outdoor in the winter if you know a few tips on growing cannabis in cold temperatures. You might need the expertise of a plant scientist to help you review the influence of climate on plants grown in your region.
3. Quality
How well does your selected cannabis strain perform under both indoor and outdoor growing conditions? How tall can it grow? Answering this question will help you understand if your plant will be better outside or in an enclosed space. There are many cannabis strains that give better harvest returns when planted outdoor. However, many others also flourish in enclosed spaces. You should make inquiries about how the cultivation method affects your cannabis strain before making a purchase.
If you have considered these three factors but are still unsure whether to plant your cannabis outside or in an enclosed space, then you need to compare the pros and cons of both methods. We have carefully compared both methods, presenting to you an indoor versus outdoor cannabis cultivation comparison.
1. Cultivation Cost for Both Outdoor and Indoor Methods
The cost analysis is different for both methods. However, much of the cost involved with cannabis farming is indeed incurred in the early phase of cultivation.
a. Cost of Growing Cannabis Indoors
If you desire to maintain a steady harvest through the year with indoor cannabis cultivation, you must be ready to spend large. Indoor cultivation requires more equipment, and some of this equipment is not exactly cheap. Lightning alone can consume a huge part of your budget. In countries where energy is considered expensive, your lightning expenses might run into a few thousand dollars. If you are also growing your strain indoors with a non-soil growing medium, you have to get nutrients as your plant develops.
Some of the equipment you will need to purchase is not needed in outdoor cannabis farms. Some of the expensive equipment required indoors include;
- A good lighting system
- A sensitive hygrometer for humidity measurement
- Humidifiers and dehumidifiers
- Ventilation set up
- Thermometer for temperature control
b. Cost of Growing Cannabis Outdoor
The first thing you notice with outdoor cannabis cultivation is that the equipment needed for an operational start-up is few. Compared to indoor cultivation, you spend less money procuring equipment. For example, a ventilation setup and lightning system are not required in outdoor farming if live in an area with ideal climatic conditions. There is also no need for a growth medium if you have access to fertile soil. Although, procuring fertilizers might be necessary if your plant requires supplemental nutrients. To protect your investment, you might need to install proper fencing or construct a plant shed. The point is; you spend less if you grow your cannabis outdoor.
2. Quality Comparison for both Outdoor and Indoor Cannabis Cultivation
If your strain can be grown both outdoor and indoor, the chances are that the quality of yield produced under both conditions is different.
a. Cannabis Quality Indoor
Growing cannabis indoor helps the farmer regulate growing conditions and set priorities for plant monitoring. As it stands, cross-breeding operations are better conducted indoors as the farmer can regularly monitor for yield and plant performance. In addition to all these, cannabis growing in enclosed indoor spaces is secured from outdoor unstable weather conditions. They are protected away from sandstorms, frost, excessive rainfall, and crushing heat.
Logically, you will expect that these plants grow better. This is exactly the case. The quality of cannabis plants grown indoors has significantly improved over the years. The buds are preserved in perfect condition until harvest, and the leaf is properly tendered. The stems are protected from the wind strains, and the flowers are protected from pests. Since fertilizer application is required, these plants get the right nutrients at the right proportion throughout the growing season. Proper tendering improved the quality of these plants.
b. Cannabis Quality Outdoor
Cultivating your preferred cannabis strain outdoor exposes you to a lot of risks. The natural weather conditions are unpredictable, leaving your plant at the mercy of wind, rain, snow, and heat. As it stands, only plants resistant to these harsh conditions can survive outdoor. They are also exposed to pests, including cannabis aphids and big rodents. However, if your planting soil is rich enough, your cannabis might come out with a good bud and flavor profile.
Hybrid Cannabis Cultivation; Combining Both Methods
Hybrid farming is fast becoming popular in the modern history of cannabis cultivation. This method combines the best of both indoor and outdoor farming methods. Many cannabis production companies are currently experimenting with growing different cannabis strains, partly indoor and partly outdoor. The cannabis plants are first planted outdoors using proven cannabis growing strategies. After the plants have been exposed to their natural habitat, they are subsequently transferred into specialized pots. The young cannabis plants are then transferred and tendered in state-of-the-art greenhouses. Here, the vegetative stage continues. On transitioning into the flowering stage, the plants are monitored regularly and supplied with nutrients if necessary. By combining the growing conditions from both outdoor and indoor cultivation, the hybrid cannabis cultivation method is tipped as the future of cannabis farming.
The Bottom Line
Frankly speaking, there is no definite answer to the question of whether cannabis should be planted indoor or outdoor. There are a lot of factors you need to consider before you select a method. If you live in a well-secured area and the weather conditions are fairly stable, you can consider outdoor farming. This also comes with the responsibility of regularly monitoring your plant. If not, you can simply opt for the indoor method. The debate might rage on, but there exists no definite answer.
Micro-cultivation of Cannabis
Micro-cultivating marijuana simply means growing your favorite marijuana strain on a small scale. If you are a new cannabis enthusiast who would like to grow a few strands in your garden, micro cultivation might just be the right way to start. Micro-cultivation does not mean you are a novice in the cannabis business. Even established cannabis farmers try out micro cultivation many times. To grow a new strain, they might simply experiment with a few stands. In addition to helping you decide on yield and quality, these methods also save you huge money on an investment. For starters, if you need to play the marijuana business safely, then welcome to micro-cultivation!
Micro-cultivating Marijuana –What you need to know
Marijuana is way different from other plants. As one of the most popular plants ever grown by humans. Marijuana has survived thousands of years of farming history. No, it is not just by mere chance. The plant has learned to adapt, and humans have learned the best ways to cultivate it. From seedling to transplanting, tendering, and harvesting, many proven methods work best in marijuana cultivation. If you are cultivating this same plant on a smaller scale, you have a lot to consider. In addition to learning how to scale down these methods, you will want to understand the basics of micro-cultivation. The basics should include parameters that directly help your chances of success. These include:
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Securing a Security Clearance
This depends solely on the cannabis legislation in your region. For instance, in Canada, you are required to get a license for cannabis micro-cultivation from Health Canada. In some other countries, the licensing requirements might be different. Either way, micro-cultivation licenses give you legal backing to grow marijuana on a small scale.
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Secured Perimeter
Of course, you will want to safeguard your investment. Regardless of the number of marijuana stands you are cultivating, you need to micro-cultivate your marijuana in a secured perimeter. You can consider an indoor cultivation method if you live in a busy neighborhood and you cannot completely keep your plants safe. If not, investing in the right type of fencing and locks may just do with outdoor cultivation.
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Invest in a good Pesticide
You will need this. Since you are growing a few stands, your chances of crop failure significantly increase if your plant gets infested. A good pesticide will help you keep out pests and make sure you have a good harvest at the end of the growing season. However, you will want to be careful with your choice of pesticide. Using a pesticide that interferes with the characteristics of your weed might spoil your micro-cultivation experience. Therefore, it is recommended that you ask the necessary questions when you visit an agrochemical store to get one.
Requirements You Need to Fulfil
Essentially, micro-cultivation is not exactly different from your regular cannabis farming procedures. It is just that you do it on a smaller scale. The requirements you need to fulfill with a large marijuana farming are the same here. You only need to scale down these requirements. Here are the most important requirements you need to consider before selecting your choice of marijuana strain for micro-cultivation.
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Space Set-Up
Although you need a small space, you will want to make sure you get the right space setup. Your space setup should give the plant enough light and air for growth. Your choice of growing areas is not restricted. Capered with large sale marijuana farming, you have more choice of growing space to consider. You might decide to use a cupboard, DIY tent, bar fridge, or an abandoned basement. The minimum dimension of space recommended for marijuana micro-cultivation is 35 x 35 x 75cm. The minimum space dimension allows you to make adjustments for lighting, watering, and ventilation.
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Select the Right Volume of Growth Medium
Your best choice of growing medium for cannabis micro-cultivation is nutrient-rich soil. It is difficult to set up a hydroponic system in a confined space. Except you see other growing mediums sold online and specifically made for micro-cultivation, nutrient-rich soil is your best choice. Since your space setup is already small, you will want to use a small soil quantity with the right nutrients for your marijuana (Embed the link to the ‘Marijuana and Fertilizers' article).
The root system is another crucial factor that can determine your choice of growth medium and volume. Many marijuana strains tend to occupy the same space below the ground as they do above. So, you will want to consider the root system, the mature plant's probable height, and the size of the leaves. As a rough guide, you can consider the different pot sizes we have below and their impact on the final height of your weed strain.
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12L pots: ~1–1.5m
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5L pots: ~60cm
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2–3L pots: ~24cm
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500ml pots: ~13cm
The final height of your plant chiefly depends on the type of strains you are cultivating. If you can make more space for your stands, that is not bad too. The chart above is only an estimate guide.
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Get the Right Grow Light
With indoor micro-cultivation, you need the right growing lights. You won't want to have too much heat in your confined space. For the right growing light for micro-cultivation, you will want to invest in the right lights.
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Fluorescent Tubes
This light source is relatively cheap, and you might get suggestions to use them. Fluorescent tubes offer an excellent light output. The main problem with this light type is that they produce too much heat that is required, and they are not generally a broad spectrum o; you will need to invest in a variety to suit your light needs.
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HPS/HPI
High-Pressure Sodium and High Wattage Metal Halide are other light options you might want to consider. They are lightweight and give off a large spectrum of light. However, HPS and HPI lights are not exactly suitable for micro-cultivation as they generate too much heat. In addition, you run the risk of drying out your plant by using these lights at a high capacity.
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LED Light
Light Emitting Diodes bulbs are common suggestions for a light source in micro-cultivation. They are compact, save energy, and let off a large spectrum of light. As a result, your plant gets the right spectrum throughout its growth cycle. The only disadvantage here is that LED light panels are expensive, but they are definitely worth the price. LED panels are especially good for this purpose; they generate almost no heat, occupy little space, and produce the right amount of light you need daily.
Since your growth size is small, you might only need to run the LED panels at only 25-50%. The percentage might differ as your plant grows. During the blooming stage, we recommend a 50-75% capacity.
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Proper Place of Grow Light
The type of grow light you get is as important as your knowledge of light placement. If you don't know how best to place your grow light, you might miss out on the best yield your strain could produce. In large-scale cannabis plantations, you will find the grow light placed directly above the plants. But since you are working with a confined space here, you will want to improvise on this. If you use vertical space, you will get a lot done by placing your grow light along multiple sides of the plant. In addition to exposing different parts of your plant to light, this will also help grow a bigger canopy. Your skills in light placement might help regulate how tall or stretched your plant grows.
The Best Marijuana Strains for Micro-cultivation
Have you selected the strains you would like to plant in your micro space? If not, we might have a range of options you can consider.
Micro-cultivation does not limit your choice of marijuana strain. Since you are growing the plant on a small scale, all you have to do is adjust the growth parameters to fit your selected strain. However, we recommend starting with strains that stay small, offering good yield, and not growing too bushy. These qualities depend on the genetics of the seed. You can simply make inquiries about the seeds before you purchase them.
You will also want to select auto-flowering strains. If you are starting weed cultivation as a novice, auto-flowering strains are your best option. During their growth cycle, these strains automatically transition into the flowering period. This is independent of the amount of light penetration they have. Many marijuana strains in this category also remain small and grow good yields.
Final Thoughts on Marijuana Micro-cultivation
Micro-cultivation is an exciting journey for the 420 culture. You can easily monitor your plants as they grow, adjust the growing conditions, and make many choices along the way. There is no better way to prepare you for large-scale cannabis cultivation. You must learn how your plant responds to changes in growth conditions. Get the best growing technique, and don't forget to water your plants as required. If you do everything right, you should have a good harvest for personal use.
How to Control Cannabis Odor in Your Grow Room
Cannabis odor is one of the many things you have to deal with if you have a grow room. Since cannabis cultivation became legal in many countries, environmentalists and anti-cannabis campaigners have consistently complained about the effects of cannabis odor on humans and the ecosystem. These complaints have increased significantly over the years. Some stats records an 87 percent increase since cannabis cultivation became mainstream. In Denver, about 30% of odor complaints are reportedly cannabis-related.
Cannabis is a flower. Essentially the odor is expected. It takes special growing skills to manage this odor Many complaints have described this odor as skunky, flowery, fruity, or pungent. Cannabis grows with different features that produce this odor. During the flowering stage, cannabis produces lush, large, and crystal-like resin-covered buds. In the last six weeks of growth, the terpenes concentration of the plant significantly increases as the trichome becomes more active.
Essential oils from the terpenes are released into the air, giving off a distinct cannabis odor. If you had lived around a growth room with no filtration system, you might know how potent and strong the smell of cannabis buds can be.
Factors that Influence How Cannabis Smells
Although marijuana smell increases during the flowering stage, but your plants do not just start smelling the day, it starts budding. During the growth cycle, the level of smell you get from the plants differs. Many factors and growing conditions are directly responsible for the level of odor you get from your grow room. If you can control these factors, you probably might be able to regulate how your plant smells. The factors include:
1. Temperature
Just as with other plants, marijuana grows better under specified conditions. Many marijuana strains grow better at an ideal temperature range of 21 to 27 degrees Celsius. The prevailing atmospheric conditions and your choice of grow light might affect how hot or how cold your grow room becomes. If the temperature is high, the essential oils vaporize quickly from the plant and are distributed around the grow room. You will want to keep the prevailing conditions in the normal range to avoid this. While doing this, you also must make sure they grow room temperature does not fall below 15 degrees Celsius. This low-temperature range may negatively affect your plant yield and harvest quality.
2. Humidity
Regulating the relative humidity in your grow room also affects the smell of marijuana. Therefore, you will want to keep the humidity level at the ideal range at every stage of the plant's life. This is especially important during the flowering stage when the plants give off more essential oil. As a rough guide, the recommended humidity range and the corresponding growth stage are highlighted below:
- Cloning Phase = 70% to 80% humidity
- Vegetative Phase = 40% to 60% humidity
- Flowering Phase = 40% to 50% humidity
- Final Weeks of Flowering Phase = less than 40% humidity
At high humidity levels, marijuana odor can be retained much longer in the grow room. This is why you will want to keep humidity low during the vegetative and flowering phases.
3. Rate and Direction of Airflow
Air circulation is important for optimum growth rate. In addition to this, the rate and direction of air circulation affect how your grow room smells. Controlling these parameters might help you. If you have more hot and stale air retained in your grow room, the odor of cannabis is reinforced. Your plant might even smell more than you would normally expect. If air direction is poor, such that the entry path of air is the same as the exit path, your marijuana plants will also definitely smell more. Controlling the rate and direction of airflow can also help you with humidity and temperature.
Ways to Control Cannabis Odor in your Grow Room
Controlling cannabis odor is the best way to keep your growing operation secret and not get a complaint from your intrusive neighbors. So, let's face it. How do you better control the odor without compromising your yield?
In this review, we have compiled the best methods that can probably serve you. Then, all you have to do is consider the cost efficiency and select a method that better fits your growing space.
1. Select a Low-odor Strain
How about you simply avoid the odor through the growth cycle of your plant? Selecting the strains is probably one of the first things you would consider before setting up a cannabis grow room. Your choice of cannabis strains might greatly influence the cost of odor control. Depending on their genetics, different cannabis strains give off different odors. By choosing a strain naturally low in odor, you can easily save money on odor control.
Cannabis strains in this category include Durban Poison, Northern Lights, Shark's Breath, Poison Express, and Polar Express. These strains give off little or no smell. Durban Poison is especially popular for its odor-free character. Northern Lights is another low-odor cannabis strain developed specifically for indoor breeding. If you grow one of these varieties, you will get an odor-free environment in your grow space and environment. If you are not limited to a particular cannabis strain, this is the easiest method to solve the odor puzzle.
2. Consider Odor Neutralizers
If the growing operation is small and restricted to only a few cannabis stands, you might consider odor neutralizers. These products are cheap solutions formulated to suppress the aromas given from the cannabis buds. Odor neutralizers are easy to use and are readily available in agrochemical stores. You will want to better understand the components of these solutions before you select one. Odor neutralizers are so effective that long-term use can change the taste and smell of your cannabis harvest. Making inquiries from the store attendants can help you select a product with little or no effect on your plant taste and smell.
Your best selection should contain components that are biodegradable, non-carcinogenic, and skin-friendly. Some odor neutralizers are formulated as gels and presented in wide-mouthed jars. You can simply open these jars and leave them in the grow room for many weeks. However, you will probably be more successful with odor control during the flowering stage. If you are using a very powerful neutralizer, you might have to leave far away from the grow house. You can also consider odor-neutralizer sprays. They are easy to apply with a fast, almost immediate odor-control action.
3. Carbon Filters
Judging from its popular use, carbon filters are considered the most effective method of controlling cannabis odor. If your grow room is bigger or cultivate many stands in the same space, carbon filters are your choice. It is common to find carbon filters installed as part of the ventilation systems of large cannabis greenhouses. Although carbon filters are expensive, many cannabis farmers still prefer to use them. Also called carbon scrubbers, these equipment contain isolated units of activated charcoal. Carbon filters are installed such that the smell of the budding marijuana is forced through it. In addition, a powerful fan can be used to create a unidirectional airflow, removing the airstream from the growing area through the carbon filters.
One of the smartest ways of creating this flow is by installing the carbon filters in the exhaust system of your grow area. Hot air from the area containing diffused essential oils is forced upwards into the exhaust system. As the air enters the filter and interacts with the activated charcoal units, the filter scrubs the air of marijuana odor. The stream of air released into the atmosphere is clean and free from marijuana odor. Carbon filters continuously help clean and are durable –you only get to replace them after about 12 months.
4. Setting Up Negative Air Pressure
This trick works perfectly for greenhouses and small space grows areas. All you have to do is control the input and output rate of air in your growing area. To create negative pressure, you should have more air entering the growth space and less air leaving it. So, you draw out the odor-laden air, replacing it with clean, fresh air. One of the best ways of setting up a negative pressure is by using a powerful outtake fan, forcing the air out through the exhaust. You will combine this with a less powerful intake face. This setup makes more air leave your grow room and less air entering it. This method is only effective if you have a few marijuana plants in the growing area.
What You Should Not Use
To control cannabis smell, you will want to avoid ozone generators. In addition to constituting serious health hazards, there are many problems with using ozone generators for cannabis cultivation. They are not as effective as the methods listed here, and they are notoriously terrible for the environment. Fragrance sprays, plug-ins, and air purifiers are also not recommended. These options might serve domestic purposes, but they are useless in controlling cannabis odor.
Final Thought
Marijuana smells are normal and are part of the plant's biology. However, except in naturally low-odor strains, marijuana gives off more smell during the flowering and vegetative stages; installing a carbon filter is considered the most effective and durable method of controlling marijuana odor. Depending on your grow room size, you can also consider other methods detailed in this review. All you have to do is get the equipment and get them properly.
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