Top Shelf Tips for Growing Cannabis in Greenhouses
Cultivating cannabis in greenhouses undoubtedly provides the best of both indoor and outdoor growing. Because of its flexibility and efficiency, cultivating cannabis in greenhouses is sweeping the industry. Greenhouse efficiency relies upon the knowledge and care of the grower. It allows for a great deal of control over the plants, and that control must be wielded carefully and purposefully in order to reap the most desirable crop.
One of the main questions on growers' minds is sunlight. Plants obviously need plenty of sun, but also need to be protected from nosy thieves. Most growers agree that morning sunlight is ideal, so when placing your greenhouse you should think about where you can capitalize on that morning sun. A good way to keep your plants safe from prying eyes is to whitewash your greenhouse. You can use a thin layer of watered down white paint to skew the view while still allowing in enough sunlight. Tinted epoxy is another whitewashing option, and tends to last longer than paint.
As crucial as sunlight is, darkness also plays an important role in the growth process. When the plants reach their optimal size and you're ready to induce flowering, it's essential that you take proper measures to get just enough darkness while still allowing air to circulate. Oftentimes, more expensive blackout systems are worth it. These more durable fabrics fray much more slowly. Fraying is sometimes not noticeable over time, but can gradually let in too much light and interrupt the flowering process. Poor fabrics can also prevent good air flow and create condensation that drips onto the plants.
Another concern is maintaining proper conditions for your plants. Soil temperature is crucial, especially in the winter months. While some growers use warmed irrigation systems, the warmth only lasts so long, since you aren't constantly watering the plants. Better options are having warm water constantly flowing in the beds where the pots are kept, warming them from the outside. An even more efficient (and less messy) method is to put your planters on heated mats, or to have a heat coil running through your garden beds.
It is imperative to maintain a humidity that keeps plants hydrated but free of disease and fungus. While some growers rely on standard household humidifiers or misters, placing HEC pebbles in shallow water all throughout your garden beds provides a more consistent, even humidified environment.
If you do choose to plant in ground, make sure to place chicken wire in the earth to protect your roots. In addition, you'll want to completely remove all other vegetation, and then place a ground cloth to prevent more from growing and to reduce insect populations. Regulating soil temperature is also much more difficult with in-ground growing. Burying heating coils that snake throughout your greenhouse is one of the few options for thorough, effective heating.
While in ground planting is more of a hassle, it also prevents roots from bunching and allows for larger plants, and thus a higher yield.
Even in a greenhouse, different climates and season affect plants differently. Experiment with a few of these methods until you land on what suits your particular strain in your environment.
