There is a myth that growing cannabis at home is extremely complicated, even for home gardeners with the greenest thumbs. While growing cannabis plants can be a little trickier than caring for a typical houseplant or vegetable garden, with some practice and attention to detail many people find it a satisfying hobby that results in a crop of homegrown cannabis.
For Zachary Lacelle, owner and operator of Northern Zen Cannabis in North Bay, the effort is well worth the results. “Growing from seed can produce far more than anything you can purchase at a store,” he says.
Choosing Cannabis Seeds
Just like with other cannabis products, cannabis seeds are available in indica, sativa, and hybrid varieties and in a number of different strains. Northern Zen Cannabis carries over a dozen different varieties of seeds. The type of seed that a home gardener chooses to grow depends on their own cannabis preferences and how much experience they have with growing.
Beginner growers may want to start with autoflowering varieties of cannabis seeds. Generally, cannabis plants flower based on the amount of light the plant receives. If growing indoors, the light needs to be adjusted at the right point in the growing process. With autoflowering varieties, the plant flowers when it reaches a certain stage in growth without the need to change the light. Autoflowering cannabis may be less potent and/or produce a smaller yield, but it is much easier for a beginner to grow.
Those new to growing cannabis at home may also want to consider feminized cannabis plant seeds. Only female plants produce the buds and flowers that growers are looking for and male plants are generally discarded early on in the growing process. Feminized seeds are bred to only produce female plants which takes some of the guesswork and hassle of the process.
Growing Indoors or Outdoors
Cannabis plants can be grown either indoors or outdoors. Indoor plant growing requires a few additional pieces of equipment like an enclosed space, grow lights, and humidity controls. Outdoor cannabis plants can be grown in pots or directly in the garden, but conditions are much more difficult to control.
Zachary suggests planning ahead to make sure that an outdoor crop is successful. “If you want to grow outside this summer, you should start your seeds as soon as possible,” he says.
There are many different products available that can help home growers develop a great cannabis harvest. “The market offers many different types of fertilizers, lights, and soils,” explains Zachary. “Dig into the internet for some growing advice before jumping into growing your own cannabis.”
For more information on which type of cannabis seeds to purchase or how to get started growing at home, visit the helpful staff at Northern Zen Cannabis. They are located at 76 Osprey Miikan in North Bay and are open daily from 10am until 8pm. You can also shop online or visit them on Instagram or Facebook.