Many growers are sticking to their guns and continuing to use soil as a medium while hydro and aeroponics seem to be taking over the growing world. There are mammy things to be mindful of when vegging a medical marijuana plant. There is definitely more interest in the budding stage, however if proper care and techniques are implemented during the vegetative cycle ( 18/6 Light Cycle ) the yield will be much more rewarding. Lets prepare the right way before switching to the exciting 12/12 cycle.
The first area where new growers limit themselves is with the size of pots used. Some growers are able to use small 2 gallon pots and still produce a desirable yield, but if you are starting out there are some things to consider when it comes to pot size. One of the most beneficial aspects of a soil grow is the buffer that soil creates. The more soil the plant has the bigger the root base can be plus the less likely you are to have nutrient burn. I suggest at least a 5 gallon pot for new growers. Its ok to start off smaller but switch to a larger pot at least 2 weeks before the 12/12 switch.
A good way to think about verging is to think of it as a planning stage. Sure it isn't as sexy as the budding phase but with the right tricks you can make your budding experience much much better. In order to get the most out of the plants and/or the space it is important to know a couple tricks. These tricks will be covered in greater detail in later posts. The two main verging tricks are topping and light stress training. Topping is cutting a cola off of a plant creating new energy and light for the lower nodes which creates more main colas. Light stress training ( LST ) is a similar result without the cutting. With LST main colas are bent over and tied down exposing nodes long the stalk that would otherwise live in the shadow of the top cola. These newly exposed nodes explode with new main colas which can also be tied down to create even more colas. The more main colas you create the better chance of having a large yield.
I take it easy on the nutrients for the first 2-3 weeks of a plants life. The main reason for this is that good soil comes with enough organic nutrients in it to get and keep a plant going wonderfully for around 30 days. I see no reason to push young plants. Experienced growers that have been working with the same plant for the last 10 years are rolling their eyes right now, but starting out it is better to not stunt growth by making a simple mistake than it is to push a plant to the limit.
Keep a close eye during the vegetative cycle. Start the process with the end in mind. Giving the plant what it needs to grow plus implementing methods such as LST and topping will pay off big time. Press forward and continue to test new practices. With a little persistence and patience you will be getting the yield you have always wanted.
The first area where new growers limit themselves is with the size of pots used. Some growers are able to use small 2 gallon pots and still produce a desirable yield, but if you are starting out there are some things to consider when it comes to pot size. One of the most beneficial aspects of a soil grow is the buffer that soil creates. The more soil the plant has the bigger the root base can be plus the less likely you are to have nutrient burn. I suggest at least a 5 gallon pot for new growers. Its ok to start off smaller but switch to a larger pot at least 2 weeks before the 12/12 switch.
A good way to think about verging is to think of it as a planning stage. Sure it isn't as sexy as the budding phase but with the right tricks you can make your budding experience much much better. In order to get the most out of the plants and/or the space it is important to know a couple tricks. These tricks will be covered in greater detail in later posts. The two main verging tricks are topping and light stress training. Topping is cutting a cola off of a plant creating new energy and light for the lower nodes which creates more main colas. Light stress training ( LST ) is a similar result without the cutting. With LST main colas are bent over and tied down exposing nodes long the stalk that would otherwise live in the shadow of the top cola. These newly exposed nodes explode with new main colas which can also be tied down to create even more colas. The more main colas you create the better chance of having a large yield.
I take it easy on the nutrients for the first 2-3 weeks of a plants life. The main reason for this is that good soil comes with enough organic nutrients in it to get and keep a plant going wonderfully for around 30 days. I see no reason to push young plants. Experienced growers that have been working with the same plant for the last 10 years are rolling their eyes right now, but starting out it is better to not stunt growth by making a simple mistake than it is to push a plant to the limit.
Keep a close eye during the vegetative cycle. Start the process with the end in mind. Giving the plant what it needs to grow plus implementing methods such as LST and topping will pay off big time. Press forward and continue to test new practices. With a little persistence and patience you will be getting the yield you have always wanted.
About the Author:
Have you ever wanted to grow your own medical marijuana? Learn How To Grow Pot Indoors the right way. Start Growing Pot and ditch the dealer.
