TOOLS OVER FOOLS – WHAT DOES IT COST TO GROW YOUR OWN CANNABIS
Home-grown cannabis has been getting a lot of attention in Germany for some time now, which is probably thanks to the change in the law, aka partial legalization, on 1st of April in 2024. And just as great as the interest in the plant is the number of questions about it. How do I grow cannabis? Where do I grow cannabis? Where do I buy weed? Where do I buy cannabis seeds? And in Scooter’s words: âHow much is the fish?â. So let’s talk numbers.
One thing is self-explanatory: cultivation requires a certain financial investment, especially when it comes to the necessary equipment. To successfully grow cannabis indoors, a grow box is usually required, which includes powerful lights, a cooling unit and a ventilation system.
The cost of the equipment varies, of course. From the Mercedes among grow boxes to affordable lighting sets, there is now a seemingly endless range on offer. But a rough estimate for pots, seeds, soil, fertilizer, reflector, lamp, filter, fan, grow tent, pH meter, thermometer and hygrometer, timer and ballast is around 450 to 600 euros. For larger cultivation areas and extremely good quality, which in turn also reduce running costs such as electricity, the price can quickly rise to 800 euros and more.
HOW MUCH ELECTRICITY DO I NEED TO GROW CANNABIS?
Electricity consumption in cannabis cultivation can vary depending on the cultivation techniques used, the size of the plant and the lighting systems. During the vegetative and flowering phases, the cannabis plant in indoor cultivation requires continuous and powerful lighting, which accounts for the majority of electricity consumption.
Traditional growing systems with high-pressure sodium lamps (HID lamps) tend to consume more electricity than modern LED lamps, which are more efficient and generate less heat. Cooling the plant through ventilation and air conditioning systems can also contribute to electricity consumption. Electricity consumption will be higher during the flowering phase as the plants need more light to produce flowers. To optimize electricity consumption in hemp cultivation and reduce costs, some growers are opting for energy-efficient lighting systems such as LED lamps, using timers for light cycles and optimizing ventilation systems to reduce energy consumption.
Assuming that the cannabis plants are illuminated in a 4-week vegetative phase with an 18/6 light cycle and in the flowering phase for 7-9 weeks with a 12/12 light cycle, the running costs for the operation of light, air and ventilation can be estimated at 400 euros.
IS IT WORTH GROWING YOUR OWN MARIJUANA?
So the question remains, is home-growing even worth it? If you ask cannabis lovers, cultivation is definitely worth it, and not just because having your own grow garden gives you full control over the entire cultivation cycle, including the choice of cannabis varieties, growing medium and nutrients. And to reduce costs, there is also outdoor cultivation, where natural sunlight takes over for the LEDs and no grow tent is required. In the end, what remains is the priceless feeling that many gardeners otherwise only know from growing fruit and vegetables: Home-grown always tastes best.
