As the green tendrils of legality snake through the tarmac of our home city of Berlin, it’s time to delve into the world of cannabis cultivation. What does partial legalization actually mean for those interested in growing cannabis? Are you more likely to grow a weeping willow if you want to become a green thumb when it comes to weed without any experience? Where do I grow? How do I grow? And what the hell do Wedding Cake, Farmer’s Daughter and Blueberry Muffin have to do with it? In this blog post, we will look at the most important aspects of legal home growing and provide valuable information for the green harvest of tomorrow. With the partial legalization of cannabis in Germany, the home-growing of plants has become legal, namely exactly 3 female plants. So it is time to share some knowledge about home cultivation…
WHO IS ALREADY ALLOWED TO GROW CANNABIS IN GERMANY?
Currently, the cultivation of cannabis in Germany is only permitted for medical purposes. Licensed companies can obtain special permits to cultivate cannabis for medicinal purposes. These companies must comply with strict regulations and quality standards and are regularly inspected by the authorities.
HOW WILL HOME CULTIVATION WORK AFTER THE LEGALIZATION IN GERMANY?
It is planned that the cultivation of up to three female cannabis plants per person will become legal, according to the legislative plans of Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD). People over the age of 18 will then be allowed to possess up to 50 grams of dried cannabis from their own cultivation, as envisaged in the draft law. As the plant loses around 80 per cent of its weight during drying, this means that a harvest of 200 grams, for example, would leave around 40 grams of dried weed. Another top priority is to protect home-grown plants from access by children and minors, if necessary in locked rooms.
WHERE TO BUY CANNABIS SEEDS?
Because in Germany we also mean well with the absurdities, according to the Federal Ministry of Health, it should be permitted to purchase cannabis seeds online in EU member states such as Luxembourg or Spain, self-explanatorily exclusively for home cultivation. In Germany, however, the seeds may initially only be purchased via the planned cultivation associations. The distribution is limited to a maximum of seven seeds or five cuttings per month and applies to members, but also to non-members over the age of 18 who can prove that they are resident in Germany.
WHAT IS THE RIGHT LOCATION TO GROW CANNABIS?
The choice between growing cannabis outdoors or indoors depends on various factors and there are pros and cons to each method.
Outdoor cultivation:
Advantages:
- Natural sunlight: cannabis plants need plenty of light, and outdoor sunlight is often stronger and more effective than indoor artificial lighting.
- Cost: Growing outdoors can be more cost-effective as there is no need for expensive lighting or ventilation systems.
- Greater yields: Under optimal conditions, larger plants with higher yields can be grown outdoors.
Disadvantages:
- Weather conditions: Cannabis is sensitive to extreme weather conditions such as frost, heavy rain or hail, which can affect the harvest.
- Discretion: Outdoor cultivation is less discreet and can attract attention and therefore be visible to everyone, which in turn is only permitted to a limited extent by law.
Indoor cultivation:
Advantages:
- Controlled environment: indoor growers have the ability to precisely control and optimize the growing environment, including light, temperature, humidity and ventilation.
- Discretion: Indoor growing offers maximum discretion.
- ear-round harvest: As you can control the conditions indoors, this can be harvested all year round, regardless of external weather conditions.
Disadvantages:
- Cost: Indoor growing can be expensive as lighting, ventilation and irrigation systems as well as nutrients are required.
- Complexity: Indoor growing requires more expertise and time to create the right conditions and manage problems such as pests or diseases.
- Power consumption: The use of artificial light and ventilation can lead to higher energy consumption, which can have an impact on the electricity bill.
Overall, the decision between indoor and outdoor growing depends on personal preference, budget, experience and available resources.
GROW WITH THE FLOW – GROW BOXES AND INDOOR EQUIPMENT FOR INDOOR CULTIVATION
For indoor cultivation with Grow Boxes, which are often offered by Grow Shops, you need some specific equipment and materials:
Grow Box: A specially designed box or tent lined with reflective material to efficiently distribute light and maximize space. These boxes are available in various sizes and offer a compact and discreet way to grow your plants.
Lighting: High quality grow lights such as LED, HPS (high pressure sodium vapor lamps) or CFL (compact fluorescent lamps) that provide the right light spectrums for plant growth. These lamps can often be purchased directly from grow shops and are especially recommended for growing plants indoors.
Ventilation System: An exhaust fan and an inlet fan to ensure air circulation in the grow room and to regulate the temperature and humidity. A carbon filter can also be used to reduce odours.
Watering System: Pots or containers for your plants as well as a watering system such as drip irrigation or hydroponics to ensure your plants receive the right amount of water.
Nutrients: Special fertilizers or nutrient solutions that are specifically tailored to the needs of your plants during the various growth phases. These can often also be purchased in grow shops.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT GROW TYPES OF CANNABIS STRAINS?
There are three main types of seeds for growing cannabis: Regular, Feminised and Autoflowering (Autogrow). And as is the case with all things, each type has its own advantages and disadvantages.
- Regular seeds:
- Regular seeds are not feminized, which means they have a 50/50 chance of being either male or female.
- For experienced growers interested in breeding new strains, regular seeds can be beneficial as they produce both male and female plants.
- However, for beginners, regular seeds can present a challenge as male plants need to be removed to prevent unwanted pollination which could affect the quality of the crop.
- Feminised seeds:
- Feminized seeds have been genetically manipulated to produce only female plants, which eliminates the likelihood of unwanted male plants.
- These seeds are ideal for novice and experienced growers as they minimise the work and risk involved in removing male plants.
- Feminised seeds can be a reliable option if you want to grow a specific strain with known characteristics.
- Autoflowering (Autogrow) seeds:
- Autoflowering seeds produce plants that automatically move into the flowering stage, regardless of the amount of light or light cycle. This means that they grow faster and have a shorter lifespan.
- These seeds are ideal for growers who want a faster harvest or live in regions with short summers where sunlight hours are limited.
- Autogrow seeds can also be beneficial for beginners as they require less effort in the light cycle and are less prone to timing issues.
But no matter the variety, it remains important to choose high-quality seeds from a trusted supplier to ensure a successful harvest.
WHICH SEEDS ARE THE MOST POPULAR FOR HOME GROWING?
Big in the game. The names of the individual seeds are a science all of their own and definitely worth another blog post! At least one… But we don’t want to withhold the best-known seeds for home cultivation from you here:
Northern Lights: This indica-dominant strain is known for its robustness and resistance to diseases and pests. It is relatively easy to grow and produces a high yield of resinous buds with a strong, relaxing high.
Blueberry: This indica-dominant strain is known for its sweet, fruity flavour. Blueberry plants are relatively easy to grow and produce compact, resinous buds with a high THC content.
Amnesia Haze: This sativa-dominant strain is a little more demanding to grow, but rewards with a high yield and an intense, psychoactive high.
Critical Kush:This indica-dominant strain is a cross between Critical Mass and OG Kush and is characterized by its short flowering time and high resistance. It produces large, dense buds and is well suited for growing in confined spaces.
Critical without a Kush remains to be seen what we can expect in Germany and whether the green thumbs will glow when home cultivation is hopefully legal at some point. May the time of big question marks soon come to an end and politicians do what needs to be done. After all, the last thing Germany needs is an embarrassment like no law, while more and more countries are embracing the issue and allowing progress to be made.
TOGETHER WE GROW. TOGETHER WE GREEN.
