Individuals may want to try growing marijuana now that it is legal in many parts of the country. When they purchase supplies, they quickly discover they could spend a fortune before buying and planting any seeds. An indoor grow space needs grow lights, ventilation, and other supplies for the plants to thrive. Growing cannabis outdoors leaves the plants exposed to the elements and potential criminals.
People should research growing marijuana on a budget before purchasing anything. If they know where to look, there are budget-friendly options. With these supplies, a person can grow marijuana without decimating their budget. They will find they can grow cannabis with budget-friendly supplies just as easily as they can grow the plants with expensive items. They simply need the right tools and techniques.
However, growers also need to consider quality when buying supplies. They must find the right balance between affordable supplies and high yields. How can they achieve this balance?
Grow Rooms
People who plan to grow cannabis indoors must have a room dedicated to this purpose. Repurposing an existing space in the home doesn’t have to cost a fortune. The grower can take a spare room or closet and set up a grow room. When doing so, they can often use household items and furnishings they already own. In addition, they can try Facebook groups and sites dedicated to offering free items so they don’t go to the landfill.
Another option is to invest in a grow tent or cabinet. These devices provide a self-contained space for cultivating marijuana. The buyer should research prices and features to find a cabinet or tent that meets their needs and budget. These items come in several shapes and sizes and can be customized. Grow tents are larger, so new growers should consider buying a cabinet. These cabinets are small and discreet, making them ideal for many homes.
Lighting
Cannabis plants need light to grow and thrive. Growers must choose between compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) and LED lights. Compact fluorescent lights are affordable and emit little heat, so individuals with small grow spaces typically select this option. However, they lack the efficiency of LED lights, and the crop yield will be smaller.
LED lights are efficient and also emit little heat. Growers won’t need a cooling system to keep their plants at a suitable temperature. LED lights use less energy, helping the grower save on energy bills. Individuals can expect to pay more at purchase, but they will recoup these savings over time thanks to lower energy costs and higher yields.
Light reflectors and movers can help growers increase the effectiveness of their lighting systems. The reflectors redirect the light so all plants receive the same amount, and light movers distribute the light evenly for bigger yields and lower electricity bills. Growers should set up a light schedule to save energy. However, they also need to consider the needs of the plants.
Temperature and Humidity
Cannabis plants must be kept in a climate-controlled space. The temperature and humidity have to be maintained, or the crops will not thrive. Inexperienced growers often invest in costly climate control systems only to learn they didn’t need to spend the money. Budget-friendly climate control devices are readily available.
Many growers use their household heaters and fans to keep the grow space temperature in the desired range. The fans circulate the air to reduce the risk of hot spots, while heaters prevent the plants from getting too cold. The grower must monitor the temperature and make adjustments as needed.
Insulating and sealing the grow space will help maintain the temperature and humidity. Weatherstripping and insulating foam are two options for sealing the doors and windows. The grower must check the room regularly for air leaks and fix them immediately for the optimal growing environment.
Growers may use homemade humidifiers and dehumidifiers to maintain the humidity level. They do not need to purchase these devices, but they might need to experiment with a few to find the right one for the space. Maintaining the right humidity level and temperature protects the plant from harmful diseases.
Air Circulation and Ventilation
The grow space must have adequate ventilation to prevent mold and mildew growth. Household fans can circulate the air while preventing hot spots. The grower may want to combine the fan with an air filter to improve air quality in the grow space while preventing mold and mildew growth. They may also want to consider passive air intake and exhaust methods to ventilate the space.
Grow Mediums and Nutrients
Soil and soilless mix options can be used as grow mediums for cannabis plants. Many growers create their compost using household waste, but they may also want to try an organic fertilizer made with fish emulsion and bone meal. The goal is to find an affordable and effective grow medium and fertilizer combination.
Grow Techniques
Growers want the biggest yield, and the growing techniques affect the harvest’s size. Many growers use low-stress training to train the branches to grow horizontally rather than vertically to improve light penetration and boost the yield. Sea of Green and Screen of Green methods allow growers to have several plants in a confined space because the techniques enable the cultivator to use every square inch of the grow space.
Cannabis Strains
Growers must choose seeds that will maximize their yield while staying within budget. Autoflowering strains have a short growing cycle and don’t need as much light, so the grower can save on energy and harvest their crop frequently. However, they shouldn’t overlook high-yield and hardy strains because they don’t require costly equipment and expensive nutrients.
A person might decide they shouldn’t grow cannabis when they see how much it would cost to set up a grow room. However, people shouldn’t worry about purchasing expensive equipment. They can be creative and resourceful and set up an outstanding grow space that will allow them to explore this hobby. As their skills and knowledge grow, they may want to upgrade. Nobody will blame them if they do.
