Growing your own cannabis brings many benefits, but it is not easy. It is not a simple, set-it-and-forget-it kind of crop. Although breeders have created a whole line of autoflower, feminized, and beginner seeds that require less maintenance and are more resilient to mistakes, you still need to know what you are doing.
Even with these advancements, choosing the right genetics still plays a major role in avoiding common mistakes. Popular options like White Widow seeds are often recommended because they’re known for their resilience and balanced growth, making them more forgiving for newer growers.
Other beginner-friendly strains, including Northern Lights, Blue Dream, or Gorilla Glue, are also valued for their stability and predictable results. Starting with well-established strains helps reduce issues related to nutrient sensitivity, stress, or inconsistent yields, giving growers a better foundation to learn proper watering, lighting, and feeding practices before moving on to more demanding varieties.
Here are the top three common mistakes to avoid when growing your own cannabis.
1. Overwatering or Underwatering
The number one mistake home growers make is over- or underwatering their plants. Whether you are using an autoflower seed like apple fritter or a feminized one like shishkaberry, cannabis plants need the perfect amount of water to grow strong without drying up or becoming waterlogged.
Also, the water should always have a pH balance between 6.0 and 6.5. If you are using tap water, it is highly recommended that you fill canisters with it and let it sit for at least 24 hours to allow the chlorine to dissipate and the pH level to balance.
So, how do you know if your plant has too much or too little water? Here are the signs to look for.
Signs of overwatering:
- Drooping Leaves: Leaves appear heavy and droopy.
- Swollen or Curling Leaves: Leaves appear puffy, are curled downward, or are overly firm.
- Slow Growth: Overwatering cuts off oxygen in the root zone, causing stunted growth.
- Yellow Leaves: Overwatering can cause leaves to turn yellow, particularly at the bottom of the plant.
- Mushy or Dark Roots: Roots appear brown and slimy, indicating root rot.
- Mold: Excessive moisture in the soil can produce mold and other fungi.
Signs of underwatering:
- Wilting or Dry Leaves: Leaves appear limp, lifeless, and feel dry and crispy.
- Light, Dry Soil: Soil appears very dry, and the pot feels light when lifted.
- Stunted Growth: Slow development due to dehydration.
- Curling Leaves: Leaves will begin to curl upward as they try to retain moisture.
- Weak or Brittle Stems: Stems become thinner and weaker, making them prone to breaking.
If you notice your plants are overwatered, you can fix it by allowing the soil to dry out before watering again and making sure you have proper drainage, well-aerated soil, and pots with drainage holes. If you notice they are underwater, you can fix it by establishing a consistent watering schedule or investing in an automatic watering system.
2. Poor Lighting and Unfavorable Environmental Conditions
The next most common mistake home growers make is having poor lighting or a grow setup with unfavorable environmental conditions. Although some seeds, such as autoflower seeds, do not depend on light cycles for flowering, all seeds still require adequate lighting for growth. You will want to make sure your plants receive lighting from an LED full-spectrum grow light.
For autoflower seeds, you can do an 18-hour on and 4-hour off light schedule. For photoperiod or feminized seeds, you should follow a light cycle that appropriately changes throughout the grow cycle to induce flowering at the correct time.
Regarding environmental conditions, common mistakes that home growers make are not having the proper temperature in their grow setup, having too much humidity, or not having adequate airflow. You will want to use a thermometer and a hygrometer to maintain the proper temperature ranges and humidity levels that plants require during the seedling, vegetative, flowering, and late flowering stages.
Regarding airflow, you will want to set up an oscillating fan to provide proper ventilation and airflow and prevent stagnant air pockets. Additionally, you can set up an inline fan with a carbon filter to help with odor control and improve the air quality.
3. Nutrient Imbalances and pH Issues
Another common mistake home growers make is overfeeding or underfeeding their plants and not testing the pH of their water and soil. Overfeeding can cause nutrient burn, whereas underfeeding can create deficiencies and stunt growth. You should utilize proper nutrient schedules to ensure your plants get the nutrients they need when they need them.
Regarding pH levels, the main things to remember are to rest your soil regularly and ensure the watering water is within acceptable pH levels. Acceptable pH levels for water and soil are between 6.0 and 6.5.
Additionally, if you are using tap water, you will want to let the water sit for 24 hours to ensure any chlorine dissipates. Allowing the chlorine to evaporate will help maintain beneficial bacteria in the soil, essential for nutrient absorption and plant health.
Final Thoughts
Although growing your own cannabis at home has become easier, it still requires patience and attention to detail. From proper watering and lighting to maintaining a viable environment, nutrient balance, and pH level, you can ensure your plants are healthy and strong and that they produce high yields that are potent and flavorful.
