Cannabis is one of the most resilient plants in the world. That explains why a plant that was once indigenous in Asia can now thrive in various climatic regions around the world. Cannabis is also known for its pest-resistant characteristics.

But despite all the above traits, cases of poor cannabis yields are still common.  A majority of those incidences are attributed to poor growing mistakes. 

If you’re an aspiring cannabis farmer, it’s incumbent upon you to understand the common rookie mistakes that might cause your plants to perform dismally. This article shall highlight the top six cannabis growing mistakes to avoid.

Some of these mistakes often occur even before the cultivation stage. However, a majority of them are made during the actual cultivation.

A cannabis greenhouse

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Mistakes Before Cultivation

1. Not Researching Adequately

Cannabis enjoys a long history of human use. Extracts from the plant have been used for more than 2,500 years in cooking, folk medicine, and in the textile industry. 

But in spite of its well-documented therapeutic properties, cannabis remains illegal in many countries. Therefore, it’s necessary to conduct your research on the legality of cannabis in your locality before cultivating the plant. 

In the United States, the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill made it legal to grow cannabis. But you must only grow variants of the plant that produce no more than 0.3% concentration of the psychoactive compound tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

Beginners often make another mistake of only keeping canna products in their shops. It would be much better to have detox products for your smoke shop as buyers often purchase it bundled with their cannabis flower.

2. Not Preparing the Farms Properly

Cannabis may be one of the most resilient plants out there. But the plant is not entirely immune to pests. 

Numerous pests might invade your cannabis farm and cause irreparable damage to the plants, ranging from leaf-chewing pests like caterpillars to root-gnawing pests like rodents. If you operate a backyard farm, your pets could venture into the garden and trample over the plants or nibble on young cannabis shoots. 

All the above scenarios underscore the importance of preparing your farms diligently. 

First, you’ll need to treat your cannabis farm against invasive weeds. Then, plow the ground over several times to soften the soil for easier root penetration and air circulation. 

Lastly, fence off your cannabis farm appropriately, depending on the most prevalent pests in your locality.

3. Purchasing the Wrong Seeds

Many of the high-quality cannabis products like CBDfx capsules, oils, tinctures, etc., are formulated with high-quality cannabis seeds yield. 

But how will you know that the marijuana seeds you’re about to purchase are high-quality? 

First off, you should consider purchasing your seeds from reputable suppliers. Generally, these are suppliers who deliver seeds to major cannabis farms worldwide. 

Also, insist on hybrids. Hybrid seeds combine the best of Sativa and indica, the two most popular cannabis strains. Apart from these, there are many strains like sour tangie, lemon skunk, etc,. 

Usually, hybrid seeds contain genetic makeup that causes them to mature early while giving optimum yields. Also, these seeds tend to be highly resistant against pests and drought.

A woman tending to cannabis plants

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Mistakes While Cultivating

1. Overfeeding the Plants

The obsession with keeping your cannabis plants healthy and getting them to mature faster might cause you to overfeed the plants. However, you need not be reminded that the age-old adage ‘too much of anything is toxic‘ applies to cannabis plants as well. 

Supplying your cannabis plants with the right amount of nutrients begins by choosing the right fertilizer for the plants. Feed the plants sparingly, looking out for any signs of overfeeding like wilting and yellowing of leaves.

If you’re having a hard time determining the right amount of nutrients for your cannabis plants, insist on organic nutrients and shun inorganic ones. That’s because organic nutrients release slowly into the soil compared to their inorganic counterparts, which might lower the risks of overfeeding.

2. Growing the Plants Under Nonideal Conditions

Five elements dictate the ideal conditions for growing cannabis plants – water, pH, light, temperature, and humidity. 

Experts recommend watering your cannabis garden moderately. Under-watering cannabis plants will cause them to dry off and die. Similarly, overwatering the plants will cause their roots to suffocate and the plants will eventually die. 

Just like water, pH also affects the health of cannabis plants significantly. Cannabis thrives under a pH range of 5.5 – 6.5 for hydroponic farms and 6.0 – 7.0 for soil-based farms. 

When it comes to lighting, consider both light duration and intensity. Always supplement with artificial light sources like grow lamps, particularly during periods with limited daylight. 

The ideal range for the other factors are as follows;

• Humidity: Between 30 and 70%
• Temperature: Between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit

3. Untimely Harvesting

Some growers harvest their cannabis plants too soon, and others too late. Neither is recommended. 

Harvesting the plants too soon may affect the concentration of certain cannabinoids. On the other hand, harvesting too late means you have limited time to prepare for the next growing season. 

The best time to harvest your cannabis plants is when all the trichomes have turned milky white. 

But as you shall find, other factors may necessitate an early or late harvest. For instance, a sudden climatic change like an early onset of the rains may alter the plants’ biological cycle, making an early harvest more prudent. 

But even then, ensure that the plants are generally within their maturation phase.

Cannabis buds nearing maturation

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Remember, the cannabis grower mistakes we’ve highlighted in this post are not a preserve of the inexperienced. The mistakes are even common among seasoned growers. While avoiding them may not necessarily guarantee the return on your investment, it will go a long way in keeping your plants healthy and your farm productive. But despite all the above traits, cases of poor cannabis yields are still common. A majority of those incidences are attributed to poor growing mistakes.” check out here for more growing tips.