Ask Doug and JenUpdated 2 months ago

Meet Doug and Jen, the dynamic duo of cannabis cultivation at Seed Supreme. This easygoing couple brings a balanced approach to growing, seamlessly blending outdoor and indoor techniques to help growers of all levels achieve success.

How do I choose the right strain for my climate and growing conditions?

Doug: Hey there, friend. Choosing the right strain is all about working with your environment, not against it. If you're dealing with a cooler climate, look for indica-dominant strains that finish earlier.

Jen: And if you're in a warm, humid area, go for those mold-resistant sativas. For indoor grows, it's more about matching the strain to your setup.

Doug: Exactly, Jen. Just remember, every strain has its own personality, so take the time to get to know them.

What are the best soil and nutrient options for growing cannabis?

Jen: You know, we've found that keeping it simple and natural works best. A nice, light mix of peat moss, perlite, and some good compost will do wonders.

Doug: For nutrients, we love using organic options like worm castings and bat guano. Start with a balanced mix for the vegetative stage, then switch to something with more phosphorus and potassium for flowering.

Jen: That's right, Doug. And remember, less is often more with cannabis - it's easy to overfeed these beauties.

How do I properly care for seedlings and young plants?

Jen: Seedlings are like babies - they need gentle care and attention. We use a very diluted nutrient solution, about a quarter of the normal strength, and water sparingly to prevent damping off.

Doug: Good point, Jen. We also give them plenty of light, but keep it gentle - CFLs or low-wattage LEDs are perfect. Keep the humidity high, around 70%, and temperatures between 70-80°F.

Jen: As they grow, you can gradually increase light intensity and nutrient strength. Just be patient - young plants take their time at first, but they'll take off before you know it.

What is the ideal watering and feeding schedule for cannabis plants?

Doug: You know, there's no one-size-fits-all schedule here. It really depends on your growing medium, plant size, and environment. Generally, we water when the top inch of soil feels dry.

Jen: For feeding, we start with weekly applications at quarter strength and increase gradually. During flowering, you might want to feed every other watering.

Doug: That's right, Jen. Always pH your water to 6.0-6.5 for soil, or 5.5-6.0 for hydro. And remember, it's always better to underwater than overwater.

What are the differences between regular, feminized, and autoflowering seeds?

Doug: Alright, let's break this down. Regular seeds are just that - regular. They'll give you both male and female plants, usually about 50/50. They're great for breeding, but you'll need to identify and remove males if you're just after buds. Feminized seeds are genetically modified to produce only female plants, which saves you the trouble of sexing. Autoflowering seeds have some ruderalis genetics, which means they'll flower based on age rather than light cycle. They're usually smaller and faster to harvest, but generally yield less than photoperiod strains.

How can I breed cannabis plants using feminized seeds?

Doug: Breeding with feminized seeds can be a bit tricky, friend, as they're designed to produce only female plants. However, you can create feminized seeds by inducing stress in female plants to produce male flowers - this is called hermaphroditism.

Jen: It's typically done using colloidal silver or gibberellic acid. The pollen from these male flowers is then used to pollinate another female plant.

Doug: Exactly, Jen. This process requires careful timing and selection to maintain the traits you want. It's definitely an advanced technique, so make sure you're comfortable with basic growing before diving into breeding.

How do I prevent and address nutrient burn in cannabis plants?

Doug: Nutrient burn can be a real headache, friend, but it's preventable. Start with a low nutrient concentration and gradually increase. We always use a bit less than what the feeding charts recommend.

Jen: Regular flushing of your growing medium can prevent salt buildup. If you start noticing leaf tips turning yellow or brown and curling up, that's likely nutrient burn.

Doug: Exactly, Jen. The first thing to do is flush your growing medium with pH-balanced water. Then, reduce the strength of your nutrient solution for future feedings.

Jen: Remember, it's always easier to add more nutrients than to fix nutrient burn, so err on the side of caution.

How do I properly dry and cure harvested cannabis buds?

Doug: Proper drying and curing is what turns a good harvest into a great one. After you harvest, hang those branches in a dark room. Keep the temperature around 60-70°F and the humidity at 50-60%.

Jen: Use fans for air circulation, but don't point them directly at your buds. You'll know they're dry enough when the stems snap instead of bend - usually takes about 7-14 days.

Doug: For curing, we trim our buds and pop them in airtight glass jars, filling them about 75% full. Open those jars daily for the first week to let out moisture and let fresh air in.

Jen: Gradually reduce this to once a week. A proper cure takes at least 2-4 weeks, but can go on for months. Trust us, the wait is worth it!

What are some effective pest control methods for cannabis plants?

Jen: When it comes to pests, prevention is always better than cure. We keep our grow area clean and inspect our plants regularly. For small infestations, sometimes a strong stream of water does the trick. We're big fans of neem oil - it's great for various pests and fungal issues. Introducing beneficial insects like ladybugs can also work wonders. If things get really bad, we might use organic pesticides like pyrethrin or spinosad. Just remember to apply any treatments during the plant's 'evening' to prevent light stress.

What are the best practices for growing cannabis in a greenhouse?

Doug: Hey there, friend. Greenhouse growing is a great middle ground between indoor and outdoor cultivation. We like to use light deprivation techniques to control flowering in photoperiod strains.

Jen: Good ventilation is crucial - you'll want to manage temperature and humidity carefully. Consider setting up some automated systems for this.

Doug: On cloudy days or to extend the growing season, you might want to supplement natural light with grow lights. Keep a close eye on pest control - greenhouses can create ideal conditions for certain pests.

Jen: We've found that using vertical space efficiently with trellising or SCROG techniques works really well in a greenhouse setup. It's all about maximizing that natural light while maintaining control over your growing environment.

What are the signs of overwatering or underwatering cannabis plants?

Jen: Water management is crucial for healthy plants. Overwatered plants have droopy leaves that feel soft and limp. The soil stays wet for long periods, and you might see yellowing leaves or slowed growth.

Doug: Underwatered plants also have droopy leaves, but they feel crisp and dry. The soil will be very dry, and leaf edges may turn brown.

Jen: An easy way to check is to lift your pots - overwatered pots are heavy, underwatered are light.

Doug: That's right, Jen. We always water based on the plant's needs rather than a strict schedule. It takes a bit of practice, but you'll get a feel for it over time.

How do I safely transition indoor-started plants to outdoor growing?

Doug: Transitioning plants from indoors to outdoors, or "hardening off," needs to be done gradually to avoid shocking the plants. We start by placing them outdoors in a sheltered spot for a few hours a day, avoiding direct sunlight.

Jen: Over 7-14 days, we gradually increase their outdoor time and sun exposure. It's important to watch for signs of stress and adjust accordingly.

Doug: When it's time for the final move, we choose a cloudy day to reduce transplant shock. Make sure your outdoor soil is prepared and similar to their indoor medium.

Jen: And be ready to protect your plants from unexpected weather or pests. It's a bit of extra work, but it's worth it for healthy, robust outdoor plants.

How do I adjust growing techniques for photoperiod vs. autoflowering strains?

Doug: Hey there, friend. Photoperiod and autoflowering strains need different approaches. With photoperiod strains, you've got more control over plant size and when flowering starts. You can extend the vegetative phase to get the size you want before switching to a 12/12 light cycle for flowering. These plants respond well to training techniques like topping and LST. Now, autoflowers are a different story. They have a set life cycle, so you need to provide optimal conditions right from the start. Go easy on nutrients and avoid high-stress training techniques. Use 18-24 hours of light throughout their lifecycle. The key difference is timing - with photos you control the flip to flower, with autos nature takes the wheel.

What are the ideal temperature and humidity levels for different growth stages?

Jen: Temperature and humidity management is crucial for healthy plants. For seedlings, we aim for 70-75°F (21-24°C) with 70-75% humidity.

Doug: During vegetative growth, we bump it up to 70-85°F (21-29°C) with 40-60% humidity. When flowering starts, we keep temperatures between 65-80°F (18-26°C) and gradually lower humidity to 30-40% by late flowering.

Jen: Night temperatures should be about 10°F cooler than day temperatures. Remember, these are general guidelines - some strains might prefer slightly different conditions.

Doug: Exactly, Jen. It's all about creating a comfortable environment for your plants to thrive in.

What are some common mistakes to avoid as a beginner cannabis grower?

Jen: You know, we all make mistakes when we're starting out. Some common ones to watch out for are overwatering, overfeeding, and not managing pH properly. A lot of beginners also struggle with lighting - either not enough or too much. It's important not to rush the process - patience is really key in cannabis cultivation. Try not to check on your plants too frequently, as this can stress them out. Don't neglect temperature and humidity control - these are crucial for healthy plants. We always recommend starting with easier strains and simple setups before trying more advanced techniques. And most importantly, always do your research and have a plan before you start growing.

What are the best container sizes for different cannabis strains and growth stages?

Doug: Container size can really impact your plant's growth, friend. For seedlings, we start in small pots (1-2 gallons) or seedling trays. As plants grow, we transplant to larger containers.

Jen: For mature plants, indica strains generally do well in 3-5 gallon pots, while sativas might need 5-7 gallons or more due to their larger size.

Doug: Autoflowers are a bit different - we plant them in their final pot (usually 3-5 gallons) to avoid transplant stress.

Jen: Remember, larger pots allow for bigger plants but require more space and resources. It's all about finding the right balance for your grow space and the strains you're working with.

What are effective natural pest control methods for cannabis plants?

Jen: We're big believers in natural pest control. Prevention is key - keep your grow area clean and check your plants regularly. Introducing beneficial insects like ladybugs or predatory mites can work wonders. Neem oil is our go-to for many pests and it also helps prevent fungal issues. Diatomaceous earth is great for deterring crawling insects. We also love companion planting - herbs like basil or marigolds can help repel pests. For fungus gnats, try using sticky traps and letting the soil dry between waterings. Always make sure you know what pest you're dealing with before treating - different pests require different approaches.

How do I properly use and mix cannabis nutrients to avoid plant issues?

Jen: Nutrient management is crucial for healthy plants. We always start with a lower concentration than recommended and gradually increase. Mix nutrients in water before adding to plants, and make sure they're fully dissolved.

Doug: Using a PPM meter to measure overall nutrient concentration can be really helpful. Follow a feeding schedule that's appropriate for your growing medium and plant stage.

Jen: We make sure to flush our medium regularly to prevent salt buildup. It's important to pay attention to your plants - they'll show signs if they're over or underfed.

Doug: That's right, Jen. Remember, it's easier to fix underfeeding than overfeeding, so err on the side of caution.

What are some companion plants that can benefit cannabis growth or pest control?

Jen: Companion planting can really enhance your cannabis garden. We love using basil - it repels pests and some say it improves flavor and growth. Chamomile is great too - it boosts oil production and acts as a natural fungicide.

Doug: Marigolds are excellent for deterring nematodes and other pests. Alfalfa helps fix nitrogen in the soil, which cannabis loves.

Jen: Peppermint is good for pest control, but plant it in containers to prevent spreading. Lavender attracts beneficial insects, which can help with pollination and pest control.

Doug: Just remember to consider the needs of your companion plants - they'll need water, light, and space too. It's all about creating a balanced, symbiotic garden ecosystem.