Growing your own cannabis can be fun and rewarding, but it can also get expensive. In this article, we get tips from expert Jeff Jones on how to save money while growing high-quality cannabis.
Choose low-cost, high-quality cannabis seeds
One of the most important factors to consider when growing cannabis is the quality of the seeds. It’s crucial to choose high-quality cannabis seeds to ensure a healthy and robust plant. Online seed banks like Homegrown Cannabis Co. offer a wide variety of seeds at different price points. It’s essential to compare prices and quality before making a purchase.
“Seeds are low-cost and safe to transport,” says indoor growing expert Jeff Jones, a Horticulture Faculty Member of Oaksterdam University. “It’s easy to have them mailed to you.”
Buy seeds from trusted seed banks
When purchasing cannabis seeds, it’s important to buy from trusted seed banks. A reputable seed bank will ensure that the seeds you receive are of high quality and will germinate correctly. Additionally, seed banks will typically offer a guarantee on their products, which can provide peace of mind for the buyer. Avoid purchasing seeds from unverified sources, as this can lead to poor quality or even non-germinating seeds.
According to Jones, seeds are the way to go in order to cultivate your own unique cannabis, one of the benefits of growing your own.
“When you’re in cultivation, seeds is where everyone wants to start if they want their own varietal that no one else has,” Jones says. “Seeds give you more genetic drift. When you’re growing from a clone you’re getting someone else’s varietal.”
Clone what you grow
Once you’ve grown your seeds to maturity, and found a varietal that you enjoy, you can then begin to clone. Cloning is an excellent way to save money and keep growing.
Clones are genetically identical to the parent plant and can be used to create multiple plants. Cloning can also help ensure a consistent harvest as the new plants will have the same characteristics as the parent plant.
To clone cannabis, take a cutting from the parent plant and place it in water or a rooting hormone to promote root growth. This also can save money by generating harvests three to five weeks more quickly than growing from seeds.
Reuse and recycle supplies
Growing cannabis requires a lot of supplies, including pots, hoses, pruning shears, and soil. While these supplies can be expensive, there are ways to save money by reusing and recycling them. For example, pots can be cleaned and sterilized between uses. Pruning shears can also be sharpened and sterilized between uses to ensure they are in good condition for the next harvest.
Growing media — including soil, rockwool, clay pellets and coco coir — can also be reused.
Use autoflower seeds
Autoflower seeds are a cost-effective option for growing cannabis. These seeds are designed to flower automatically, which means they do not require a change in light cycles. Autoflower seeds can be grown under any light cycle, making them ideal for indoor growing. Additionally, these seeds typically have a shorter grow cycle than traditional seeds, which can result in a quicker harvest.
Don’t discard your end product
Many growers only use the buds of the cannabis plant and discard the leaves. However, trichomes, which contain THC and other cannabinoids, can also be found on the leaves. Instead of discarding the leaves, they can be used to create edibles, tinctures, and other cannabis products. This can help maximize the yield and reduce waste, ultimately saving you money.
Seek help along the way
To ensure your investment pays off, ensure you are getting good quality information so your plants remain healthy to a successful harvest. A lot of information is available online, including online classes in horticulture or home growing. Many seed banks offer continuing education to ensure your success.
The experts at your local hydroponics store can give you helpful grow tips and steer you toward the best products for the price. Oftentimes, if you cultivate a relationship with the owner or manager, they can price-match and alert you about upcoming sales.
These are all ways to save money growing cannabis.
