In enclosed areas out of sight from public spaces, Ohioans 21 or older can now legally cultivate weed at home — with some limitations. Plants are limited to six per person and 12 total at homes with two or more adults. The possession cutoff: 2.5 ounces. Some consider fruitfully flowering cannabis outside in Northeast Ohio an uphill battle, given temperatures, summertime humidity and days-on-end storms. But Will Bowden, founder and CEO of Grasshopper Farms, an outdoor cultivator with grows in Michigan, New Jersey and Colorado, reassures, saying, “Take your time; be patient.”
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Small Packet, Large Decision
Novice cannabis growers usually either purchase feminized seeds or feminized autoflower seeds, says Derek Gilman, cultivation expert at online education platform Green Flower and managing director of the Ganjier cannabis sommelier program. Plants from feminized selections transition from vegetative to flowering growth.
Family ‘Trees’
Most cannabis strains are hybrids of indicas, which evolved in mountainous regions, and sativas, originally from equatorial areas, Gilman says. For hybrids that more resemble one original lineage over the other, he says: “The mountainous varieties would be something to lean towards because they have evolved under a shorter growth period, shorter opportunity to grow.” Effects-wise, he says indicas generally sedate while sativas stimulate.
Keep a Watchful Eye
You can get an indication of if your plants are healthy, Bowden says, by checking yes to the following boxes: “Is it standing up tall? Does it look vibrant in color?” But something could be amiss if the answers are yes to: “Is it drooping over? Are the leaves curling?”
The Big ‘Top’
Growers can prune, or “top,” cannabis plants throughout grow cycles, says Nicole Fenix, Cleveland School of Cannabis (CSC) education director. “That allows the light to penetrate the canopy better,” she says. “You’re going to get more photosynthesis and a better-quality plant because if it’s really dense, that light can’t get in.” Also, because of light’s importance to the growth process, Fenix says not to compact seeds when planting them a quarter inch into the soil.
Hung Out to Dry
Whether outside or in, growers need to think about where to hang and dry their cannabis, Gilman says. Optimal parameters in this stage are about 60 degrees and 60% relative humidity, he says. Too much humidity in drying can sabotage your whole project, Fenix says.
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Room for Improvement
There are in-person or online CSC education or through Green Flower, which just launched certificates with Kent State University. Bowden says Grasshopper Farms offers scheduled tours and hydroponics stores, while Google’s “Search by Image” provides value.
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