INDOOR VS. OUTDOOR CANNABIS CULTIVATION: DIFFERENCES

Normally, outdoor growing offers more space to work, plenty of sunshine, free rainwater, better ventilation and the joy of growing weather-defying the weather.

However, growing outdoors also presents a number of challenges. Plants are more vulnerable to pests, larger predators, heatwaves and frosts.

Indoor growing offers more protection for plants and growers have complete control over their growing environment. They can change temperature and humidity settings and plants can be hidden more easily.

That said, indoor growers usually have less space at their disposal, less chance of achieving high yields and have to bear the cost of electricity bills to run their installations.

GROWING CANNABIS OUTDOORS

Sun. Fresh air. Soil. Growing outdoors offers many advantages, both for growers and cannabis plants. Everything from free resources to hours spent outdoors makes it a worthwhile activity.

CHOOSE YOUR AREA

Once you have decided to grow the plants outdoors, you must choose the area in which to grow them. Look for an area where temperatures are stable, with adequate exposure to sunlight and shelter from the weather.

GENETICS

After locating the area, choose a variety to grow. You will need to evaluate your growing environment and the types of effects you want to achieve from your cannabis.

If you live in the northernmost regions with short growing seasons, the best choice is resistant and accelerated flowering genetics, such as autoflowering. If you live further south, sativa towering plants that take longer to flower can be a great alternative, but according to 420growradar, hybrids also grow very well under these conditions.

Are you looking for some particular flavour? Check the terpenic profile of the varieties you are considering. This will give you a more precise overview of the sensory experience. Do you prefer fruity or earthy aromas? Citrus or candy?

You can also use the data released by the seedbank to estimate the size, flowering time and yield of a particular variety. If you can grow freely, consider a high and very productive variety. If you need to grow more discreetly, choose a smaller, stealthy variety.

GERMINATION

The first stage of a cannabis plant's life is germination. During this process, the first taproot root comes out of the seed and will develop into a young seedling. Germination requires three specific factors: darkness, moisture and water. Together, these elements will activate your seeds, and the soil happens to be the ideal place.

Growers living in warm climates can start growing their plants directly in pots or in the open field. However, plants require high humidity during the seedling stage. Consider starting the growth of plants outdoors in a normal greenhouse or in a polyethylene tunnel.

Growers living in cold climates should instead start growing young seedlings in an indoor crop during the colder spring months. Once the climate has warmed up, then the plants can be transplanted directly into the soil or into larger pots in the open air.

Before germinating the seeds, make sure that the soil is of excellent quality. Organic soil provides everything your plants need to thrive: nutrients, beneficial bacteria and synergistic fungi.

To germinate the seeds, make a hole in the soil in your garden or pot. Place the seed in the hole and gently cover it with a little soil. Add water and after 2-7 days your first seedling should sprout.

The seedling stage will last about two weeks. Give the young seedlings adequate lighting, humidity levels of about 70% and water in moderation.

PRESERVE PLANT HEALTH

The vegetative phase begins when the planttula stage ends. During this period, your plants will focus on photosynthesis and energy creation to fuel their development. During this phase, numerous larger fan leaves will begin to form. To keep your plants in full shape, follow these tips:

Water only when the first 3-5cm of soil has become dry. If you water too frequently, your plants will become vulnerable to root rot and other problems.

From time to time, analyse your soil to ensure that it remains within a pH range of 6.0 to 7.0 (the optimal range for nutrient absorption).

PREVENT PESTS

One of the hardest-fought challenges among outdoor growers are pests. Learn how to manage them and prevent their attacks by adopting the following tips.

1. Predatory insects: To protect your plants from pests, put predatory insects in your crops, such as ladybugs and wasps parasitoids.

2. Plant association: Plant basil, lemon balm or dill to repel pests.

3. Beneficial mushrooms: Mycorrhizal fungi in the soil can help catch and kill nematodes, soil microorganisms that attack cannabis roots.

4. Physical barriers: Install fences made with chicken net and other barriers to prevent larger animals, such as deer and birds, from eating the plants.

OUTDOOR GROWER CALENDAR

This calendar is based on average climatic conditions in Europe. If you live in a more extreme climate zone (or in a different hemisphere), it is worth checking the specific conditions of the place.

Also, depending on the variety, plants can grow much faster or slower than others. Always keep in mind the growth characteristics of each variety you choose.

You will also notice that our calendar takes into account the time of year and the position of the moon and sun. Many growers work based on the lunar cycles, the moon being a celestial body that influences the movements of water, sap and imperceptible energies.

INDOOR GERMINATION

Have the seeds germinate at home around 9 March if you live in a cooler climate zone. This date falls close to the full moon and stimulates the growth of larger, more aromatic buds.

The spring equinox falls on 20 March. During this period, the sun crosses the celestial equator, marking the first day of spring. The longer days and the greater intensity of sunlight warn that the growing season has begun! The seeds will take between 2 and 7 days to complete germination and enter the seedling stage.

PLANTTULA STAGE / INDOOR CULTIVATION

The planttula stage lasts about two weeks and precedes the beginning of the vegetative phase. In colder regions, it is advisable to continue growing the plants indoors until mid-April. In this way, you will be sure to meet all their temperature and light requirements.

SOWING AND TRANSPLANTING OUTDOORS

If you live in a warmer climate zone, now is the time to germinate the seeds directly outdoors. Now the seedlings grown indoors can be transferred outside and transplanted directly into soil or larger pots.

If you decide to orient your crops according to the lunar cycles, try transplanting when the waning moon enters its ascending phase.

After transplanting, the plants will settle in the soil, continue to grow in the vegetative phase and develop more mass. The transition to summer will give them plenty of light and will continue to stretch upwards, while the North Pole will reach its maximum inclination towards the sun.

TOPPING AND FOLDING

Once your plants have settled down, you can proceed to plant them and fold them. This will increase yields, open their foliage and make them easier to tame.

Some techniques, such as Low Stress Training, can be adopted between June and July, until the beginning of August. After that, the plants will enter the flowering phase and it will no longer make sense to continue training them.

IDENTIFY THE SEX

Before the formation of the flowers, the plants will enter the pre-flowering phase. Use this time interval to check the sex of the plants and prevent any unwanted males from pollinating the female plants. Pre-flowering is formed in the nodes, located where each branch meets the main stem.

FOLLOWING

The plants have now entered the flowering phase. As the autumn equinox approaches, the days begin to shorten and the plants receive the signal that it is time to flower. Tidy up their branches a bit and make sure that all the sites from which the buds will grow are well exposed to light.

Perhaps the most exciting moment in the entire growth cycle occurs between mid-September and mid-November. The fun part of your hard work has arrived and you can finally collect your precious inflorescences. The weather is getting cooler, the days are getting shorter and the winter solstice is approaching.