Avoid These Mistakes When Growing Cannabis!

Mistakes are a part of learning — there's no denying that. But when it comes to growing cannabis, avoiding certain pitfalls from the start can save you a lot of time, effort, and frustration. 

From picking the wrong soil to underestimating the importance of pH levels, knowing what you shouldn't do can make the difference between a mediocre harvest and top-tier buds. And sometimes, it's just better to learn from others' mistakes than your own! 

So, let's get straight into ten mistakes you need to avoid when growing cannabis plants. 

1. Not Knowing Your Strain

Picture this: A friend hands you a bag of seeds with the promise, “It's some amazing weed!” Exciting, right? Except you have no idea what strain you're about to grow. Every strain comes with its quirks, and going in blind can set you up for a rough start.

Cannabis isn't a one-size-fits-all plant. An indica autoflower behaves worlds apart from a regular photoperiod sativa. Some strains thrive in chilly climates, while others need sunny, tropical weather. Even the most ideal environmental conditions will not suit every strain as there will be some variations from one strain to another, which means you should know whether the strain you purchase will suit your environment or not. 

Nutritional needs can vary wildly too — what works for one strain might overwhelm another.

To avoid this confusion, always know your seeds. Reliable seed banks provide detailed strain information — flowering periods, nutritional needs, expected yields, and more. This information will help you achieve a successful harvest.

Here are a few common mistakes you might make: 

• Indoor vs. Outdoor Misalignment

If you grow an outdoor strain indoors, it will not thrive because the space is smaller with less light. Moreover, you may have the best grow light in the world, but it still won't be as intense as the sun. Conversely, indoor strains might not perform well when grown outside.

To avoid this, learn the particular needs of the strain first. Does it prefer to grow in a controlled setting indoors or open spaces outside?

Think about how much heat and humidity the plant can take and if it can fight off bugs or illness.

• Mismatched Flowering Periods

Sativas which take a long time to flower may not make it to flowering due to frost. Needless to say, you have no choice other than growing indicas or autoflowers that flower quickly if you live in regions that have short growing periods. 

• Climate Misfit

Strains sensitive to mold may die in humid areas. Similarly, those that cannot handle the heat can wilt. Thus, you have to match the strain to the climate. Strains like Afghani or Durban Poison do well in hot and dry regions. However, some strains like Northern Lights or Blue Cheese will thrive even when the climate is cool. Similarly, White Widow does well in humid climates. So, you need to choose strains that will perform well in your climate. 

• Overlooking Space Constraints

Big sativa plants don't do well in small tents. Therefore, try and grow short and stocky indicas that are suitable for smaller grow tents. Conversely, Sativa-dominant strains grow tall, so they need a lot of space. 

• Personal Requirements

Always pick a strain that matches your goals, plans, and preferences. Are you cultivating for fun, health benefits, or both?

Do you want results that promote calmness, creativity, concentration, or sleep?

For example, if you like low-THC strains, you'll be happy with mid-strength strains or even CBD. Similarly, pick strains you like after considering the flavor, aroma, and effects carefully. If you like fruity strains, Mango Kush and Strawberry Cough can be a great fit whereas OG Kush and Pineapple Express have earthy, pungent aromas. If you prefer strains that produce strong effects, go for Gelato or Gorilla Glue. If not, you can choose Charlotte's Web or ACDC strains to get the therapeutic effects without the high. Strains like Harlequin with a 1:1 THC to CBD ratio may also work for you. 

If you choose one randomly, don't be surprised if it doesn't perform according to your expectations.

In essence, choosing the right cannabis strain is essential whether you're cultivating it for recreation, medicinal use, or both. Each strain has particular growth characteristics, environmental preferences, and effects and the wrong choice can result in stunted plants or unsatisfactory yields. As such, you can avoid this mistake by carefully conducting research about which strain to grow. 

2. Using the Wrong Soil

Your cannabis plants rely on quality soil to grow strong and healthy. Using the wrong type — or worse, contaminated soil — can lead to poor growth, pest issues, or even death. Let's take a look at what makes a great growing medium.

• Light and Airy Structure

Cannabis roots love to breathe, so your soil needs to be loose and well-aerated. Mixing in some perlite helps with drainage and keeps the roots from getting waterlogged. Remember, dense, heavy soil is a recipe for disaster, as it can suffocate the roots and stunt growth.

• Nutrient-Rich Composition

Most cannabis-specific soils are pre-fertilized, giving your plants a nutrient boost right from the start. However, this isn't really necessary as your seedlings don't even need nutrients from the first day. In fact, we have lost a lot of plants after fertilizing them initially. Another quick way to lose your seedling is to plant it in pre-fertilized soil. The seedlings look stunted after a while and stop growing. 

To prevent all this headache, it's best to grow your seedlings in just coco peat or jiffy plugs and transfer them to your main container later when they are ready. The cotyledons will nourish the seedlings for at least two weeks and you can start adding nutrients slowly. 

• Contaminant-Free

Never use garden dirt or random soil from outside — it could be crawling with pests or fungi. Even reusing soil from your past grows can pose risks unless it's properly sterilized and amended with fresh nutrients. 

Therefore, stick to high-quality potting soil from trusted brands to keep your plants safe. If you still want to reuse old soil, take the time to clean it thoroughly and mix in fresh nutrients. 

3. Improper Germination Techniques

Your cannabis cultivation journey starts with germination. Mistakes in this stage can lead to weak and failed plants, which can set the plant's growth back before it starts. To be safe, try not to overwater your seeds or you'll be setting them up to fail. 

Overwatering

Watering plants too frequently seems to be the most common mistake made by a new grower. This happens because growers think the seeds always require moisture. In addition, a beginner can misjudge the amount of water the plant needs. 

Essentially, when you overwater the plant, the oxygen does not reach the seed and it gets suffocated. Moreover, when there's waterlogging, there's a high risk of rot, mold, or fungal infections.

Here are a few ways to avoid it: 

• An easy way to dampen the soil or media is to use a lightly damp (not wet) paper towel or to give it a fine spray of water.
• Use a container with an airy medium that drains well and does not allow the water to pool in the container. 
• Many growers plant the seeds directly in the pot. If you're a beginner, it's best to soak them in water for at least 12-24 hours to soften the hard shell and hydrate indoors. However, don't go beyond 24 hours as it can drown them.
• Seeds need warmth and darkness to germinate. Therefore, use damp paper towels inside a plastic bag or container to create a moist, warm environment. 
• Do not squash or drop the seeds as they are fragile and may crack or bruise.
• Avoid fluctuations and keep it steady between 22°C-26°C (71.6°F-78.8°F). 
• Germinating seeds need darkness as they need to feel like they are buried in the soil. So, introduce light only after the sprout appears.
• Monitor seeds daily to ensure optimal conditions and look out for a white taproot emerging from the seeds.
• Get seeds from reliable breeders to have a higher chance of success rather than trying with bag seeds that may or may not germinate at all. 

4. Poor Climate Control

Cannabis plants are picky when it comes to their environment, and climate plays a major role in determining your success.

First, the temperature and humidity are critical. Cannabis thrives best in moderate conditions — around 75°F or 24°C. Too hot and you risk weak buds or stunted growth. Too cold and your plants could grow slower than a Monday morning!

Also, the humidity needs to change throughout the plant's growth stages. Seedlings love higher humidity while flowering plants prefer lower levels to prevent mold. You can manage humidity with tools like humidifiers, dehumidifiers, and vents. 

5. Ignoring pH Levels

The pH of your setup needs to be just right for your cannabis to absorb nutrients effectively as the well-being of the plant depends on nutrient absorption. If the pH is high or low, the plant will not be able to uptake nutrients even if you provide them. 

So, if your pH goes above 7, your plants may suffer from nutrient lockout. Drop it below 5, and you could end up with toxicity from over-absorption of nutrients like iron and manganese, but neither is ideal. Of course, the plant can suffer from deficiencies that can impair growth as well. 

So, consider investing in a good pH testing kit and routinely check your nutrient solution and runoff. The sweet spot for cannabis is between 5.5 and 6.5. Staying within this range ensures your plants get the nutrients they need without any unpleasant surprises.

When the pH level is optimal, cannabis plants will flourish and become abundant producers of quality buds that repay growers. In short, you can waste a lot of time, money, and effort If you don't become familiar with the pH. 

Role of pH in plant health

Cannabis plants can only absorb nutrients efficiently when the pH of the growing medium is in the right range. If they are outside this range, they may not be available to the plant, even when it is present in the soil or the nutrient solution.

Optimal pH Ranges

Soil: pH 6.0–7.0

Hydroponics: pH 5.0–6.0

What Happens if You Ignore pH Levels

• Nutrient Lockout

When certain nutrients become insoluble or bound chemically, they can no longer be absorbed by the roots. Some symptoms include yellowing leaves, stunted growth, and leaf discoloration. There are various types of nutrient lockouts, out of which nitrogen toxicity is the most common. You will have to carefully diagnose the problem and then treat your plants. 

• Nutrient Toxicity

When plants receive too many nutrients, there can be toxic effects. In such situations, the leaves may look burned and also dark green with a waxy layer on them, not to mention stunted growth. 

• Root Health Issues

If the pH is incorrect, this can harm the beneficial microbes in the root zone or damage the roots themselves. Such damage can impair their ability to absorb water and nutrients.

How to Avoid pH Issues 

• Monitor pH levels in the water, nutrient solution, or soil runoff using a digital pH meter or pH test strips.
• Adjust pH when necessary with pH Up or Down solutions to bring it in the right range. For soil, consider adding lime to increase the pH or sulfur to decrease the pH.
• Test and amend the pH of your water or nutrient solution before using it. 
• Make sure your pH meter is calibrated regularly for accurate results. In addition, document pH levels and plant responses to keep track and solve problems early.

6. Overfeeding or Underfeeding Nutrients

To produce healthy cannabis plants and achieve maximum yields, you must manage the nutrients carefully since feeding too much or too little can cause serious problems like nutrient burn, deficiencies, or stunted growth. 

Remember, nutrient management is all about striking the right balance to ensure that cannabis plants grow vigorously and develop pest and disease resistance, as well as producing potent, high-quality buds. When we over- or underfeed nutrients, we not only waste resources but also damage the health of the plant and reduce the potential for massive harvests. You can achieve the best possible results by observing the plants and adjusting the nutrients accordingly.

Common Mistakes with Nutrient Management

Overfeeding Nutrients

Many growers think that feeding the plants more nutrients leads to faster or better growth. They do this to promote growth or yield. Some growers combine hot soils (soils containing too many nutrients) with liquid fertilizers without worrying about how they can overlap and cause harm. 

When you overfeed nutrients, some of the symptoms you can see include the leaves getting brown and crispy on their edges. They may start curling down as well. In addition, the excess salts that build up in the root zone disrupt water and absorption of nutrients because there's a sudden increase in only certain types of nutrients while locking out others.

To avoid these issues, you can follow a few steps including:

• Follow Feeding Schedules Carefully

When starting with new strains or new systems, discourage new growers from using the full dose. 

• Monitor for Signs

Keep an eye out for yellow tips or curling leaves that are signs of nutrient burn.

• Flush When Necessary

Flush the medium with plain, pH-balanced water to clear out excess salts. 

Underfeeding Nutrients

Being cautious is better than overfeeding one's plants; however, underfeeding could also affect their growth.

Some growers tend to underfeed their plants as they fear overfeeding them. Also, cannabis plants require different types of fertilizers according to their stage of growth but neglecting this fact can make you over or underfeed the plants. 

Other than that, you can sometimes end up underfeeding your plants if you're growing your plants in coco coir or without adjusting for the lack of natural nutrients.

When you underfeed the plants, they can face a lot of issues including:

• Nutrient deficiencies with the plants showing yellowing leaves, especially the older ones, which indicate nitrogen deficiency.
• Dark, purpling leaves or slow flowering growth indicate phosphorus deficiency. 
• Brown spots and leaves curling up mean a potassium deficiency.
• Plants may not grow to their full potential due to stunted growth.

To avoid these issues, you can do a few things like:

• Use Balanced Nutrients

Choose fertilizers that provide a balance of macro and micronutrients.

• Adjust for the Growth Stage

During the vegging stage, use nitrogen-rich formulas. During flowering, use phosphorus and potassium-focused blends. 

• Supplement Inert Media

When using coco coir or hydroponics systems, add nutrients right away since these media have no fertility.

7. Inadequate Lighting for Your Plant

Proper lighting doesn't just impact the size of your buds; it also influences their potency and flavor. The right light spectrum at the right intensity ensures your plants develop robust cannabinoid profiles and rich terpene aromas.

So, good lighting is non-negotiable for cannabis cultivation. You need to invest in proper grow lights like HPS (High-Pressure Sodium), LEC (Light Emitting Ceramic), or modern LED panels. These systems are designed to optimize growth and produce dense, high-quality buds.

Avoid CFLs, which might work in a pinch, but they'll never compare to professional-grade lighting for cannabis. Sure, they're budget-friendly, but the trade-off is lackluster results. If you're serious about your growing operation, proper lighting is where you should splurge.

8. Not Enough Air Renewal

Lighting might steal the spotlight, but airflow is just as crucial — maybe even more. Without proper air renewal, your grow tent becomes stagnant and stuffy, making it harder for your plants to breathe and thrive.

Therefore, to improve the airflow, start with an air extractor fan. Connect it to an active carbon filter to keep odors in check and maintain fresh air circulation. Let it run 24/7 for the best results. In small setups, you can leave a vent slightly open to pull fresh air in naturally. Also, use a small fan inside the tent to keep the air flowing. 

9. Light Pollution

If you're growing photoperiod cannabis, the dark period is super important. These plants rely on uninterrupted darkness to know when it's time to bloom. Any light intrusion during their sleep can confuse them, delaying flowering or even causing stress.

So, how do you avoid light pollution? Stick to green light if you absolutely need to check on your plants during their dark period. Plants can't sense green light, so it won't disrupt their cycle.

Next, remember that even a tiny crack or LED indicator light can leak in unwanted brightness. Test it by zipping yourself into the tent with the lights off — you'll spot any sneaky gaps.

Lastly, save pruning, watering, or other tasks for when the grow lights are on to avoid disturbing the dark period entirely. While some growers claim that small light leaks don't matter much, it's better to err on the side of caution, unless you want seeds in your buds! 

10. Premature Harvest

You've nurtured your plants for weeks, and now those resin-coated buds are looking tempting. But harvesting too soon is a rookie mistake that can undo all your hard work.

Instead, you need to wait. Here, the cannabinoid and terpene peak in the final days of flowering and that's when your plants ramp up their potency and aroma. Harvest too early, and you'll miss out on these peak levels.

You'll also get full, fat buds. Those last weeks are when the buds bulk up. Cutting them early will leave you with smaller, less impressive flowers.

How do you get it right? Well, be patient. Wait until the flowers are at their optimal ripeness. Use a magnifying glass to check trichomes — cloudy and amber trichomes indicate the perfect time to harvest.

And, about 10–15 days before harvest, flush the roots with plain water. This clears out any remaining nutrients, giving your buds a cleaner taste and fuller flavor profile.

11. Not Keeping It Private

Growing cannabis can be exciting, but sharing your success with others can lead to problems. Whether you're in a legal state or not, discretion is key.

Why, you ask? One, it's a security risk. Each person you tell increases the chance of theft. Growing cannabis is an attractive target for thieves, so it's best to purse your lips to avoid this.

Next, there are legal concerns even in areas where it's legal, so bragging about how your plants are packing on those buds can attract unwanted attention or scrutiny. Plus, Keeping it private lets you focus on the plants without worrying about who might find out.

To stay discreet, grow your cannabis plant in a secure space. Your grow area should be private and inaccessible to others. Ideally, only you know it exists. And resist the urge to share. It's tempting to show off, especially when your plants are thriving, but it's safer to wait until harvest is complete and stored securely.

Summary: Avoid These Mistakes When Growing Cannabis!

Growing cannabis can be as rewarding as it is challenging, but avoiding these common mistakes will set you on the path to success. From understanding your strain and maintaining the right environment to staying discreet about your plants, each step you take adds to the quality of your harvest. 

Remember, patience and attention to detail are your best tools for cultivating cannabis that you can truly be proud of. So, play it smart, stay consistent, and watch your efforts blossom, pun intended, into a great harvest.