There is nothing more disappointing than smoking a well-dried flower, only to find out after lighting the taste is harsh, the ash burns charcoal black and your lungs won't stop coughing. This is a sign of a chemically grown flower that lacks vigor, flavor, and overall experience. Below is better explained how organic farming works, what you need to consider as well as top tips to help steer you on the way to becoming a master of organics.
What Does Organic Growing Mean?
Basically this means any organic matter that is in a form of compost. As organic material breaks down, beneficial bacteria and fungi perform the task of breaking down the substrate into a ready to absorb nutrient for the plants.
As Mother Nature depends on beneficial microorganisms to speed up the decomposing process, there is a symbiotic relationship formed between plant life and the living soil. When a grower refers to a flower being produced using organics, they will be referring to a living soil food web. Below is a list of various organic substrates that can be used to grow Cannabis.
Worm Castings - Produced by worms that live in the soil or worm bin, worm castings are a rich source of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium, as well as trace elements. As the worm excretes the soil it has eaten, they will leave behind a source of beneficial bacteria that roots will begin a harmonious relationship with.
Compost - Organic matter that has been collected and left to break down into a brown state. This indicates the compost has high Carbon levels, as well as being an excellent slow release of trace element Magnesium.
Forest Floor - Sourced from a local forest, and an excellent way to take home an organic growing medium, enriched with indigenous microorganisms.
Basic Soil - Usually bought from the local garden center, in the form of a living soil with perlite or coco mixed in. The quality and beneficial bacteria and fungi counts of some products may drastically vary, so be extra careful when investing in cheap commercial soil.
Liquid nutrients are another way to ensure your Cannabis plants stay well fed. Adding just plain water from start to finish will produce great results, however adding an organic bottled nutrient will really help you pack on the pounds, and keep the soil food web supercharged.
Fish Emulsion - We are all familiar with the thick, shiny and aromatic nature of fish emulsion. Many growers will swear by the stuff, whilst others will testify it leaves a harsh spicy taste if flushing is not done correctly. These types of nutrients will usually measure at 5-1-4 and are excellent for the vegetative stage.
Black Strap Molasses - You will know if you have a nutrient that is molasses-based by feeling the weight and having a smell. Normally a dense, thick dark brown or black shiny liquid, with a caramel sweet pungency. Molasses serve a high mineral feed including a rich source of sugar.
Worm Castings Extract - Created by taking fresh worm castings and making basic cold water extracts, producing your own worm tea, or buying one from the grow shop will really improve vigor, vitality and keep your soil in optimum condition.
Bat Guano Extract - In the same fashion worm tea is made using a cold-water extract, bat guano is used to create a powerful bloom booster that is naturally high in Phosphorus. Using bat guano nutrients in flowers will seriously enhance the flavor and aroma of your buds.
Skill Level and Start-Up Costs
One of the very best things about growing is the initial start-up costs are not expensive, and not very demanding skill-wise. It is possible to create a good quality organic growing medium without breaking the bank and to source all your materials locally.
This is normally why growers start off with a living soil complete with organic liquid nutrients, and a feed chart. There will be a 72-hour buffering period where your organic medium will break down the nutrients before, allowing you to react accordingly in case of a deficiency.
There is no need to check the E.C (Electric Conductivity) of your nutrient solution as done in hydroponics, and as long as your pH is in the ideal zone, then mother nature will take care of the rest.
The Advantages Associated
The Taste Factor
On top of all the advantages associated with growing Cannabis organically, is the final taste of the flower. You cannot beat organic grown buds, especially when treated with compost tea, worm tea, enzymes, and other flavor-enhancing natural products.
The downsides to organic grown flowers are the yield factor, however, this is only in comparison to hydroponic farming which is designed for a commercial-scale farming model. Yield is extremely important to some growers, but when you are growing for yourself it is preferred to have the best experience possible and to smoke clean, organic buds and extracts.
5 Top Tips On Growing Organic Cannabis
- Do your research before buying your custom organic mix, and make sure what you're buying is fresh and teaming with the beneficial bacteria and fungi your soil food web heavily relies on.
- If you are going to take back soil cultures from your local forest, be extra careful not to bring insects and bugs back to your garden. Some may be predatory insects that can benefit the garden, but you may be inviting a world of problems in.
- When buying worm castings, always ask for a freshly made bag and avoid anything that seems dry, crushed and has no immediate smell.
- Using bat guano during the blooming phase will really bring out the terpenes, resulting in a delicious tasting flower. Many growers enjoy using organic compost tea that has been brewed for a minimum of 24 hours.
- Recycling your growing medium is a wonderful way to cut down on costs, be efficient as possible and do your bit for the planet. Simply supercharge the medium with bacteria and fungi or an organic compost tea.
Conclusion
Growing with organics is the cleanest and safest way to enjoy good quality flowers. Hydroponics will always produce superior yields, however, they lack on taste and are grown with hitting targets in mind. Beginner growers will find organics a stress free, low maintenance way of life allowing them to grow the tastiest buds in town.
