| There are several key factors in growing the optimal or near optimal
Marijuana plant. These factors can be manipulated to produce different
physical variations in any seedstock selected.
THEY ARE:
- Light Intensity & Spectrum
- Photoperiod
- Temperature Cycle
- Nutrients
- Humidity Cycle
LIGHT 
The Light Spectrum should be as close as approximation of natural sunlight
as is available. The Light Intensity should be as bright as is possible
while still keeping temperature in line.
There are several kinds of lights that one can use. As far as cost and
security go, I recommend several vertical fluorescent lights suspended
around the plants with a pair of sylvania SL-100 bulbs in the center.
PHOTOPERIOD
During the GROWTH PHASE, the light period should be a minimum of 18
hours. The light can be continuous during the growth
phase (24 Hours per Day) with profound effects.
During the FLOWERING PHASE, 12 hours of uninterrupted light stimulates
the production of budding sites for the flowers.
I cannot stress enough that during the FLOWERING PHASE, the dark period
should not be violated by any light. It delays flower development and
promotes leaf growth. If you must work on the plants during this time,
allow only as much light as a VERY pale moon can provide for less than
5 minutes.
TEMPERATURE
The atmospheric temperature should be in the low 70's during the day,
dropping into the 50's at night. This rule is not absolute, however.
If you grow clones or selectively bred seedstock in a area that has a
temperature range larger than this, the plants will mutate over each
generation to make plants more and more suited to the environment they
happen to be in. For example, plants can (with trial & error) be grown
in a closet with temperatures in the 80's and 90's. However, the closer
you get to the ideal temperature range, the better the buds and the
less likely you are to get male plants.(see stress)
FERTILIZER
Nutrients should be provided with each watering. A good GROWTH PHASE
mix is 1/4 tsp Peter's 20/20/20 fertilizer per gallon of aged water. During
the FLOWERING PHASE , Peter's African Violet 12/34/16 fertilizer mixed to
the same proportion works well.
HUMIDITY
The humidity should be kept high (around 90%) unless over watering has
occurred and the soil needs drying quickly. Marijuana doesn't like its roots
to be wet all the time, so don't water every day unless the temperature is
quite high. If proper ventilation is maintained, problems like fungus and
algae should be minimal.
| Average watering solution usage:
|
|---|
| 10 days after transplant | 1 Quart (946 ml) |
| 20 days after transplant | 1.5 Quarts (1419 ml) |
| 30 days after transplant | 2 Quarts (1892 ml) |
| During Flowering | 1.5 Quarts (1419 ml) |
|
