Lots of people struggle with getting their seeds to germinate and sprout properly. It can be because seeds are too old or no longer viable, but more commonly the cause is improper germination techniques. Here is a solution for you that should lead to successful germinating. (As long as your seeds are viable.) This method is better than the wet paper towel method everyone else suggests because with the paper towels, it’s possible for the little white root to attach itself to paper towels. If it does, you will likely break it when removing the seed from the paper towels, killing the seed. Because... Read More

There is some debate among for growers about whether it is better to start with clones or seeds. Each one has certain advantages and disadvantages. Clones The advantages to growing from clones are: Shorter vegetation time by 3-4 weeks. Guaranteed females. No hermaphrodites. You can turn a clone into a mother plant and make more clones. No strain variance. Seeds The advantages to growing from seeds are: You get a taproot, giving stronger growth structure. Seeds won’t come with PM. You can have a variety of phenotypes to choose from. You can breed your strains and make new strains. Easier to... Read More

Many people have big problems with their cannabis grow that could have been prevented by practicing good Grow Room hygiene.  They carefully nurtured their plants for weeks, only to have to destroy them because they became infested with spider mites during the flowering stage.  Or the plants developed Powdery Mildew, causing the grower to have to uproot them and start over.  Plants can also be stunted or slow to develop from problems caused by poor Grow Room hygiene.   It costs money to grow your own cannabis.  You have to pay for clones (or seeds), electricity, timers, water, nutrients,... Read More

When you are setting up your grow area, you need to do a few things to ensure a better chance of successful growing. Your grow room (even if it is a closet) needs to have the following features: It must be clean! If it is not, clean it up really well before you start growing in there. By cleaning, I don’t just mean tidy and uncluttered. It must be free of mold, mildew, bugs and other things that can infest your plants. Wipe all of the services you will be using with rubbing alcohol just to be safe. It must be dry. Excess moisture can create real problems for your plants, including mold and... Read More

Welcome to Growing on the Cheap! I’m happy to be able to write a weekly column about how to grow really good, organic Marijuana. It’s been a myth for many years that you need $4,000 – $5,000 to start a home grow. That myth also requires you to spend up to $500 or more per month for electricity. My partner and I have proven that you can grow really good weed for $75 – $100 a month, after you make your initial purchases of $200-$500. That monthly cost includes soil, water, nutrients, electricity and CO2. We have been doing that level of low-cost growing every month for almost... Read More