Essential guide on how to grow organic cannabis

Most cannabis available in shops, dispensaries, associations, or sold on the street, has probably been grown using a chemical process or in an inorganic environment, such as indoors for instance. The truth is that these processes significantly interfere with the plant's natural cycle, which ultimately affects the experience when consumed. That is why, when you grow your own organic cannabis and get to enjoy its smell and taste… you'll fully understand its advantages!

These include:

- Organic cannabis is better at many levels. To begin with, it is more beneficial to our health. There is no doubt that the human body is more accustomed to organic rather than inorganic matter, and therefore can process it more easily. The aggressive chemical products used in fertilisers, pesticides and herbicides can be extremely detrimental to human health over time.

- These powerful chemicals are also damaging to the environment and that's why organic cannabis is better for the planet too! The chemicals that we inhale with every puff also end up in natural ecosystems during cultivation, especially if we are growing outdoors near a river or a beach. They can drastically affect the surroundings through contamination of the water.

- Finally, the experience you get with organic cannabis is simply much better. The flavour, aroma and colour of organic buds is much more intense and powerful. This turns into a more 'natural' experience because that's exactly how it was established by nature.

Key elements for organic growing

If you wish to have your own organic cannabis crop, now is the time to get down to work. For some, the chances of growing outdoors are slim, but there are other similar ways of growing organically indoors. These are some essential factors to take into consideration in order to be successful:

- Organic soil

Cannabis plants obtain most of their nutrients from the substrate, and that is why this must always be organic. Organic soil is basically a nutrient-rich soil that has become richer through natural processes, such as plant and animal decomposition. The main idea here is to let nature run its course. By simply using organic fertiliser, you can promote the right microbial life in your garden.

- Organic nutrients

Growing organic cannabis also means refraining completely from using fertilisers, herbicides or chemical pesticides. Manure is becoming a popular choice to keep soils rich in nutrients. Wood ash is excellent for raising pH levels, and contains many micronutrients. Keeping your soil rich in all the nutrients that are needed for a healthy cannabis grow is not a difficult task; it only requires a little research and the drive to be creative at home.

- Organic lighting

Strictly organic cannabis can only be grown with sunlight, but this is practically impossible for many growers. However, there are some 'more organic' suggestions for the use of lights in indoor grows. Choosing a system that does not contribute to the world's current energy consumption problem is essential. Even though LED lights are expensive, they have revolutionised the world of energy-efficient lighting, so in a large indoor grow it may be worth changing to these. If you grow organic cannabis, it is likely that you are environmentally conscious, so you should definitely take this into account. In the long run, LED lights will save you money and protect the environment too.

- Organic irrigation

You need to be aware of the amount of water that cannabis plants need. An adult plant uses an average of 22 litres of water per day, which is the same amount that a broccoli plant needs for a whole growing season. But cannabis can grow in harsh environments too and can tolerate stress much better than broccoli. Maybe you'll be able to use less water if you try to go more organic. The ideal scenario would be to use drip irrigation or a watering can, which allows just the right amount of water to be used wherever necessary. In addition, using a natural topsoil or placing stones around the plant can aid the soil in retaining the water. If we have several plants, it is advisable to place them close to each other to prevent evaporation, and also to water them in the evening or at night.

- Organic pesticides

Chemical products are frequently used to fight pests. It is true that these chemicals can prove effective at times, but in most cases pests can also be effectively dealt with by means of less aggressive solutions that are more respectful of the environment.

For instance, Neem oil is really effective to combat micro mites. Fighting pests using other insects is also a safe and clean technique, as long as it is applied in time. Some of the most recommended species are the voracious ladybirds, predatory mites, parasitic wasps, or even spiders, that are eager to eat all types of insects.

Another option is growing peripheral plants that act as insecticides. Coriander, for example, repels spider mites. Garlic contains sulphur, which helps eliminate greenflies. Sunflowers attract beneficial insects and scare mosquitoes away.

There is no doubt that organic cannabis is better all around. It keeps both humans and the planet healthy; but it's only when you finally try your organic cannabis and get to smell it and taste it, that you'll totally understand that nature really does know best.