All the talk about cannabis can cause excitement to the point of getting your hands dirty and growing your very own plant. It can be a fun hobby and the start of an exciting business opportunity as well.

Also, for individuals using cannabis for medicinal value, it is possible to obtain the best quality buds grown with proper care. From seeds to buds, here are seven steps to follow to grow a cannabis plant at home. 

1. Choose the Perfect Spot

Finding the right location to place your cannabis plant is crucial. Although cannabis is not a demanding species, there are certain conditions required to ensure your yield is of the highest quality.

The place you select for your plant must be secluded and out of the way to reduce tampering. It must offer the liberty to control essential parameters such as temperature and light for the plant to grow well.

You can choose an empty room, basement, attic, garage, or any space available that is easy to clean and private to grow your very own cannabis.

2. Pick the Right Seeds

Choosing the right marijuana seeds helps to achieve a good yield for your use. If you are planning to grow any particular strain for medicinal usage, you can shop here from your trusted source of premium marijuana seeds.

If you are a first-time in growing marijuana at home, choose the easiest strain to care. It will help you learn about the plant, while not having to invest too much time, money, and other resources into it when growing marijuana at home.

Among pure, feminized, and auto-flowering seeds, auto-flowering could be the best choice for novice growers. They produce 100 percent female plants that will give a completely usable yield.

Also, auto-flowering seeds eliminate the need for photoperiod control in cannabis plants, making it easy for first-time growers. The seeds are straightforward to grow, and a simple set can give you a healthy yield. 

3. Choose Growth Medium

Once you know the right place to plant your cannabis, you need to prepare the area to support growth.

The growth medium is responsible for transferring nutrients through water, and the entire set up should be capable of doing so effectively. You can choose between growing in the soil, or soilless mediums, such as hydroponics.

In the case of soil as a medium, water the plants and add nutrients to the soil for the plant. But in hydroponics, you directly feed the necessary nutrients to the water that increases absorption efficiency and supports quicker growth. It also reduces some common problems with soil as a medium, such as pest infestations. 

Although both pose specific advantages, using soil is the best choice for first-timers to make the process simple and straightforward.

4. Set Up the Growth Area

Now you can move on to work on the growth area to nurture and support your cannabis plant.

Make sure to create provisions for adequate light availability in the home growing area. You can rely on sunlight or invest in artificial lighting systems using LEDs, HIDs, or fluorescents to create the right light levels.

Measure the temperature and humidity levels and install ventilation mechanisms to keep these parameters in check when growing marijuana at home. It reduces the risk of pest infestations and mold and keeps the area from smelling pungent.

Check the pH levels of your growing medium. The ideal range should be between 6-7 for soil and between 5.5 – 6.5 for hydroponics. Also make sure to get your hydroponic supplies from a specialized hydroponics wholesaler.

Test the soil to understand the availability of essential nutrients and supplement with the rest to promote growth at different stages.

5. Germinate and Plant your Cannabis

The next step is to germinate your seeds. Place the seeds directly in a pot or in a wet paper towel and leave it for a few days to let it sprout. Using a pot as your germination medium is advisable as it reduces the transplanting shock in the next stage.

When you plant sprouts, transfer it along with the soil to a large pot or grow medium.

The plant is now going to transition into a vegetative stage where you will see the sprout grow into leaves. The temperature requirement is slightly higher during this time, and all the essential nutrients need to be adequately available for healthy growth.

Be mindful of light availability throughout this period. Monitor the growth and look out for any signs of plant deficiencies to provide the necessary remedies.

6. Monitor the Flowering Stage

The next step for your cannabis plant is the flowering stage. This is when your plant starts to form small flowers, which will eventually turn into buds that we consume. It is a critical phase in the life of a cannabis plant and requires maximum care and attention.

If you are working with pure cannabis seeds in growing marijuana at home, you might have to vary the photoperiod to lead your plant to this stage and weed out the males. Auto-flowering seeds reduce the effort in such areas and only require minimal adjustments in temperature.

Maintain the temperature between 64° F and 78°F and increase the watering levels to flush your plant with nutrients that contribute to aroma, taste, and potency.

Your plant also requires some grooming during this stage to provide space for the flowers. Trim and bend the leaves to make sure your entire plant gets enough light and nutrients and is easy to maintain.

Watch out for signs such as yellowing of leaves or browning at the tips, which could indicate pH imbalance or nutrient deficiency. Caring for your plant during this stage will give you the best yield.

7. Get Ready to Harvest and Relish the Yield

Finally, the moment you have been waiting for. It is time to harvest the buds and relish your yield. The color depth of the pistils and hairs indicate the maturity and potency of the buds.

When they are about 50 – 70 percent dark, you will get a yield rich in THC content.  If you wish to enjoy a relaxing effect from the buds, then wait for at least 80 percent of the flowers to become dark in color to harvest.

With the help of scissors, cut the buds and hang them upside down to dry out for five days. Place them in a jar and store in a cold, dry, and darkroom. Make sure to remove air from the container to let the buds cure and get ready for use.

Growing your cannabis at home can be a fun and exciting activity, but it can also be challenging at times. Although these instructions give you the basic idea of taking your cannabis seeds through the growth process to harvest, there are several strain-specific details, such as temperature levels and lighting requirements that need to be taken care of.

Research and gather these details and apply them wherever relevant to cherish the yield of your cannabis plant.

Strains That Ease Strain: The Best Cannabis for Anxiety and Depression

Many countries, including local governments in 33 US states, have legalized marijuana for medicinal use. Volumes of scientific reports stating that cannabis can cure tons of diseases and medical ailments have convinced politicians of the efficacy of the plant. These studies have revealed that the plant can improve the symptoms of epilepsy and seizures, as well as
manage and treat pain and other ailments.

With all that’s going on in the world with the pandemic and economic turmoil, anxiety and depression are at all-time highs. Get the right strain of marijuana and pair that with quality custom rolling papers, and watch the days stresses vanish into thin air.

Two of the most popular medical problems that marijuana can cure are anxiety and depression. Researchers have found that there are cannabis strains that are effective in controlling these conditions. Some of the more popular strains used in the treatment of anxiety and depression are ACDC, Cannatonic, Granddaddy Purple, Jack Herer, Lavender, Sour Tsunami, Pineapple Express, Harlequin, Lemon Kush, Strawberry Cough, Cinex, and XJ-13. Aside from relieving these mental ailments, the side-effects are beneficial for treating other medical conditions too.

Just how widespread are these mental health problems in the U.S. According to a report by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety disorders are the most common mental disorders in the U.S., affecting more than 18% (40 million) of the adult population every year while depression affects 6.7% (300,000) of American adults. These two mental illnesses are interconnected. Half of the people living with depression also have an anxiety disorder.

Marijuana for Anxiety and Depression
Cannabis has been in the media spotlight for its contributions to medicine, and now as a cure for mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression. Although many medical reports attest to the calming effects of weed on the mind that can temporarily calm the symptoms of anxiety and depression in many people, doctors and marijuana experts warn patients not to self-medicate with cannabis. Professionals advise that some strains may aggravate the symptoms of anxiety and depression in some patients. So, to be sure that you get the desired effect from medicinal weed, including calming the nerves, you need to choose the right strains for the job.

Experts say that strains with lower tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and higher cannabidiol (CBD) content are best for calming the mind. Since THC is a psychoactive substance, it can lead to heightened paranoia and anxiety when taken by a patient. The good news is that many weed strains have little to no THC content and seeds can be purchased from authorized retailers like Herbies.

Cannabis Strains that Combat Anxiety
– ACDC – Using ACDC can help you stay calm, clear-headed, and focused in
uncomfortable social situations and, with minimal THC content (1:20 THC to CBD ratio), ACDC is effective in treating pain, epileptic seizures, multiple sclerosis, stress, and the harmful effects of chemotherapy.
– Cannatonic – Cannatonic is one of the variants with a low THC and high CBD content. When ingested, cannatonic produces a short-lived, pleasant effect that can also calm and uplift your mood because of its high CBD content. This cannabis type is also used to treat chronic pain, muscle spasms, migraines, and a wide range of other psychological symptoms. The plant often has a hint of an earthy odor and a mild, sweet, slightly citrusy flavor.
– Granddaddy Purple – Introduced by Ken Estes in 2004, this strain offers a fusion of cerebral euphoria and physical relaxation. Once taken, it can induce a relaxing and dreamy state. Granddaddy Purple is also useful for relieving pain, and loss of appetite, stress, insomnia, and muscle spasms.
– Jack Herer – A Dutchman discovered this 55% Sativa hybrid in the mid-1990s. Since its introduction, many Dutch pharmacies have distributed this strain after it received a medical-grade rating. Many of its users have reported that they became happy, clear-headed, creative, and energetic after inhaling this variant.
– Lavender – This strain, also known as Lavender Kush, has numerous buds that emit a floral and spicy scent. Just like the lavender plant, this cannabis variant can make a person feel relaxed, happy and sleepy.
– Sour Tsunami – Being a strain specially bred to produce a cannabis variant with a high CBD content, Sour Tsunami is one of the most effective strains for relieving stress and depression. What’s more, you can use Sour Tsunami to treat pain and inflammation.
– Pineapple Express – If you’re looking for a weed that can lift your mood for an afternoon of creative work, this strain is the one for you. Using this variant can relieve stress and depression. With an aroma closely resembling that of fresh apples and mangos and the taste of pineapple, pine, and cedar, this strain can help you feel happy and energetic for the rest of the day.
– Harlequin – For depressed people who need a clear head, even after taking their depression treatment, Harlequin is the strain to take. It can make you feel relaxed without the sedated feeling, thereby offering you relief without getting intoxicated.
– Lemon Kush – Aside from having an uplifting effect on your mood and mental functioning, Lemon Kush can also stimulate hunger. Flavored with lemon and citrus, this strain can be an excellent solution for relieving the stresses of your life.
– Strawberry Cough – Overcoming social anxiety is difficult for many Americans. If you experience this condition, Strawberry Cough can help you manage it as the properties of this strain will help keep you feeling more balanced during moments of elevated stress.
– Cinex – This strain is effective for improving your mood during or after a stressful day as it has a clear-headed and uplifting effect that can help you build a positive mindset. It can also stimulate creative energy that may reignite interest in the hobbies and activities you love.
– XJ-13 – This strain can stimulate creativity and conversation, which can help you come up with exciting ideas and improve your social engagements. Using XJ-13 is also a powerful way to relieve stress and lift your mood.

Use Weed Strains with Caution
While these variants of weed are effective in relieving stress and improving mood, you still need a prescription from doctors and marijuana experts to prevent unexpected effects on your health. You should also always double-check the strain you are purchasing. There are hundreds of weed strains on the market and some of them have very similar names. To avoid confusion, you will need the assistance of the store attendant.

With the leaps in legislation and perception saw by the cannabis community, those who are advocates of health and wellness are also looking forward to progress with the kratom industry. Just like cannabis, kratom, also known as Mitragyna Speciosa is a plant that is known to have a variety of properties such as pain-relieving, psychedelic, and sedating, just to name a few. Some researchers are also investigating the potential of kratom as an alternative to opioids.

The thing with this plant is that different strains can have different effects, just like cannabis. However, some may be wondering if the various kratom strains have significant differences when compared side-by-side. Here are some key points that can help you understand whether or not strains possess distinct characteristics.

Kratom Varieties: A Simple Know-How

The simple answer to the primary question is this: Yes, kratom streams really are different from one another. To understand how kratom strains can differ, let us take a look at cannabis varieties. Cannabis sativa is high in CBD, which means that it can offer a brain high, while cannabis indica is high in THC, usually providing a body high.

The same difference applies to kratom varieties. The major types of this plant can be identified by looking at its leaf veins. There are three leaf veins observed in kratom: green, red and white. Leaves with green veins are typically energy-boosting, while those with red veins are known for their sedating and pain-relieving effects. Those with white veins are stimulating.

Now, aside from the type, another factor that plays in the differences among strains is the place in which the variety is native to. Some of the places in which this plant naturally grows include Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Some Strains You Should Check Out

What better way to know the differences among strains that by trying them yourself? If you live in a state where this plant is fully legal, then you should definitely check out these strains:

• Maeng Da – This strain is known for giving an energy boost while offering pain relief. Because of this, you might think that this is a green variety. However, has red leaf veins. It also offers a euphoric feeling just as what you would expect from a red vein leaf.
• Red Bali – While Maeng Da offers a mix of green and red characteristics, Red Bali offers a more classic red-veined effect. When you consume this, you are bound to feel a more sedating and opiate-like attribute. You can also expect a feeling of relaxation and pain relief.
• Green Malay – This strain is known for boosting users’ mood and energy. This is a classic characteristic of green-veined leaves. In fact, Green Malay is known as the original Malaysian strain, which means that you can expect traditional green effects from it.
• White Vein Thai – Known for being the most stimulating among all white strains, the White Vein Thai offers less pain-relieving effect but with a longer-lasting stimulation.

Consuming Kratom

As this plant is endemic in some Southeast Asian countries, observing their cultures showed that it is consumed in a variety of ways. Its leaves can be chewed fresh or brewed into teas. It can also be dried and powdered to be used in cooking or drinking. Moreover, powders can be made into pills and tablets for easier kratom consumption.

The Bottom Line

Kratom can offer different effects depending on the strain you are consuming. To observe how these varieties differ, make sure to check out the various strains of this plant to see how this plant can work for you and your lifestyle.