How to Grow Marijuana – Chapter 2 – Nutrients

Marijuana is a wonderful herb that grows naturally all over the planet. Unfortunately it is still illegal to grow marijuana in many countries. Please check your local laws before growing marijuana. With that said, let’s get growing!

Since you have chosen to grow with hydroponics (nice choice) it is important understand nutrients. There are several brands of nutrients to choose from. General Hydroponics is a great economical choice but if you can splurge a little bit pick up a Fox Farm system. Regardless of your nutrient choice, to grow marijuana you need to provide your plants with the right nutrients during the right cycles. Don’t feel intimidated, nutrients are easy to measure and add with a PPM meter so you should always be confident in knowing your plants have what they need. If you don’t already have a PPM meter hit up your local hydro shop or order one online. They cost around $20 and they measure the parts per million of total nutrients. With one of these meters you can keep your plants well fed and happy.

During the vegetative state your plants are going to be craving a lot of nitrogen. Nitrogen is a basic building block and helps the plant to establish a strong root system and a strong core. The vegetative cycle can vary but typically lasts 6-8 weeks. For the first 5 days of your plants life don’t even bother adding nutrients. At any given time, too many nutrients will cause leaves to burn and plants to go into nutrient lock, making it impossible for them to get any nourishment. Add a small amount of your stage 1 nutrients to the hydro tank for the first 2 weeks. Your PPM should stay a steady 50-150. Keep increasing the nutrient intake by 50-100 per week. You can feed your plants until you notice discoloration of leaves, at which point you should dilute your nutrient base. As you approach 6-8 week you will be adding more of the stage 2 nutrients. During the transitional phase plants need more phosphates. This helps them get ready for flowering. When you make the switch from 24 hour lighting to 12 hours on and 12 off, you need to change the flow of nutrients again. By this point your plants are ready for a steady dose of potassium. Your stage 3 nutrients should be administered at around 1000 PPMs to start with. Increase the dose by 50-100 per week and your flowering cycle will conclude in 8-11 weeks. The last two weeks of your flowering cycle change your basin to only purified water. Too many nutrients down the home stretch will give your bud a funky chemical flavor and diminish your smoking experience with harsh hits. The last 3-5 days of flowering your should pull the water out altogether. Since you are about to embark on the curing process, the water that is filling your plant is no longer necessary.

Always track your PPMs on a notepad for record and change your water at least weekly to avoid any algae growth. If your plant’s leaves start yellowing or burning, adjust your nutrients accordingly. When properly administered, nutrients will plump up your plants and they will erupt with luscious buds.

How to Grow Marijuana – Chapter 1 – Lighting

Marijuana is a wonderful herb that grows naturally all over the planet. Unfortunately it is still illegal to grow marijuana in many countries. Please check your local laws before growing marijuana. With that said, let’s get growing!

It’s a general consensus that growing herb is best done with a good hydro system. Hydroponics is the process of growing a plant without soil. There are a couple of different ways to grow with hydro, but regardless you need to pick up some supplies. First and foremost you will need a light source to grow your herb. There are several technologies out there and I will break down the advantages and disadvantages of each for you.

The cheapest and most inefficient light source is compact fluorescent lighting (CFL). There are two different styles of CFL lighting. Some people grow marijuana with CFL light bulbs. You can pick these up at the grocery store and a splitter at your local hardware store. It’s a good idea to strive for at least the 100 watt bulbs because anything less is not giving off enough light. Keep in mind that these are not especially efficient so you may need as many as 8 or more to grow and flower 3 plants. The other kind of CFL lighting is the shop light style. These have a metal bracket used as a reflector and the bulbs themselves are long and cylindrical. This style of lighting is a little more efficient than the CFL bulb but still not ideal for growing marijuana. Whichever style of CFL bulb you choose, strive for the bluest temperature for vegetative growth and the warmest color light for flowering.

The next lighting type is Metal Halide (MH). You see metal halide lights anytime you leave your house out night, as that’s what most street lights use. Metal halide lighting works by converting power with a ballast and then delivering it to an HID bulb. This lighting type is extremely good for vegetative growth but not so much for flowering. These systems use quite a lot of electricity and give off substantial heat so you should always use MH in conjunction with good ventilation.

High Pressure Sodium (HPS) lighting is arguably the best lighting for the money. Just like the metal halide system, HPS also uses a ballast and an HID bulb. The advantage is a fuller spectrum which plants will appreciate for both vegetative growth and flowering. While it is not quite as good as MH for vegetative growing, it is nearly ideal for flowering. This system also runs pretty hot so it should be used in conjunction with proper ventilation.

Light-Emitting Diode Technology (LED) is on the verge of becoming the best lighting technology to grow marijuana with. It is extremely efficient and a 90 watt LED can give off as much usable light as a 600 watt high pressure sodium or metal halide system. NASA is fine tuning LED technology in hopes of sustaining life in outer space with LED farming. A good LED panel is a bit pricy but worth every dime because it gives off virtually no heat and uses less electricity than your television. Most systems use only blue and red light but surprisingly a marijuana plant will flourish with only those two colors of light.

Once you select your light source pick up some fans to help with circulation and heat. A good light source is the start of a successful hydroponic grow system.

Grow Medical Marijuana – Six Habits of Highly Effective Medical Marijuana Growers

Those who assume that it is easy to grow medical marijuana are actually people who have less or no knowledge about marijuana growers. They tend to mislead you with their deficient and somehow wrong information regarding the growing of medical marijuana.  So beware of those who are saying that there are short cuts and quick fixes which minimize the hard work and focus required to succeed in this endeavor.  An effective medical marijuana garden always satisfies the needs of the grower who knows and follows these seven important rules:
Cleanliness
Procrastination is not recommended in growing of medical marijuana.  Simple task such as picking up dead leaves and sweeping of debris should not wait until piles of these have accumulated.  It is considered to be an important daily routine that requires due diligence.  Make it your mission to keep things clean always.  So start putting down the bong, get off the couch and clean your grow room from top to bottom.  Always keep in mind that the work you do now will surely pay off in the end.
Stealth
When it comes to growing medical marijuana, silence is always the golden rule.  Although it might be tempting sometimes to brag and show off your hard work, but it can only cause you more troubles along the road.  Try to minimize or avoid throwing big parties or let people hang out all day smoking weed in your area.  Suspicious events like this have been the downfall of many pot growers before.  You need to make yourself invisible to neighbors and keep a low profile in order for you to keep your marijuana garden discrete.  On the other hand, don’t be too paranoid as well by blocking off all your windows or avoiding interaction with neighbors because this will only indicate that something is not right.  Instead be friendly but not too friendly and never panic or antagonize those around you.  Keeping everything peaceful is the key to have successful harvest after harvest.
Realistic Expectations
You need to set your goals wisely and realistically, by doing so; you can maintain your motivation at all times.  Be realistic and consider many factors that affect the growth of your medical marijuana plants.  Try to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of all decisions and possible outcomes.  Knowing and properly anticipating possible expenses can lead you to long-term success.
Attentiveness to Plant Needs
To grow medical marijuana, you also need to be attentive to your plants needs.  Although marijuana plants isn’t all that hard to please, but still they need to be provided with the proper atmosphere at all time, maintained appropriate temperature, feeding and airflow.  Try to be meticulous with small details to avoid stress that causes marijuana plants to delay their growth or even die.  Knowing and understanding all elements of plant growth is necessary to become successful in growing medical marijuana.
Patience
Marijuana plants needs to complete their life cycle to fulfill their true destiny and it is your job to do everything to make that happen.  Try not to harvest early because you are preventing the marijuana plants to reach its full potential.  That means that you need to have patience and know the fact that you will be in this thing for quite a long time.  Patience really does pay.
Humility
Infuse some positive energy into your plants by showing humility.  Take pride with your gardening accomplishments but don’t become the “human buzz-kill�? person who always seeks to one-up all comers.  Besides, to grow medical marijuana is not a competition of who gets to produce better and high quality pots.  Just let your buds speak for themselves.  If you love what you are doing then you are already a winner.

Marijuana Hydroponics - How to Build Your Own Marijuana Hydroponic Garden

These are plans to make a fairly portable, and very inexpensive advanced hydroponic system. These plans only explain how to make the garden itself, and do not explain how to use or maintain it. If you plan on using this garden, you should get yourself a good book on hydroponics, and look it over.
I am intentionally leaving out those parts about plant nutrition, light cycles, etc. so as not to appear to be writing a guidebook for growing marijuana.  It is also to make you seek out another source of information so your knowledge of hydroponics comes from more than just this article.  I do not grow marijuana, and never have.  I'm just a high-tech home gardener with information to share.  If you are caught growing marijuana while using the system described herein, don't even think of running to me, I didn't tell you to grow marijuana.  In fact, I'd suggest planting a crop of cherry tomatoes, which can be fooled into producing fruit indoors year round, and is a very easy plant to start hydroponics with.
Materials needed:
1     5-10 gallon bucket
2     Pieces of PVC or ABS pipe, 8-10" long, 5" or greater diameter.
4     Caps for PVC/APS pipe ends.
1     waterpump capable of about 50 Gallons per Hour (you will need a bigger pump if you choose to make this a larger system)
4'     of hose that will fit the waterpump (often 3/8")
1     TEE joint (or Y-splitter) that fits the water hose
4     clamps for the water hose (one for pump to hose, and 3 for hoses to TEE fitting.)
1     Airpump, airstone, and some airline from a fish tank.
1     Can White epoxy based spray paint
1     Can Black Epoxy based spray paint

Procedure:

1. Everything must be made light tight.  Paint all hoses, the bucket, the PVC/ABS and the lid of the bucket with a layer of black paint.  Let it dry overnight, and then cover it with a layer of white paint to make it reflective, and reduce the temperature of the nutrient solution.
2. Take each of PVC pieces and drill a 1 inch hole on the side, about one inch from the end.  Then epoxy the caps onto the ends of the PVC.
3. Drill the inlet/outlet holes; these should be located on the caps of the PVC.  The inlet hole should be as low as possible or as close to the wall of the PVC, and the outlet-hole should be as high as possible.
4. Now cut two 5" holes in the sides of the bucket (close to the top), and epoxy the PVC in place, so about 2" of pipe (and the outlet hole) are inside the bucket, and the 1" hole is facing straight up.
5. Oxygen into the nutrient solution, and not to dissolve CO2. CO2 can kill root systems. If you are growing outside, or not enriching CO2, then the pump can sit anywhere.
6. Place the water pump in the bottom of the bucket (assuming it is a submersible one) and attach a hose to it long enough to reach the top of the bucket. Cut a hole in the lid of the bucket for this hose to go through. Then attach the TEE fitting to the hose. Now attach hoses to the free ends of the TEE, and run them to the inlet holes on the end of the PVC pipes. Use clamps on the TEE fitting and on the pump itself, but use epoxy to attach the hoses to the PVC. This seal must be completely water tight. Let them dry for 24 hours.
7. Put some water in the bucket and turn on the pump. What should happen is the PVC pieces will fill with water, and then when they are full, they should begin to continuously drain out the outlet holes, and back into the bucket. If you are getting leaks anywhere, fix them immediately. If water is coming out of the 1" hole on the top of the pipe, then either your pump is too strong, or your outlet hole is too small. Fix one or the other.
8. Empty the system (hint, remove the hose from the pump to drain the arms), and replace the water with some form of hydroponic nutrient solution (look in a hydroponics book for details on what exactly to use, or visit a gardening store, and ask)
9. Place your plants into the system. The best way I have found to do this is to take a 1 1/8" garden hose and cut a 1" tube off of one end. Then slit the tube down one side. Wrap the stem of your plant (just above the roots) with polyester fluff (available at aquarium stores, for stuffing into external water filters) and then wrap the garden hose around the fluff. Then force the hose into the hole at the top of the PVC arm. People also have used rubber stoppers.
10. Turn on the air/water pumps, and let your garden grow.
This is obviously just a small setup, but these plans can easily be modified for much larger systems, using longer pieces of PVC, or more than one pair of arms, and a larger bucket to hold the nutrients (I've seen one made with a 55 gallon drum, and 8 separate arms, each holding 4 plants)
I personally use this setup indoors (under a skylight in my apartment) to grow 2 cherry tomato plants. What you do with your own garden is your own business, and obviously I can't be held responsible if you choose to grow anything illegal.

Grow Marijuana

The Medical Marijuana patient is permitted to grow marijuana in many states. Indeed, growing your own marijuana is a sound decision - particularly if your rate of consumption is high. Doing so also lets you have unlimited supply of your favorite strain of weed. Unless you own a vast estate, your best bet for growing marijuana is to grow your crop indoors using a hydroponics system. Prices for hydroponics systems range from $300 to many thousands of dollars. Different hydroponic systems largely vary according to (a) amount of automation (b) one stage only vs. all-inclusive mother plant area, vegetation and flowering area. The latter is more preferred because you will have a permanent mother plant that gives you access to unlimited clones anytime. There are also a few efficient low-end systems in Stealth Hydroponics. Their grow tents are very useful if you don't have a closet. If you want the Rolls Royce of hydroponic gardening, take a look at BC Northern Lights. Of course, you want to grow as big a plant as possible. Note, however, that this can have a negative impact. Each plant requires a footprint of at least three feet by three feet. Any less and your lights will not illuminate much below the top two feet of your plant. Another problem with trying to grow huge marijuana plants is that if you are not careful, they can grow right past the lights. To ensure that you are on the right track, remember these: (1) during the flowering stage, your plant will grow one and one-halffeet and (2) you must start the flowering process when the plants reach to within 24" of the lights in their highest position. Depending on the strain, this can be somewhere from three weeks to eight weeks from starting with a clone. The trade secret to success in trying to grow marijuana is to find a source for clones. This shall ensure that your plant will be female and that it will survive (the most fragile stage in a plant life is the first two weeks). The great thing is that once you have a clone, you can make clones of your own and have a perpetual crop going year-round. Just like any other crop, marijuana needs advanced nutrients. Miracle Gro as well as other normal fertilizers will not work. Both Stealth Hydroponics and BC Northern Lights provide great advanced nutrient products. If you follow a rigorous schedule of draining and refilling the water every 2 weeks and adding nutrients as required, you definitely will succeed. Tap water, let set for about 10 minutes is more than perfect. Of course, give your plants that needed attention: control the pH level, CO2, temperature and humidity. Instead of obsessing about this, I've found the reality to be that marijuana is a weed....it takes quite a bit to kill it. One caution on nutrients, don't add the first round until 2 weeks after you've started your clones in the vegetation stage. A final word regarding lighting. Lighting is crucial. You can make use of silver halide and other high tech lights, or you can use CFL fluorescent lights. They'll all work just fine. The Flower Spectrum is set in the 2700 Kelvin range, Vegetation Spectrum, in the 6000 Kelvin range. Thus, it's useful to take note of both spectrums; but of course, focus more on the one that matches the stage where your marijuana growth is at. Total time from clone to harvest when you grow marijuana is somewhere around twelve weeks. Yield is around 4-6 ounces per plant.

Marvellous Marijuana Stories

Cannabis news is always cropping up in the papers and online. Whether it's the latest MP venting their opinion on the dangers of the drug, before admitting they used to take it or a celebrity busted by police over possession, it's pretty hard to avoid. Then there are the oddities - the marijuana stories which are funny, strange or just plain weird. Here are the best from the last few years:



California introduces Pot Vending Machines



Before you all pack your bags and head over the Atlantic, I should point out that it's strictly for people with a medical prescription to use marijuana as part of their healthcare - and there are safeguards in place to prevent non-prescribed folks from using it. Patients will be required to provide their prescription, give a fingerprint and then have their photo taken.



This cannabis news remains controversial because although medical marijuana is legal in some states, the federal government does not recognise its medicinal properties.



Utah Teenager Reports Pot Theft to Police



This is one of those marijuana stories that make you appreciate just how some stupid some people can be. Not only did an 18 year old burglar report his stolen cannabis to police, but he accepted an invitation to come in and identify the stash when the robber was caught. No sooner had he confirmed the marijuana was his, then he was arrested and charged on possession with intent to supply.



Sniffer Dog Fails to Find Planted Pot



After planting some marijuana in a customer's luggage to train a new sniffer dog, customs officials were left embarrassed when this cannabis news story hit the headlines: the mutt failed to find the goods! The mistake, combined with the custom officer's failure to recall which bag he'd put it in, meant that one passenger left with a free cannabis gift in their luggage. A spokesman for the airport's customs' office made a plea for its return: "If by some chance passengers find it in their suitcase, we're asking them to return it."



Burglars and Police Raid House at the Same Time



One of the most unlikely marijuana stories in this list: Two Australian burglars broke into a house being used to grow hydroponic cannabis only to discover it was full of police officers raiding the place to search for drugs! The burglars fled, but were caught a few days later by police.



Pot Smoker Reports Dealer to Police over "Bad Weed"



A 52 year old Darmstadt cannabis smoker was arrested for the possession of illegal substances after reporting his dealer to the police for selling him some "completely un-enjoyable" marijuana. The cannabis news article explains that the man had previously taken it up with the dealer directly, who refused to issue him a refund of the £270 he had paid for the drugs. Upon taking his "fraud" allegations with police, he was charged for his crime, despite the "absolutely mediocre quality" of the drugs involved.



Cannabis Plants Cause Police Station Closure



Billericay police station in Essex needed to be evacuated after the stench of confiscated cannabis plants became overpowering. 150 seedlings and mature plants grown from cannabis seeds had been seized from the home of a pro-cannabis campaigner and were kept in the station's cell, where their strong odour swept through the whole building. One source said "The smell even filtered into the public reception area and people might have got the wrong idea."



Rock Star Charged with Wanting to Smoke Marijuana...in 1994



An Argentine rock star was charged with informing spectators that he felt like smoking a joint - a decade after the cannabis news story broke. In November 1994, Andres Calamaro told 100,000 fans in La Plata: "I feel so good that I could smoke a joint". Attempts were made by morally offended parents to bring charges against the rock star, but these were dismissed by the judge in 1995. A decade later a less liberal judge was found, and the case was reopened for the musician, then 43.



Cannabis Smoker Celebrates 120th Birthday



A 120 year old Indian woman living with her 92 year old daughter and 72 year old grandson is baffled by her longevity: "I don't know how I've survived so long. Many relatives much younger than me have died". One theory suggests it's her habitual drug use. According to the Sun, the 120 year old Fulla Nayak smokes cannabis cigars and drinks strong palm wine, and this could be the secret of her success.

Marijuana Buzz

Marijuana Buzz is much more than just an interactive site where people can come and post their choice of marijuana topics. Here at Marijuana Buzz you'll discover all types of activities, ranging from; how to cook with marijuana videos, pictures of the world's finest buds and your choice of free gifts. We also serve to promote many different products including; the best growth system money can buy, 100% legal buds, paraphernalia, different avenues to make easy money on-line, awesome T-shirts, the best variety of seeds on the planet and for those in need of help, addiction resources.





It's easy to become part of the Buzz. Just click the link and you too can join us. We are a new site, but highly interactive. The Buzz Forum is the rage. Check it out and post your thoughts today.





We also have a very comprehensive listing of tobacco pipes, bongs, rolling papers and vaporizers. Glass, brass, plastic or copper, it's your choice. Of course Marijuana Buzz does not promote the use of any one of these products being used for any illegal purpose.





There is also something else I want to share with all our guests here at Marijuana Buzz and that's our money links page. I added this page so our viewers could share in the dream of a lifetime and that my friend’s is easy money. Only a short time ago I thought that making money on the internet was reserved only for those you had a large amount of start-up capital. It isn't true. It's cheap, under fifty dollars for all the information you'll need to get started. And once you're up and running you'll pick up a lot more know-how along the way. Just a few short weeks ago I was using my spare time playing video games, dreaming of better things and now they are here. This easy step by step system comes with all the links, so no research is needed, it is all done for you. To good to be true? WRONG!!! It exists and I want you to have it. Just come to my site and within days you could have a site up and running that's making you money while you sit at home. I'm not saying that you won't have to work, you do, but its alot better than manual labor. And believe you me I've had my share of that. If you want to make life easier come and check out what I'm talking about. All you have to do is come to Marijuana Buzz and click the Marijuana Buzz money link and the secret will be revealed to you. Of course while you are there you should stop and enjoy the fruits of my labor by simply clicking thru the different pages.





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Growing Inside, Outside, Hydroponically and in Soil

The advantages of growing in soil indoors



The difference here is similar to the difference between indoor and outdoor cultivation. Soil growing requires less equipment, investment and, generally, less work to control the various factors influencing growth.



The only specialist equipment required for the simplest indoor soil set-up would be seeds, organic nutrients, a light and a timer. The remaining equipment - soil, pots, fans, reflective materials and such should be easily available in most countries.



As an organic compound, soil is less sensitive to changes and small variations than a synthetic medium like rockwool. It could be called a self-regulating environment. Thus, pH testing equipment is usually not required.



Similarly, organic nutrients are gentler to plants than the concentrated salts and minerals of hydroponic feed mixtures. Therefore, while it is still possible to over-fertilize an organic system, such a mistake is less likely to 'burn' or kill plants. An EC meter is not required for soil growing



In short, soil growing is easier and more forgiving of growers' mistakes. Therefore it is a highly advisable method for the first time indoor grower.



The advantages of growing hydroponically indoors



Indoor cultivation allows more control over a plant's life cycle than outdoor. In the same way, hydroponic cultivation allows the grower an even greater level of control.



Since plants in a hydroponic setup are growing in a synthetic, neutral medium the grower is able to dictate exactly which nutrients are given to a plant, and at what levels. Of course, this requires more care than organics and usually necessitates the use of a pH meter (to measure acidity in water) and an EC meter (to measure the level of nutrient in water by means of its Electrical Conductivity).



Hydroponic growing mediums are less bulky and heavy than soil, often easier to handle and possibly easier to dispose of. Pests and fungus are less likely to flourish in rockwool or similar mediums, and are almost never endemic to newly bought synthetic mediums.



Hydroponic nutrients, since they are highly concentrated, take up less space than organics, especially for large crops. They are usually pre-mixed and do not require the grower to supplement them or combine several different formulas. Also, they will often smell less than organic nutrients.



In short, the more in-depth control available with hydroponics, when managed effectively, allows for a bigger, more potent and sometimes even faster crop. While such systems are not recommended for first-time indoor growers, those who have experienced success with soil cultivation indoors may wish to try this as the next step in refining their technique.



The advantages of growing outdoors



Outdoor cultivation requires less equipment, expertise and labour.



For the first few weeks of life, outdoor plants need the same care and attention as indoor ones. However, once a few basics have been well established, outdoor plants may be left (in a good, sunny spot) to take care of themselves. They may need to be regularly watered and fed and, occasionally, pruned but most of their development will be accomplished simply by allowing them to grow over spring and summer.



This feature of outdoor cultivation is what makes 'guerrilla growing' possible. Established plants may be placed outside in remote or wild areas and left to their own devices throughout the growing season. The guerrilla grower need only visit them a few times in this period, or even just the once, at harvest time.



Outdoor plants will usually yield more than indoor ones. This is simply because they are able to grow larger. Few indoor setups are able accommodate plants larger than 180cm. Assuming that detection is not a problem, outdoor plants may comfortably grow to 2 or 3m in height. It is possible for a single plant of this size to produce 500g or more of dried bud.



Germinating seeds early in the growing season (March or April in the Northern hemisphere) will allow your plants a long vegetative period before flowering is triggered by the shorter days of late summer.



Some people prefer the taste and effect of organically grown cannabis. Many cannabis lovers insist they can easily differentiate between buds grown with soil and sun and those produced with hydroponics and grow-lights. This, however may simply be the result of their smoking over-fertilized indoor cannabis, or even the fact that indoor buds can taste very different, due to their containing an uncommonly high level of THC that is simply not attainable outdoors.

Five Curious Things About Marijuana

1. Marijuana's Harms Have Been Grossly Overstated

In 1972, after conducting a scientific review, the U.S "National Commission on Marijuana and Drug Abuse" concluded that while marijuana was not entirely safe, its dangers had been "grossly overstated". Since then, researchers have conducted thousands of studies of humans, animals, and cell cultures. None reveal any findings dramatically different from those described by the National Commission in 1972. In 1995, based on thirty years of scientific research editors of the UK’s medical journal Lancet concluded that "the smoking of cannabis, even long term, is not harmful to health.

2. Marijuana Drug Tests are Fairly Intimidating

There are three main ways that the authorities can test you for marijuana use: Urine Testing, Hair Testing and Saliva Testing. All are fairly accurate and very difficult to manipulate. Apart from abstinence, the only sure way to get a clear result from a tainted source is to provide a sample that isn’t yours, and this is only really feasible in the case of a urine test. How you go about this is your business… Otherwise your best hope is to dilute your sample. If you search the net you’ll find plenty of disreputable websites selling a whole host of fraudulent products and spurious guides that simply don’t work, and most of which are specifically targeted by drug tests anyway. So in the case of a urine test it’s possible that drinking a lot of water could help your levels drop below the cut-off point, but this isn’t without risk as people have actually died from water intoxication. Plonkers.

On the bright side though, if you’re a marijuana user you probably don’t want to work for anyone cold enough to drug test you in the first place!

3. ‘The Man’ Wildy Overestimates the Street Value of Marijuana:

During a routine traffic stop in Ohio, USA, police discovered over 47kg of the most valuable marijuana ever documented… A search of the vehicle yielded 47Kg of hydroponically-grown marijuana stuffed inside eight black plastic bin bags. Police said the marijuana had an estimated street sale value of more than US$4,700,000. What amazed the marijuana community and growers of marijuana seeds worldwide was that this would mean a price of $2,824 per ounce, or roughly $2,224 more than the highest grades actually available on the street. Where could this magical marijuana have come from? Where on earth can we get some?

4. Marijuana Has Been Used As a Truth Serum:

In May 1943, Major George Hunter White, head of OSS counter-intelligence operations in the US, arranged a meeting with Augusto Del Gracio, an enforcer for notorious gangster Lucky Luciano. Del Gracio was given cigarettes spiked with THC concentrate from marijuana, and subsequently talked openly about Luciano's heroin operation. On a second occasion the dosage was increased with the unsought result that Del Gracio passed out for two hours.

5. Certain Breeds of marijuana seeds are Fantastically Useful:

Industrial hemp (certain breeds of marijuana bred for practical applications) has many uses, including the manufacture of paper, biodegradable plastics, health food, and fuel. It requires little to no pesticides nor herbicides, controls erosion of the topsoil, and produces oxygen. It can also be blended with cottons, silks and other fibres to make a high-quality clothing material. Who’d have thought so many miracles could come from a handful of mere marijuana seeds?!

The Benefits of Medicinal Marijuana

Humans have been using cannabis, also known as marijuana, for different purposes ever since prehistory. Marijuana, a genetic variation of the cannabis sativa, is still a very common herbal drug. The plant develops best in warm climates and may often be grown with the help of hydroponic growing methods. Medicinal marijuana is known to be part of AIDS and cancer therapies and even offers pain relief in certain situations. Although many public health groups have called for medicinal marijuana usage, the subject still remains highly controversial. Bcseedking.com offers a wide variety of marijuana seeds.





Cannabis inhalation dates back at least as far as the Neolithic age. The Hindus of India and Nepal were probably the most common users of hallucinogen substances during their ceremonial rituals. The Assyrians and the Thracians also had knowledge of cannabis, using it at religious events. Even today various sects treat cannabis as a sacrament, often referring to it as the tree of life. These days, marijuana is considered illegal in some countries while others tolerate it in small quantities or even allow consumption regardless of quantity. You can now purchase marijuana seeds online from bcseedking.com.





Medicinal marijuana has been used for decades as part of different therapeutic programs. A synthetic form of the Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol , also known as THC, is actually what brings beneficial results in cancer and AIDS therapies. Medicinal marijuana is known to relieve nausea, clinical depression symptoms and to alleviate the weight loss resulting from chemotherapy or similarly aggressive treatments. A recent study auggests that the cannabinol found in marijuana may inhibit the spread of cancer cells in animals. At bcseedking.com you’ll find marijuana seeds with a worldwide shipping service.





Relieving some of the symptoms caused by aggressive cancer and/or AIDS therapy isn’t the only beneficial influence of marijuana in medicine. A synthetic form of THC has proven to relieve anorexia symptoms and help reduce anxiety in patients suffering from Alzheimer. Another beneficial effect of marijuana is in treating glaucoma – a condition that eventually causes loss of sight. Medicinal marijuana helps eliminate glaucoma by reducing the intraocular pressure. However, the use of marijuana in glaucoma is still controversial as it can also decrease the blood flow to the optic nerve. Marijuana is also widely used for pain relief in certain neurological conditions such as bipolar disorder. Studies have revealed that marijuana can even be a part of treating obsessive compulsive disorders and muscle spasms.





Marijuana has been used in different ways for thousands of years and scientists are still figuring out its effects. The opinions concerning use of marijuana in the medical world are divided – some say it can be highly beneficial while others suggest more research before coming to any conclusions. Medicinal marijuana has proven to be helpful in providing relief from pain, nausea and other distressing symptoms of cancer or AIDS. Bcseedking.com is where you’ll find a variety of marijuana seeds.

Is our Education Complete Without Knowing About Marijuana Germination?

Marijuana, like any other hallucinogen plant or substance is illegal in some countries. Of course, there are some parts of the world more civilized than others that have understood cannabis as a personal choice. Thus they've legalized it. Places like these are very appreciated by tourists because they get to try not necessarily illegal substances, but perhaps a whole new lifestyle in a place where pot is not an issue and they can make their own decisions. This is what education needs most - to let people assume responsibility for their acts. Letting them grow Dutch marijuana seeds and witness marijuana germination shouldn't be a problem as long as they know their risks and they're willing to take them.

Also called weed, cheeba cheeba, devil's grass or pot, marijuana has had a lot of names throughout the years and it has been a much disputed subject. A lot of people talk about it without knowing anything about this plant, its growth process and the effort put into obtaining the best products from it. Few have paid interest in the details so many websites offer about Dutch marijuana seeds or about marijuana germination. Most only get to know one fact about it -that it's good for smoking. But cannabis also has a medical purpose as it is used in treatments for serious diseases like glaucoma. Because of its curative powers, cannabis is not illegal if prescribed by a doctor in a certain drug. However, marijuana is mostly known for the hallucinations or state of well being it induces.

Growing marijuana is very tricky if you want to obtain high quality products. Cannabis can survive and develop in any conditions and in any kind of soil, but it won't meet certain standards. As most people who are interested in this plant use it to sell it for treatments, they have to know certain details that allow the growth of quality cannabis. First of all, the seeds are of primary importance. Dutch marijuana seeds are the most recommended and, if one browses the Internet a little, he can find information as to why this is so. The Dutch marijuana seeds are known to be the best ones out there and they insure a high marijuana germination rate. After getting some Dutch marijuana seeds (and this shouldn't be very difficult with a little research and an online order), careful plantation and close surveillance are necessary.

Marijuana germination of a considerable number of Dutch marijuana seeds is insured only by following strict rules as to how the plant should be looked after. The best place to germinate the Dutch marijuana seeds is in a sterile soil, vermiculite or hydroponic medium of rockwool. You will see the results, meaning the marijuana germination process, after just a week. Vermiculite is such a good medium because it can give the seeds a lot of oxygen. The seeds need to have water at all times and for expected results a nutrient solution is a great idea. The container the seeds are put into is very important also. It's not recommended to transplant the seeds more than two times before the first harvest so you should put the Dutch marijuana seeds in the same pot you plan to grow the plant in. As one can notice after carefully examining only the instructions that have to be followed to witness the marijuana germination, a lot of hard work has to be put into growing cannabis.

Even after the marijuana germination period has ended and the plant has sprouted, one still has to take good care of it. The plant needs darkness during the marijuana germination period, so you can cover the soil where the Dutch marijuana seeds are with black paper to keep the light out. After the seeds have sprouted they will need light. A sun light or an UV lamp can be used because the small plant needs a lot of light. It's best to keep them under a light source for eighteen hours a day.

Not knowing about the effort that has to be put into making the marijuana germination happen and not paying any interest in the difference between normal seeds and Dutch marijuana seeds is a major mistake. Education should involve all this information because a certain respect for the entire process would be induced to teenagers who only care about smoking. Knowing of the positive as well as the negative effects marijuana has on people would be a huge step in civilization. With this data and more, children would know the power such a plant has over the human body. They would learn to respect and sometimes fear the unknown and most importantly, they would learn responsibility for their actions is no one's but their own.

Children should learn about the entire process to make marijuana germination happen and about the hard work put in. They should be instructed on the medical effects of treatments that include plants developed from Dutch marijuana seeds. Maybe later, they will wish to open a pharmacy that sells products based on cannabis. People would learn to hope for new discoveries made by these children in the future because someone told them, when they were easy to impress, how the marijuana germination should be handled and what seeds to use. You never know when knowledge takes a leap forward if education helps young minds to better comprehend positive aspects and hope to eliminate the negative ones.

Unfortunate History of Marijuana Prohibition in the United States

Most Americans associate marijuana use with the hippie movement of the 1970’s. Little do most know, marijuana was very important to this country when it was founded. In 1610 the Jamestown colony mandated that every household cultivate the native Indian hemp. They used it to make clothes, fiber, cloth, and medicine. In fact, the Declaration of Independence was signed July 4, 1776 on hemp paper. In 1850, the Census Bureau estimated that 8,327 plantations nationwide grew hemp. It took all the way until the early 1900’s for the United States to suddenly have a problem with plant.

Southern California and Texas were flooded with immigrants from Mexico around 1910. After long days of laboring they would often smoke marijuana to relax. The US abolished slavery in 1865 but equal rights for non-whites were still far from being realized. As a result, the public started unfairly associating marijuana use with the Mexican immigrants, who they didn’t like because they looked different. El Paso was the first place to outlaw marijuana in 1914 because of a bar fight attributed to “loco weed.�? Texas’ first law against marijuana read, “All Mexicans are crazy, and this stuff is what does it to them.�? After marijuana was outlawed there, it was only a matter of months before the government enacted The Harrison Act of 1914, followed five years later with The Alcohol Prohibition of 1919. These laws effectively robbed taxpaying citizens’ access to substances that had been legal since the beginning of time.

Fearful of the spread of this terrible “Mexican crazy drug�? the government began to put out massive propaganda to discourage the spread of marijuana use. Marijuana use was a conflict of interest for our government because they made tax revenue from doctor-prescribed cocaine, heroin, and morphine. They feared that Americans would obtain marijuana to use as a substitute to these substances and they couldn’t get their hand on those tax dollars. The first campaigns were launched immediately and the commissioner of Federal Bureau of Narcotics proclaimed, “Marijuana is an addictive drug which produces in its users insanity, criminality, and death.�?

During the Great Depression, massive unemployment increased public resentment and fear of Mexican immigrants, escalating public and governmental concern about the use of marijuana.  This instigated a flurry of research which linked the use of marijuana with violence, crime and other socially deviant behaviors, primarily committed by racially inferior or underclass communities. By 1931, 29 states had outlawed marijuana.

The hemp industry was obviously disappointed with the turn of events that was unfolding. To make matters worse, due to the Industrial Revolution it was quickly becoming cheaper for the industry to import hemp instead of producing it domestically. With international politics becoming increasingly tense, the US was cut off from most of its Eastern hemp import around 1942. The government needed more rope for its WWII ships and so the government started huge hemp farms in the Midwest to manufacture rope. In one year American hemp farmers harvested 375,000 acres of hemp. In 1944 the New York Academy of Medicine issued an extensively researched report that declared contrary to popular belief, use of marijuana does not induce violence, insanity or sex crimes, or lead to addiction or further drug use.

It was starting to become more obvious to the public that marijuana might not be so dangerous after all, so of course the government stepped in and imposed the Boggs Act of 1952 and the Narcotics Control Act of 1956. Together they set mandatory minimum sentences for first-offense marijuana convicts to 2-10 years along with fines up to $20,000. By 1958 the state of Virginia had a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years for first degree murder. Rape had a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years. Possession of marijuana, however, carried a mandatory minimum sentence of 40 years. It wasn’t until 1970 that congress finally repealed most of the mandatory penalties for drug related offenses. It was short-lived though, because congress flipped their position in 1986 when President Reagan signed the Anti-Drug Abuse Act, re-enacting mandatory sentences for marijuana-related offenses.

Finally in 1996 voters in California passed Proposition 215 allowing for the sale and medical use of marijuana for patients with serious conditions. This law stands today despite the DEA’s effort to override the law on a federal level.

Little has changed in the past 13 years as far as the federal government’s view on marijuana. There is hope however, as several elected officials are at least open to debate. Most notably, California governor Arnold Schwarzenneger said, “I think that we ought to study very carefully what other countries are doing that have legalized marijuana and other drugs, what effect it had on those countries, and are they happy with that decision.�? He added, “I’m always for an open debate on it.�? He isn’t the only prominent political figure to show some support for the cause. San Francisco Assemblyman Tom Ammiano was asked by the San Francisco Chronicle whether legalizing marijuana was just a trick to increase the states revenue. (an estimated $1.3 billion annually) He replied, “It’s also about the failure of the war on drugs and implementing a more enlightened policy. I’ve always anticipated that there could be a perfect storm of political will and public support, and obviously the federal policies are leaning more toward states’ rights.�?

There is still plenty more work to do because President Barack Obama is still strongly opposed to leaving marijuana legislation in the state’s hands. On March 26, 2009 the president offered to answer a few questions from the online audience. An overwhelming 3.5 million people voted to ask the president to consider legalizing marijuana to generate revenue. In response the president said, “Three point five million people voted. I have to say that there was one question that was voted on that ranked fairly high and that was whether legalizing marijuana would improve the economy and job creation. And I don't know what this says about the online audience but I just want -- I don't want people to think that -- this was a fairly popular question; we want to make sure that it was answered. The answer is, no, I don't think that is a good strategy to grow our economy.�? All we can do for now is continue to put the facts in front of our politicians and hope that they make the right decisions.

Hydroponic Growing - Lighting

It’s a general consensus that growing herb is best done with a good hydro system. Hydroponics is the process of growing a plant without soil. There are a couple of different ways to grow with hydro, but regardless you need to pick up the following:

• Lighting
• Nutrient System (usually a 3-bottle system)
• 1 PPM Meter (measures nutrients in parts per million)
• 5 gallons of purified H20 (or more depending on setup)
• Seeds
• Grow medium (I prefer hydroton, but more on this later)

Choosing your lighting will be the first task. There are several technologies out there, all of which have advantages and disadvantages.

Compact fluorescent lighting is the cheapest way to grow herb. Of course, it is also the least effective. For vegetative growth, use the most blue temperature (5000k+), and for flowering use predominantly warm light (2500k-3000k).

This system combines an HID metal halide bulb with a digital ballast. Metal Halide has a blue hue that makes it very effective for vegetative growth but not for flowering. These systems do use a lot of electricity and give off a decent amount of heat so you should always use them in conjunction with good ventilation.

LED technology is probably the future of growing. NASA is developing LED technology is hopes of using it to sustain life in outer-space. A good LED panel is expensive but gives off virtually no heat and uses less electricity than your television. The light is tuned red and blue, surprisingly the only 2 colors marijuana needs to flourish.

HPS is another HID system and as such uses a bulb and a ballast. This system is recognized as the most effective way to grow. It does use a lot of electricity and give off some heat so only use HPS lighting in conjunction with good ventilation.

Hopefully you have a better idea of which lighting system to use. No matter what your choice, ventilation is always important. Stale air will stunt growth and invite insects, mildew, and other things you don’t need around your girls. You really can’t have too many fans! Anyway, lighting is usually the most expensive part of the setup, so once you figure that out its time to select some nutrients.

The Decision to Grow Medical Marijuana

The Decision to Grow Your Own Medical Marijuana

The decision to grow your own medical marijuana is a unique opportunity for patients wishing to defray medical expense for their treatment of an ailment. In California, (please check your State laws regarding medical marijuana) a qualified patient may cultivate 6 mature plants/ 12 immature plants, and have 8 ounces of dried marijuana on hand. Once you have obtained relative State information on growing medical marijuana, issues of indoor or outdoor cultivation, security, seeds, excess marijuana, and resources – need to be addressed.

First, the outdoor growing environment in California is just about the best on this planet! Take a look around at all of the beautiful natural plant growth and foliage. The thriving fruit, vegetable, and plant industry in California is a testament to the botanical wonders of the state. Any wine lover could vouch for the Cali vineyards and their legendary wines.

A 10x10 patch of earth in your sunny backyard will do equally as well. Remember, marijuana is a weed, hence the nick name, and we’ve all seen how well weeds do even without any assistance. With southern exposure, or at least 5 hours of sunlight, you’ll be amazed at your harvest. A few seeds planted the day before a spring rain in April, gets you out the gate. Periodic watering and weeding will lead you to a Thanksgiving harvest. Intercropping, or mixing plants and vegetation in and around your marijuana plants helps avoid detection. You may also make a cheap grow house with 2x4’s wrapped in that wavy plastic you see on top of swimming pool fences, corrugated filon.

The indoor garden requires a bit more effort. You will need to brush up on hydroponics, grow lights, fertilizers, pest control, and energy requirements. The biggest advantage to an indoor set-up is security. You will not have to deal with nosey neighbors. The disadvantage would be a high light bill, depending on the source you select. Some 2x2’s wrapped with reflective foil in an eight by eight area should get you started. One 1000 watt light is enough artificial light though for that size, especially with the Indica or skunk strain of marijuana.

This leads us to the seeds situation. Hopefully you’ve saved seeds from the past, or can obtain some from friends. Many people throw away seeds, not realizing their potential. Even seeds from a dirt bag of weed, could turn into a fabulously potent plant, given the conditions you provide during growth. Cannabis Indica is a short bushy plant, Cannabis Sativa grows very tall, and some strains are a cross of the two. Indica, or “skunk�? has a knock-out high, as opposed to the Sativa “Up�? or soaring high. If you have trouble obtaining seeds, some online sites like Amsterdam Marijuana Seeds could assist you. Don’t worry about automatic flowering. Feminized or other specialty seeds.

Unfortunately, there are some low life people out there who would rather take your crop than tend to one of their own. There isn’t anything more disheartening than a ripped off crop, right before harvest. For this reason I recommend a good canine, preferably a female German Sheppard from the pound. Many dogs have an affinity for the plants, so chain them or keep their direct access to the plants restricted. The excitement of growing marijuana will cause you to talk about your venture, don’t. This is a clandestine, stealth, James Bond type operation. Do not allow anyone to become aware of your garden. A fully matured crop is worth a lot in dollars, effort, and product. Don’t let your loose lips sink the operation.

You would think that excess pot would be the least of your worries, but it isn’t. More pot, more problems! Cali only allows for 8ozs. of dried medical marijuana. Depending on your strain, you may produce 3 times that or more.  Just like a sudden lottery winner sometimes finds misery with the wealth, you may be tempted with the “dark side.�? What will you do with the excess? I don’t know,  good-luck with that one.

Finally, if this info still has you perplexed, there are several resources from my experienced crew that conduct forums from time to time, the library, and online DVD’s.

Make sure you never guess about a problem, as your mistake could ruin your crop. Most of the time people destroy their crops by trying to do too much! Too much watering, too much fertilizer, too much talking, not enough reading or research – can lead to disaster. If you really struggle with growing medical marijuana, look for me online, I’m not hard to find.

hydroponic nutrients and plant growth factors- introduction

    Hydroponic Nutrients and plant growth factors- introduction

 

 Improper use of fertilizers is the common cause of many plant problems. Inadequate amounts cause weak and under nourished plants while an amount above desired quantities may burn and even kill the plant. Good judgment and decisions are required when a plant grows. Below are guidelines for applying nutrient solutions.

Hydroponic nutrient solutions are normally sold in concentrated forms. They are then added to the water supply with a specific ratio. Ideally, 150-600 parts per million consists a normal concentration of hydroponic solution. Normally sold in two or three parts because direct combination is not possible. Remember to mix nutrients into water first before combining, never combine two nutrients together.

 

How Much Hydroponic Nutrient Solution?

 

There are specific proportions for each plant type and phase of its growth. Advances in nutrient solutions have greatly improved the precision of concentration based on a plants growth stage. Hydroponic nutrient solutions are usually sold in “grow�? or “growth�? formulas for the vegetative phases and “bloom�? or “flower�? for the flowering phase of the growth cycle. Remember to switch to the bloom formula during the bloom stager to increase yields exponentially and max out your plants capacity.

In poor growing conditions weak nutrients are recommended. Low lighting, overheated gardens, crowding and root bound plants. Weak nutrients are also ideal for newly rooted cuttings and for transporting plants or when they are in the transition of growth cycles.

Normal, healthy plants can be used with regular strength solutions in ideal growing conditions. Increasing nutrient solutions could be utilized to enhance efficiency of your gardens. An ideal system such as high quality lights, proper aeration and ventilation when present is the only instance wherein you could increase the level of nutrient solutions to improve plant growth. Gradually increasing the nutrient solution is advised as not to burn the plant roots.

Various additives are also available for optimum plant growth. Maintain good grow logs or records of types of additives used, when applied and results. This enables you to measure its effectiveness in the future. If there are any negative effects with experimentation, flush or rinse your hydroponic system immediately.

 

How to measure Hydroponic Nutrient Solutions

 

Electronic conductivity of dissolved minerals in the water is the usual basis for determining nutrient solution. Parts per million (ppm) is the unit of measure. But this is just a general way of measuring conductivity in the solution and not the actual strength of individual minerals. This is the main reason why hydroponic nutrient solutions are sold as a mix of 3 parts. Once the desired mix is achieved it is very convenient to change the concentration to achieve proper conductivity.

 

Overuse of Hydroponic Fertilizers

                    

Flushing out your growing medium is the first intervention once any signs of over fertilization are observed this is to prevent further damage to the plant. Clean water is used for flushing until signs of nutrient deficiency are observed in the plant. Normal feeding and schedule is then resumed. Some hydroponic systems require a top down flushing to completely clean out the plant.

 

pH Testing

 

Often referred to as the power of Hydrogen. It is the measure of Alkalinity or acidity of solutions based on hydrogen ion content. pH is measured from a scale of 0-14, acids are in the 0-7 bracket (0 the most acidic), and bases at the 7-14 range (14 the strongest). Introduction of nutrients affect the pH of the solution as they activate the hydrogen and hydroxide ions. Constant monitoring is required to ensure proper pH levels are maintained.

 

Ideal pH for Plant Growth

 

Different pH levels are recommended for each and every plant. Attention to research should be done to ascertain the proper pH level for your plant. Findings however have found out that a pH level of 5-7 is safe for most plants, 6-6.5 being the most ideal.

 

Be Careful When Handling Chemicals

 

Solutions having a pH of between 3 and 10 are usually safe for handling. Caution is advised for solutions outside this range as they would likely be strong acids or bases. Gloves and goggles are advised as a precautionary measure every time you work with any type of chemical.

 

Controlling pH Level

 

Checking pH levels should be second nature when nutrients are introduced to your solution. When solutions acid levels are observe to be always high, solutions should be changed more frequently. When nutrients are absorbed by the plant, this action makes the solution acidic and leads to nutrient “lock up.�?  pH level are signs of nutrient deficiency, be sure to constantly check them. Check your water this may be the cause and not the nutrient solutions.

Various types of pH test kits are available in the market today. Some are fairly accurate with the more expensive one showing an increased degree of accuracy. Litmus paper and liquid pH tests kits used in swimming pools are an inexpensive way of measuring pH. This works for most of the plants, but plants with more sensitive pH reactions require more elaborate ph test kits. pH UP and pH DOWN chemicals are used to adjust pH levels in your solution.

 

Plant Growth Factors

 

Complete freedom from environmental factors gives indoor hydroponic gardening its ultimate advantage. All the elements needed for optimum plant growth are provided by the indoor hydroponic gardening system. Light, temperature, pH, CO2 and Oxygen are important factors that should be considered in planning your indoor hydroponic garden system.

 

Light and Photosynthesis

 

Essential sugars are created by plants through photosynthesis which is the process of converting carbon dioxide, water and nutrients into energy. Light is considered the most important factor because it provides energy for this chemical reaction. Studies show that an increase in light intensity directly increases the amount of sugar produced. This steadily goes up till the saturation point for light is reached by the plant. Increasing the level of light received by the plant should also be considered. Normally, a plant receives around 8-12 hours of sunlight in a day depending on the season. Plant exposure to this amount of light received in a day should be maintained in an indoor hydroponic garden system. Spacing is also important, be sure that they don’t block the light and ensure all plants received equal amount of light.

Plants not receiving enough light will have lasting negative effects on its growth even when corrected. Some characteristics are stems which are spindly and elongated leaving them ineffective in supporting plant growth. A decrease in the amount and size of the leaves is also one problem. More damaging effects of improper lighting are a decrease or absence of fruits, decreased overall quality and a change into a yellowish pigmentation for the plant.

Carbon Dioxide also plays a major role in Photosynthesis. Plants utilize the CO2 present in the atmosphere than anything else. CO2 systems are available which increase the levels of CO2 in your indoor hydroponic garden system

Good ventilation should also be considered as they maintain temperature and a steady fresh supply of CO2 and oxygen at all times. Complex setups require more complicated ventilation systems but an oscillating fan set on the same timer as the lights would ensure airflow.

 

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Systems

 

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) as described in the previous paragraphs is one of the most important elements needed for plant growth. CO2 is combined with nutrients, water and energy from light (grow lights/ sunlight) is utilized during photosynthesis producing essential sugars that provide energy for the plant. Any factor missing needed for photosynthesis will limit the plants growth potential. In order for a plant to grow to its utmost potential and for it to yield the best results all of the elements must be present. 

 

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Injectors

 

One of the most cost effective way of adding CO2 to an indoor hydroponic garden system is with the use of CO2 injectors. A valve, regulator and gauge are used to measure CO2 levels injected to the air. Sophisticated CO2 injectors are also used to control CO2 release. CO2 tanks are readily available from medical supply outlets and restaurant supply stores.

 

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Generators

 

Investing in CO2 generators would also be wise for long time use in your indoor hydroponic garden systems for several crops. CO2 generators burn propane, natural gas or other carbon based fuels to produce carbon dioxide. More expensive than CO2 tanks, they provide a more convenient way of producing CO2. Long period and continuous use of CO2 generators has proven to be more efficient and economical than purchasing injectors and many tanks.

 

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Monitors and Controllers

 

CO2 monitors with controllers automatically maintain indoor hydroponic garden systems CO2 levels. It is advised for large-scale gardeners or hobbyists and enthusiasts with that extra cash to invest. Often in the hundreds of dollars, they are quite expensive but are really effective if you can afford it. An electronic CO2 monitor together with a CO2 controller are used to maintain CO2 levels. Monitors could be sold separately and can be used with various types of controllers giving room for flexible indoor hydroponic garden designs.

 

Water

 

Water quantity requirements vary according to the type of indoor hydroponic garden system. Adequate levels of water should be maintained whatever type of indoor hydroponic garden system used. Water deficiency even if reversed and corrected cause permanent loss in production.

Not only the amount of water but also quality of water is important. Poor quality also causes serious problems for any indoor hydroponic garden system. The use of tap water can affect the nutrient balance in hydroponic solutions. Tap water naturally contains mineral and salts. Often referred to as “hard water,�? tap water is offset by constant monitoring and adjusting nutrient solution. Salt content should always be kept below 325 ppm (parts per million) whenever possible.

 

Temperature

 

Temperature is a gauge for optimum production for every plant. When plants are exposed to extreme ranges of temperature, stunted growth and poor fruit yields are the result. Plants have specific temperature ranges for their ideal growth. Warm-season vegetables and most types of flowers have 18o C and 260 C as an ideal temperature range. Cooler season vegetables like lettuces have a 10o C to 18o C range.

 

Primary Hydroponic Nutrients

 

Nitrogen (N)

 

The most essential of all nutrients for leaf and stem development. Nitrogen consumption depends on a plants growth cycle and in a vegetative growth phase of plant nitrogen consumption is greatest. Hydroponic nutrient solutions labeled as “grow�? or “flower�? contains more concentrations of nitrogen. Nitrogen deficiency is the leading cause of plant growth in indoor hydroponic garden systems. Yellowish, soft and weak plants and leaves are tell-tale signs of nitrogen deficiency.

Half-strength nitrogen solutions are ideal for plants between growing phases. This will prevent plant stretch while it’s switching its energy over to flower development. Normal feeding is resumed once the plant reaches the flowering stage.

 

Phosphorous (P)

 

Phosphorous plays a major part in root and flower development. Phosphorous deficiency signs are slow and stunted plant growth. Phosphorous is crucial to a plants flowering stage. “Bloom�? type formulas contain a 0-50-30 concentration, containing no nitrogen and high levels of phosphorous and potassium.

 

Potassium (K)

 

Different in action from the previous two nutrients, it doesn’t feed the plant directly in any specific stage of growth. It merely facilitates plant intake of other primary and secondary nutrients. Potassium deficiency cause irregular plant growth and susceptibility to pests and disease. Potassium inhibits fruit production and should be lessened during this stage.

 

 

 

Secondary Hydroponic Nutrients

 

Calcium (Ca)

 

Facilitating and filtering the absorption of other nutrients Calcium is one essential nutrient. It is also a natural base that increases the pH level is needed. Commonly used in the vegetative phase of plant growth, calcium consumption is decreased during the flowering stage.

 

Magnesium (Mg)

 

Mainly for chlorophyll production in photosynthesis, deficiency causes yellow leaves.

 

Sulfur (S)

 

Yellow leaves are a sign of sulfur deficiency and are only used in small amounts.

 

Iron (Fe)

 

Used in small amounts, iron deficiency is similar to sulfur deficiency. Yellow leaves are the general signs of deficiency. High pH causes iron absorption problems so constant monitoring is advised.

 

Molybdenum (Mb)

 

Mainly for nitrogen absorption and converts nitrates to ammonium

 

Boron (B)

 

Facilitates carbohydrate transport in the phloem, it is not essential and maybe disregarded. Boron overdose causes plant kill, it is not found in regular soils and only supplemented.

Hydroponic Marijuana

The possession, use or sale of Marijuana have become illegal in most parts of the world. Marijuana was criminalized in the United States due to Marihuana Tax Act of 1937. Several theories try to explain why it is illegal in most Western societies. Jack Herer, a cannabis legalization activist and writer, argues that the economic interests of the paper and chemical industry were a driving force to make it illegal. Another explanation is that beneficial effects of hemp would lower the profit of pharmaceutical companies which therefore have a vital interest to keep cannabis illegal. Those economic theories were criticized for not taking social aspect into account. The illegalization was rather a result of racism directed to associate American immigrants of Mexican and African descent with cannabis abuse. Although the extent of the medicinal value of Marijuana has been debated, it does have several well-documented beneficial effects. Among these are: the amelioration of nausea and vomiting, stimulation of hunger in chemotherapy and AIDS patients, lowered intraocular eye pressure (shown to be effective for treating glaucoma), as well as general analgesic effects (pain reliever).

Marijuana seeds can be bought from Dutch, Canada or UK seedbanks.