Growing Medical Cannabis: A Complete Beginner’s Guide

How to Pick A Medical Strain

Not all seeds are the same, and choosing the perfect genetics makes all of the difference for your medicine. When looking for strains to grow, there are a lot of types to look at. Keep in mind the way the cannabis seeds perform and their potential effects as well as the way it grows for the best match for you.

Flavor profile

Do you prefer deep, rich danky indicas that give full body highs and euphoria? Or, do your tastes prefer sweet and fruity sativas that clear the mind? Scientists have determined more than 100 terpenes in cannabis that give them unique smells, tastes, and even medicinal properties. Every strain has a carefully cultivated balance of flavors that distinguish it. This can simplify your search and find one that you want.

CBD Content

If you’re shopping for CBD seeds, pay attention to the CBD percentage that each strain typically displays. For those who want the medical benefits of cannabis without the high, a higher CBD strain is a perfect selection.

THC Content

In general, the higher the THC content in a strain, the more psychoactive it will be. Some find this euphoric sensation pleasurable while others find it anxiety-inducing. Newer cannabis consumers should start with strains that have lower THC levels and work their way up as they become more comfortable with the effects.

Why Use Cannabis for Medicine

While the rules regarding medical cannabis vary throughout the world, cannabis remains one of man’s most effective and also oldest medicines. So many scientific studies have been conducted that prove that it relieves symptoms of disease and can even reverse certain conditions, including shrinking tumors.

Cannabis is effective for many different conditions, both physical and mental. Some of the most common reasons people use cannabis as medicine are:

• Pain relief
• Nausea and vomiting reduction
• Stimulation of appetite
• Reduction of inflammation
• Anxiety and stress relief
• Seizure reduction
• Muscle spasm relief
• PTSD symptom relief
• Cancer treatment
• Depression and mood disorders
• Autoimmune diseases

Germination

Having the right technique for germinating weed seeds can be quick and helps you get the most value for your purchase. Being conscientious every step of the growing process helps ensure that your medicine has the best quality.

There are many different techniques for germinating the seeds, here are a few!

Techniques for Germinating Weed Seeds:

– Soaking in water: Soak the seeds in a glass of water for a few hours before planting. This is the most common way to germinate seeds and is believed to be the most effective.

– Planting directly in soil: This is a popular method for those who are growing cannabis outside. Plant the seeds in soil and keep the soil moist until they germinate.

– Paper towel: Soak the seeds in water and then place them on a damp paper towel. Make sure the seeds are not in direct contact with the towel and keep them in a warm place until they germinate.

– Rockwool: This is a popular method for indoor growers. Soak the seeds in water and then place them on a piece of damp Rockwool. Keep the seeds in a warm place until they germinate.

There are actually as many germinating techniques as growers, so talk to any experienced cultivators you know or try some of these ideas.

Flowering

Marijuana seeds produce plants that have a vegetative stage and a flowering stage. Using feminized seeds guarantees you get the fattest buds. The vegetative stage is when the sprout develops larger, and it can last anywhere from 4 weeks to 16 weeks. Autoflowering seeds speed up the process and help ensure that the plants produce buds no matter what lighting schedule you use.

The flowering stage lasts up to 7 to 9 weeks. There are many ways to help the plants grow the fattest buds possible. By monitoring the size, shape, and color of the leaves you can get a good idea of how your plants are doing and can monitor your nutrient or watering schedule accordingly.

Harvesting

After a successful grow, there is nothing quite as satisfying as having a harvest. You might wonder, when are the buds ready to harvest? Some people like to take the buds under a magnifier and see that there are plenty of juicy trichomes and hairs.  Others go by the color of the pistils. When 50% or more of the pistils have changed from white to a dark, reddish-brown, the buds are usually ready for harvest.

Timing is everything when it comes to harvesting your buds and can make or break your yield. If you wait too long, your buds will be dry, brittle, and will not smoke well. If you harvest too early, the buds will not have reached their full potential and you may not get as high as you would have liked. By using a magnifier to inspect your buds and by using the pistil color test, you can ensure that your buds are harvested at their peak.

Why You Need to Cure and Store Buds Properly

How and why do you cure buds?

When buds are fresh, they are wet and can’t be immediately smoked or processed. Curing is the method of drying and aging the buds so that they can be enjoyed. It also allows for the THC to convert into cannabinol (CBN), which is a psychoactive compound that is even more potent than THC.

Methods of Curing Buds

Hanging the cut branches with a fan is one of the primary ways of drying and curing buds. The fan helps to circulate air around the buds and speeds up the drying process.

Another method is to dry the buds in a dark room with some type of dehumidifier. This method is slower than using a fan, but it produces high-quality buds.

How do I Store My Cured Buds?

Properly stored cannabis can last for years. The best way to store your buds is in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. You can also store your buds in the freezer if you plan on keeping them for a long time. Be sure to check on your stash every so often to make sure that it is still fresh.

For all of the best seeds for medical cannabis, browse our selection available at Crop King Seeds.