Organic Cannabis Growing Guide

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Welcome to our guide on growing organic cannabis. This tutorial is designed for beginners and focuses on the benefits of organic growing while addressing the controversies surrounding synthetically derived nutrients.

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Step-by-Step Guide to Growing Organic Cannabis

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1. Selecting Your Strain
- Choose a cannabis strain that suits your growing environment and personal preferences. Consider factors like indoor or outdoor growth, climate, and desired effects.

- Indica strains tend to be easier, and have a shorter flowering time.

- Autoflowers are a great start, but their skill-level required is on-par with normal cannabis strains. 

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2. Setting Up Your Growing Space
- Indoor: Use grow tents or dedicated rooms with proper ventilation, grow lights, and reflective walls. A closet is also a possibility, though beware of heat creep. 
- Outdoor: Ensure your location gets ample sunlight and has protection from pests and harsh weather. It is advised to use beneficial insects.

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3. Choosing Your Growing Medium
- Use organic soil, rich in nutrients and beneficial microbes. Avoid synthetic fertilizers, as they can harm the natural ecosystem of your soil.

- Organicled personally recommends living soil. If not possible, use Biobizz nutrients.

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4. Germination
- Soak seeds in water for 24 hours, then place them in a damp paper towel until they sprout.
- Plant the sprouted seeds about 1/2 inch deep in the soil.

- Some seeds may take a long time to sprout, some may be quick.

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5. Planting and Early Growth
- Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Use a spray bottle for gentle watering.
- Provide 18-24 hours of light per day during the vegetative stage.

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6. Nutrient Feeding with Biobizz
- Follow the Biobizz feeding chart for organic nutrients:
  - Root Juice: Promotes healthy root growth.
  - Bio-Grow: Provides essential nutrients during the vegetative stage.
  - Bio-Bloom: Supports flowering and bud development.
  - Top-Max: Enhances flavor and yield.

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Optional:
- Adjust the pH of your water to 6.2-6.5 to optimize nutrient uptake, though pH is definitely not required for organic growing.

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7. The Controversy of Synthetic Nutrients
- Synthetic nutrients can lead to salt buildup in the soil, harming beneficial microbes and potentially affecting plant health and flavor.
- Organic growing focuses on creating a natural ecosystem, promoting healthier plants and better-tasting buds.

- Cannabis has been grown organically for thousands of years. Why fix what isn't broken?

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8. Flushing Before Harvest
- Based on the study by RX Green Technologies, flushing (using only water in the final weeks before harvest) showed no significant difference in the chemical composition of the buds.
- However, many growers believe flushing improves the taste and smoothness of the final product.
- To flush: Stop using nutrients and water your plants with plain water for the last 1-2 weeks before harvest.

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9. Flowering and Harvesting
- Switch to a 12/12 light cycle to initiate flowering.
- Monitor for signs of pests and diseases, treating organically if needed. Beneficial predator insects are ideal, especially during the vegetative phase. Use them as a precautionary method prior to flowering. 
- Harvest when the majority of trichomes are milky with some turning amber, indicating peak potency.

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Organicled recommendation:

- Harvest indica with ~15-30% amber trichomes, enhancing the sleep inducing & pain relieving effects.

- Harvest sativa with little to no amber trichomes, enhancing the uplifting effects.

- Look whether the calyxes are swollen or not; most strains will indicate completion upon swollen calyxes. 

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10. Drying and Curing
- Hang your harvested buds in a dark, ventilated space with a humidity level of 50-60%.
- After 7-10 days, transfer the dried buds to glass jars, opening them daily to release moisture and ensure even curing for at least two weeks.

- You may use humidity packs after the initial curing process of 7-10 days. This helps you regulate the humidity. 

The humidity levels are crucial for different purposes. 

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Final Tips

- Patience: Growing cannabis takes time and care. Be patient and attentive to your plants' needs.
- Observation: Regularly check your plants for signs of stress, pests, or nutrient deficiencies.
- Experiment: Every grow is a learning experience. Don’t be afraid to experiment and find what works best for you.

By following these steps and understanding the theories behind organic growing and nutrient controversies, you can successfully cultivate high-quality, organic cannabis. Happy growing!