15 Cannabis Growing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Last Updated on February 8, 2024 by Alex Roig

Dealing with cannabis growing mistakes can be tricky for both beginners and experienced growers alike. This article will cover 15 common errors in marijuana cultivation, offering insights and solutions for each.

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We’ll guide you through various stages, from seed germination to harvesting, helping you improve your growing process for a healthier crop and more fruitful harvest.

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Key Takeaways

• Overwatering leads to root rot, underwatering causes dehydration.
• Ensure good ventilation and correct lighting for plant health.
• Regularly inspect marijuana plants for pests and diseases.
• Harvest at the right time for optimal potency and quality.
• Use high-quality seeds and the right soil type.
• Manage temperature and humidity levels effectively.

13 common problems in cannabis cultivation

1. Overwatering and Underwatering
2. Poor Air Circulation and Ventilation
3. Pests and Diseases
4. Improper Harvest Timing
5. Inadequate Training and Pruning
6. Wrong Soil Type
7. Nutrient Imbalances
8. Incorrect pH Levels
9. Poor Seed or Clone Quality
10. Inadequate or Incorrect Lighting
11. Lack of Environmental Control
12. Ignoring Plant Training Methods
13. Improper Water Quality
14. Failure to Acclimate Seedlings
15. Neglecting Legal Restrictions

Understanding Soil Quality

The foundation of healthy cannabis plants lies in the soil used. Using the wrong type of soil, such as reused potting mix or soil lacking in nutrients, can stunt cannabis plant growth.

High-quality soil should be nutrient-rich, light, airy, and free of contaminants to ensure optimal growth. The addition of perlite can enhance soil drainage and aeration, crucial for preventing root rot and other issues.

Related Article: Your guide on the best soil to grow marijuana in.

Container Size Matters

The size and type of container also play a pivotal role. Using a container that’s too small can restrict root growth, while one that’s too large might lead to nutrient deficiencies. Make sure your container has proper drainage to prevent waterlogging.

Humidity and Cannabis

Cannabis plants are sensitive to humidity. The right humidity levels are critical throughout the plant’s life cycle.

For seedlings, maintain 65-70% RH, reducing gradually to 40% during the vegetative stage and around 30-45% in the flowering stage.

Sudden changes in humidity can shock the plant, so it’s essential to make these adjustments gradually when growing cannabis.

Related Article: Learn the best temperature when growing cannabis.

pH Levels

The pH level of your growing medium significantly affects nutrient absorption. Cannabis thrives in slightly acidic conditions, with optimal soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0.

For hydroponic systems or those using coco coir, a pH of 44785.5-6.5 is ideal. Regularly testing and adjusting your pH levels is crucial for healthy plant development.

To learn more about the importance of pH, read this article.

Common Cannabis Growing Mistakes and How to Fix Them

In cannabis cultivation, common mistakes can greatly impact your crop’s success. Addressing these issues is essential for a healthy harvest, and the ones listed here are among the most frequent you’ll encounter.

1. Overwatering and Underwatering

Overwatering in cannabis cultivation can lead to root rot, a condition where excess moisture suffocates the roots, preventing them from absorbing oxygen and nutrients.

This often results in yellowing leaves and stunted growth. On the other hand, underwatering can cause dehydration in plants.

When cannabis doesn’t receive enough water, its leaves will start to droop and turn dry, leading to hindered growth and reduced yield.

Both conditions require careful balance in watering practices to ensure optimal plant health and growth.

Here’s a quick way to tell if your soils to wet or too dry:

• Finger Test for Checking Soil Moisture: To determine if your plant needs water, insert your finger into the soil up to the first knuckle. If the soil at this depth feels dry, it’s an indication that you should water your plant.
• Quick Check for Overwatering: To assess if your soil is too wet, try these steps: Observe the soil surface for any pooling water. Perform a finger test by inserting your finger into the soil; if it feels soggy or releases water, it’s overly wet. Also, check the soil’s color and texture. Darker, clumpy soil often signifies overwatering.

Related Article: How to properly water your cannabis plants.

2. Poor Air Circulation and Ventilation

Good air circulation and ventilation are crucial in marijuana cultivation. They play a key role in preventing the growth of mold and mildew, which can be detrimental to your plants.

Proper ventilation also helps in keeping pests at bay, as many pests thrive in stagnant, humid environments. Ensuring a constant flow of fresh air helps regulate humidity and temperature, creating an ideal growing environment.

This not only contributes to the overall health of your plants but also enhances their growth and yield.

3. Pests and Diseases

Regular inspections and maintaining cleanliness are essential in preventing pests and diseases in marijuana cultivation.

Vigilant monitoring allows for early detection of infestations or disease, enabling timely intervention. Cleanliness reduces the chances of pests and pathogens taking hold.

It’s important to keep the growing area free of debris and to sanitize tools and containers regularly. These practices help create a healthy environment for cannabis plants, reducing the risk of damage caused by pests and diseases, which can significantly impact plant health and yield.

Here’s a table of the most common pests and diseases:

Pest/Disease	Description
Spider Mites	Tiny spiders causing yellowing and speckled leaves
Aphids	Small bugs sucking plant sap, leading to stunted growth
Whiteflies	White insects causing leaf yellowing and wilting
Powdery Mildew	White powdery fungus on leaves and stems
Root Rot	Fungal disease causing brown, mushy roots
Caterpillars	Insects that eat leaves, causing holes and damage
Fungus Gnats	Small flies around soil, larvae harm roots

Related Article: Your guide on 11 common cannabis diseases.

“Dope will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no dope.”

Freewheelin Franklin

4. Improper Harvest Timing

Improper harvest timing is a critical factor in cannabis cultivation, impacting both potency and quality. Harvesting too early can lead to a less potent product, as the cannabinoids and terpenes haven’t fully developed.

On the other hand, harvesting too late can result in a degradation of these compounds, affecting the overall quality and experience. Understanding the optimal harvest time is crucial, often indicated by the color and condition of the trichomes and pistils on the plant.

Proper timing ensures the highest quality and potency of the cannabis.

Follow this link to learn more about when to harvest your cannabis.

5. Inadequate Training and Pruning

Inadequate training and pruning can significantly impact the yield and health of cannabis plants. Effective training and pruning techniques help in maximizing light exposure and air circulation, leading to stronger and more productive plants.

Techniques like topping and low-stress training (LST) encourage more even growth and higher yields. Defoliation, when done correctly, can boost light penetration and air flow around the buds.

These methods are essential for shaping the plant and optimizing its growth potential.

Here are five training and pruning techniques:

• Topping
• Low-Stress Training (LST)
• Defoliation
• Super Cropping
• Sea of Green (SOG)

6. Wrong Soil Type

Choosing the wrong soil type for marijuana cultivation can have a detrimental effect on plant health and yield. The soil is the foundation of your plant’s growth, providing nutrients, water, and support.

Using inappropriate or low-quality soil can lead to poor nutrient uptake, inadequate drainage, and an imbalanced pH level, all of which stress the plant and impede its development.

The right soil should be rich in organic matter, have good drainage, and maintain a pH level suitable for cannabis. Selecting the correct soil type is key to ensuring healthy growth and optimal yields. Never reuse potting soils. Compost them instead.

Test Your Knowledge

7. Nutrient Balances

• Overfeeding plants with too many nutrients lead to nutrient burn, visible as tip burn on leaves.
• Underfeeding results in nutrient deficiencies, causing pale or yellow leaves.
• Nutrient imbalances can affect plant growth and bud development.
• Regular monitoring of plant health is essential to identify issues.
• Adjusting nutrient levels gradually is key to avoiding shock.

8. Incorrect pH Levels

Maintaining correct pH levels is crucial for cannabis plants, as they have specific pH requirements for optimal growth. Incorrect pH levels in the soil or water can lead to nutrient absorption problems, affecting plant health and growth.

Cannabis generally thrives in slightly acidic environments. When the pH is too high or too low, it can lock out essential nutrients, leading to deficiencies and adversely affecting the plant’s development.

Regularly checking and adjusting the pH is key to ensuring your cannabis plants receive the right balance of nutrients throughout their growth cycle.

9. Poor Seed or Clone Quality

Starting with poor seed or clone quality in marijuana cultivation can significantly impact the health and yield of the plants. High-quality genetics are the foundation of a successful grow.

Inferior cannabis seeds or clones may lead to plants that are weak, prone to disease, or have lower yields. They might also show inconsistent traits, such as varying THC or CBD levels.

Sourcing seeds or clones from reputable suppliers is essential to ensure robust growth, consistent characteristics, and optimal yields. Good genetics set the stage for the potential success of the entire cultivation process.

10. Inadequate or Incorrect Lighting

Inadequate or incorrect lighting in marijuana cultivation can lead to weak plants and poor yields. Lighting is crucial as it drives photosynthesis, the process by which weed plants grow and produce buds.

The right intensity, spectrum, and duration of light are essential for healthy growth. Insufficient light causes plants to stretch and become leggy, while too intense light can burn the plants.

The wrong light spectrum can hinder the development of buds. Ensuring your plants receive the appropriate lighting tailored to their growth stage is key to achieving strong, healthy plants and optimal yields.

To learn more about mastering the marijuana light cycle click this link.

11. Lack of Environmental Control

Lack of environmental control, specifically in managing temperature and humidity, can significantly stress cannabis plants. Temperature and humidity levels greatly influence plant health and growth.

Too high or too low temperatures can hinder photosynthesis, while incorrect humidity levels can lead to issues like mold or mildew and affect transpiration rates.

Controlling these environmental factors is vital for creating an optimal growing environment that promotes healthy development and maximizes yield potential.

Effective environmental control ensures plants are not just surviving but thriving under ideal conditions.

12. Inconsistent Feeding Schedule

• Inconsistent feeding schedules can stress cannabis plants.
• Regularity in nutrient application is crucial for plant health.
• Irregular feeding leads to nutrient imbalances.
• Consistent feeding ensures optimal nutrient absorption.
• Adjust feeding schedule according to plant growth stages.

13. Failure to Acclimate Seedlings

Not acclimating seedlings properly, a process known as hardening off, can result in shock when they are moved outdoors.

This step is crucial to gradually introduce the seedlings to outdoor conditions like stronger sunlight, varying temperatures, and wind.

Without this gradual exposure, plants can experience stress or shock, potentially stunting their growth or causing damage.

The process of hardening off involves incrementally increasing their exposure to outdoor conditions over several days, allowing them to adapt and strengthen for a successful transition to outdoor growing.

Conclusion

Successfully growing weed involves careful attention to various factors. From ensuring proper watering and air circulation to selecting high-quality seeds and maintaining the right environmental conditions, each step is crucial for healthy plants and optimal yields.

Avoiding common mistakes is key to achieving a successful cultivation journey. By embracing these practices and learning from common mistakes, you can significantly improve the health and yield of your cannabis plants.

Engage With Us

What are your experiences with growing indoors or outdoors? Have you encountered any of these issues, and how did you overcome them?

Share your stories and tips in the comments below to help fellow growers!