Growing organic cannabis in Canada.
I grew up on a strawberry farm. For as long as my memory goes back I remember spending hot summer days in the New Brunswick sunshine picking berries. I got to witness and participate in the whole process, from the baby plants arriving, to planting, to harvest.
Some strawberries were bred to be larger & more picturesque while we also had plants that would produce smaller berries meant for jam.
Much like growing strawberries, Growing cannabis has similarities. I live in New Brunswick , Canada. Our growing season for all plants is limited due to our fickle climate. We don't let this stop us and manage to go on and grow magnificent gardens.
I grow my plants in the most organic ways possible. This means I use NO man-made nutrients, fertizlers, or any chemical products on my plants.
They're grown in aged Living Soil with well-water with the help of summer sunshine.
I make my own nutrients using goat droppings and rabbit droppings.
Many people find this odd BUT alas it grows me monster plants with quality cannabis.
I'm not in the cannabis growing game to harvest a huge yield. I'm in it to grow quality organic cannabis and show others it doesn't have to be complicated.
Here’s a basic supply list,
Seeds
Buckets
Smaller pots or solo cups for starting the seeds
Black earth
Outdoor space with lots of sunlight
A warm place to start the seedlings( ie. a greenhouse, warm windowsill, mini indoor greenhouse.)
Shovel
Patience
Starting your seeds.
Everyone seems to have a different method that works for them, this is my way of doing things. I like to start my seeds in the soil, other people like to germinate them in a damp paper towel and wait for the root to break out the seed and then plant it. I skip this step and go directly to the soil and I have the same success rate as other growers.
What is germination? Germination is the process in which an organism grows from a seed or a similar structure.
Typically within 48- 72 hours you’ll have a root emerge, and so begins the growing process. I leave my plants in the solo cups until the leaves overhang the edge of the cup.
Then I transplant to their permanent homes until harvest. I made the mistake of starting my seeds too early and ended up losing a lot due to a lack of heat. Canadian weather is bizarre in the spring months, so starting plants can be testy. Due to my errors and prior growing runs, I only start my seeds mid April due to the climate I live in.
You can purchase synthetic nutrients or natural nutrients to help your plants grow and to feed them. I opted to not go this route and made my own organic nutrients.
You can take animal manure and steep it in water for over 24 hours, then use the water to feed your plants! I use my rabbit’s & goats manure because I have lots. I feed my rabbits and goats the fan leaves off my plants. It’s a good cycle as the animals get fed and my plants get amazing nutrients.
Why is this method good?
Because manure is high in many minerals such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, as well as organic matter.
This is basically a complete fertilizer to give your plants the best nutrients.
Good types of manure are;
Chicken manure, It’s lightweight and easy to move. Many cities allow backyard chicken coops now, So you could have your own manure compost! You need to plan ahead though because it takes 6 to 9 months for the chicken waste to break down.
Rabbit manure, This is my favourite! I have 14 rabbits. The beauty of rabbit manure is you don’t need to wait for it to break down, it can be added directly to your soil mixture. Rabbit manure is nutrient-packed with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, along with calcium, magnesium, and zinc
Horse and Cow manure. This is an option and works but it’s harder to transport and needs to be composted before you can use it. Mixing it with your soil is optimal because it contains 1-2 % nitrogen and 1- 3% potassium. When you work this into your soil, it enhances the soil’s natural texture and fertility.
Pig Manure. This can be an excellent option for your plants if its sourced from a local farmer and not an agriculture facility. When you get pig manure from a commercial farm, you’re risking the presence of antibiotics, parasites, and bacteria. Getting pig manure from a local small farm is safe and will be extremely phosphorus
Sheep manure; is another manure that can be used immediately without needing to wait for it to compost. It beats out cow and horse manure due to its high content of potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus. It’s also packed full of organic matter that helps contribute to healthy plants
* Disclaimer this is purely my opinion and my findings. Everyone can grow the way they want to! This is just what worked best for me and my plants.
I was successful this year in breeding my own strain! I had to harvest pollen from a male OG Kush plant and dust it onto my female Blue Cheese plants. In return I was able to create my own strain which is called " Blue Sasquatch" . I'll be releasing more about her soon enough.
