Grow Hemp Indoor Beginner

Hello dear Bonsanto Community,

As of now, our much sought-after 35-watt LED lamp is available again.

The 35 watt LED plant lamp is our "queen" because it has the following advantages:

Effective and innovative: you do not have to change the lamp between growth and flowering phase. One lamp for all phases.

Cool in operation: it is significantly cooler than other comparable LED plant lamps.

Power saving: It is absolutely power saving. Herewith you get the highest yields at very low electricity costs.

Have fun with it!

Let the growers grow!

Are you interested in growing cannabis indoors and want to grow your first cannabis plant? If you're a beginner grower, there are a few things you should know to ensure a successful grow and a bountiful first harvest. Here we explain the benefits of indoor growing, what equipment you need to grow cannabis indoors as a beginner, and what seeds are best.

Our Bonsanto grow boxes are perfect for beginners. The boxes are available in a complete set and contain all the components you need for a successful indoor cultivation and are coordinated so that your cannabis can grow optimally and mistakes during the grow are almost impossible.

Why grow hemp indoors?

Growing hemp indoors offers several advantages. First, an indoor setup allows for a controlled growing environment. This means that when you grow within your own four walls, you can precisely adjust conditions such as temperature, humidity and light, resulting in optimal growing conditions for your plants. This has a positive effect on the quality of the harvest and the quantity harvested.

In addition, indoor growing allows you to grow regardless of external conditions and harvest all year round. This is especially advantageous for growers who live in regions with short growing seasons or unfavorable climates.

Another benefit of growing indoors is protection from pests and extreme weather conditions. Because your plant is growing in a protected space, it is less susceptible to insect infestation and damage from weather events. This allows you to reduce the use of pesticides, which is not only environmentally friendly, but also cost effective.

Indoor grow is also characterized by the efficient use of space. By using vertical growing systems and a precise arrangement of plants, you can grow more plants in a smaller space than outdoor grow.

Furthermore, indoor cultivation of hemp offers security, privacy and discretion. In some regions, there may be legal restrictions on hemp cultivation. In such cases, indoor cultivation can be a safe and discreet alternative.

What equipment for hemp indoor grow?

For a successful indoor grow you will need some equipment. If you want to make it easy for yourself, buy one of our growbox kits. These contain all the important grow components, so you don't have to buy them all separately. You can also find more grow accessories in our store!

Growbox or grow tent

If you want to grow indoors, it is best to do so in a grow tent or grow box specially designed for cannabis plants. At Bonsanto you can find growboxes and grow tents in different sizes. There is something for every taste!

Lighting

Cannabis, like any other plant, needs light to grow. LED grow lamps, fluorescent lamps, or HID lamps are often used to ensure that plants receive adequate light. Each lamp has its own advantages and disadvantages, with LED lamps often being considered more energy efficient and long lasting. We recommend, especially if you're new to growing cannabis indoors beginners, to use an LED plant lamp, because in addition to being long-lasting and energy efficient, they also give off less heat than other lamps, protecting your plant from burns. Today's LED lamps provide a full spectrum of light that the plant needs throughout its growth cycle and achieve higher yields compared to other lighting options.

Ventilation

A fan, an activated carbon filter and an exhaust system are necessary to ensure good air circulation and to control the temperature and humidity in the growroom and optimally adjust it to the cannabis plant. A fan and activated carbon filter are already included in the scope of delivery of the Bonsanto grow boxes and grow tents.

Pots & growing medium

Pots or containers with good drainage are required to grow the plants. If you buy a Bonsanto grow tent or mini grow box, you will receive the matching plant pots in the delivery. You can use soil, coconut fiber, perlite, or rockwool as a growing medium. The choice often depends on your preferences and your specific growing plan. We recommend using Bonsanto Premium soil, as it is organic and nutrient-rich.

Fertiliser

Hemp plants require a range of nutrients to grow well. Specially formulated fertilizers and nutrient solutions are often necessary and promote healthy plant growth. If you're looking for a good fertilizer, check out our Bonsanto "Organic Boost" and Bonsanto "Extreme Energy„ .

Timer

A timer is not absolutely necessary, but it can save you a lot of time and effort when growing indoors. You can use a timer, for example, to automate the lighting time or the watering.

Measuring equipment

You may need a thermometer and hygrometer for indoor growing to measure the temperature and humidity in the grow room. A pH meter is also used by many growers to control nutrient uptake. Fortunately, if you grow in a Bonsanto grow box, you can completely dispense with the use of measuring devices, because the Bonsanto components are already perfectly matched to each other.

You still need indoor equipment?

Then discover now our Bonsanto accessories.

What seeds for indoor grow?

Choosing the right seeds depends on several factors such as your growing goals, your experience and growing conditions.

Growers distinguish between indica and sativa seeds. Indica strains tend to be shorter and bushier and often have a shorter flowering time, making them ideal for smaller indoor growing spaces. Sativa strains, on the other hand, tend to be taller and slimmer and have a longer flowering time, but also require more space and light.

In addition, a distinction is made between autoflowering and photoperiod varieties. Autoflowering varieties automatically switch from the growing to the flowering phase, regardless of the light duration. They are often easier to grow and have a shorter lifespan, but usually produce less yield than photoperiod varieties, which react to changes in the light cycle to induce flowering.

If you want to grow medicinal cannabis, you should consider the THC and CBD content of the plant. Some strains are rich in THC, while others have a high CBD content (medicinal properties).

We also advise you to pay attention to the genetics of the cannabis plants and buy seeds from trustworthy suppliers. Each variety, depending on its genetics, has its own growth requirements, yield potential and resistance to pests and diseases.

What seeds for growing hemp indoor beginner?

If you are a beginner grower, you should choose a strain that is known for its robustness to growing errors and easy maintenance. It is advisable for beginners to choose strains that are predominantly indica. These flower in a shorter time, have a compact growth form and still achieve impressive results. Here we present three cannabis strains that are often considered beginner-friendly.

Northern Lights: This indica-dominant strain is known for its hardiness and resistance to mold and disease. Northern Lights has a relatively short flowering time and is known for its compact growth habit, making it ideal for smaller grow rooms.

Critical Mass: This strain is an indica-dominant mix and is known for its high yields and robustness. Critical Mass has a short flowering time. It is easy to grow, which makes it a good choice for beginners.

Auto-Flowering strains: Autoflowering strains like Auto Northern Lights or Auto Amnesia Haze are often easier to grow because they don't rely on light cycles to flower. They have a shorter growing period, which makes them a good option for you as a beginner if you want to see results quickly.

How to germinate seeds?

Germinating seeds is an important first step in growing hemp indoors. There are several methods you can use to germinate your seeds.

The first germination method is called the kitchen paper method and is quite straightforward. Place your seeds on a damp paper towel and cover them with another damp paper. Then cover everything with a tray to ensure darkness and moisture. After 1-4 days, when white shoots are visible, you can plant the seeds in soil or other medium.

The method "germination in a jar of water" is especially suitable for old seeds. Place the seeds in a glass of cold water for about 24 hours. Once the roots are 2-5 mm long, plant the seeds in your chosen medium. As with any other method, avoid touching the seeds with your fingers.

Alternatively, you can germinate the seeds directly in the grow medium. Plant the seeds 1cm deep in the medium, cover them with loose soil and then moisten the soil. After about 5-10 days, shoots will appear on the surface. Then start with the right lighting, because you can do without transplanting with this method.

If you want to learn more about germinating hemp seeds, check out our blog post onInstructions germinate seeds".

What are the growth phases of indoor cultivation?

Cannabis goes through different growth phases when grown indoors.

Germination:

This phase begins as soon as you place the cannabis seeds in a moist medium to get them to germinate. This usually takes a few days to a week. During this time, the seed develops a root and begins to form seedling leaves.

Seedling Stage:

After your seeds germinate, they enter the seedling phase. This phase lasts about 2 to 3 weeks. During this time, the young cannabis plant develops its root system and begins to form true leaves.

Vegetative Stage:

After the seedling phase comes the vegetative phase, when the plant prepares for flowering. During the vegetative phase, the plant grows rapidly, develops more leaves and strengthens its root system. During this phase, the plant needs a lot of light (about 18 hours per day) and nutrients to promote growth.

Flowering Stage:

Once your plant has grown sufficiently, it can move into the flowering phase. This is usually initiated by a change in the light cycle, where the plant receives 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness. During the flowering phase, the plant produces flowers and resin.

Harvesting:

After the completion of the flowering phase, the plant is ready for harvesting. This is usually determined by the color of the trichomes and the overall structure of the flowers. Harvesting is followed by drying and curing of the flowers before they can be consumed.

It is important to closely monitor the plant's light, water and nutrient needs during each of these stages to ensure a successful harvest.

How to dry hemp?

After you have harvested your hemp, the drying process follows. This step is important to preserve the quality of the buds.

For drying, hang the buds or the whole plant, depending on your preference, in a dry room with good ventilation. For example, you can use the Bonsanto drying case to help the drying process. Make sure the flowers have enough room to dry to prevent mold from forming. The drying time varies depending on the moisture content of the flowers and usually takes between 9 and 14 days. Perform the stem bend test to check if the flowers are dry. If the stem yields without breaking, let the buds dry for a few more days. If the branch breaks, the buds are sufficiently dried.

After drying, you can additionally ferment your harvest. Fermented hemp tastes better and has a better quality. If you want to ferment your flowers, read our article “Richtig fermentieren – Coffeeshop Qualität” for more information.

How to store hemp?

Proper storage of cannabis is also important to maintain the quality and aroma of the flowers over time.

Use airtight jars for storing your cannabis. Glass is the ideal for storing cannabis, as it does not emit odors and humidity is well regulated. In our Bonsanto store you can find a Miron storage container made of purple glass, which is perfect for storing your harvest.

Store your cannabis in a cool, dark place, ideally at a temperature of around 15-21 degrees Celsius. Relative humidity should be between 55% and 62% to prevent mold growth and maintain the quality of the buds.

Also, avoid direct light, as UV light can break down the cannabinoids in the flowers. Therefore, store your jars in a dark place, such as a cabinet or drawer.

Don't store your cannabis harvest near strong-smelling foods or cleaning products, as these can affect the taste and aroma. If you have different strains of cannabis, it's best to store them separately to prevent the flavors from mixing.