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contactGreenhouse & Conservatory Growing
If you are fortunate enough to have a greenhouse or conservatory at your disposal, then you are certainly going to want to pay close attention. Below, we delve into key information, as well as some helpful tips, to maximise your growing space.
If you plan to cultivate your own crop of cannabis, you may be debating on whether to grow it indoors or outdoors. If you are still stuck in this dilemma, we have the perfect solution to your problem: greenhouse or conservatory growing.
These two options provide the best of both worlds. You get ample sunlight just like you would when growing in your backyard, yet you have more control over other environmental conditions like an indoor grow. However, there are advantages and disadvantages to both methods, which we will delve into deeper in this article.
THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN GREENHOUSE AND CONSERVATORY GROWING
While there are no stark differences between the two, there are some small disparities. In a nutshell, a greenhouse is made strictly for plant cultivation and is usually separate from one’s living quarters. A conservatory, meanwhile, is often an extension of one’s house, and may perform other functions than just gardening. Both spaces are often made from glass. You might also hear a conservatory referred to as a “sunroom”.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
Like every other cannabis cultivation method, there are some advantages and disadvantages to making use of a greenhouse or conservatory for your growing process.
In terms of advantages, these methods are often more cost-efficient than indoor operations. You also benefit from the natural heating functions of the greenhouse, which is especially beneficial when outside temperatures are too low. Furthermore, you have the option of providing supplemental heating and/or cooling systems if necessary.
At the same time, the glass allows you to harness the power of the sun to help your plants growth healthily and vigorously, without spiking your electricity bill. And compared to garden growing, a greenhouse or conservatory is better at keeping your herbs out of sight from nosy neighbors and other undesirables.
A downside to these methods, however, is that your plants’ growth is largely contingent on the natural light cycle. Unlike a true indoor grow where the grower must manually change the light cycle to initiate the flowering phase, greenhouse and conservatory plants will naturally make the switch from veg to bloom when Mother Nature says so.
With that said, growers can construct systems supplementing with artificial lights if need be. The same can be said for light deprivation systems. If possible, strategically plan out the start of your grow in advance to give your plants ample time to naturally grow and mature before the cold season.
TIPS FOR TAKING YOUR GREENHOUSE/CONSERVATORY GROWING TO THE MAX
Now that you know the pros and cons of growing in a conservatory or greenhouse, here are some tips and tricks to take advantage of.
1. GOOD GENETICS
Remember that, first and foremost, you need to buy cannabis seeds with high-quality genetics if you’re looking to optimize any grow for success. Even if you take excellent care in maintaining the best greenhouse environment possible, bad seeds are still bad seeds.
2. START EARLY
To maximize your growing potential inside a greenhouse, you should determine the best time to begin cultivating. Ideally, you’ll want to start early in the year, allowing your plants enough time to sprout and go through the vegetative phase with ease. This is the time when plants grow strong branches and produce fan leaves, before forming flowers. A robust veg stage is the foundation on which quality buds are built.
3. AUTOMATED SYSTEMS
A greenhouse can make the workload for the grower a lot easier since it provides a perfect sanctuary for the plants to receive automated watering/feeding. This system is great for busy folks with not a lot of free time to constantly observe their babies. However, it is still important to pay close attention to your automated system, should anything go awry.
4. SECURITY
Marijuana cultivation can still be a risky business to venture in, even in this day and age of recreational legalization in many major parts of the world. With that being said, discretion is still key. Growing in a greenhouse is still a good option, but you will have to make sure that it is done a little stealthily.
One way to do so is by painting its exterior with some white shading paint, just to mask what is going on inside. You can also add companion plants like tomatoes and mint, or even a green plastic plant mesh, just to camouflage the sight and smell of your precious herbs. Also, greenhouses will keep your plants secure from most larger pests as long as it’s securely enclosed. Small and microscopic invaders, however, still pose a threat.
DIFFERENT KINDS OF GREENHOUSES
In a nutshell, there are three types of greenhouse setups. The first one is the “lean-to” setup. These are usually attached to a house or a building and are strategically built to avoid too much direct exposure from sunlight.
The second one is the freestanding setup, which is said to be the best one of all three. The main benefit of such a setup is that it can be placed in a spot where sunlight and other resources are at their most optimum. Also, the sturdy frame walls can provide support for work benches, fans, overhead lighting, and other essentials.
The third type of greenhouse is the large polytube setup, which is generally a lot bigger in size compared to the two aforementioned. This kind of structure is best used on a rural farm or agricultural setting.
