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Why Should You Grow Cannabis On Your Balcony Or Terrace?
Living in an apartment or flat, you can often find yourself running a little low on available space at the best of times. This is especially true when looking for a dedicated area to grow some cannabis. Well, fear not! In this guide, we take a look at the do's and don’ts of growing on your balcony or terrace.
As a cannabis enthusiast looking to cultivate your own herb, growing right on your balcony or terrace may not be the best option to take. Especially if you live in a place where marijuana is illegal, this would not be very advisable. But if you are fortunate enough to be living in legal American states or other regions where home cultivation is legal, here are a few reasons why this growing method may actually be a great idea.
THE CASE FOR GROWING CANNABIS ON A BALCONY OR TERRACE
Those who live in urban areas tend to opt for balcony or terrace growing. This is largely due to spatial limitations in the form of studio or one-bedroom apartments. Growing cannabis this way also allows cultivators to use natural light to their advantage, without having to purchase expensive lighting setups.
This works well for those living in a medium or high-rise apartment who have no lawn area for gardening, but have a small spot outside their sliding door. Although this cultivation style also has its drawbacks, fortunately, there are ways to do it correctly and subsequently, enjoy the fruits of your labour.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
If you choose to go with balcony growing, it’s essential to have a full understanding of its pros and cons. Right from the outset, one of the greatest pros of this method is that you will be growing in pots or containers, which are relatively easy to move around.
This versatility allows you to take advantage of the sun’s rays, while also hiding plants in shade or bringing them inside should heat or humidity become extreme. By exposing your plant to the natural light cycle, both vegetative and flowering growth will thrive accordingly. Another advantage of using pots is the lack of expensive and heavy gardening equipment.
It the same manner, you won’t need to do any weeding when using this method. Given the small surface area of your soil-based medium, the likelihood of weeds overcoming plants is very small, which again, saves you a good amount of time and money.
There are a few minor disadvantages to this method, such as lack of privacy, especially from meddling neighbors. Good thing there is a solution for this; simply obscure your herbs by using companion plants such as conifers, sunflowers, or climbers.
Growing on a balcony or terrace may also put your plants at risk of drainage problems. To combat this issue, place a saucer under your potted plant containing a layer of pebbles. The pebbles will help the container drain easier, while preventing the bottom of the pot from standing in water.
Another common problem that balcony growers encounter is lack of space. For this, make use of stack planters, vertical wall planters, and other means to maximise surface area. It would also be best to arrange plants in an efficient and space-saving manner instead of randomly.
HOW ABOUT AUTOFLOWERS?
Having unlimited access to sunlight and natural air is certainly advantageous, but you also don't have control over the weather and temperature fluctuations that Mother Nature brings with each day. As a result, autoflowering cultivars are a great way to ensure your plants grow consistently, regardless of the light-dark cycle.
Since autoflowers usually race from seed to harvest in only a number of weeks, it’s advised to grow your plants during the hottest couple months of the summer, to take advantage of the sun’s powerful rays to achieve the best yields possible. In some regions of the world, this happens during the months of May-July, while in other parts, April-August.
During the early stages of growth, particularly during germination, you must also protect your seeds from external threats such as parasites. You can build your own mini-greenhouse if you have enough space; otherwise, you can make use of homemade protectors. You can also spray biological insecticides or neem oil on your plants on a weekly basis to prevent pests from destroying them.
TIPS FOR BALCONY/TERRACE GROWERS
You may encounter some challenges and rough patches as you grow your favourite herbs right on your balcony or terrace, but there are ways to work around them. The first thing to remember is to estimate plant size.
Since you are growing using a small container as opposed to a larger space like garden beds in your backyard, it is important to have a general idea of how big your plant is going to be and how much each pot can hold. Growing huge plants in small pots will obviously destroy the container. You will also need to take into account the space available on your balcony vs how many plants you intend to cultivate.
Another important factor to take into consideration is your soil medium. The general rule, according to experts, is to mix 80% of the recommended soil with approximately 20% worm castings. You then top it off with half a kilogram of bat guano and some fertiliser.
Water is another crucial factor when growing cannabis in any situation. While enough water is essential for plant development, it is so important not to drown your plants. This will lead to excess moisture, pests, rotting, and a host of other issues. For the average balcony grower using pots, it’s recommended to drench your medium in water until it starts pouring out the bottom.
However, you should not water so much as to form a pool atop the surface of the soil. You won’t need to water again until the soil is dry. You can test this by lifting the pots to feel their weight and by ensuring the top inch of soil is dry with your finger. These are just some tips to consider when growing cannabis in the comfort of your own balcony. Feel free to give them a try!
