Growing Weed In a Greenhouse

If you can’t decide whether to grow cannabis indoors or outdoors, try greenhouse gardening! This way, you get the best of both worlds.

Discover how to cultivation cannabis rapidly and effectively in a greenhouse.

By explanation, a greenhouse is best for cannabis growth as it contains elements of both indoor and outdoor cultivation. In this guide, not only will you learn about how to go about growing weed in a greenhouse, but we’ll teach you everything you need to know. And if building a greenhouse from scratch seems daunting, don’t worry–we’ve got your covered there too.

Why Grow Cannabis in a Greenhouse?

If you’re stuck trying to decide whether an indoor tent, outdoor garden, or greenhouse is the best option for your weed cultivation endeavors, allow us to explain why a greenhouse offers more benefits than its counterparts.

1. You Can Extend Your Growing Cycle

Adding light on cloudy days and gradually lengthening the amount of time they are kept on will extend your cultivation period into fall and winter. Similarly, if you want to begin a new grow before winter ends, supplementing natural daylight with a low-powered light will do the trick.

2. Provides the Ideal Microclimate for Growing Cannabis

By regulating the temperature and climate, greenhouses provide a healthier growing environment for plants which leads to increased plant yields overall.

3. Allows for Year-round Cultivation

By opening windows or installing fans, the temperature in greenhouses can be controlled with ease. Furthermore, year-round cultivation is possible because the walls of a greenhouse trap humidity and heat inside. With regular outdoor cultivation, this level of control over climate and exposure to light isn’t an option.

4. More Consistent Harvests

Greenhouses provide a more consistent product in both amount and quality, which is why most commercial medicinal cannabis today is grown in greenouses.

5. More Energy-efficient Than Indoor Growing

By growing in a greenhouse, you’ll be able to take advantage of free sunlight and save energy (and money) on your electricity bill.

6. Provides Protection From the Elements

Caring for your plants inside a greenhouse instead of outdoors allows you to shield them from dangerous weather conditions. This not only protects your investment during rainfall or severe storms, but it also makes it much tougher for animals to get to your crops.

7. Keeps Plants Safe From Detection

Greenhouses are ideal for those worried about theft or vandalism. By keeping your plants out of sight, you can have peace of mind knowing they’re secure.

8. It’s Not Expensive

If you’re looking to save some money, know that you don’t need an extravagant commercial greenhouse or equipment. A walk-in greenhouse will do the trick just fine, and if you want to get creative, use this guide to build your own! Additionally, keep in mind that relying on natural light and hand-watering usually leads to more simplistic growth.

How to Grow Weed in a Greenhouse?

You need to maintain several key variables when growing cannabis, both indoors and in a greenhouse. Though there are some similarities between indoor and outdoor cultivation, there are also additional differences you must account for if you want to achieve success with greenhouse grows. Use the following steps as a guide:

Pick a Suitable Strain

The best type of cannabis to grow in your greenhouse depends on a variety of factors, including climate and available space. Additionally, whether you’re using artificial grow lights will also affect the type of cannabis that will thrive in your greenhouse. Let’s take a closer look:

Autoflowering Seeds

Autoflowering cannabis is generally the best option for those who want to grow using only natural sunlight. With autoflowers, you don’t have to meticulously plan and monitor a light schedule; they will flower regardless. This means that even if there are changes or lapses in sun exposure, it won’t damage your plants as much as photo-feminized plants would. Autos can also be planted and harvested in greenhouses at any time of year—as long its meets ideal environmental conditions.

One benefit of autoflowering plants is that they typically don’t grow as tall, which can be helpful if you’re working with a smaller space. This might be the case if you have a greenhouse or are growing indoors. And even though yields may be lower per plant, you can make up for it by planting more autoflowers.

Feminized Seeds

Although greenhouse photoperiod feminized cannabis growth is possible, difficulties come with it- especially if natural light is your only option. These strains of vegetation flower based on the hours of light they receive. Seasonal changes must occur in order to trigger both flowering and growth periods.

A grow light with a timer gives you the power to determine how your plants will develop. Just note that you might need to take additional precautions so sunlight does not interfere with your planned artificial lighting schedule and subsequently cause problems.

If you grow photo-feminized plants only with sunlight in a greenhouse, another issue might be that they get too tall and spindly. To prevent this, train and prune your ladies regularly. This includes topping, scrogging, etc.

Plan Your Grow Window

Planning your grow window in correspondence with the amount of daylight and optimal temperatures in spring will allow your greenhouse to use natural light as its main source of energy.

Make sure to only bring your plants into the greenhouse when there is no risk of frost, as it is always hotter inside a greenhouse than outdoors. The best time to do this depends on your location and what the climate is like there.

Germinate Indoors

Using low-powered CFLs, you can grow your plants indoors and get a head start on the growth process. This will help ensure that your plants have the best chance to thrive. You won’t need a large space or much money for this purpose. Even if you plan to use sunlight outdoors primarily, utilizing the outdoor growing season is still possible.

Move Seedlings to the Greenhouse Gradually

After your plants have had some time to grow and get stronger, usually after about a week or two, you can start slowly getting them used to their new environment. Do this gradually so you don’t shock them by moving them from indoors to the greenhouse all at once. Instead, place them in the greenhouse for just a few hours each day and then increase the amount of time over several weeks until they’re fully acclimated.

Following these tips will help your plants grow more efficiently and reduce stress on you. Keep in mind that your plants are delicate, so don’t take your greenhouse for granted.

Supplement Lighting According to Weather

Advantages of a greenhouse include the capability to supplement impoverished lighting. Weather conditions and cloudy periods will no longer stop your plants from getting the light needed for growth, Also, you’ll save money on your electricity bill in comparison to indoor growing methods that don’t utilize a greenhouse.

If you’re growing cannabis in an geographically optimal location with an abundance of sunlight, then a supplemental light may not be needed. However, it’s always good to have one handy as backup.

Use Blinds or Covers to Force Flowering

By using a greenhouse, you can force-flower cannabis by manipulating the amount of light it receives. Although timed shutters are an option to obscure the plants, blackout covers or blinds work just as well and cost less money and time.

A blackout grow room curtain gives you the freedom to flower your cannabis plants whenever because it blocks out external light pollution that could prevent flowering in photo-feminized plants.

Pro Tips for Growing Cannabis in a Greenhouse

Our tips below will help you maximize your cannabis harvest by ensuring your plants are healthy and happy in your greenhouse grow-op.

Watch Your Temperatures

Part of what is so fantastic about greenhouse gardening is that you can control the temperature to some extent, which gives you the opportunity to grow plants in extreme conditions that would otherwise not be possible. However, it’s vital to check on temperatures regularly as they can still change a lot. For example, if your greenhouse is positioned in such a way that it gets direct sunlight, the temperatures could go above what your plants can tolerate. By placing a thermometer inside, you’ll always have an exact reading and be able to take appropriate action if extra heating or cooling measures need to be put into place for your setup.

Install a Fan

Plant growth is significantly impacted by airflow and humidity levels. To encourage plants to grow, create openings for circulation or use a fan to move air around and prevent hot or humid pockets from forming.

Plan for Your Space

When you’re planning your greenhouse, it’s important to consider how many plants you want to grow and their expected heights. This way, you can make the best use of the space available. If you have a small greenhouse, a good method is called SOG (sea of green) which involves growing lots of smaller plants close together.

How Will You Water?

Having a greenhouse gives you the ability to change up your gardening style. You could go traditional with lots of potted plants that you water by hand, or choose from various watering systems like drip irrigation or misting to automate your grow-op.

Secure Your Greenhouse

There are certain safety measures you should take if you choose to grow your plants in a greenhouse. To protect your investment, find a spot for the structure where nosy neighbours can’t see it. Opaque walls will let sunlight pass through but won’t give away what’s inside. Another security measure is investing in a security system with cameras or at least making sure to lock the doors when you’re not around. Not only does this safeguard your crop from theft, but it’s also much safer than growing weed out in the open!

Keep Your Greenhouse Clean

A greenhouse that is clean will be less likely to house pests and disease. To reduce the chances of harboring fungus, mold, or pests, get into the habit of collecting debris such as fallen leaves on a daily basis. It’s also beneficial to use sterile soil and containers. Once every year, give your entire greenhouse – including all pots and tools – a deep cleaning; it’s best to do this before starting a new growing season so you begina with fresh start.

Conclusion

Why not have the best of both worlds by growing cannabis in a greenhouse? With increased sunlight, you can expect large harvests and maintenance of your product. Not to mention, lower energy costs. So what are you waiting for? Start your greenhouse grow today!