There are a few common problems which many growers will experience when running their own indoor marijuana growing system. Learning about these problems before they occur can greatly prepare you for when they arise. Ignoring them can not only ruin your crop, it can also result in a waste of time and money invested.
Here are some tips on how to avoid bud rot, what to do when it happens, and how to avoid or handle other common problems.
Bud Rot
Bud rot or botrytis is one of the most common problems experienced, especially for those running an indoor marijuana growing system. It’s a type of fungus or mold, which like other molds, is a result of excessive moisture in the environment the plant is growing in.
Typical Causes of Bud Rot
As previously stated, one of the main causes of bud rot is excessive moisture in the plant’s environment. Although this can be exacerbated in environments with little or no ventilation. Bud rot is more common in outdoor than indoor marijuana growing systems, as there is less control over the moisture or air circulation. Utilizing dehumidifiers can help in controlling moisture in your grow room too.
Bud rot can also occur in plants which have grown dense buds, or when plants are grown tightly together in a small space. This is due to the density of the plant matter holding the moisture, and not allowing air flow to properly dry the buds.
Avoiding and Fixing Bud Rot
Avoiding bud rot can be done by ensuring that the moisture levels in your grow room are stable, as well as ensuring you have good air circulation. Also by making sure your plants are spaced apart as much as the strain requires, and that any bigger buds are getting enough air.
As bud rot is a fungus, it will quickly spread to any other plants it comes in contact with, or in its vicinity. By removing all affected plants, and being careful not to let the affected areas touch other plants, you can in some cases save your crop.
Don’t smoke any marijuana that shows signs of bud rot, as they may cause allergic reactions, or more severe problems.
Other Common Problems
There are a myriad of problems that can occur during the various stages of growth that a marijuana plant will go through. Some of these are easier to identify, whereas others may require specialized tools or specific knowledge.
Overwatering and Underwatering
Two of the biggest killers of house plants are overwatering and underwatering. Knowing how much water to give your plant each day is easy, and depends on which stage they’re in. There’s a lot of information out there about this, so instead of writing a facsimile, just read this.
Too Many Nutrients
Much like over- or underwatering, too many nutrients is a common rookie mistake which can affect the success of your crop. Many beginner-growers will use excessive nutrients to try and “boost” the growth of the plant, or to try and increase the yield. This can lead to problems like nutrient lockout, and other nutrient deficiencies. Be sure to do your research into what nutrients your particular strain likes, and follow their exact nutrient requirements to get the best yield.
Unbalanced pH Levels
We use pH levels to refer to how acidic or how alkaline something is. The pH levels of any plant are integral in the absorption of nutrients, and metabolic processes which occur in that plant. Cannabis plants prefer a slightly acidic environment, especially at the roots where nutrition is absorbed and sent to the rest of the plant. Many growers recommend a pH level between 6.0 and 7.0, as this is the optimal pH level for the absorption of nutrients such as nitrogen, magnesium, and zinc.
Every grower who desires a successful yield should invest in some sort of pH testing kit or apparatus. While some growers may be lucky enough to have soil and water which is already at the suggested pH level, this isn’t always the case.
Identifying Other Problems
These are just some of the more common problems that growers will have faced, there are many other problems out there with seemingly invisible causes. Regularly checking the stem, leaves, and pH level of the plant can help to avoid most of these. Although there are tools out there for identifying problems, check out this great website which provides photos of problems to help identify them.
Avoiding Bud Rot: Invest in a Smart System
One of the best ways you can avoid bud rot is by investing in one of our smart garden kits. They can allow you to manage your indoor marijuana growing system from your smartphone. We also sell LTH pro sensors which give you control over control over light, temperature, humidity, VPD, and CO2.
