In warmer places, growing cannabis during the winter time is quite common thanks to the favorable climate that many Mediterranean-like countries have. It’s quite a different way of growing, as your plants will need some special care if you want to get a decent yield. In this article we’re going to talk about the different systems you can use to get the most yield out of those cold winter months.
How to grow cannabis in winter
When planting cannabis in winter, you can opt for three different options:
- Utilize balconies and south-facing terraces to ensure that the plants receive more light.
- Look for sheltered areas protected from both cold temperatures and drafts.
- Grow the plants in a greenhouse.
Important aspects in winter cultivation
To achieve high-quality cannabis cultivation in winter, certain aspects must be considered:
Light
Plants flower or grow based on the photoperiod of light they receive. When planting cannabis in winter, one of the main challenges is that the crop will receive fewer hours of the light they need.
To trick the plants, it is advisable to find a well-lit area where they can be placed during the day and then move them to a room with artificial light.
It’s worth noting that in December, the days start to lengthen, which can lead to issues with the plants. When the days become shorter, the plants will enter the flowering stage, while if they lengthen, they will continue to grow. Therefore, you can choose from three cultivation options:
- Grow them indoors during September and half-way through October place them in a greenhouse.
- Plant them later, meaning you’ll need to trick your plants with the light period.
- Germinate them in a greenhouse.
Temperature
One of the most important things to keep in mind is that the temperature of the roots can’t go under 61ºF (16ºC) or they’ll stop absorbing nutrients, causing your plant to stop growing, or even worse, dying.
If you plant in a pot, it’s more likely to get cold at night, even though you can move it indoors when it gets dark. When cultivating directly in the ground, the roots can withstand frost better as the ground helps maintain temperature. You can also germinate cannabis seeds, feminized seeds, or any other type directly inside the greenhouse during that period
Humidity
Winter is colder and typically more humid, so you’ll need to water less. To avoid issues with rain, it’s highly recommended to conduct your cultivation in greenhouses.
Ways to plant cannabis in winter
Growing cannabis outdoors
During these months, it’s essential to understand that cannabis doesn’t develop or flower the same way as it does in the warmer months due to the reduced hours of daylight. Consequently, the yields will be smaller. That’s why it’s advisable to provide the plants with extra care and attention during the winter. Cannabis cultivation in winter can be done in two ways:
- In pots: You can move them to protect them from the cold temperatures.
- Greenhouse cultivation: This involves planting in pots or directly in the ground, offering better control over both temperature and humidity.
Growing cannabis indoors
On the other hand, if you choose to cultivate cannabis indoors during the winter, it should be done under sodium lamps. This method allows the plants to grow rapidly, providing a good yield in a shorter period of time.
Plants under these lamps behave differently, as even in winter, they receive the equivalent of August sun every day. With the ideal climate provided by these lamps, they will produce dense and large flowers. This approach eliminates the need for air conditioning, which is typically necessary during the summer.
To successfully grow cannabis indoors during the winter, maintain a temperature between 75-86°F (24-30°C) during the day and 64-72°F (18-22°C) at night, keeping a small temperature difference. This difference can increase once the internodes form.
To control humidity in the cultivation space, you can use a thermo hygrometer or a digital thermostat. If you need to adjust humidity levels, you can employ a dehumidifier, absorbent materials, or use additional heating.
By following these steps, you can easily grow cannabis during the winter and achieve excellent results.