8/14/2019 C4.TXT
1/2
Chapter 4INDOOR GARDENING
INTRODUCTION
Marijuana adapts well to indoor conditions. You can grow it in
sunny roomsor with artificial light. The factor limiting the rate
of growth indoors isoften the amount of light, since it is less a
problem to supply the plantswith plenty of water, nutrients, and
air.
Natural light is free. If feasible to use, natural light
eliminates themost expensive components for indoor gardeners:
artificial lights and theelectricity they use. Window light is the
easiest way to grow plants fordecorative purposes or for a small
crop. On the other hand, a greenhouse,sunporch, or particularly
sunny room can support larger plants than mostartificial light
systems. A sunny porch or roof area enclosed in sheetplastic to
form a greenhouse is a simple, inexpensive way to grow pounds
ofgrass.
Cannabis grows into a fully formed bush when it receives a
minimum of fivehours of sunlight a day. But you can grow good-sized
plants of excellentquality with as little as two hours of daily
sunlight provided windows areunobstructed by buildings or trees and
allow full daylight. Windows facingsouth usually get the most
light, followed by windows facing east and west
(north-facing windows seldom get any sun). Use the location with
thelongest period of sunlight. The corner of a room or alcoves with
windowsfacing in two or three directions are often very bright.
Skylights areanother good source of bright, unobstructed light.
Some growers supplement natural light with artificial light
fromincandescent or fluorescent fixtures. This is essential during
the winter,when sunlight is weaker than the summer, and in spaces
where the plants getlittle direct sunlight. Artificial lights can
also be used to lengthen thenatural photoperiod in order to grow
plants all year.
The best time to plant using natural light is in late March or
April, whenthe sun's intensity and the number of hours of daylight
are increasing.
Cleaning windows dramatically increases the amount of light,
especially incities where grime collects quickly. Paint walls
adjacent to windows a flatwhite or cover them and the floor with
aluminium foil to reflect light tothe plants. Place young plants on
shelves, blocks, or tables to bring themup to the light. Position
the plants as close to the windows as possible.Insulate germinating
plants from freezing winter drafts by stapling clearsheets of
polyethylene film to the window frame.
The main problem with marijuana in windows is that it may be
seen byunfriendly people. This won't be a problem at first, but
when the plantsgrow larger, they are easily recognised. You could
cover the windows withmesh curtains, rice paper, polyethylene
plastic or other translucentmaterials to obscure the plants. A
strip covering the lower part of the
window may be enough to conceal the plants from outsiders.
Most of you will want the garden completely hidden. Some
gardeners opt forclosets, basements, attics - even under loft beds.
They cover the windowsif the garden is visible and grow the plants
entirely with artificiallight.
The amount of light you provide is what determine the garden's
size - theamount of soil, number and eventual size of the plants,
and the overallyield. Since light is the factor on which you base
the planning of your
