Growing hemp indoors for beginners

Are you interested in growing cannabis indoors and want to grow your first cannabis plant? If you are a beginner grower, there are a few things you should know in order to achieve a successful grow and a high-yielding first harvest. Here we explain the advantages of indoor growing, what equipment you need for growing hemp indoors as a beginner and which seeds are best suited.

Our Bonsanto grow boxes are perfect for beginner growers. The boxes are available as a complete set and contain all the components you need for successful indoor cultivation and are coordinated so that your cannabis can grow optimally and growing mistakes are almost impossible.

Why grow hemp indoors?

Growing hemp indoors offers various advantages. Firstly, an indoor setup provides a controlled growing environment. This means that you can precisely adjust conditions such as temperature, humidity and light in your own four walls, which leads to optimal growing conditions for your plants. This has a positive effect on the quality and quantity of the harvest.

In addition, with indoor growing you can grow regardless of the external conditions and harvest all year round. This is particularly advantageous for growers who live in regions with short growing seasons or unfavorable climates.

Another advantage of indoor cultivation is protection from pests and extreme weather conditions. As your plant grows in a protected space, it is less susceptible to insect infestation and damage from weather events. This allows you to reduce the use of pesticides, which is not only environmentally friendly but also cost-efficient.

Indoor growing is also characterized by the efficient use of space. By using vertical growing systems and a precise arrangement of the plants, you can grow more plants in a smaller space than with outdoor growing.

Furthermore, growing hemp indoors offers security, privacy and discretion.

In some regions, there may be legal restrictions on hemp cultivation.In such cases, indoor cultivation can be a safe and discreet alternative.

What equipment for indoor hemp growing?

You need a lot of equipment for a successful indoor grow. If you want to make it easy for yourself, buy one of our complete grow box sets. These contain all the important grow components, so you don’t have to buy them all separately. You can also find other grow accessories in our store!

Grow box or grow tent

If you want to grow indoors, the best way to do this is in a grow tent or grow box specially developed for cannabis plants. At Bonsanto, you can find grow boxes and grow tents in different sizes. There is something for every taste!

Lighting

Like any other plant, cannabis needs light to grow. LED grow lights, fluorescent lights or HID lights are often used to ensure that the plants receive sufficient light. Each lamp has its own advantages and disadvantages, with LED lamps often being considered more energy efficient and longer lasting. We recommend that you use an LED plant lamp, especially if you are new to indoor cannabis growing, as in addition to its longevity and energy efficiency, it also emits less heat than other lamps and thus protects your plant from burns. Today’s LED lamps provide a full spectrum of light that the plant needs throughout the growing cycle and achieve higher yields compared to other lighting options.

Ventilation

A fan, an activated carbon filter and an exhaust air system are necessary to ensure good air circulation and to control the temperature and humidity in the grow room and optimally adjust it to the hemp plant. The Bonsanto grow boxes and grow tents are supplied with a fan and activated charcoal filter.

Pots & growing medium

Pots or containers with good drainage are required to grow the plants. If you buy a Bonsanto grow tent or a mini grow box, you will receive the matching plant pots in the scope of delivery. You can use soil, coconut fibers, perlite or rock wool as a growing medium. The choice often depends on your preferences and your specific cultivation plan. We recommend using Bonsanto Premium soil, as it is organic and rich in nutrients.

Fertilizer

Hemp plants need a range of nutrients to grow well. Specially formulated fertilizers and nutrient solutions are often necessary and promote healthy plant growth. If you are looking for a good fertilizer, take a look at our Bonsanto “Organic Boost” and Bonsanto “Extreme Energy”.

Timer

A timer is not absolutely necessary, but can save you a lot of time and effort when growing indoors. For example, you can use a timer to automate the lighting time or watering.

Measuring devices

You may need a thermometer and hygrometer for indoor growing to measure the temperature and humidity in the grow room. A pH meter is also used by many growers to monitor nutrient uptake. Fortunately, if you grow in a Bonsanto grow box, you can completely dispense with the use of measuring devices, as the Bonsanto components are already perfectly matched to each other.

Do you still need indoor equipment?

Then discover our Bonsanto accessories now.

Which seeds for indoor grow?

Choosing the right seeds depends on various factors such as your growing goals, your experience and growing conditions.

Growers differentiate between indica and sativa seeds. Indica strains tend to grow shorter and bushier and often have a shorter flowering time, making them ideal for smaller indoor growing spaces. Sativa strains, on the other hand, tend to be taller and slimmer and have a longer flowering time, but also require more space and light.

A distinction is also made between autoflowering and photoperiod varieties. Autoflowering varieties switch automatically from the growth to the flowering phase, regardless of the light duration. They are often easier to grow and have a shorter lifespan, but usually produce less yield than photoperiod strains, which react to changes in the light cycle to induce flowering.

If you want to grow medicinal cannabis, you should consider the THC and CBD content of the plant. Some strains are high in THC, while other strains are high in CBD (medicinal properties).

We also advise you to pay attention to the genetics of the hemp plants and buy seeds from trustworthy suppliers. Each strain, depending on its genetics, has its own growth requirements, yield potential and resistance to pests and diseases.

Which seeds for growing hemp indoors for beginners?

If you are a beginner grower, you should choose a strain that is known for its robustness against cultivation errors and ease of care. As a beginner, it is advisable to choose strains with predominantly indica characteristics. These flower in a shorter time, have a compact growth habit and still achieve impressive results. Here we present three cannabis strains that are often considered beginner-friendly.

Northern Lights: This indica-dominant strain is known for its robustness and resistance to mold and disease. Northern Lights has a relatively short flowering time and is known for its compact growth habit, making it ideal for smaller grow rooms.

Critical Mass: This strain is an indica-dominant hybrid and is known for its high yields and robustness. Critical Mass has a short flowering time. It is easy to grow, making it a good choice for beginners.

Auto-flowering strains: Auto-flowering strains such as Auto Northern Lights or Auto Amnesia Haze are often easier to grow as they don’t rely on light cycles to flower. They have a shorter growing period, which makes them a good option for you as a beginner if you want to see results quickly.

How to germinate seeds?

Germinating seeds is an important first step in growing hemp indoors. There are several methods you can use to germinate your seeds.

The first germination method is called the kitchen paper method and is quite straightforward. Place your seeds on a damp paper towel and cover them with another damp paper towel. Then cover everything with a bowl to ensure darkness and humidity. After 1-4 days, when white shoots are visible, you can plant the seeds in soil or another medium.

The “germination in a glass of water” method is particularly suitable for old seeds. Place the seeds in a glass of cold water for about 24 hours. As soon as the roots are 2-5 mm long, plant the seeds in your chosen medium. As with any other method, avoid touching the seeds with your fingers.

Alternatively, you can germinate the seeds directly in the grow medium. Plant the seeds 1 cm deep in the medium, cover them with loose soil and then moisten the soil. After about 5-10 days, shoots will appear on the surface. Then start with the correct lighting, as you can do without transplanting with this method.

If you would like to find out more about germinating cannabis seeds, take a look at our blog post on “How to germinate seeds”.

What growth phases are there in indoor cultivation?

Cannabis goes through various growth phases during indoor cultivation.

Germination:

This phase begins as soon as you place the cannabis seeds in a moist medium to get them to germinate. This usually takes a few days to a week. During this time, the seed develops a root and begins to form seedling leaves.

Seedling stage:

After your seeds have germinated, they enter the seedling stage. This stage lasts about 2 to 3 weeks. During this time, the young cannabis plant develops its root system and begins to form true leaves.

Growth phase (vegetative stage):

After the seedling stage comes the vegetative stage, in which the plant prepares for flowering. During the vegetative stage, the plant grows quickly, develops more leaves and strengthens its root system. During this phase, the plant needs plenty of light (around 18 hours per day) and nutrients to promote growth.

Flowering stage:

Once your plant has grown sufficiently, it can move into the flowering stage. This is usually initiated by a change in the light cycle, where the plant receives 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness. During the flowering phase, the plant produces flowers and resin.

Harvesting:

At the end of the flowering phase, the plant is ready for harvesting. This is usually determined by the color of the trichomes and the overall structure of the flowers. Harvesting is followed by drying and curing of the flowers before they can be consumed.

It is important to closely monitor the plant’s needs for light, water and nutrients during each of these stages to ensure a successful harvest.

How to dry hemp?

After you have harvested your hemp, the drying process follows. This step is important to preserve the quality of the buds.

To dry, hang the buds or the entire plant, depending on your preference, in a dry room with good ventilation. For example, you can use the Bonsanto drying case to aid the drying process. Make sure the flowers have enough space to dry to prevent mold from forming. The drying time varies depending on the moisture content of the flowers and usually takes between 9 and 14 days. Perform the stem bend test to check if the flowers are dry. If the stem bends without breaking, leave the buds to dry for a few more days. If the branch breaks, the buds are sufficiently dry.

After drying, you can also ferment your harvest. Fermented hemp tastes better and has a better quality. If you want to ferment your flowers, read our article “Fermenting correctly – coffee shop quality”.

How to store hemp?

The correct storage of cannabis is also important in order to preserve the quality and aroma of the flowers over a longer period of time.

Use airtight glass jars to store your cannabis. Glass is ideal for storing cannabis as it does not give off odors and regulates humidity well. In our Bonsanto Shop you will find a Miron violet glass storage jar, which is perfect for storing your harvest.

Store your cannabis in a cool, dark place, ideally at a temperature of around 15-21 degrees Celsius. The relative humidity should be between 55% and 62% to prevent mold growth and maintain the quality of the flowers.

Also avoid direct light, as UV light can break down the cannabinoids in the flowers. Therefore, store your jars in a dark place, such as a cupboard or drawer.

Don’t store your cannabis harvest near strong-smelling foods or cleaning products, as these can affect the taste and aroma. If you have different strains of cannabis, it’s best to store them separately to prevent the flavors from mixing.