If you've ever picked up a juicy bud and wondered, "What gives weed its flavour…
Pots or Soil! How should you plant your cannabis?
It’s a question that many cannabis growing enthusiasts have asked themselves: whether they should plant in pots or soil. Especially if you’ve purchased some amazing seeds!
While neither is the right or wrong choice, there are a number of pros and cons to consider. The final decision is down to the grower. So, let’s look at potting your cannabis.
Potting
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While there are many types of pots, all with their own general benefits, we’d strongly suggest going with fabric pots. But for now, we’re focusing on the wider spectrum of pots in general. This includes ceramic, plastic, and everything else in between.
Benefits!
For outdoor or indoor use, pots can be moved around with relative ease. While this might not seem massively beneficial, being able to move your marijuana plant due to bug infestations, a strong thunderstorm, animals or even a nosey neighbour’s eyes means it is a huge bonus.
Also, with your plant in a pot you’re able to control more of the aspects of the grow! If you’re going for stealth, a pot can also help with restricting the height and width. This also related to training and the sea-of-green growing method, but if you’re looking for ample bud, letting it grow stress free is always the best.
Another great aspect is the fact you’re fulling the pot with your own substrate, which means you’re removing any potential risk of the soil contaminants. If you’re filling it with craft soil your plant will grow without any issues. And with a contained area you can control the pH and nutrition strength.
But there are some drawbacks.
Drawbacks!
So, a major drawback is pots need to be watered. No matter how much rain falls, often the plant itself drains off the water outside the perimeter of the pot. Growing in pots is a labour intensive job, as you will need to manage it throughout its life.
Also, size is always a problem. If your pot is too small the plant’s roots can get tangled and root bound. This in turn stumps the plant’s growth and affects the end crop.
The other problem is cannabis is the favourite crop for those with sticky fingers. So, you will need to make sure to securely chain it down if you’re concerned about criminals.
And if you do have a large pot, this will require a lot of water and nutrients, which for those budget-constrained growers can be costly.
Now let’s look at the natural method of putting the plant directly into the soil.
Soil
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For those with a large yard you might want to just plonk it straight into the ground. But what’s the benefit of this?
Benefit!
Growing outdoors is a much less labour intensive exercise, as you’re relying on nature to take control. The roots in direct soil also can really explore and take advantage of the underground world. If there are underground pockets of water ,your cannabis plant can be left on “auto pilot” for a number of months.
Also, microbial life will be at its best, as well as the potential nutritional offerings.
When your plant is in soil, in a good spot, it will require little to no maintenance to reach its full potential as it gets everything it needs. You might want to provide some extra food during the mid-flowering stage so it can reach its full potential.
But what are the drawbacks?
Drawbacks!
With pots you’re in full control of the plant, which is an advantage when you’re a helicopter gardener. Also, when a plant is grown in the ground you can’t move it as easily compared to one in a pot.
This means that it will be subjected to all that mother nature throws its way. When your plant is in the ground it can often reach a scale that is impossible to hide, which can be problematic.
With less control also comes the problem of nutrient control and being able to control the pH levels, which can affect your crop.
Pots vs Soil Conclusion
To sum it all up, which direction you choose it’s really up to you. Either way works. And remember to enjoy the process.
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