Can cannabis grow in cold climates? Can cannabis grow in the cold? Can you grow cannabis in cold weather? All these questions point to one thing – cold climate. Yes, there is a sufficient temperature for growing weed in certain cold weather environments.
Even if they seem harsh, certain cold parts still harbor enough conducive nutrients for the growth of cannabis in cold weather.
Expert Tips & Tricks for Cannabis Cultivation in Cold Weather
Before I share with you the proven surefire tips on how weed can grow in the cold, it is important to know how cold climate autoflower seeds are affected by cold weather.
Effects of cold weather on weed
Whatever people say, the fact is cold weather has profound effects on your weed plants. Some of the effects of cold weather on cannabis plants are evident immediately after you plant the seeds while other effects come much later during the veg, growing, and harvesting period.
Although you can grow weed in cold weather you should beware there are few yet dangerous effects of planting marijuana in or during cold climates. Here are some of those disadvantages:
Delayed germination
Some breeds, such as cold climate autoflower seeds, will take days before they germinate. In normal and conducive circumstances, you will expect to see your marijuana seeds germinate within 3-6 days.
However, in some cold conditions, chances of delayed germination are inevitable. Because of this unpredictable situation, many experienced farmers find other conducive places to plant their cannabis plants.
Alternatively, they decide to plant their marijuana crops inside a greenhouse, where they can monitor and regulate growing conditions.
Limited photoperiod
Photoperiod is a term used to explain the period in which crops need to get light. During this period, plants such as marijuana need to get enough light, possibly sunlight. However, depending on where you’ve cultivated, your cannabis may not get sufficient light.
In an area where you are not able to regulate the amount and intensity of light that comes to your crops, it would be difficult to say with certainty they will grow to maturity at the right time.
Even if you decide to grow your cannabis indoors, you will still need to find a time when you place the pots outside for direct sunlight. This is not an easy task especially if you are dealing with hundreds of cannabis plants.
Retarded growth
There is no doubt about this when you are speaking about cold weather cannabis. Plants grow strong and healthy when there is an all-inclusive sustainable and conducive environment. With extended periods of cold weather, you can expect the plants to be weak.
In addition, many weed farmers who have contended with bad weather say their marijuana crops did not grow to attain the normal height when compared with plants that are grown in a greenhouse or in warm temperatures.
Simply put, in cold weather cannabis is feeble, discolored weighs less, and has a poor harvest.
Tips for growing marijuana in cold climatic conditions
After looking at the effects of cold climate on cold weather cannabis, I’m sure you are ready to learn expert tips that can help your crops thrive in cold weather. All the tips herein answer this important question; can weed grow in the cold?
1. Pick the right marijuana strain
Like any other seeds, marijuana seeds have different performances when grown in different environments. Interestingly, our seeds are labeled. When shopping for marijuana seeds, be sure to check the label to confirm whether it is ideal for ‘cool’ or ‘cold’ conditions.
It means when you make a wrong choice of seeds, possibly those that are meant for warmer environments, you are going to be frustrated from day one.
The other thing that I’ve learned along the way is that Indica strains are resistant to cold weather as opposed to Sativa strains. Put that in mind the next time you go shopping for seeds to plant in cold weather.
Lastly, strains that are known to have genetic rooting from Canada, Afghanistan, The Netherlands, and generally the Himalayas tend to do well in winter climates.
When the topic of feminized marijuana arises, we’re talking about marijuana plants that have been genetically manipulated to exclusively yield female plants.
The concept behind ‘feminized’ is quite straightforward – these seeds are crafted to guarantee the growth of bud-producing female plants, eliminating the need to identify and remove male plants during cultivation.
Now, let’s explore the advantages of using feminized marijuana seeds. The most significant benefit is their remarkable success rate in producing female plants, reaching nearly 100%. This transformative factor is crucial, as it is the female plants that yield the valuable buds you desire.
By incorporating feminized seeds, you streamline your cultivation process, saving time and effort that would otherwise be spent on male plant removal. Furthermore, this ensures that every plant under your care contributes to your final yield, making your cultivation endeavors more efficient and rewarding.
However, it’s essential to consider potential drawbacks as well. Additionally, feminized seeds may exhibit somewhat reduced resilience to environmental stress when compared to regular seeds.
As a result, providing a bit more care and attention during growth may be necessary to ensure their optimal health and strength.
2. Do more artificial lighting
Speaking of artificial lighting reminds you of either a greenhouse or indoor cultivation of marijuana. Whatever it reminds you, it is important to remember that if you plant marijuana outdoors, it would be hard to regulate lighting.
However, indoor or greenhouse cultivation of weed helps you regulate the amount and intensity of light that will heat your crops.
If you are afraid of high electricity bills, you can opt for LED lights. They are famed for stronger and brighter illumination but when it comes to consumption, the bulbs are the best. They will save you a lot at the end of the month when you are paying your electricity bill.
Nonetheless, to maintain the illumination, you can add a few HID and halogen lumps. These two are very effective in ensuring your crops get proper and sufficient illumination.
3. Use posts to grow your weed
Growing weed inside pots instead of planting them directly into the ground is another way of dealing with cold weather in weed. Remember, warmth is the right temperature for growing weed.
With that in mind, think about how hard it would be to maintain warmer temperatures when the soil and the surrounding area are damn cold. Pots on the other hand contain small amounts of soil, which you can decide to illuminate with artificial heat and stay around the roots for a long time.
4. Cover the soil
Although this is not always easy, it is one of the ingenious ways of ensuring your marijuana plants have enough heat. Some farmers opt to cover the area around the crops with a blanket-like material.
A limestone blanket, a common practice among those who have vineyards, is one of the best methods of ensuring heat does not escape from the soil.
5. Make use of heaters & thermostats
Soil and environment heaters and thermostats are the ultimate methods of warming up the soil and the surrounding area when you plant your weed in winter conditions. This way does well if you are growing your marijuana inside a greenhouse.
If you decide to use this method, ensure you set the temperature between 18 and 22 degrees Celsius. That way, you do not induce your crops with less or a lot of heat.
Final thoughts
There is no absolute temperature for growing weed. However, cold climates and extremely hot climatic conditions pose many risks to your marijuana.
Even if you live in extremely cold conditions, it doesn’t mean you will not grow weed. On the contrary! You can employ the surefire methods mentioned herein to cultivate your marijuana and you will smile after attaining a good yield at the end of the season.
