Whether you’re just a recreational user, or a patient who has been prescribed marijuana for a chronic disease or any other condition, you might have, at one point in your life, wondered if you should start growing your own cannabis plants.
Getting a hold of your preferred strain can be a pain, especially if you live in a remote area, for example in rural Nevada. The middle of the desert is a tough spot for a quick, in-and-out dispensary pickup. Las Vegas may be a long drive and you need your medicine ASAP.
Growing your own cannabis is a great solution for avoiding situations like the one mentioned above. After all, not only will it enable you to harvest large quantities of the stuff at a time, which lowers your dependence on third-party providers, but also help meet your needs in the best possible way; you’ll be getting exactly what you need when you need it.
There are plenty of ways you can begin your own growing operation. Modern technology is your biggest ally. Ingenious methods of producing high-quality buds are being developed at a breakneck pace.
For home growers, grow boxes are all the rage right now, and it seems like it will stay that way for some time to come. Here are some of the most innovative, high-tech systems that will have you harvesting your favorite strain in no time!
LEAF (Get Leaf)
A fully automated growing system that can be controlled remotely with a smartphone. It sounds like the dream, doesn’t it?
The LEAF box visually resembles a small refrigerator. It comes equipped with a carbon filter, LED lighting, and even an HD camera, so you can monitor your plants from anywhere. Another advantage of this unit is its water delivery system; you can choose between adding water manually or hooking it up to your plumbing, just like you would with a washing machine.
It can yield more or less four ounces in 4 months, which is a decent amount, especially if you’re only growing for yourself, but it doesn’t come near some of the more powerful systems in this list.
Another worrisome aspect is that some users report having to purchase additional consumables from the manufacturer in order to get the unit to work properly, which is all the more concerning due to the fact that the system is already one of the more expensive ones on the market, with a price tag of $2,990.
The Armoire (Green Goddess Supply)
If discretion is what you’re after, look no further. The Armoire looks just like your regular piece of furniture for storing clothes. While not fully automated, the system is easy enough for beginners to be able to handle it just fine. It’s lightweight and waterproof, plus there’s no need to worry about nasty bugs and pests eating away at your cannabis.
The Armoire is equipped with a large LED light, moisture meter, and a WiFi camera for monitoring the plants. Additional goodies such as UV safety glasses and a childproof magnetic lock make this growing system stand out among competitors. The manufacturer guarantees a quarter-pound yield in a 60-day cycle, which is really good, especially when compared to other, more expensive units achieving the same harvest in a longer period of time.
Technical specifications aside, the hands-down biggest advantage The Armoire wields over its competitors is the price: $1390 for a full setup is very reasonable — It’s more than 50% cheaper than the LEAF! It is worth noting that The Armoire is not fully automated, meaning that you will have to put more effort into the process than you would when using the LEAF.
Home Built Grow Tent
Now if you’re really serious about growing high-quality cannabis, you should think about building your own growing environment. Cannabis purists will swear by this method and would consider no other option for cultivating their precious medicine.
It may take a long time to have it up and running, but you can be certain that the first yield will be all the more satisfying, knowing that you have built the entire operation from the ground up. The biggest advantage that such setups hold over ready-made grow boxes is that they’re highly customizable. You decide how big you want the tent to be, allowing you to cultivate as many plants as you see fit. You’re not limited by anything except your imagination and equipment.
Making your own grow space is significantly cheaper than the alternatives — you can find lights, pots, seeds, nutrients, and everything else online or in dedicated stores at decent prices. If you’re on a budget and have room to spare in your living space, you should consider building a grow tent yourself.
Keep in mind that in order to ensure the success of such a complex operation, you will need to educate yourself on everything from the equipment specifications to the optimal environment for plant growth.
