Have you ever dreamt of home-growing cannabis good enough to make the top shelf without being at the whims of the weather, nosey neighbours or pesky pests? Well, you're in luck. ASC is here to guide you step by step to setting up the perfect grow space for your homegrown cannabis.
Setting up a well-designed grow room is key to success. It allows you to have control over the environment and grow cannabis at home all year round. But before you start hanging grow lights from the rafters, there's an art to getting it right.
Whether you're a first-time grower or looking to fine-tune your setup, this guide will walk you through everything you need, from choosing the best space to avoiding common mistakes. By the end, you'll be well on your way to cultivating an indoor garden that dreams are made of.
Before we get stuck into the details of how best to set up a grow room, here's a simple list:
Step-by-Step Guide to The Best Way to Set Up a Grow Room
Step-by-Step Guide to The Best Way to Set Up a Grow Room
- Prepare the space: Clear out clutter and clean, seal off light leaks, and ensure electricity safety.
- Set up lighting: Hang lights at the right height and angle for optimal plant exposure.
- Install ventilation: Attach fans and filters to manage airflow and control odours.
- Position your plants: Use the correct pot sizes and arrange plants for even light distribution.
- Test and adjust: Run the setup before adding plants to check temperature, humidity, and air circulation.
Choosing the right space: size matters
Before you order your cannabis seeds online, you need to find a space in which to grow them. Whether working with a small-scale setup in a spare room or with an industrial one, picking the right spot is the first step to success.
Size: When thinking about size, consider your growing goals. What do you want? Before choosing a space, define your goals: Do you want a stealthy micro-grow or a high-yield setup? Your space determines plant count, equipment, and cost.
Ventilation & Accessibility: The right grow space needs good ventilation and accessibility. The plants need fresh air to thrive, and you need enough room to get in to care for and maintain your plants.
Stealth: If discretion is key, think about soundproofing, odour control (Carbon Filters), and keeping your setup out of sight from curious eyes.
Tip: Find a permanent spot from the start. Once your plants are flowering, it will be difficult and stressful (for the plants) to move them.
Growing Equipment
A growing space is only as good as the gear inside it, but getting the right gear for you is what matters most.
Grow Lights: Without lights, your plants won't grow. It's life and death, so getting it right is crucial.
LEDs
Pros- LEDs use less electricity than HPS and produce low heat, which reduces the risk of heat stress on plants and makes ventilation easier.
Cons: Quality LED grow lights can be expensive compared to HPS or CFLs. There are lower-end LEDs, but they tend not to penetrate as deeply into the canopy, affecting growth.
HPS (High-Pressure Sodium)
Pros - HPS are the old-school proven lights for flowering, emitting the perfect light spectrum for dense, resinous flowers. The high light intensity penetrates deep into the plant canopy, boosting overall yields.
Cons - HPS lights run very hot and Require strong ventilation and cooling systems to prevent overheating and plant burn. They also have a shorter lifespan than LEDs, with the bulbs degrading over time.
CFLs (Compact Fluorescent Lamps)
Pros: CFLs are cheap and ideal for beginners or tiny grows. Many growers use CFLs for seedlings and clones due to the soft light they produce.
Cons: They are suitable for seedlings and clones because they are not ideal for large plants or flowering. CFLs produce a lower light intensity that prevents burying in smaller plants; it's inefficient for large growers.
Ventilation
We all need air to breathe, and your plants are no different. Good airflow makes healthy plants. This is the gear you will need to keep the fresh air flowing.
Inline fans: Fans will remove excess heat and humidity, but you need a fan with the correct CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) for your grow space. A fan that's too weak won't remove enough heat, while an overpowered fan can dry out plants too quickly.
Carbon filters: Filters are key to neutralising strong cannabis odours. Carbon Filters lose their effectiveness over time, so if you notice a smell creeping, it's time to refresh the filters.
Oscillating fans: To prevent mould and strengthen plant stems, position fans at canopy level, not directly on plants. Constant direct airflow can cause wind burn. To prevent this, angle fans for gentle air movement across the leaves.
Temperature & Humidity Control: Like Goldilocks and porridge, there's a sweet spot for cannabis and temperature (20-28°C / 68-82°F).
Tip: Monitor your lights. Grow lights generate heat, so check temps with lights on and off. If temperatures climb too high, use inline fans and AC units or adjust light distance to prevent heat stress.
Humidity: Optimal humidity levels are around 40-60% (lower during flowering).
Tip: Lower humidity during late flowering to prevent bud rot! Keep it below 50% RH in the final weeks, and use a dehumidifier or extra airflow if needed.
Tools: Thermometer, hygrometer, humidifier/dehumidifier
Tip: Place your hygrometer at plant level. Readings can vary depending on height and airflow, so keep your monitor close to the canopy for accurate measurements.
Growing Medium – Soil vs. Hydroponics
A growing medium does not talk with dead plants; it's what you will grow your plants in.
Soil: Soil is best for beginners and is forgiving, natural and easy to work with.
Tip (Soil): Buy quality soil. Cheap soil does not drain as well and can cause root rot. Avoid using garden soil and choose a light, airy mixture with added perlite or coco coir for better root aeration and drainage. Good soil reduces plant dependence on nutrients and feed. Quality soil gives plants the best chance.
Hydroponics: Some say a hydroponic setup produces higher yields and faster growth. The downside is they tend to require more attention than soil grows.
Tip (Hydroponics): Like with soil, the quality of the water matters. Use filtered or reverse osmosis water and avoid mineral build-up. Also, ensure control over nutrient levels. Hydro plants get everything from water, so keeping pH and nutrient levels 100% correct is vital.
Nutrients & pH Control: Feeding plants and balancing pH
Tip (Nutrients): Less is more! Don't overfeed your plants. It leads to nutrient burn. Start with a half-strength nutrient mix and adjust based on your plant's response. Signs of deficiencies or excesses include leaf discolouration.
Tip (pH Control): Check pH daily. If your pH drifts too high or too low, your plants won't absorb nutrients properly (nutrient lockout). Use pH meters and pH up/down solutions to keep things in check.
Growing with Amsterdam Seed Center
Setting up the perfect grow room isn't just about having all the latest gear. You need to know what you're working with and what your plants need to thrive. This article provides a solid foundation for setting up a cannabis grow room.
Final Tip: Start small and simple, then scale up as you gain experience. A well-maintained micro-grow will consistently outperform a poorly managed large-scale setup.
Ready to grow? Do you still need the seeds for success? Check out The Amsterdam Seed Center Seedfinder.
