The following is a guest post from Dylan at Green Wellness.

One of the most popular growing methods for marijuana is using a hydroponics system. Medical marijuana card holders in Washington, Oregon, Alaska, California and many of the other states where medical cannabis is legal are using hydroponics to their advantage. Hydroponics has shown to grow cannabis faster and with higher yields than any other grow method. In fact, it can produce 2-3 times as much cannabis as soil grown marijuana. It also grows considerably faster with hydroponics, especially if the grower utilizes marijuana clones, rather than starting with a marijuana seed. Below, you’ll find an overview of the exact products you need to begin growing marijuana successfully.

Hydroponics system

Of course, the actual hydroponics system is the most important component. You can buy one that’s already made or you can apply your DIY skills and create one yourself. All that you need is a large plastic container with a lid. You can cut out holes in the top of the container for your net pots. The net pots are what hold your plants, allowing their roots to be submerged in the nutrient enhanced water stored beneath in the container. Most containers work will for a hydroponics system.

The nutrients

Hydroponics systems need nutrient enhanced water to supply the roots of the plants with the nutrients they need to grow successfully and thrive. You will need to buy the right nutrients and have them on hand to add to the water at any given time.

pH testing kit and nutrient tester

Making sure the nutrient enhanced water is at the right pH level is very important. Similarly, you need to check and make sure you have added the right amount of nutrients to the water. If you have supplied too many or too few nutrients, your plants will not survive.

Net pots

A net pot is what your plant is placed in, with the roots of the plant suspended below the pot, so that the roots have access to the nutrient enhanced water. Net pots also hold your grow medium.

Grow medium

Your plants are not grown in soil when you use hydroponics. Instead, you’ll put grow medium inside the net pots. Grow medium can be clay pellets or rocks. It simply acts as a medium for the plant to grow in and stay in place.

Temperature meter

Medical marijuana needs to be grown in optimal conditions to get the best results. Use a temperature meter to ensure the temperature inside your grow tent or grow room is just right. This can make a significant difference in how much marijuana you are able to grow.

Air pump, air stone and tubing

The air pump produces air bubbles at the bottom of your hydroponics system. These bubbles float to the top and can help the plants access their oxygen. You connect tubing to the air pump and air stone, located at the bottom of the hydroponics system.

Grow tents

A grow tent is sometimes referred to as a stealth grow. It allows you to grow your medical marijuana plants in a controlled environment. You can place the grow tent in a closet, it a secluded room, or anywhere you’d like. Grow tents are great for concealing your plants and controlling odor. By having your plants in a grow tent, you can use odor eliminators to reduce the smell before it exists the tent.

Ventilation fans and carbon filters

You can use an intake fan to bring air into your grow tent and an outtake fan to take air out of it. An outtake fan is an absolute requirement because your grow lights will produce heat and you need a way to expel that heat away from the plants. By connecting a carbon filter, or perhaps multiple, to the outtake fan, you can effectively eliminate the odor associated with your marijuana grow. Cannabis is a plant that comes with extremely strong smell and carbon filters are the number one combatant to the odor.

Grow lights

Plants need light to grow successfully. Outside, plants have access to the sun’s natural light. However, when you grow indoors, you have to supply your plants with their own light. Grow lights are the best way to supply this to your plants. Consider getting LED grow lights to save money on electricity costs. LED lights use significantly less electricity.

About the Guest Author
Dylan writes and represents the Green Wellness company, responsible for scheduling medical marijuana evaluations with physicians in Washington State.