What is a micro grow? A micro grow is a marijuana growing setup that takes up very little space while still achieving the highest yields possible. These mini grow sites prove that there’s no need for “breaking the bank” by trying to create a large indoor grow room. This cannabis micro grow guide will help you maximize your mini grow site so that you achieve the best possible harvest.
How to Grow Marijuana in a Small Space
Small is the New Green
You don’t need to go big. Marijuana plants love to grow and can do so just about anywhere. As long as the lighting and nutrients are right, you can have a healthy yield. This includes inside of a grow box.
Using mini grow spaces can not only save you valuable space, but they can also help maintain a discrete grow. They’re easy to hide in a tiny space, and because you are growing fewer plants, the aroma is not as strong as what you’d find at larger grow sites.
It’s easy to see why micro grows might be a good idea, but in the end, it is all about results.
What Is Micro Growing?
Micro growing is the process of using limited space to grow marijuana. Essentially, it’s a form of indoor growing, but with a focus on using as little space as possible.
Micro grows can be anything from a shoebox to computer cases. Some growers even use cupboards and plastic storage containers. Keep the growing conditions optimal, and it can be done!
Download my free Grow Bible for more about keeping your growing conditions optimal!
What Your Tiny Space Needs to Grow Weed
With marijuana, it is less about space and more about conditions. For a healthy, thriving cannabis plant, you need the following:
- Sufficient height space –Focus on height more than width. You can always train bigger plants to grow upward as opposed to outward.
- Ventilation – All plants need fresh air to thrive. A few fans can do the trick.
- Proper temperature – A heater or AC with an automatic thermostat can help keep the indoor grow room’s climate regulated.
- Sterile environment – Indoor plants must be protected from molds, mildews, bugs and pests. Also, stay vigilant for standing water.
Planning Your Micro Grow
Because space is the primary variable, you must choose the right cannabis strain to maximize your micro grow yields. In general, there are two main options: Sativas and Indicas. Sativas tend to grow tall and slender, while Indicas tend to grow to be bushy and short.
If you don’t want to use much vertical height, most Sativas will be problematic at best. This is because they tend to increase in height by 200-300% during the flowering phase. On the other hand, Indicas only increase by about 50-100%, taking up less space but delivering high yields.
Training Your Plants to Remain Small for Micro Grow Spaces
When your space is limited, you can optimize your yield by training your plants. Here are four ways to do it:
1. Topping
When you cut off the tip of your cannabis plant, it encourages the plant to grow new branches to replace the ones you cut. This process is called topping, and it forces plants to grow wide instead of tall and produce more buds.
2. Screen of Green (ScrOG) AKA Scrogging
The Screen of Green (ScrOG) technique is one of the best for getting high returns from micro grow spaces or grow boxes. Also known as Scrogging, it creates a canopy that delivers light to the lower and middle branches. This process helps improve yields for small weed plants.
Make sure to get your seeds before the season starts!
Check out my marijuana seed shop!
3. Low-Stress Training (LST)
Much like Scrogging, Low-Stress Training can also encourage your plant to grow more side branches instead of growing taller. This technique is one of the easiest ways to maximize a tiny space.
4. High-Stress Training (HST) AKA Super Cropping
Super Cropping is a more delicate process that falls under the category of high-stress training. It is a challenging method only because it could harm your plants if not done correctly. However, with expertise, this method can produce shorter and fuller small weed plants, thereby maximizing your micro grow site.
Learn more about these techniques and other ways to increase yield in this article.
Lighting Considerations for a Cannabis Micro Grow
Every plant requires light to grow. That includes marijuana plants. But you need proper lighting to grow cannabis plants that thrive and produce high yields in a mini grow or tiny space. The first consideration is wattage. You want an average of 400 Watts for each square meter of micro grow space.
You’ll also need to decide on your light type. There are various light sources to choose from, such as HPI, HPS and CFL lamps when growing marijuana, but the best choice for a micro grow setup is LEDs.
LED lamps are very effective and efficient when growing small weed plants. They have a full light spectrum that will cover the entire growing cycle and gives off very little heat. Their low heat also lowers your chance of needing equipment (such as AC) to keep the temperature down.
Keep in mind, LEDs can still burn your small weed plants, especially if they’re placed too close to them. A small space allows the area to get hot very fast, and your leaves and buds could be burnt. However, the risk of burning your plants is much less with LEDs than when using alternative such as HPS, just remember to keep your plants a safe distance from the lights.
Keep it Easy with Autoflowers
Want to know the easiest way to grow cannabis plants in a tiny space? Use autoflowering strains. These naturally small weed plants are perfect for a cannabis micro grow room. The genetics of these strains makes them remain small under all conditions, and they are ready for harvesting just 10 weeks after planting.
Plus, autoflowering varieties switch between the vegetative and flowering stages automatically. Unlike other strains, they don’t require a specific ratio of light hours and dark hours to thrive. Therefore, there’s no need to worry about using specialized lighting – your LEDs will work just fine.
Check out this collection of some of the best autoflowering strains for your tiny space. Whatever you decide to grow, successfully harvesting your small weed plants in a mini grow space is possible if you follow the advice in this cannabis micro grow guide.
FAQ About Growing Cannabis in a Small Space
In the seedling stage, high humidity levels are preferred (60-70%). We recommend lowering the humidity to 40-50% as we approach the flowering stage.
For beginners, cannabis-specific soils from the local grow store are likely the best option.
Read How to Grow Cannabis in a Small Space , Start Your Micro Grow on I Love Growing Marijuana.
