The reasons why many people are interested in growing cannabis “outdoors” They are first of all economical: in fact, to set up a cultivation indoors, whether it involves a few or many plants, a considerable investment is required in irrigation systems, lamps, etc. On the contrary, especially now that the warm season has begun, growing marijuana outdoors means taking advantage of the of free sun and water, thanks to the increasing light and the spring rains. No need for ventilation systems either: just take advantage of the natural winds. Great, right?
Of course, to set up an outdoor cultivation, you don't need hectares of land or even a vegetable garden. All you need is a balcony or a terrace, pots and a lot of good will, given that outdoor cultivation also has its critical issues.
First of all, to grow good outdoor weed, you need to ask yourself: how much light enjoy our outdoor space. Those who live in a penthouse with a large terrace have the sun always available, but many of the people who have balconies in the city see them in the shade for most of the day. That's why, for almost everyone, it is better to choose autoflowering plants: these are not tied to the photoperiod and grow well despite often being found in the shade.
As far as genetics are concerned, many experts recommend beginners to choose strains of Indica, because they are smaller and more manageable outdoors.
A big problem that can discourage even those who choose to grow legal cannabis is the fear of being seen and judged or even reported by the neighbors. Even if you have all the documents in order, it is not pleasant to have to let some kind of policeman come in and take him for a tour of the terrace. For this reason it is good make your own little garden discreet both visually and from the point of view of the aromas.
Cannabis has a very strong and easily recognizable smell, especially during the flowering phase: for this reason it is a good idea to grow, next to it, other very fragrant plants that can confuse the neighbors with their scent: freesias, roses, geraniums or even tomatoes are very suitable for this purpose.
For visually disguise your plants, but also to better expose them to sunlight, many pruning or bending techniques are possible, some of which involve the "pinching” of the shoots to ensure that several dominant tops grow. Then there are techniques of “bending” which with the help of wire or netting force the plants to flatten, becoming less visible, but also more exposed to sunlight.
When growing on a balcony or terrace it is preferable to focus on small cannabis plants, not only because they are more discreet but also because they are easier to handle and then dry. This also gives the possibility to try different strains at the same time. Sativa plants normally tend to grow larger than Indica, but you can also choose a mixed genetics and prune it appropriately. You can also try a “dwarf” variety, designed specifically for small spaces, such as Royal Dwarf.
