When it starts to grow cannabis There are many things to think about: lighting, irrigation, fertilizers to procure... but all these considerations can be worth very little if you don't choose the right substrate! If we choose to grow our hemp in the most natural way, that is, by planting a seed in the soil, we must make sure that this is right for us.

Characteristics

What features should it have? the soil for cannabis? The best substrate is one with a “light” consistency and capable of retaining a good amount of water. The soil can be suitable for us if it is:

• Of color dark: means it is rich in nutrients.
• Not too compact in consistency: “light" precisely.
• Well drained. You can tell that the soil is suitable when, when you pour water on it, it does not remain on the surface for too long but penetrates easily. It quickly nourishes the roots without creating swamps.
• Cannabis adapts to many types of substrates and there are many so-called “soil improvers” that can be purchased to correct specific soil defects: many growers mix some fibre into the soil coconut, because it helps to lighten overly compact substrates. Perlite, one of the most widely used soil improvers, improves air exchange and water retention. Also widely used are vermiculite and vermicompost.
• THE silty soils, that is, composed of a mix of sand, clay and silt, soNo the perfect balance between oxygenation, hydration and nutrition! They are ideal for growing cannabis, even if they cost a little more than universal soils.

Which soil, instead, it doesn't lend itself to cannabis cultivation, making the harvest less fruitful?

• The muddy ground and that gets soaked is not very suitable because it retains a lot of water and it is easier to overwater.
• The very compact soil and often does not help root aeration, so it is less suitable.

The PH

In addition to texture, drainage ability and nutrients, the soil should have a specific pH to give the best results. According to experts, the ideal pH for hemp ranges between 5.8 and 6.3.

To measure the pH you can buy an instrument called pH meter or alternatively use litmus paper. In an airtight container, mix one part soil and two parts distilled water; shake thoroughly and wait for the soil to settle on the bottom of the container, then immerse the litmus test for the time indicated on the package and analyze it according to the instructions.

While many growers like to “compose” their own substrate, the best advice for beginners is buy a specific cannabis soil for growing hemp, so as to be sure to have a good base, with all the required characteristics.

Conclusion

Hemp, all in all, is a plant that can be quite rustic and that in recent times has even been used to clean up contaminated land, for example near Chernobyl or Taranto. The advice we have given you is aimed at obtaining the maximum performance possible from your seedlings, which however if cared for with consistency and love will grow well on many different soils.

Learn about the different types of fertilizers to use in your grow.