Choosing the strain
First and foremost, you have to choose a strain that is productive by nature. The best you can do is opt for Indica-dominant hybrids or Indica/Sativa genetics noted for their heavy yield. We do not recommend using pure Sativa strains since their crops aren't generally so generous and their nuggets are elongated and rather airy.
The following genetics could, for example, be a great choice: Blueberry Headband, Bubba's Gift, Chemdawg, Black D.O.G., Blue Dream, Chocolate Mint OG, Green Crack, OG Kush, Mango Sapphire, Master Kush, Sapphire OG, Pineapple Skunk and Lost Coast Hashplant. If you comply with this first rule, the chances for your crop to be incredibly bountiful rise considerably.
Substrate and container
We're sure you have already come to the conclusion that these famous gigantic plants can only be grown using lots of substrate as well as a pot of at least 1000 liters. It's true, we are famous for thinking big, but, in this case, we aren't exaggerating.
If a large enough container is used, roots will have plenty of space to grow comfortably and so plants will turn into real cannabis trees. If, on the contrary, we decide to use a small container and very little substrate, they won't be able to show their full potential.
Californian growers have for many years now being using geotextile pots. These pots, as well as the smart pots that have recently been launched into the market, are not only big but have also the ability to create a well-aerated environment in the growing medium, accelerating the metabolism of cannabis plants. Basically, they help plants grow optimally by providing them with more oxygen.
This point becomes more significant if we're using organic growing methods, a trend that has during the last decades become very popular among Californian growers. Soil microorganisms need a lot of oxygen to proliferate and carry out different interaction and metabolization processes.
Soil preparation
This aspect is also key to obtaining huge plants. The substrate has to be ready to breathe correctly so that, together with the pot, the oxygenation is just perfect. Both the pot and the substrate have to meet these requirements because, otherwise, the oxygenation will be half as effective.
Here's a simple recipe to obtain well-aerated and balanced soil:
- 30% brown peat.
- 30% black peat.
- 10% vermicompost.
- 10% sphagnum.
- 10% coco coir.
- 10% perlite.
Long tailor-made growth phase
There is no big secret to achieving excellence. The key to success is the sum of a series of little details. To get started off right, we have to germinate our seeds by mid-February indoors. It's important to plant early enough since one of the things that will make our plants grow huge outdoors is a longer growth phase. For doing so, it's necessary to start the vegetative phase making use of artificial light (neon, CFL, CMH, MH or HPS) as well as to ensure the roots grow strong and healthy by transplanting our plants on a monthly basis. It's best to start with 1 L pots and then change to 3 L, 5 L, 7 L and, finally, to 10 L pots. We have to keep our plant in the growth phase (18h/6h), making sure it receives an adequate diet and using root growth stimulators once a week to boost the development of the rooting system. No sooner have they reached a size of approx. 3.20-4.20 ft., we have to take them outdoors and transplant them in the final pots.
Important notice: before taking them outdoors, they have to be subject to a 2-day period of complete darkness to prevent them from starting the flowering due to the reduction of hours of light. For them to gradually get used to natural light, it's necessary to keep them indoors, some 3 meters far from the nearest window. On the second day, they can be placed a bit closer to the window, at a distance of 1 m more or less, so that they start to catch some light. Doing the same thing on the third day could also be very beneficial for their acclimatization. After this adjustment period, plants can be taken outdoors, preferably to a greenhouse for the change not to be extremely shocking, because the temperature could vary widely from indoors to outdoors. If they are suddenly taken to an outdoor place, the flash of light could stop their growth until they finally die. That's why it's paramount to act with caution during this crucial moment of their lives.
Pruning and staking
Some pruning techniques such as the FIMming, super cropping or topping allow us to manage the growth of our plants and boost their yield. Apart from highly beneficial, these techniques could greatly complement the other methods we decide to use. However, before using them, we must pay attention to the vegetative structure of our plants as well as to the potential of each strain. Some 15 days before starting the flowering is the perfect time to prune them, more or less by 20th July in the northern hemisphere. Therefore, to choose the best method for each case, it's necessary to observe the growth pattern of the plant on a daily basis without forgetting the distinctive traits of that specific phenotype.
Trellising or using stakes when growing outdoors: these techniques could help guide and manage the growth of these XXL marijuana plants, but not only that. Regardless of our plants' size, they will surely stabilize not only their structure but their growth as well. They also allow for good air circulation, preventing excessive perspiration and the development of fungi at the end of the flowering, which appear when moisture is in excess. Here are the 2 most widely used methods:
- Trellis netting: usually made of nylon or synthetic plastic, they guide their branches horizontally (the top of the plant) or vertically (to prevent side branches from bending due to the heavy weight of their flowers and to help them catch more light). The crux of the matter is to put the net as soon as possible, more or less towards the end of the growth phase, by 20 July in the northern hemisphere. To choose the best moment to install the selected system it's paramount to use our common sense and to think far ahead because, if we are late, things can get very difficult.
- Cylindrical trellis: we turn to this method quite often, mostly using a wire mesh of 10-20 cm. It's like a cage adapted to the plant that keeps all side branches up. This technique is aimed at supporting its structure, contributing to its growth and ventilation too. We recommend installing the system by 20 July in the northern hemisphere. It's very important to do so at the right moment for the reasons stated above.
Feeding our plants
We're not going to present a comprehensive feeding programme because there are many ways we can feed or fertilize our plants and because advanced cultivation techniques are only accessible to experienced growers. Respecting the abovementioned aspects, we're sure to get XXL plants. However, when it comes to our plants' diet, the best thing we can do is follow the manufacturer's instructions, always acting with common sense and adapting the amount of nutrient solution to the size of the plants, to the phase they're going through and to the climate (temperature and moisture).
Most of us prefer using organic growing methods and so our plants don't need lots of nutrients because the soil preparation meets all their food requirements. Growers only have to occasionally use fertilizers such as compost tea in a complementary manner. Important notice: XXL plants need lots of water. Therefore, we must purchase a large water tank whose capacity will vary according to the number of plants we're growing. An electric water pump and a device with a mobile irrigation tube and a nozzle will be enough for any cannabis grower to cultivate in optimal conditions. We hope this post helps you obtain your own Cali-style cannabis trees as similar as possible to the huge plants grown in Humboldt County.