Marijuana Indica

Marijuana Indica Care

Cannabis indica

What is the plant

Even though it was first associated with recreational and medicinal use, the Cannabis indica plant has many other applications and features.

Cannabis indica is one of the three primary Cannabis siblings, alongside Cannabis sativa and Cannabis ruderalis. Indica strains are known for their bushy and compact growth habit, making them a popular choice for indoor and greenhouse cultivation. These plants typically have a shorter flowering time and are often associated with relaxing and soothing effects. Generally, they grow to be 2-4 feet tall (60-120 cm), with usually 7-9 leaflets.

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Humidity

High

Lighting

Full Sun

Temperature

18°C - 20°C

Hardiness zone

8 - 11

Difficulty

Easy

Hibernation

Cold Period

How to Care for the Plant

Water
These plants are sensitive to both overwatering and underwatering. The best practice is to wait until the top inch (2.5 cm) of soil is dried off before watering and be cautious not to flood the root system. Proper timing is also crucial, and the ideal time to water it is early in the morning.
Pruning
Pruning and training Cannabis indica plants can help control their growth, promote lateral branching, enhance bud development, delay the onset of flowering, or increase the harvest yield. It’s best to prune during the vegetative stage before the plant is mature and ready to bear flower. The Cannabis should be at least 12 inches (30 cm) tall and have several sets of leaves before it qualifies for pruning. Don’t perform pruning when the plant is close to flowering.

Different ways of pruning include:

Topping.

Removing big branches and leaves.

Clearing space around the plant’s middle, lollipopping, and pruning the leaves and bud sites.
Fertilizer
Indica plants have specific nutrient needs during various growth stages. At 3 to 4 weeks old, feed the cannabis seedlings with 2:1:2 or 4:2:3 fertilizer to kick off vegetative growth. Increase the NPK ratio to 10:5:7 when the seedlings reach the mid-vegetative stage to help them develop strong, healthy leaves. Towards the end of the vegetative phase, lower the nitrogen levels and fertilize the Cannabis with a 7:7:7 NPK ratio to prepare the plant for the reproductive stage.

During the first two weeks of the flowering stage, fertilize the Cannabis with 5:7:10 fertilizer, containing more potassium. Increase the ratio to 6:10:15 once the plants reach the mid-flowering stage. At the mid-late bloom stage, drive down the nutrients and use a mild NPK ratio of 4:7:10. Be cautious of overfertilizing because it will lead to fertilizer burn.

Disease diagnosis

Check your plant’s health

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Sunlight
Cannabis indica requires a substantial amount of light to thrive. When grown indoors, powerful grow lights are often used to simulate natural sunlight. Outdoors, the plants thrive in full sun, receiving 12 hours or more of light during the flowering stage.
Soil
Prepare a well-draining, nutrient-rich soil mix. The soil should be well-aerated to facilitate healthy root development. A mixture of perlite, coco coir, vermiculite, and compost will be ideal. Many growers opt for a potting mix designed specifically for Cannabis cultivation, which you can also use if you can’t create your mixture.
Propagation
Propagation of Cannabis is through seeds, cuttings, or cloning. Each method has its advantages and considerations. Growing from seeds can produce unique and genetically diverse plants, while cuttings and cloning ensure genetic consistency.

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Temperature
Cannabis indica is well-suited to temperate climates with a preference for a range of 70 to 85°F (20 to 30°C). Outdoor cultivation may be limited by climate, and in colder regions, greenhouse or indoor growing can provide a controlled environment.
Container
Cannabis indica can thrive in containers, making it a good choice for growers with limited outdoor space. Ensure the container has excellent drainage to prevent waterlogged soil. You can also install a hydroponic system to grow Cannabis plants in a nutrient solution instead of soil.
Fun fact
It’s been reported that the cultivation of Cannabis has existed for thousands of years already, dating back to ancient civilizations. Its versatility extends beyond recreational and medicinal purposes to include the production of textiles, rope, and even paper.