On April 1, 2024, Germany took a historic step by decriminalizing the personal use and cultivation of cannabis. With a long history of cannabis prohibition, it marked a significant shift in the country’s stance toward cannabis.
Many cannabis enthusiasts are excited, and it is easy to see why. But what exactly does this change in German law mean for you? Let’s learn about these changes and share professional advice for cultivating your very own marijuana plants.
Embarking on your own growing journey requires a bit of preparation, and it helps to have a basic understanding of the fundamental aspects of growing. But the process is much more straightforward than you might think. Here’s a quick overview of what the law permits:
- Individuals are allowed to grow up to three flowering cannabis plants.
- Residents can keep up to 50 grams of dried cannabis flower at home.
Now, let’s explore some key points for anyone eager to begin growing cannabis in Germany.
Where to grow cannabis in Germany?
If you’re curious about growing marijuana outdoors, there are multiple options available.
- You can plant your seedlings directly into your garden. Mix nutrient-rich substances like worm castings, peat, and perlite for optimal growth and improved drainage.
- You can grow your cannabis plants in large pots, which allows you to move them in case of bad weather, which is particularly beneficial for those growing in coastal areas.
- If you have enough space, a greenhouse can provide a controlled environment, protecting plants from the elements while regulating temperature and humidity levels.
For those looking at growing weed indoors, a grow tent is ideal, or for a more straightforward setup, automatics will even grow it on a windowsill with lots of sun.
What equipment is needed for home cultivation?
To start growing outdoors or indoors in Germany, it’s helpful to consider the size of your grow area, ease of access to your plants for maintenance, and closeness to power sources. If you’re growing indoors, investing in high-quality cultivation equipment like lighting, ventilation, and premium soil can significantly impact the health and productivity of your cannabis plants. Here’s a list of must-have equipment for growing cannabis:
- High-quality seeds from Humboldt Seed Company
- A designated grow tent or suitable outdoor area
- Grow lights for indoor cultivation
- Ventilation system for indoor cultivation
- Suitable pots for planting
- High-quality growing medium
- Organic plant nutrients
- pH testing kit for soil and water
- A reliable watering can
- Gardening shears for pruning and trimming
What types of seeds are available?
There are three primary types of cannabis seeds available on the market: Autoflowering, Feminized, and Regular.
- Regular seeds are valued by experienced growers for their ability to produce either male or female plants. This characteristic is essential for those interested in breeding their own cannabis hybrids or creating clones, as it involves identifying and removing male plants to ensure that only the bud-producing females remain. Regular seeds present an opportunity for growers looking for unique phenotypes or hoping to breed.
However, let’s focus on the options more suitable for beginners and set aside regular seeds for now. If you’re starting, Feminized and Autoflowering seeds are your best bets. But what exactly sets these two apart?
- Feminized seeds produce only female plants, eliminating the need to identify and remove male plants. They typically have a longer growth cycle than autoflowering varieties, averaging around six to nine months. To induce flowering, they require a change in the light schedule to 12 hours of light followed by 12 hours of darkness, effectively mimicking the natural seasonal changes.
- Autoflowering seeds are developed to flower automatically, regardless of light conditions, and are ready for harvest approximately 65 to 85 days after planting. Suitable for indoor and outdoor cultivation, autoflowering seeds have a shorter life cycle than feminized seeds. They are low maintenance, resilient, and durable, making them an excellent option for novice and experienced growers.
For those growing marijuana in Northern Germany, particularly in regions like Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, or Brandenburg, the increased precipitation from September to October, coupled with the cooler temperatures, make autoflowering strains the most suitable option. Meanwhile, in Southern and Central Germany, feminized strains flourish throughout Hessen, Bavaria, Thuringia, Baden-Wurttemberg, and Saxony.
Best strains to grow in Germany
If you are new to growing, selecting the right cannabis genetics can be overwhelming, so choosing strains well-suited to your climate and personal preferences is essential. To simplify the process, focus on these five factors:
- Take into account your space limitations. Most indica-dominant or autoflowering strains will stay below 1 meter in height. However, sativas can grow much taller.
- What effect are you seeking? Are you in the mood for an uplifting sativa, a relaxing indica, or perhaps the balanced harmony of a hybrid?
- While yield potential typically increases with experience, what can be expected from the cannabis plants?
- What flavor and aroma are you looking for? If you have a particular taste or scent in mind, check out the terpene profiles to see what to expect.
- How long is the flowering period? Cannabis strains with a shorter flowering period are recommended for new growers.
We’ve selected four favorites, so let’s check them out!
Mint Jelly Auto
Mint Jelly Auto is an Indica-dominant hybrid created by crossing Apple Auto and Hella Jelly. It is known for its compact, dense buds that exude a strong, gassy aroma complemented by vanilla and peppermint frosting notes. With a growth cycle of approximately 80 days, Mint Jelly Auto stands out for its resilience and low maintenance, making it ideal for growers in coastal regions such as Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Schleswig-Holstein.
Sour Diesel Auto
Sour Diesel Auto is a dynamic blend of Sour Diesel Bx3, Humboldt Headband, and Ruderalis. Like a classic sativa, it exhibits a tall stature and is renowned for its uplifting and euphoric effects. Its flavor profile is a vibrant mix of zesty citrus, complemented by a sharp, gassy aroma with hints of cinnamon and skunk. Completing its grow cycle in just 85 days, it’s well-suited for cultivation in the surrounding Brandenburg and Lower Saxony regions.
Hella Jelly
Hella Jelly Feminized is derived from Hella Jelly BX3, Notorious THC, and Very Cherry. It offers an uplifting cerebral high that boosts creativity. Its fruity terpene profile is reminiscent of fresh strawberries, cotton candy, and grapes. With a flowering period of just 45 days, Hella Jelly is ready for harvest from late September to early October. This rapid turnaround makes it an excellent choice for growers in central regions such as Bavaria and Thuringia.
Blueberry Muffin
Blueberry Muffin Feminized is an indica-dominant hybrid, combining Razzleberry and Purple Panty Dropper. It features a sweet, fruity flavor reminiscent of ripe berries and a hint of vanilla dough with an energizing yet soothing high. Characterized by frosty buds adorned with purple hues. It has a quick flowering time of 45 days, and outdoors, it is harvested between September and October. Perfect for growers in Hessen, Rhineland-Palatinate, or Baden-Württemberg.
German cannabis cultivation tips
Cannabis plants need consistent care throughout their growth cycle, including regular watering, proper fertilization, and pruning. Feminized cannabis plants can have growth cycles extending up to six months, while autoflowering varieties can be harvested in as little as three months. The cultivation process can be divided into six significant stages, and we’ll walk you through each phase, providing a clear understanding of what to expect.
1. Germination
If you plan to grow cannabis outdoors in your garden, the best time to germinate your seeds is around the spring solstice in March. This will allow your cannabis plant to have enough time to mature before the colder winter months. On the other hand, if you intend to grow cannabis indoors, there is no specific time to germinate the seeds, as you have complete control over the environment. Here are some grower-friendly tips for germination.
- Begin by preparing two plates and laying a moist paper towel on each.
- Distribute your seeds at least an inch apart on one of the towels.
- Cover them with the second towel and place the other plate on top to create a sealed, humid environment.
- Check daily to ensure the paper towels remain moist. The taproot should start to emerge within 72 hours.
- Now, it’s time to plant your seed in the soil or one to three-liter containers and prepare for the seedling phase, which begins with the emergence of cotyledons.
2. Seedling
After transplanting your seedlings into smaller containers, position them on a windowsill to help acclimate them to the outdoor environment. This approach is particularly beneficial for growers in Northern Germany, as it offers additional time for the colder weather to pass. The seedling stage lasts about two to three weeks. The plants establish a sturdy root system throughout this time, strengthening the main stem and producing their first true leaves.
3. Vegetation
Once a seedling develops leaves with seven leaflets, it signifies the transition into the vegetative stage. The beginning of April, offering more than 14 hours of daylight and temperatures reaching up to 15°C, presents an ideal time for transplanting your seedlings into your garden bed or final pots. Carefully dig a small hole about an inch larger than your pot, place the seedling into the hole, and backfill it with your chosen medium.
After being relocated to a larger pot, stems become thicker, foliage increases, and the root zone becomes more established. If grown indoors, the vegetative stage can last anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks to several months, depending on the light the plant receives. Outdoors, this period typically lasts from spring until mid-summer, and its duration can significantly impact the final size and yield of the plant.
Daytime stretches to approximately 16 hours throughout May, with a constant temperature around 20°C. This fuels the plant’s vertical development and encourages the expansion of nodes and lateral branches, laying a solid foundation for bud development. With the rising temperatures, pests are more likely to appear, so be vigilant and remove unwanted predators like caterpillars or snails, which could be hiding under the larger fan leaves.
The arrival of the summer solstice in June is characterized by up to 16 hours of daylight and temperatures reaching 24°C (75°F). For those nurturing larger plants, it’s recommended to start supporting the upper branches to support the weight of the oncoming buds. For those intermediate or experienced growers, now is the time to use training techniques such as low-stress training (LST) or Lollipopping.
For those growing regular seeds, July is when you must identify the sex. Remember, you want female plants as they produce the buds! This month marks a significant phase in the plant growth cycle, marking the beginning of what is commonly referred to as the stretch phase. During this phase, it’s not uncommon for plants to undergo a rapid growth spurt. This sudden increase in height and size is a natural part of their development process.
4. Flowering
The transition to the flowering stage is triggered by light exposure, leading to the formation of buds. Outdoor flowering commences as the hours of daylight decrease, whereas indoors, initiating flowering requires adjusting the light cycle to 12 hours on and 12 hours off. While the flowering period for most strains wraps up in approximately eight weeks, sativa varieties may require more time to mature fully.
August’s decrease in daylight hours signals the start of the flowering period. With temperatures reaching up to 30°C (86°F), it creates a challenging environment for cannabis cultivation, especially in Southwestern Germany. Keeping your plants well-hydrated during this period is vital to avoid any detrimental effects on their growth. It’s also an excellent time to remove any unwanted foliage within the canopy for improved ventilation.
September marks the beginning of Autumn, bringing a reduction in daylight hours. Despite the shorter days, temperatures remain around the mid-20s Celsius. Trichome production increases and the plants’ fragrances become sweeter. The last three weeks are when your buds can gain the most weight, and adding extra structural support to the plants is recommended to accommodate the weight of expanding buds.
For growers in Northern and Central Germany, October marks the final phase of the growing season, as temperatures fall to approximately 8°C (46°F) and daylight hours decrease below 12 hours. During this period, the buds become coated in resin glands, and the pistils transition to a dark orange or amber color, indicating they have reached full maturity. The lower temperatures may also lead some buds to express vibrant purple hues.
5. Harvesting
Harvesting time for feminized seeds typically ranges from October to November, while autoflowering varieties are usually ready for harvest by early September. As November approaches, rainfall becomes more frequent, and to prevent botrytis or branches from breaking due to escalating winds, it’s essential to harvest your weed plants sooner rather than later. But how do you know they’re ready? Here are some expert tips.
- When trichomes are clear, they are still immature.
- As trichomes become cloudy, the plant has not yet fully matured.
- The plant approaches full maturity as trichomes transition to a milky white.
- The optimal harvest window has been missed if most trichomes have turned brown or amber.
It is recommended that you use a jeweler’s loupe to monitor trichome development closely. The optimal harvest time is when approximately 70% of the trichomes have turned milky white, while the remaining 30% are amber. Now that you’ve identified the best harvest time, you can proceed to the next step. So, grab your pruning shears because it’s time to harvest your plant.
6. Drying and Curing
Cutting down the entire plant whole can be a practical approach for smaller plants. However, removing individual branches is often simpler for larger plants. Following this, suspend the branches or the whole plant upside down in a dark, well-ventilated space to dry. A garage or a utility room with ample ventilation would be ideal. This process helps eliminate any excess moisture retained during flowering, significantly reducing the risk of mold formation.
After approximately 21 days of drying, it’s time to check if your branches are ready for the next phase. To do this, gently bend them. If they snap cleanly, they’re ready for trimming. Before you start trimming, make sure to wear protective gloves to minimize contact with the buds. Carefully trim away unwanted foliage from your buds, taking care not to over-trim or damage them.
It’s time to transfer the buds into an airtight glass container to start curing. This step is crucial in enhancing the flavor and aroma of the buds, resulting in a more enjoyable smoking or vaping experience. The airtight container helps to regulate the breakdown of residual sugars and chlorophyll while preserving the valuable cannabinoids and terpenes, which, if not controlled, could result in an unpleasant, grassy taste.
