The world of gardening and agriculture is filled with creative and unusual ways to get the most out of plants. Whether utilizing a small space or recycling something old, some growers have a creative edge that allows them to develop elegant solutions to their problems. It is worth thinking about all the ways different plants are grown and how, at some point, innovation and creative thinking played a part in each. Whether technique or device, cold frames, grafting different species, vertical farming, automatic watering, and crop rotation, are but a fraction of some of the cool ways growers have helped their plants thrive in an otherwise not ideal scenario.
Growing cannabis, particularly autoflowering varieties, lends itself to innovative solutions also, and due to the years of prohibition, even more so in some respects. Cultivators of cannabis have shown incredible flexibility in exploring more unconventional uses of space and imaginative approaches. Combining this with plants known for their resilience, shorter life cycle, and ability to grow big makes for interesting bed-buddies. Some of the creative solutions and space-efficient growing techniques must be truly appreciated. Here, we explore some cross-over between traditional growing and cannabis growing, where inventive approaches to cultivating are never far away.
Growing in Space
Positioning plants vertically is an excellent option for growers with limited horizontal space. Whether horizontal rows are stacked or the plants are in a vertical container, the usefulness of vertical farming is appealing. Utilizing gutters or even hanging plastic bottles from exterior door frames allows growers to take advantage of the vertical space. Gutters, which can be used in various ways, can even be mounted on walls in staggered rows to create a living wall of cannabis. Growing a number of small plants can be fun in a 'hanging basket' style, even using plastic bottles, which can be cut open and filled with growing medium, then hung from the porch or balcony. This method saves space and can help control pests and diseases due to improved air circulation around the plants. However, roots may get hot and preventing overheating can be a challenge. It is unlikely that plants will grow large, so growing many small plants is one way to manage that situation.
Strange Bedfellows
Reusing old objects is not typically associated with cannabis growing, however this eco-friendly and innovative approach can actually work very well. With a little lining and some good soil, a wooden pallet can be ideal for growing cannabis plants. It's semi-mobile, which is good, and can look very neat when done correctly, either vertically, flat or angled. Even old crockery, like teapots and large bowls or pots and pans, can be repurposed into eco-friendly plant pots that can be used pretty much as traditional pots (some drilling may be necessary for drainage). Larger containers like skips, bins, and old bathtubs can be converted into substantial planters. These can accommodate multiple cannabis plants or one huge plant.
With the right soil/media, these types of containers allow for ample root growth and soil volume while retaining water well. Depending on the depth of the container, it might also be possible to keep the plants out of sight, should that be a requirement. The wheely-bin can even be used as make-shift housing for a single plant to grow – fitting lights, etc., on the lid and drilling ventilation holes in the side, a good budget to get a small indoor grow going.
Those Hard-to-Reach Places
For many, the traditional garden or classic indoor grow may not be an option. Whilst a garden is usually the ideal place for growing, rooftops, balconies, and the like offer valuable real estate for growing autos, too. These areas are often well-lit with the sun, which is great for autoflowering cannabis varieties. As long as there is a way to water, this can offer a good solution for those without a garden. From using grow bags, which are low maintenance and require no real permanent fixtures, to using large pots, which are portable and can provide better drainage, these areas can be ideal quiet spots for a little autoflowering plant or two. Turning these spaces into productive grow areas requires minimal effort and can return a fair bit back if done well. This approach maximizes unused urban spaces and can create a discreet growing environment.
Going smaller, even still, places such as window ledges can be used to grow auto-flowering cannabis. Small containers placed on these ledges can make for a miniature garden that is accessible and easy to manage from indoors. Other indoor solutions include closets/dressers, which can be converted to little indoor grows, creating a small, easy-to-control environment to nurse the plants along. In one extreme example, retrofitting an old refrigerator with grow lights and fans can make a small compact 'air-conditioned' grow space.
Water-Power Creation
A more advanced yet still simple method involves using bamboo to create a natural 'pipping' for a hydroponic system. Bamboo sections can be sealed at the ends and filled with a nutrient-rich water solution to support cannabis growth without soil. They can be used in open or closed loop systems, gravity-fed or powered by a solar power water pump; these types of solutions appear in various places around the world for growing a variety of plants. This method conserves water and can be a visually appealing way to grow cannabis, creating an all-natural effect on the eye yet creating a robust waterway for the roots to sit. Thick bamboo can offer some protection from heat and light of the sun whilst being strong enough for stacking.
Through the Ages: Large-scale Innovation Examples
Agricultural innovation has been a cornerstone of human survival and progress throughout history. The ability of growers to innovate in response to various challenges has profoundly shaped growing practices, ensuring ever-developing crop resilience and improving yield. This need for creativity is especially pronounced in environments with limited resources or where conditions are less than ideal. Big examples of agricultural innovation are ripe, such as the development of terraced farming techniques by the ancient Incas in South America. Faced with sloped regions that were unsuitable for standard farming practices, growers creatively sculpted terraces which not only prevented soil erosion and saved water but also maximized usable land, demonstrating a remarkable and genius triumph over the natural topography. Even the ancient Egyptians innovated irrigation techniques to enable them to irrigate their fields efficiently. This turned an otherwise arid landscape into a fertile growing haven.
In more recent history, the development of crop rotation is another testament to the ingenuity of growers. By rotating different types of plants in their fields, farmers could manage soil fertility and reduce soil erosion without the constant need to add fertilizer. This practice also helped control pests and diseases, showcasing an early understanding of ecological balance within crop systems. The Dutch, known for their horticultural skills, developed the greenhouse technology for year-round growing in a controlled environment. This innovation was particularly crucial in cooler climates with shorter growing seasons. By controlling the temperature and protecting plants from the elements, they could extend the growing season and experiment with exotic plant species previously unable to thrive in the Dutch climate. Later, paving the way for hydroponic systems, the Dutch pioneered soilless growing and various auxiliary solutions around inert media and fed mixes and delivery.
Conclusion: Creative Ways To Grow Autoflowers
In the context of modern cannabis cultivation, growers continue to exhibit this historical inclination for innovation. Faced with legal and societal pressures, cannabis growers have often had to develop discreet and highly efficient growing systems. The critical role of creativity and innovation in growing is apparent. Growers have historically been at the forefront of developing new methods to maximize efficiency, adapting to their environments, and overcoming natural and man-made challenges.
Why not take inspiration from the ancient and modern forebearers and innovators who developed bespoke solutions and apply them to the ever-challenging world of cannabis growing? Autoflowering cannabis varieties offer themselves well to this approach, and no doubt will provide opportunities for the next generation to do even more creative things to get the most out of the wonderous plant.
