Getting Started
Growing your own cannabis can be one of the most rewarding gardening experiences. Not only do you gain complete control over the quality of your plant, but you also develop a deeper appreciation for this remarkable herb. This guide will help you start your cannabis cultivation journey with confidence.
Quality Control
When you grow your own cannabis, you control everything that goes into your plants. You decide whether to grow organically, which nutrients to use, and can avoid harmful pesticides or additives.
Cost Effectiveness
While there's an initial investment in equipment, growing your own can significantly reduce costs over time. A successful small grow can yield enough cannabis to last several months.
Personal Satisfaction
There's immense joy in nurturing plants from seed to harvest. The process is therapeutic, educational, and gives you a greater connection to what you consume.
What to Expect as a Beginner
First-time growers should set realistic expectations. Your initial harvests might not match commercial-grade cannabis, and you'll likely make mistakes along the way. That's part of the learning process! With patience and attention to detail, your skills will improve with each grow cycle.
Expect to spend time daily checking on your plants, especially as they mature. Cannabis responds remarkably well to attentive care, and observing your plants regularly helps you catch and address issues early.
Legal Considerations in Malta
In Malta, adults can legally grow up to four cannabis plants per household for personal use. However, these plants must not be visible to the public, and all cannabis must be consumed privately.
This guide provides general information only. Laws can change, and it's your responsibility to stay informed about current legislation. For specific legal questions, consult with a qualified professional.
Find Your Growing Style
Not sure which growing method is right for you? Answer a few questions about your situation, and we'll recommend the best approach for your needs.
Where will you be growing?
What's your experience level?
What's your budget for getting started?
How much time can you dedicate to your plants?
What yield are you hoping for?
Your Recommended Growing Style:
Budget Planning
Understanding the costs involved in setting up your grow is important for planning. Use this calculator to estimate your initial investment based on your choices.
Setup Cost Calculator
Initial Setup Cost:
This covers your one-time purchases to get started.
Estimated Monthly Cost:
Includes electricity and consumables.
Budget-Friendly Tips
- Start small: Begin with 1-2 plants to learn the basics before scaling up.
- DIY options: Many growing containers can be repurposed from household items.
- Seed selection: Autoflowering seeds are generally more forgiving for beginners.
- Light timers: Prevent light schedule errors with an inexpensive outlet timer.
- Second-hand: Look for used equipment from trusted sources to save on startup costs.
Basic Equipment Checklist
Quality equipment makes a significant difference in your cannabis growing success. This checklist highlights essential items to get started, along with some optional upgrades for when you're ready to expand.
Growing Space
A controlled environment helps manage light, temperature, and humidity. For beginners in Malta, a 80x80cm tent is ideal for 2-4 plants.
Mylar sheeting or white paint for DIY grow spaces helps maximize light efficiency.
Lighting
Energy-efficient LEDs provide full-spectrum light while generating less heat. For a 80x80cm space, a 200W LED is sufficient.
Controls light cycles automatically - crucial for photoperiod plants.
Growing Medium & Containers
Cannabis-specific or organic potting soil with good drainage. Avoid soil with extended-release nutrients for better control.
Fabric pots provide better aeration and prevent root circling. Start with 3-5L pots and transplant later.
Ventilation & Climate Control
Removes hot, humid air and prevents odor buildup. Size according to your tent volume.
Strengthens stems and prevents mold by keeping air moving around plants.
Eliminates cannabis odor - important for discreet growing.
Nutrients & Supplements
Start with a simple grow/bloom nutrient system designed for cannabis.
Essential for ensuring your plants can absorb nutrients properly. Aim for 6.0-6.5 pH in soil.
Tools & Accessories
Clean, sharp scissors for trimming leaves and harvesting.
With a narrow spout for controlled watering.
For training plants and supporting heavy branches.
Remember, you don't need to purchase everything at once. Start with the essentials and expand your setup as you gain experience and confidence in your growing abilities.
First Month Timeline
Understanding what to expect in your first month of growing helps set realistic expectations and ensures you're prepared for each stage. Here's a general timeline for your first month, assuming you're starting from seeds:
Setup & Germination
Days 1-5- Prepare your growing space with all equipment installed
- Germinate seeds using your preferred method (paper towel method is popular)
- Once tiny taproots appear (1-5 days), plant into small starter pots
- Keep environment warm (21-24°C) and humidity high (60-70%)
- Minimal watering needed - soil should be damp, not soaked
Seedling Stage
Days 5-14- Seedlings emerge with first round leaves (cotyledons)
- Position lights 45-60cm from seedlings to prevent stretching
- First true leaves (serrated) appear within days
- Water sparingly around the stem - seedlings are fragile
- No nutrients needed yet - seedlings use reserves from seed
- Keep humidity around 60-70% and maintain good airflow
Early Vegetative Growth
Days 14-21- Plant develops 3-5 nodes with true cannabis leaves
- Root system expanding rapidly - ensure adequate drainage
- Begin light feeding with nutrients (¼ to ½ strength)
- Monitor for signs of nutrient issues or pests
- Lower humidity slightly to 50-60%
- Consider transplanting to final containers if roots are developed
Established Vegetative Growth
Days 21-30- More vigorous growth with larger fan leaves
- Plant should be in final container (10-15L recommended)
- Begin training techniques if desired (LST is gentlest)
- Regular feeding schedule established (½ to full strength)
- Adjust light height as plants grow
- For autoflowers, may see first pre-flowers forming
- For photoperiods, maintain 18+ hours of light to continue vegetative growth
What Comes Next? After the first month, photoperiod plants will continue vegetative growth until you change the light cycle to 12/12 hours. Autoflowering plants will automatically begin flowering around weeks 3-4, regardless of light schedule. Be sure to check our Autoflower Timeline or Feminized Seeds Timeline for detailed guidance on the full growth cycle.
Common Beginner Questions
As you start your growing journey, you'll likely have questions. Here are answers to some of the most common concerns for new growers:
A common mistake is overwatering. Rather than following a fixed schedule, water when the growing medium is dry to about an inch below the surface. Lift your pots to feel their weight—light pots need water, heavy ones don't.
As a general guideline:
- Seedlings: Small amounts every 2-3 days
- Vegetative plants: Every 2-3 days
- Flowering plants: May need daily watering as they grow larger
Always allow some runoff when watering to prevent nutrient buildup, but don't let plants sit in standing water.
Cannabis prefers slightly different conditions throughout its lifecycle:
- Seedlings/Clones: 20-25°C with 65-70% humidity
- Vegetative Stage: 22-28°C with 40-60% humidity
- Flowering Stage: 20-26°C with 40-50% humidity
- Late Flowering: 18-24°C with 30-40% humidity
In Malta's climate, controlling high temperatures in summer and humidity in spring/autumn can be challenging. Good ventilation is essential, and you may need dehumidifiers during flowering to prevent mold.
Autoflowering seeds are generally recommended for beginners because:
- They automatically flower regardless of light schedule
- Shorter lifecycle (10-12 weeks from seed to harvest)
- Compact size suits smaller spaces
- More forgiving with light leaks and timing errors
Photoperiod seeds offer advantages for those who can manage a more detailed schedule:
- More control over plant size and timing
- Can take clones before flowering
- Generally produce higher yields
- Can be kept in vegetative growth indefinitely
If you're unsure, start with autoflowers for your first grow, then try photoperiods once you're comfortable with the basics.
Ready to move beyond the basics? Check out our other growing guides: