The cultivation of hemp, according to current legislation, is not illegal at all, despite the great deal of confusion about it. In Italy, it is in fact legal to cultivate hemp in compliance with the varieties permitted by European legislation (using the European seed register); that is, for the majority, there must not be a percentage of THC higher than 0.2%. When we start the cultivation of hemp, but we must also have a fair amount of awareness of the needs that this plant, like almost all others in cultivation, has. For example, we can use ready-made soil, depending on the need, or use our own soil, which we will subject to modifications and additions to improve its portability and density. In short, if you want to know more about best substrates for legal cannabis cultivation, read on, you're in the right place!
Types of soil for growing hemp
If we buy already calibrated soil mixes, we will be able to immediately meet all the needs of our seedlings. In fact, they will have to grow in the correct way, remain hydrated with the right degree of water absorption, and be nourished with vitalizing substances. The soil for cannabis specific to the needs of this plant can only be found in specialized stores such as grow shops. Now, we will see together some of the best soils for cannabis and their various properties:
- sandy soil: suitable for perfect drainage, but characterized by poor water retention, they have the advantage of maintaining good doses of oxygenation but rarely provide the right amount of nutrients. Nutrients such as nitrogen, for example, are immediately drained and dispersed in the soil. The pH is usually low.
- muddy ground: it has a drainage that is not optimal, but discrete, and above all properties opposite to the sandy one: in fact, it allows all the nutritional supply of the substances that the plant needs. The soil is easy to work, water passes through it with relative ease and it is one of the most fertile soils.
- silty soil: composed of many organic molecules, but also sand, silt and clay, it is probably the best compromise for all types of climates and plants. In fact, it has excellent drainage, thanks to the sandy component, but it also manages to retain enough water, thanks to the silty and clayey component, guaranteeing every optimal condition. The only flaw is the cost, considerably higher than other soils but still, it is worth it.
How to improve the quality of your soil
If you are working on natural soil, which you already own, and you do not want to buy a completely new fertile soil, we can advise you to improve its quality by adding the so-called soil improvers, or substances available in any gardening shop that will enrich and fertilize it. Among these, we can list:
- pearlite, used mainly to improve the quality of drainage (therefore recommended on poorly drained soils such as muddy, silty and impermeable ones). It is composed of light and small diameter rocks, of a bright whitish color. You will have to insert it directly into your soil in a percentage of 10-15% compared to the total soil. If you overdo it, you will see as a result excessive drainage and loss of minerals and nutrients.
- coconut fiber: insoluble fiber, mostly lipidic, it comes directly from coconuts and has excellent water retention properties. It therefore improves the consistency and permeability of sandy or stony soils, which are unable to retain nutrients inserted for the well-being of the plant. In this case, we recommend adding 30% of the original soil.
Article published on 9 August 2022 - 13:22
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