How to prepare your cannabis grow before going on holiday

Going on holiday is a must for many, but it can become a challenge if you have a cannabis grow that needs constant care. Here’s a detailed guide to essential tasks that you need to do to make sure your plants stay healthy and productive in your absence.

1. Strategic pruning and defoliation

Before leaving, do some maintenance pruning or defoliation to reduce the demand for water and nutrients. Remove the largest and lowest fan leaves that don’t contribute significantly to photosynthesis. This won’t only reduce the need for irrigation but will also improve air circulation, reducing the risk of disease and making plants more self-sufficient in your absence. Make sure you do the pruning well in advance to allow the plants to recover properly before your departure, thereby ensuring continuous and vigorous growth while you’re away.

2. Lighting settings

If you grow indoors, make sure your lights are programmed correctly. Use good quality timers to maintain a consistent light cycle to ensure they stay uninterrupted, especially if you have plants in the vegetative stage (16/8) or in the flowering phase (12/12).

Lights should be at an adequate distance from the plants to prevent burns, but close enough to provide effective lighting. A good rule of thumb is to keep LED lights at least 30-45 cm away from the top of the canopy, and HID lights at about 60 cm, although this may vary depending on the type and potency of the lights. You must also ensure there are no light leaks during the dark periods, especially if the plants are in the flowering phase.

For added peace of mind, you can install remote monitoring systems that let you control the conditions of your grow from anywhere, allowing you to adjust the necessary parameters in real time so you can intervene promptly should any problems arise.

3. Automatic irrigation systems

Implementing an automatic irrigation system is one of the best ways to ensure that your plants get water regularly. You can choose between:

• Drip irrigation systems: They consist of a series of tubes and drippers that deliver water directly to the base of each plant at regular intervals. These systems can be controlled with timers, allowing for precise and adjustable watering.
• Clay stakes: They work by gravity and the capillarity effect, providing water as the substrate dries. These are ideal to maintain constant humidity levels without running the risk of waterlogging.
• Self-irrigation systems: There are numerous commercial systems specifically designed for self-irrigation that vary in terms of complexity and cost, from simple water balloons to advanced systems controlled by mobile applications.

Regardless of the irrigation system that you choose, it is crucial to test it before you leave to make sure everything works properly. See how your plants respond to the system for a few days and adjust timers or settings as needed. You should also check that the water supply is adequate for the entire period that you’ll be away.

4. Additional hydration

For those with a limited budget who need a short-term solution, there are also several options that don’t require electricity or batteries. If you’re going to be away for longer than a week, consider these methods:

• Water retention polymers: Also known as hydrogels, these are an effective solution to maintain the moisture of the substrate for prolonged periods without watering. These polymers absorb large amounts of water and release it gradually as the substrate dries.
• Wick system: Use a cotton string to move water from a bucket or tank to the pots, so that water is constantly being absorbed and transferred (however, this may not be suitable for very large plants).
• Drip bottles: Fill plastic bottles with water, drill small holes in the lids, and place them upside down into the soil. This will provide a steady flow of water for several days, but is not suitable for long periods of absence.

5. Nutrient and pH check

Before leaving, make sure that the nutrient levels in your irrigation solution are balanced to avoid nutritional deficiencies. If you’re going to be away for an extended period of time, consider using slow-release fertilisers that provide nutrients gradually for several weeks. Use a digital pH meter to check the pH of your nutrient solution and substrate.

If you’re using an automatic irrigation system, fill the water tanks with enough nutrient solution for the whole period of your absence. These need to be well sealed to prevent evaporation and contamination. Add an opaque lid or cover the tank with a dark blanket to prevent the proliferation of algae, which can block irrigation systems. Even consider installing a water level sensor that alerts you if the water level in the tank gets too low and can send notifications to your mobile device.

6. Protection against pests

Perform a thorough inspection of your plants to detect any signs of pests before you leave. Look for spots, discoloration, holes in the leaves, or the presence of small insects. Apply preventive treatments based on natural insecticides or neem oil to protect your plants from common insects such as aphids and red spiders.

Above all, keep your grow clean by removing dead leaves and other plant debris that may attract insects. Also make sure there are no stagnant water sources near the growing area, as this can attract mosquitos and other pests.

Outdoors, use a mesh or thin netting around your plants to protect them from flying and climbing insects. Another effective strategy is the use of yellow and blue sticky traps that attract winged insects. If your plants are in pots, you could even consider placing a layer of diatomaceous earth on the surface of the substrate, which is a natural insecticide that kills insects by dehydrating them.

7. Infrastructure check

Before you go on holiday, do a thorough check of all the infrastructure of your grow to ensure that everything works properly. Check that the lights are working well, without flickering; and that the timers are set correctly to maintain proper light cycles. Make sure the irrigation system is leak-free and perform a final test to confirm that the irrigation is turned on and off as scheduled.

Check temperature and humidity control systems to maintain optimal environmental conditions. These include air conditioners, heaters, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, fans, and extractors. Check cables and plugs to prevent fire hazards, and use surge protectors. If you have sensors and monitoring systems, make sure they are calibrated and working properly; and test alarm systems to receive real-time alerts.

8. Additional safety

If you grow out in the open, reinforce security measures to protect your plants from intruders. Use fences and other deterrent methods against animals, making sure they are securely attached to the ground. You can also use stakes or trellis netting to protect the plants from adverse weather, such as summer storms. Consider installing surveillance cameras, with night vision and motion detection, for greater efficiency. You can even install motion sensors and alarms on the perimeter of your grow area.

9. Delegation of tasks

If possible, ask a friend, relative, or trusted neighbour to check your grow periodically. Give them a detailed list of tasks, making sure they understand the importance of each. That person may be crucial to solving any unexpected problem that arises, so the first step is to select someone you trust and who has at least a basic interest in growing plants. It’d be ideal if this person already has some experience in growing cannabis or in gardening in general, but this is not a requirement: willingness to learn and follow instructions is definitely more important.

They should understand the importance of checking the plants regularly for signs of stress, disease, or nutrient deficiency. Explain to them what to look for and how to act in case of a problem. In addition, leave all necessary supplies on hand and well labelled, including nutrients, pesticides, pruning tools, pH meters, or any other relevant equipment. Everything should be well organised and easy to find.

10. Planning of the grow cycle

Finally, consider the phase that your plants are in before planning your holiday. If possible, schedule your vacation during a less critical stage of the growth cycle. For example, the initial phases of the vegetative stage are usually more manageable than the flowering or the ripening phase.

As you can see, preparing your cannabis grow before going on holiday requires planning and attention to detail. By implementing these 10 steps, you can enjoy your break knowing that your plants are well cared for and on the way to a successful harvest. Happy holidays and happy growing!