Tips for Farming CBD Seed for Arizona Hemp Farms

Now that Arizona has its own USDA-approved hemp farming program, many local farmers are joining the ever-growing hemp industry. With more and more beginner hemp farmers planning on cultivating hemp, it’s important to know the differences in farming practices. Farmers can either grow CBD hemp for CBD production or industrial hemp for all of the other countless applications that hemp has. When it comes to cultivating CBD seed, here are the eight most common mistakes that farmers experience:

8 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Growing CBD Seed in Arizona

1. Improper germination: Don’t let your grow season fail before you even get started. Directly planting your seeds in the soil is far less labor-intensive and typically works well, but it’s important to consider your germination technique. CBD seeds prefer humid (not wet) environments and are optimal if kept in an environment between the temperatures of 71 and 77 degrees. Always keep your seeds clean and free of any debris for the best germination rates.
2. Planting in nutrient-poor soil: Hemp cultivation always requires a lot of nutrients. One of the common mistakes made by beginners is planting their CBD seed in nutrient-poor soil. Your soil will always require essential macronutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium– also known as NPK. It’s also important to do your research and find out what nutrients are required based on the strains you’re planting. This will help you better prepare the right composition of nutrients in your soil. Another tip is making sure that your soil is not densely packed together– dense soil will prevent oxygen from reaching the roots.
3. Improper lighting: Did you know that the lighting you need for your hemp crops is based on what strain you’re growing? Always do your research in order to find how much light is needed and make sure you understand how the lighting requirements differ between each stage of plant growth. Hemp crops that don’t receive enough light end up having to use their energy to focus on growing closer towards the sun. This leads to tall, weak plants that aren’t able to support their weight. If your hemp crops receive too much light, this can make your plants more susceptible to sun burn and other concerns.
4. Improper nutrient regimen: Hemp requires creating a comprehensive nutrient regimen in order to successfully grow. Take the time to research what strains you’re planning to cultivate and plan your regimen based on each strain. Make sure to stick to your nutrient regimen so that your plants aren’t at risk for overfeeding or underfeeding. Also, be aware that over-fertilizing your plants can cause an issue.
5. Not understanding the wrong pH levels: One of the most common beginner mistakes is not being able to spot the signs of wrong pH levels. While this skill often comes with experience, asking an experienced hemp farmer can definitely help. When you have a better understanding of your CBD hemp’s pH requirements, you can test your soil and better accommodate your crops. There are natural sources available if you do need to make a soil amendment. Lime or wood ash can be utilized for improving soil pH while sulfur and aluminum sulfate can help lower pH.
6. Not doing enough research: Research is always important for anything you want to successfully do. While a lot of knowledge comes with experience and Google can be a good resource, it’s best to consult with a professional in your industry. Reaching out to Arizona CBD seed suppliers can also help you learn more about your strain requirements.
7. Overwatering your CBD hemp: Overwatering is an easy mistake to make– unfortunately, consistently overwatering can be far more detrimental to your hemp than occasional underwatering. If your soil is constantly too wet, it’ll deprive your plant’s roots of oxygen. This can also lead to problems such as root rot, fungus, mold, and more.
8. Poor genetics or wrong seed: Some farmers may be tempted to purchase industrial hemp seed when trying to cultivate for CBD production. Industrial hemp seed is priced very differently and requires a smaller initial financial investment. However, industrial hemp seed doesn’t have nearly the same amount of CBD content and is a poor choice for those looking to specifically grow for CBD production. Another mistake is purchasing poor-quality genetics– always find a reputable CBD seed supplier that offers COAs and full transparency.

Work with Arizona’s Trusted CBD Seed Supplier

CBD Seed Co. is honored to be the trusted CBD seed supplier serving the state of Arizona. Our team is available to help you run a successful hemp farm by providing the expertise and guidance that you need. For more information regarding what common mistakes to avoid when cultivating CBD hemp, please contact us!