Cannabis Cultivation Fundamentals
Core principles of cannabis growing from teaching at Northeastern Institute of Cannabis
Teaching cannabis cultivation at Northeastern Institute of Cannabis taught me that growing plants and growing systems share deep structural similarities.
The Plant as System
A cannabis plant is a complex adaptive system responding to:
- Light — Photoperiod triggers flowering, spectrum affects morphology
- Water — Both quantity and timing matter
- Nutrients — N-P-K ratios shift through lifecycle
- Environment — Temperature, humidity, CO2 levels
- Stress — Controlled stress can enhance or destroy
Each of these is a variable, but they don’t operate independently. They form feedback loops.
Feedback Loops in Cultivation
Reinforcing loop example: More nitrogen → more vegetative growth → more leaf surface → more photosynthesis → more nutrient demand → need more nitrogen
Balancing loop example: High temperature → stomata close → reduced transpiration → leaf temperature rises → plant stress signals → grower reduces temperature
Understanding these loops is the difference between following recipes and actually growing.
What I’m Developing
- A systems-thinking approach to cultivation curriculum
- Connecting leverage point theory to practical growing decisions
- Documentation of failure patterns (where most learning happens)
Still Learning
This note is a seedling because my understanding is still developing. The teaching experience gave me foundational knowledge, but deep expertise takes years of practice.