This Is How to Grow Hemp

Growing hemp plant is very easy, and it thrives well in warm weather where there are well-drained soils that are rich in organic. It takes four months for it to fully mature.

Before starting to grow hemp, it is important to check the state's law about the growth of hemp. Hemp is a cannabis species, but it contains less than 0.3% of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Most people use it to deal with eczema, arthritis, constipation, high cholesterol, and other medical conditions.

Side Effects of Using Hemp

Hemp can be taken orally like taking hemp seed or hemp oil by mouth, which can bring some side effects such as;

• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Throat irritation
• Slow heart rate
• Hypertension

What is Hemp Seed?

Hemp seeds are the seeds of the hemp plant. Fike (2016) noted that they are high in soluble and insoluble fiber, meaning that they are made of two types of fibers which are both important in digestion. Soluble fiber dissolves in water, while insoluble fiber does not dissolve in water. They are rich in omega-6 acid, referred to as gamma-linolenic acid, and are rich in many health benefits brought by its anti-inflammatory properties.

How does Hemp Works?

Hemp contains other compounds, such as terpenes, giving the hemp its distinct odors. According to Ingrao et al. (2015), some terpenes also have health benefits such as anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and brain-protective benefits. Hemp is also believed to contain chemicals that affect the heart, and might help reduce blood pressure.

How to Grow Hemp?

Hemp can be grown at home by following some steps. It is advisable to plant it early or mid-May, and they will be ready for harvest after four months.

The Right Soil for Hemp

The hemp plant grows well in a loose, fertile loam, deep soil rich in organic matter with a PH from 6.0 to 7.5. Wet soil can restrict root, and shoot growth, reduce fiber quality, and may result in high heights making it hard to harvest. This means that wet soil is not used to grow hemp plants. When planning on planting hemp seeds, it is important to prepare your soil first. Hemp seed requires a firm seedbed and contact soil.  

The growing of the hemp plant follows some steps:

• Start by soaking the hemp seeds for 8-24 hours. Hemp seeds are soaked in water for not more than 24 hours in a cool place and out of direct sunlight.
• In small pots, put some soil in them and pre-water it ensuring that the soil is well saturated.
• Pour out soaked seeds in a rag or towel to remove them from the water and keep them in the shade.
• Make a divot about ½ to one inch deep in your soil and put one seed per hole approximately 4-5 apart.
• After planting all the seeds, gently cover them with the top soil around the hole and water them. Be careful not to overwater but ensure that the soil is moist until the seedlings emerge.
• Ensure that the seeds do not experience rot by ensuring the soil is dry between watering.
• After 4-6 weeks, the seedlings will have protruding roots making them ready for the transplant.
• Remove the seedlings, put them in larger holes on the ground, fill the soil around the plant, and press firmly. The hemp plant requires more space and sum, so exposing it to the sun will grow bigger and happier. Improve its growth by planting it with other friends like vegetables or flowers. This will also attract beneficial pollinators due to the sweet aromas associated with the flowers.
• After planting, it is important to water them infrequently. As the flowers grow, avoid wetting buds to avoid mold growth.
• Trusting your ability to grow hemp is important by ensuring you have planted them in a place with full sunlight and keep watering them.
• If you planted them in early or mid-May, you should get ready to harvest them in October.
• Harvesting hemp can be done by cutting the plants at the base and hanging them upside down in a dry location until stems break when bent.

Are Hemp Plants Legal?

The 2018 Farm Bill legalized the growing of industrial hemp in the U.S, and the growing of hemp plants containing 0.3% THC is legalized. When growing hemp plants, it is important to familiarize yourself with the state's law to avoid breaking laws.

Environmental Benefits of Hemp Plants

The growing of hemp plants is more environmentally friendly than other crops. It can be grown in different weather conditions, and it grows fast. It only takes four months for it to reach its maturity. It can grow without the need for pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides as required by other crops.

It absorbs CO2 from the air very fast and transforms it into plant material throughout the plant. Due to how fast it grows, one hectare of industrial hemp crop can suck up to 15 tons of CO2.

Hemp plants have deep roots, which can help in preventing soil erosion. Those roots can also draw nutrients from deep in the soil, including heavy metals, and incorporate them into harmless plant matter. This helps in reinforcing, reclaiming, and cleaning the soil.

Qualities of Hemp Plant

Ostapczuk et al. (2021) established that all cannabis might look similar in their natural wild state. Still, hemp and other varieties of cannabis may look quite different when cultivated by the industry for specific purposes. The following are factors that can be used in identifying the hemp plant:

• They are tall, up to 20 feet
• Grow very close together
• Have skinner leaves concentrated on the top of the plant.
• Grow under different climate conditions with minimal care.

Conclusion

Hemp is a cannabis species that contains less than 0.3% of THC. It can be grown in different weather conditions, but it does better in loose soil and when exposed to sunlight. There are steps to follow when planting hemp plants so that your hemp may grow fast and happily. Growing hemp plants has environmental benefits such as reducing erosion and cleaning the soil due to their deep roots.

References

Fike, J. (2016). Industrial Hemp: Renewed Opportunities For An Ancient Crop. Critical Reviews In Plant Sciences, 35(5-6), 406–424. Https://Doi.Org/10.1080/07352689.2016.1257842

Grabowska, L., & Koziara, W. (2006). The Effect Of Nitrogen Dose, Sowing Density, And Time Of Harvest On Development And Yields Of Hemp Cultivar Bialobrzeskie. Journal Of Natural Fibers, 2(4), 1–17. Https://Doi.Org/10.1300/J395v02n04_01

Ingrao, C., Lo Giudice, A., Bacenetti, J., Tricase, C., Dotelli, G., Fiala, M., Siracusa, V., & Mbohwa, C. (2015). Energy And Environmental Assessment Of Industrial Hemp For Building Applications: A Review. Renewable And Sustainable Energy Reviews, 51, 29–42. Https://Doi.Org/10.1016/J.Rser.2015.06.002

Ostapczuk, K., Apori, S. O., Estrada, G., & Tian, F. (2021). Hemp Growth Factors And Extraction Methods Effect On Antimicrobial Activity Of Hemp Seed Oil: A Systematic Review. Separations, 8(10), 183. Https://Doi.Org/10.3390/Separations8100183

Shahzad, A. (2011). Hemp Fiber And Its Composites – A Review. Journal Of Composite Materials, 46(8), 973–986. Https://Doi.Org/10.1177/0021998311413623