Marijuana has been illegal for a while in Germany, but now things are beginning to change. The government has already started cultivating and providing medical marijuana, and the way they go about it is one to copy for other medical programs. If you want to produce in Germany, you'll need to know how to work with the German climate.
As in any country, you'll experience a variety of challenging and mild climates in Germany. While medical marijuana sales are done through pharmacies in a controlled store-like environment, growing the plant in Germany is a different story. Though Germany has various environments inside its borders, we'll focus on the north-east, the south, the coast, and the west today.
Growing in March
As spring slowly approaches, preparations for the growing season can begin. By the beginning of the month, regardless of where you live, you should have started germinating your seeds.You can begin preparing the outdoor grow area if it's warm enough, particularly if you're in the warmer parts of the northeast or the west. Growers close to Bavaria or the coast should watch out for bad weather.
Growing in April
As the sun comes out longer and heats things up, it is officially the beginning of the growing season. You may be able to plant directly in the ground outside in warmer areas such as Düsseldorf in the northeast or Frankfurt in the main. You can also plant them in big pots, to enable you to take them inside in case of bad weather. Alternatively, you can choose to play it safe by erecting a greenhouse to maintain a constant temperature and humidity level for your plants while shielding them from the elements.
Places like Hamburg, with lower sunlight, may also choose a greenhouse with artificial lighting to ensure plants get what they need.
Growing in May
The goal here is to ensure the plants are happily settled as the temperature begins to rise. Consistently water them, understanding that plants grown in rainy conditions like Lower Saxony and surrounding areas won't require as much. People using greenhouses in the northeast and western regions with more sun will have to monitor the heat. As outdoor temperatures of 17°C and above can lead to extra warm greenhouses, it is recommended that windows be opened.
Growing in June
It's summertime. This means you get to see the plants proliferate, thanks to the increased daylight and warmer weather, and you get to take care of them. Ensure there's a support system put in place for larger plants. It's worth noting that in Germany, rainfall increases throughout the summer, so ensure you create a healthy balance between the rain and heat.
Growing in July
It doesn't matter where you are; July is the hottest month of the year, with temperatures ranging from 22°C in Hamburg to a hot 26°C in Frankfurt on the Main. Adding that to the still-long days, your primary focus will be ensuring the soil remains hydrated. Regardless of the rainfall still being high and even peaking in Frankfurt with 44mm on average, things can still become dry in just a day. It is advisable to install an irrigation system to take some of the work off your hands. Then, your main job will be managing the irrigation system itself.
If you're growing regular seeds, one of your other main concerns at this point is sex. Search for signs of pollen sacs beginning to form around the nodes. Taking out the males on sight is essential to retaining a high yield and potency of the females. If they are not removed, they will pollinate the females eventually and cause them to produce seeds. Unless you are looking to get seeds, this is not ideal.
Growing in August
Entering August, plants take note of the decrease in daylight hours, and growers who cultivate photoperiod strains get to witness something beautiful. That is, without a doubt, the flowering phase. Because the plants will be stretching out fully in the first couple of weeks, now is the time to prune and defoliate them, if you haven't already. The objective of this upkeep, rather than discretion, is to ensure that all of the buds receive adequate sunlight. Heatwaves around this time are not impossible, so you should keep up a regular watering routine.
Growing in September
As summer is coming to an end and autumn is about to begin, the plant's flowers will become bigger thanks to the increased production of trichomes and pistils. The fragrance of the plants will begin to fill the air due to the pungent smells that generally come with big flowers. Do not, however, get too distracted by the smell, as you will need to ensure your plants have shelter when it starts to rain. Although the rain will not be as heavy as it was in the summer, make sure your plants are protected by a tarp or in a greenhouse when it begins.
Growing in October
Autumn is officially here, and you are close to seeing the finish line following months of hard work. Around this time, there is little to no rainfall, but overwatering and root rot can still occur. If you still have some warmth and sunlight where you are, you can leave your plants to grow a little longer to maximize your yield.
Growing in November
November marks the close of the growing season, and anybody who has yet to harvest should begin to do so. As no more growing can be done, the only responsibilities in the garden are preemptive pest control, clearing leaves, and incinerating any debris that can't be used as compost. After curing and drying your cannabis, you can finally enjoy the fruits of your efforts.
BOTTOM LINE
The fate of cannabis in Germany still has some unclear aspects, but not all of it is a mystery. We know it has gotten more popular, and it will gain more popularity. As a result, more marijuana will have to be grown, which in turn means getting it from foreign suppliers won't be enough anymore (though some say it isn't already). Putting all this into consideration, we will likely see an increase in German growers soon.
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