25 Myths About Growing Weed

At the customer service of Dutch-Headshop, we regularly receive questions about growing cannabis. Every now and then, we discover that some growers have a number of remarkable myths, legends, and misconceptions. In this blog, we have listed 25 myths about growing cannabis, hoping to prevent anyone from unintentionally doing more harm than good to their little plant.

Myths about cannabis seeds and cannabis germination

1. Seeds with tiger stripes are better seeds.

The pattern or size of a seed says nothing about its quality, genetics, or health. Always buy from a reliable supplier. At Dutch-Headshop, you can safely and easily buy the best cannabis seeds, with a wide range and always discreet delivery.

2. You can determine the sex of a plant by looking at the seeds. 

This is nonsense. The sex only becomes visible at the end of the growth phase.

3. Dark seeds are always better than light seeds.

The color says nothing about the germination power or quality.

4. You should store cannabis seeds in the freezer for a longer shelf life.

This can damage the cells in the seeds. Cannabis seeds are best stored in a sealed grip bag in the vegetable drawer of your refrigerator.

5. The older the seed, the stronger the plant.

Older seeds can be harder to germinate and often produce weaker plants. If you store cannabis seeds cool and dry, they can remain viable for at least one to two years. With the house brand cannabis seeds from Dutch-Headshop, you get a free germination guarantee!

Myths about growth and care of cannabis plants

6. Giving more water leads to faster growth.

Overwatering can cause root rot. Cannabis plants need a wet-dry cycle if you grow in soil or potting soil.

7. Plants need 24 hours of light for maximum growth.

Cannabis plants need a rest period. A light schedule of 18 hours of light and 6 hours of darkness is common during growth and 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness during flowering.

8. More nutrients mean faster growth.

Too much nutrients can cause leaf burn and disrupt growth. Over-fertilization during the flowering phase can even negatively affect the taste.

9. Urinating on your plants promotes better growth.

Urine contains nitrogen, but it is too concentrated and can cause roots and leaves to die. Instead, use balanced fertilizers. Check out our plant nutrients category with nutrients specially designed to meet the unique needs of your cannabis plants.

10. Coffee grounds and banana peels are great fertilizers.

They do contain nutrients, but they need to be composted first. Adding them raw can cause mold.

11. Autoflowering cannabis is less potent.

This used to be the case, but modern autoflowers are, through crossbreeding, just as potent as photoperiod varieties and sometimes even just as large.

Myths about flowering and cannabis harvesting

12. A longer flowering period always means stronger cannabis.

Waiting too long can lead to the breakdown of THC. Use a microscope to see when your cannabis is ready to be harvested. The optimal time to harvest is when the majority of your resin glands (the trichomes) are cloudy. 

13. If you put the plant in the dark before harvest, the cannabis becomes stronger.

There is no scientific evidence that this increases THC levels.

14. If you hang the buds upside down, it increases the potency.

This helps to preserve the shape and dry evenly, but it does not increase the potency. 

15. Cannabis should be smoked immediately after cutting for the best high.

Freshly cut cannabis still contains too much moisture and chlorophyll. Drying and curing improve the taste and potency.

Myths about yield and potency

16. The bigger the plant, the stronger the cannabis.

Potency is determined by genetics and care, not by the size of the plant. Looking for strong cannabis seeds with a high THC content? We once grew a Purple Haze in the MiniGrow that didn't grow taller than 40 centimeters, but that cannabis contained over 25% THC according to an independent lab analysis. Then check out our category strongest cannabis seeds.

17. More nutrients mean a higher yield.

Too much nutrients can lead to 'nutrient burn' and a lower yield. The trick is to find the right balance. Follow the grow schedules from the manufacturer.

18. Severe pruning makes the plant stronger.

Too much pruning can cause stress and slow growth. Stress can come from poor growing conditions, but you can also add an extra dose of tension yourself. There are various growing techniques such as topping and fimming that can increase stress in cannabis plants. "Defoliating" or removing leaves from parts that don't receive light should be done sparingly. You can cut up to 30% of the leaves.

19. Using CO₂ always increases the potency of cannabis.

CO₂ can stimulate growth, but there is no direct link to higher THC levels.

Myths about smell, taste, and color

20. You can grow cannabis without smell.

Even 'odorless' varieties still have that recognizable cannabis smell. Carbon filters are the best solution to grow cannabis as discreetly as possible.

21. Orange peels in the pot give a citrus aroma.

This has no effect on the smell or taste of the cannabis. Genetics determine the balance of terpenes and thus the smell, taste, and even the effect. If you're looking for a cannabis that tastes like oranges, try Auto Dutch Orange Bud.

22. You can make cannabis stronger by adding alcohol to the water.

This is nonsense and can kill the plant. 

23. Adding sugar to the water makes the cannabis sweeter.

Plants cannot absorb sugars through the roots; this can lead to mold growth.

24. Giving juice to your plants improves the taste.

This doesn't work and can attract pests and mold. Just give your plants clear water, they will be much happier!

25. Purple cannabis is stronger than other cannabis varieties.

The purple color comes from pigments (anthocyanins) and has nothing to do with the potency or effects of the cannabis. However, the taste of cannabis becomes slightly less bitter, as the purple color only appears when the chlorophyll leaves the plants during the last weeks of the flowering phase. Chlorophyll gives plants a green color and a bitter taste. That's why we cure cannabis: whether it's purple cannabis or not. This breaks down the remaining chlorophyll and drastically improves the taste.

Ask our customer service!

Do you know any other fun legends about growing cannabis or do you still swear by one of these myths? Let us know! The experts of our customer service are always ready for all your questions about growing cannabis and are happy to help you further. You can reach us via the contact page.