Which Method of Growing Marijuana is Best?

There’s no shortage of arguments when it comes to growing marijuana. Seriously, I don’t think I’ve ever come across, or been a part of, a community that argues as much as this one! I’m not necessarily saying that it’s a bad thing. For the most part these debates play a significant role in growth and innovation.

But there is one debate in particular that I’m absolutely tired of but will probably never die. Each side has its feet planted firmly and they feel strongly about where they stand. I can’t remember exactly how it goes, but have you ever heard that saying about if you want an argument, discuss religion or politics? Well, in the marijuana cultivation community there’s a third topic. Growing methods and which is superior. Hydro? Aero? Soil? Organic soil? Etc.

How many of you are already bristling, ready to defend the team you play on? Come on, be honest!

I’ve gone back and forth with myself for a couple of days on how I wanted to approach and write today’s post. You’d be right to assume that I have a preference and that I feel just as strongly as you or anyone else that the method I’ve chosen is ideal. But you know what? I have no interest in joining in on this debate.

The last thing I wanted to do with this post was proclaim my stance and defend it vehemently. Vehemently. I don’t believe I’ve ever been able to use that word before. Anyways, the thought of doing that bored me, quite frankly. It’s an old topic that’s been beaten to a pulp multiple times. But also, this subject is, in fact, like religion or politics. Bear with me for a minute, I can explain that statement.

Personally, I avoid conversations that revolve around religion or politics. I just hate (eesh, strong word, that one) that once it’s established that I have differing views, the dynamic of the entire conversation shifts. The problem I have isn’t that the other person thinks I’m wrong. It’s that they feel it’s their duty to change my mind and get me to agree with them.

The same thing happens when a hydro guy and an organic soil guy get into it. Each of them firmly believes their chosen method is the best and each of them wants to convert the other.

No thanks, that conversation isn’t for me and I’m not going have it. Instead of joining in on the debate, I want to take a stab at ending the damn thing altogether. Lofty goal, I know. But keep reading and then let me know what you think after you see what I have to say.

Just like with religion and politics, there isn’t a growing method that is “best”. There is no one-size-fits-all. I realize that that’s a bold statement and I run the risk of offending many of you. But please keep in mind that I don’t mean any of this in a negative way.

My stance on this — religion, politics, and most other things in life — is quite simple. I’m going to do me. You’re going to do you. And there is no reason at all for either of us to intervene and try to convince the other to do what we’re doing. We don’t have to always agree, but we should always respect that someone’s belief or stance on a topic is their right to have.

We can have a conversation, share ideas and learn from each other though.

So that’s what I’m going to do today. That’s how I’m going to write this post. As my side of a conversation in which I establish my preference, share my thoughts on it and even admit what I find appealing in the other methods. I’d really like for you guys to continue the conversation and tell me your side in the comments.

Before I get into all this, I want to drop a bit of life knowledge on you. Very seldom will you challenge a person’s stance on something and not be simultaneously challenging other significant areas of their life. For example, say you love hydroponics and this girl you just met is all about pure organics. When you tell her that organics is inferior, she hears so much more.

What do I mean?  

It’s likely that other aspects of her life contributed to her decision to grow organic in the first place. Whether she realizes it or not, you’re criticizing the fact that she grew up on an organic farm, that she’s a vegan, that she wrote a thesis about soil microbes, etc.

Same goes for the other way around. When you tell a guy that loves aeroponics that his method isn’t the best, you’re saying his interest in tinkering and making things is lame. Of course that’s not what we’re really saying, but it subconsciously gets taken that way.

It’s fine to think your way is the best. Just keep in mind that just because it’s the best for you doesn’t make it so for someone else.

So what method have I decided is best for me?

True organic soil man! I love playing in the dirt.

For me, it was an easy decision to make. Growing marijuana in organic soil that I made myself just kind of fit into the rest of my life. I was raised by parents that garden. My diet is mostly plant based. The thought of having a living system of microbes working away to provide nutrients to my plant really is exciting to me.

I also enjoy the simplicity of it, though others may not find it simple at all. But the thought of being concerned with pH, measuring solutions, or worrying about a power outage, man none of that is for me. I enjoy being able to mix up my soil, let it cook for a few weeks and then just water it as needed.

The most significant reason I went this route, though, stems from my “hippie Earth-loving” attitude. I firmly believe that the best way for anything to grow and develop is the way nature intended it to. While synthetic nutrients and fertilizers obviously work quite well, my preference is to keep it all natural.

I can totally see why someone wouldn’t want to play in the dirt with me though. For one, organics can be a pretty dense and boring topic for some. They just have no interest in learning about it and that’s cool. But also, there’s plenty of people that live a different lifestyle than I do. An easy example is someone that eats tons of meat and doesn’t really care if their produce is organic. (I don’t judge this person one bit, by the way.) So why then would they suddenly feel the need to go down the organic route with marijuana?

Really though, I think a significant reason for going a different direction is the growth that these systems, especially aero, can produce. The speed at which these plants grow is nothing short of phenomenal. My organic plants don’t even come close!

If my only goal for growing marijuana was yielding a heavy harvest quickly, I’d be on the hydro or aero train in an instant, waving proudly. But that’s never really been my interest. Instead, I’m just looking to grow the best quality bud I can. And like I said earlier, I feel like I can personally achieve that by putting my plants in a more natural environment. Maybe you have the same goal but feel like you can achieve it through the use of a DWC setup. That’s cool man, more power to you. I wish you the best.

At the end of the day, we’re all just trying to cultivate this plant we love. So, which method of growing marijuana is the best? Whichever method suits you the best.

Do you like tinkering and putting stuff together? Try an aeroponic or hydroponic setup. Don’t mind mixing nutrients and measuring pH but would rather avoid an extensive setup or mixing soil? Give soilless growing a shot. Are you interested learning about soil biology and enjoy buying organic produce at the store? Dive into organic gardening.

Most of all, keep an open mind. Try one method and if you feel like something is missing, move on to another one. Even I won’t say I’ll never try a different method.

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Each method of growing marijuana has it’s perks and drawbacks. There really is no one way that can be coined as the best way to grow marijuana. It all comes down to your individual goals and personal preferences. What are yours? Let me know in the comments and keep this conversation rolling!