If you read my day one pot grow diary entry, you might consider it quite the miracle that our two cannabis seeds have successfully sprouted. Also, that both clones (the starter plants) are alive and growing like WEEDS. Success!

Wait, what's The Oregonian doing?

We're growing marijuana - four plants - enough to max out the legal limit in Oregon. Two seeds and two clones.

Watch our marijuana grow LIVE

Sure, watching marijuana grow might only be fractionally more interesting than watching paint dry. Or...is it? Either way, we've set up a 24/7 live-stream channel so you can follow our progress.

What am I looking at here?

In our little indoor growing closet (where our live stream is set up), you'll see a clone (in the big pot) and both newly sprouted seeds (in the small pots). A 24" grow light hangs above. Our fourth plant is outside.

Sometimes the live-stream looks brighter, sometimes it looks darker - why?

Our grow light is on a timer.

12pm - 6pm = lights off

6pm - 12pm = lights on (18hrs)

Why 18 hours of light?

Here's a simple breakdown of marijuana plant light needs, based on growth stage:

Germination stage (when it sprouts) - No direct sun

Vegetative stage (when it grows leaves/branches) - 18 hours light/day

Flowering stage (when it produces bud, the stuff you smoke) - 12 hours light/day

Right now, our plants are in the vegetative stage. You could technically keep your plants in the vegetative stage with 18 hours of light until the plants are enormous (some commercial growers end up with huge tree trunks). But as soon as you switch your light cycle to 12 hours a day, the plant will stop growing and begin to flower.

Why we're on a nighttime sun cycle

Since it's so hot right now, my growing mentor and marijuana science-geek, Jeremy Plumb, had the brilliant foresight to set the grow light timer to a nighttime sun cycle. This way, the plant gets light in the cooler parts of the day and doesn't risk overheating.

Um, what's that dangling wire? I think you messed up the shot

Not quite. The hanging wire on the right monitors the temperature and humidity. It dangles next to the plant because we want a reading in the area immediately surrounding the plant. Growing marijuana plants are happiest in 75-85 degree weather with about 40-70% humidity.

The plant looks like a trembling Chihuahua

Yes, yes it does. It's because we have a fan in there. A fan helps promote oxygen flow around the plant and keeps the plant structure strong. A slightly quivering/dancing plant is exactly what you want. It's best to use an oscillating fan - the kind that rotates side to side.

What's next?

A shopping list - A breakdown of the supplies we used

Gender reveal - And the importance of knowing your plant's gender

And other exciting updates! Stay Tuned!

Yours truly,

Teresa

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Marijuana growing videos

Part 1 | Should I grow marijuana indoors or outdoors?

Part 2 | Should I grow marijuana from seed or clone?

Part 3 | How to sprout marijuana seeds

Part 4 | How to transplant a marijuana starter plant in your garden

Part 5 | When to water your marijuana plant

FAQ | Want to grow your own marijuana? Here is how to get started in Oregon