8 Beginner Hemp Farmer Mistakes to Avoid for Planting CBD Seed In Alaska

Alaska‘s hemp program has been up and running for a couple of years now, allowing more and more farmers to enter the CBD industry. When it comes to growing hemp, farmers can either cultivate industrial hemp or CBD hemp. Both have vastly different applications and also require different cultivation needs. For farmers that are interested in producing CBD, you’ll need to plant CBD seed. Here are the eight common beginner hemp farmer mistakes to avoid in order to achieve a successful grow season.

What Mistakes to Avoid When Planting CBD Seed In Alaska

1. Improper germination technique: Some farming attempts fail before they even get started. Make sure you are properly germinating your seeds in order to maximize your efforts. CBD seed enjoys humid, but not wet, environments and should be kept between 71 and 77 degrees. Another tip for proper germination is keeping your seed clean and free of any potential debris.
2. Improper lighting: It can be easy for beginners to make the mistake of either giving their hemp plants too much light or too little light. Researching the strains you’re growing is a must– lighting requirements differ from strain to strain as well as plant life cycles. When hemp receives too much light, they become susceptible to many concerns including sunburn. When they receive too much light, your plants will have to use all of their energy in order to get closer to the sun or whatever light source you’re using. This causes your hemp crops to become skinny and tall and unfortunately incapable of holding their own weight.
3. Planting CBD seed into nutrient-poor soil:  Hemp needs nutrients to grow. Nutrient plans will differ based on what strains you’re growing so make sure to add this to your research checklist. Soil can be deprived of nutrients for various reasons, so you’ll need to make sure of the correct nutrient composition of the soil on your Alaska farm. Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are some of the key macronutrients that need to be present before you plant your CBD seed. Also, be aware that your soil should be light and not compacted together. Packed soil can prevent oxygen from reaching your hemp’s roots, while airy soil will allow for proper oxygen and water drainage.
4. Too much or too little nutrients: Nutrient regimens are important for the success of your farm. Make sure to always learn about the right amount of nutrients needed for your strains. Many beginner farmers also have the misconception that the more fertilizer the better. This isn’t the case for hemp– too much fertilizer can create numerous issues for your plants.
5. Not enough research: In addition to looking up strain-specific information regarding nutrients, lighting, and soil requirements, it’s best for beginner hemp farmers to also consult with a professional. Even though Google can be a great resource, it won’t have all of the information you need, much of which comes from experience. Consulting with a leading hemp farmer can help you gain the guidance you need.
6. Missing the signs of wrong pH: Understanding the signs of wrong pH levels often comes with experience. Once you gain a better understanding of the pH requirements for your CBD seed, you’ll need to test your soil to get the exact levels. Soil amendments can be made naturally. Sulfur or aluminum sulfate lower pH while wood ash or lime help increase pH levels.
7. Overwatering your CBD hemp: Overwatering is one of the most common mistakes made by beginner hemp farmers in Alaska. However, overwatering is considerably worse for your hemp than the occasional underwatering. Hemp is a fairly resilient plant that can come back from temporarily dry soil. When your soil is constantly too wet, this leads to oxygen deprivation in the roots as well as fungus, mold, and root rot.
8. Wrong CBD seed or poor genetics: Some farmers purchase industrial hemp seed for CBD production due to its considerably lower price. However, this is a significant waste of time, money, and resources since the CBD content in industrial hemp is very minimal. Others make the mistake of purchasing CBD seed with unknown genetics. As we mentioned before, nutrients, lighting, pH, and other requirements are all strain-specific. This doesn’t allow farmers to properly prepare. Always purchase CBD seed from a reliable supplier that provides COAs.

Work with Alaska’s Trusted CBD Seed Supplier

CBD Seed Co. is honored to be the trusted CBD seed supplier serving the state of Alaska. Our team of leading hemp farmers are available to provide any guidance or support you need in your first few years of cultivating hemp. We’ve spent over five years in research and development in order to breed the highest-quality CBD hemp seed for the sole purpose of CBD production.

For more information regarding what beginner hemp farmer mistakes to avoid, please contact us!