Lessons Learned from Doing Stupid Stuff in Cannabis Cultivation
Growing cannabis at home is rewarding but can also be filled with... let’s say “learning moments.” Trust me, I’ve been there, and nothing teaches you faster than a tough mistake. In this post, I’m sharing one of my recent mishaps—along with what I learned the hard way.
Mistake #1: Overconfidence in Transplanting
Date: November 6, 2024
Growth Stage: Vegetative
It was time to move my plant to a bigger pot. Excited to give it more room to grow, I didn’t think twice before getting started. However, I’d forgotten one crucial detail: I had tied some branches to the edge of the pot to train them.
As I lifted the plant, I heard a slow, painful riiiiiip. My heart sank. I knew immediately that something had gone very wrong. I looked down to see one of the main branches torn from the stem. Lesson learned: always untie branches before moving a plant. It sounds obvious, but trust me—when you're in the flow, it's easy to overlook.
Want to see the (unfortunate) results of this lesson? Check out the public profile for this plant to get a real-time look at its journey.
What This Taught Me
Every plant is unique, and in cannabis cultivation, small mistakes can set you back in big ways. Here are a few takeaways I’d recommend to anyone who wants to avoid similar heartbreak:
Be Mindful of Training – When you’re training plants, take the time to untie any branches before moving them. It’s an extra step, but trust me, it’s worth it.
Handle with Care – Even if your plant looks sturdy, it's more delicate than you think, especially when roots are involved. Give it the TLC it deserves.
Document Every Step – As painful as this lesson was, documenting it helped me learn. I use PLnTrk to keep a digital record of my plant’s progress, issues, and now, recovery efforts.
If you're on a similar journey, you might find it helpful to see how I track everything in my PLnTrk public profile. I log growth stages, nutrients, photos, and even "stupid stuff" so I can learn and improve with every grow.
Why Sharing Mistakes Matters
Cultivating cannabis is a skill that comes with practice—and a fair share of "oops" moments. By sharing these stories, I hope to help other growers avoid similar mistakes. No one wants to hurt their plants, but sometimes, the most valuable lessons come from mistakes.