THE MORE TIME & EFFORT YOU PUT IN, THE GREATER THE REWARD

Growing up, I was always told you can’t be an artist; you won’t make enough and you’ll barely make ends meet.

As a young child in school, most are told that in order to be successful and to make money you should be a doctor or a lawyer. I was told that I should go to college and a clear path would already be set for me. I was under the impression that a structure in which I should live was already designed.

As a young artist those misconceptions are stifling.

They led me down a path of confusion for decades. At the same time, I was mildly exploring my personal artistry in various ways. I’ve always taken a creative path but the doors always appeared so narrow, too narrow to walk through.

How does one break away from the barriers life has always taught you?

For me, the answer was growing cannabis. The answer IS growing cannabis. Not for reasons of yield or playing a numbers game, but as a form of creative freedom.

The freedom to be the artist, of my very own garden.

The garden is a place I go with minimal limitations or rules. It is a place where I get to play and explore the magic of my very own fingertips. It’s a place where I can go to wander.

Release. Let go. My garden is a place where I feel peace.

With the right large floppy hat (it’s harder to find than you think) and sunglasses on, I can spend hours upon hours in my garden creatively planning which plants I can help, or which plants could help one another.

This is also where I began having a personal relationship with my plants.

Growing these plants allows me to see shades of gray that nothing else in life has shown me. Growing is not “one size fits all.” The varying perspectives in a grow keep my mind wondering, questioning and exploring.

It really is a “choose your own” adventure; an endless one with no walls, no rules and no limitations. It is a playground of expanding colors. The more skills that I learn, the more colors that I have to paint with.

I am an artist after all; growing cannabis is my canvas.

Each cultivar has its own personality. I find reward in observing each individual plant and helping that plant thrive. It’s a fulfilling path where I explore the art of expression. There’s an art to giving the cannabis plant your time and they will repay you for your efforts.

The more time and effort put in, the greater the reward.

There’s something really cool about observing the same plant being grown under different lights, with various nutrients and in a range of environments. Cannabis plants have a chameleon-style ability to adjust and adapt to various situations. The strength they possess is something I admire. The same plant will express itself differently under varying circumstances. For me, once I took the time to observe and appreciate the nuance, I became hooked into this exploratory kingdom and saw the plants with artistic eyes.

I approach my grow daily with mindfulness and attempt to help my plants with whatever they need.

I observe the leaves:

Are there markings on the leaves?
Are the markings on the front, the back or the tips of the leaves?
Can the plant support itself or does it need my help to bring the branches back up towards the light?
Are the leaves drooping or do they have turgidity?
Are the bottom buds receiving light?

Using monitors, I observe the temperature, humidity and light intensity:

Do the plants have a clean environment?
Is there enough airflow above and below the canopy?

There’s an art to prioritizing these variables within your specific situation and goals.

Cannabis plants come in all kinds of colors, shapes, sizes and scents. Being aware of each plant’s uniqueness and helping them thrive will level up your garden.

If I see a floppy plant, I will tie it up to receive the light it needs all around the buds. How’s the airflow? Airflow is necessary for the plant to properly breathe.

If a plant is short and leafy, defoliate on a regular basis and watch what your buds will do for you!

Some plants are so leafy that I often will harvest the top third of a plant and allow the underbelly to ripen another 10 days before chopping. I have yet to find a plant that can’t be manicured or cared for in a way that can be beneficial for the grower as well as the plant.

If you have a genuine care for the wellbeing of a cannabis plant, it will reciprocate your efforts. It’s almost a flirtation or a playfulness between the grower and the plant.

A constant give and take allowing each other to flow; that’s where the magic happens.

This is what keeps me coming back for more. It’s kind of like watching your favorite band and having “that” bone-chilling moment at a show, that moment where the stars align. The crowd, the band, the vibe… it’s timeless. It feels right to the depths of your soul. That magic can happen with plants too!

It’s an inviting relationship that will always give back what you put in.

And there’s no ceiling to growing better cannabis each cycle either. There is always something you can do in your garden to provide a better environment or put in more effort in order to help your plants thrive. Always.

TV dinners became popular in the 70’s and 80’s because a “set it and forget it” meal was definitely an easy way to eat, but it was never as good as a home cooked meal that was made with love.

Nothing in the world is better than something grown or made with love.

All this plant needs to survive is light and water. The art comes in forms of everything thoughtful you try to do in order to help the plant thrive, not survive. What kind of dinner will you serve yourself this evening?

If you have a genuine care for the wellbeing of a cannabis plant, it will reciprocate your efforts. It’s almost a flirtation or a playfulness between the grower and the plant.

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This article is featured in Vol. 5 of The ETHOS Magazine.

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