Care Instructions for Young Hemp & Cannabis Plants: Clones, Teens, Seeds & Slips

Learn how to care for young hemp and cannabis plants, including clones, teens, seeds, and slips. Get expert tips for soil, hydro, and coco coir setups to ensure healthy growth from the start!

Getting your hemp or cannabis plants off to a strong start is key to a healthy and productive grow. Whether you’re starting with clones, teens, seeds, or slips, understanding their care needs across different growing setups is essential. In this guide, we’ll cover best practices for soil, hydroponic, and coco coir cultivation to help your young plants thrive.

Choosing the Right Setup for Your Young Plants

Each grower has their preferred method, but here’s what to consider when deciding between soil, hydroponics, and coco coir for your hemp or cannabis plants:

✅ Soil: Best for beginners and those seeking a more natural approach. Retains nutrients well and provides a forgiving buffer against mistakes.

✅ Hydroponics: Faster growth and greater control over nutrients, but requires close monitoring and maintenance.

✅ Coco Coir: A middle ground between soil and hydro, offering excellent drainage and root aeration. Needs frequent feeding with balanced nutrients.

Caring for Clones & Slips

Clones and slips (rooted cuttings) need gentle handling to ensure a smooth transition to their new environment.

Humidity: Keep humidity levels around 70% for the first few days to prevent stress. A humidity dome can help.
Lighting: Use gentle, indirect light for the first 24-48 hours before transitioning to stronger grow lights.
Watering: Keep the medium moist but not overly saturated. If in soil, avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.
Nutrients: Start with a mild nutrient solution after 5-7 days, depending on root development.

Caring for Teens (Larger, More Mature Plants)

Teen plants are more established but still require attentive care as they adjust to their final growing setup.

Transplanting: If moving to a larger container, use high-quality soil or a well-balanced hydroponic/coco mix.
Lighting: 18-6 light cycle (18 hours on, 6 off) for vegetative growth.
Nutrients: Introduce a stronger feeding schedule with balanced nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
Airflow & Environment: Ensure proper ventilation and maintain temps between 70-80°F (21-27°C).

Caring for Seedlings

Seeds take a bit more patience, but starting from seed allows for stronger taproot development.

Germination: Use the paper towel method or plant directly into a light, airy starter mix.
Watering: Keep soil consistently moist but avoid waterlogging.
Lighting: Start with low-intensity light and gradually increase strength as seedlings develop.
Transplanting: Move to a larger pot once the seedling develops a few sets of true leaves.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overwatering: Leading cause of root rot—keep soil moist, not soggy.
Too Much Light Too Soon: Clones and seedlings need gentle light before transitioning to high-intensity setups.
Ignoring pH Levels: Check pH regularly—aim for 6.0-6.5 in soil and 5.5-6.0 in hydroponics.

Final Thoughts

Caring for young hemp and cannabis plants requires attention to detail, but with the right setup and approach, they’ll reward you with strong, healthy growth. Whether you’re growing in soil, hydroponics, or coco coir, following these care tips will help ensure success from start to harvest.

Clone Harvest Shop