Frequently Asked Questions

1. Living Soil Basics & Practice

Q1. What is living soil, and why does it matter for cannabis or pot cultivation?
Answer:
Living soil is a natural ecosystem for cannabis plants, built from microbes, fungi, and organic matter that feed your plants over time. It is the foundation of organic growing and helps you grow weed or ganja with better flavor, aroma, and resilience, whether in a grow tent or outdoors.

Q2. How do I start growing in living soil, from seed to harvest?
Answer:
Start with healthy germination, then plant directly into your living soil mix. Through the vegetative and flowering stages, the soil microbiome provides nutrients naturally. After harvest, proper drying and curing preserve the terpenes and cannabinoids that living soil brings out.

Q3. How do I clone cannabis plants in living soil?
Answer:
Cloning in organic living soil is simple. Take a clean cutting from a healthy plant, dip it in a natural rooting hormone like aloe or willow water, and plant it in moist soil. Keep humidity high and lighting gentle. Once rooted, clones adapt easily to indoor growing conditions in a living soil setup.

Q4. What is the difference between LST, HST, and supercropping?
Answer:
Low-stress training, or LST, involves bending stems gently to control height and shape. High-stress training, or HST, and supercropping involve slight pinches or bends in the stems to improve light exposure and yield. These techniques work well for indoor growing, improving airflow and light coverage in a grow tent.

Q5. Why is my fresh living soil “heating up” or showing mold?
Answer:
Living soil often warms up naturally as microbes break down organic matter. White fungal growth can also appear and is usually beneficial mycelium. Avoid overwatering to prevent mold or powdery mildew. Maintain good airflow if you are growing indoors or in a tent.

2. Cannabinoids & Medicine

Q6. What are terpenes and how do they affect cannabis medicine?
Answer:
Terpenes are the aromatic compounds found in cannabis that influence how cannabinoids such as THC and CBD feel in the body. They interact with the endocannabinoid system and can enhance effects such as relaxation, focus, or mood. Limonene, myrcene, and linalool are common examples.

Q7. What are cannabinoids, and how do they work for inflammation?
Answer:
Cannabinoids (THC, CBD, CBG, CBC, etc.) are compounds in cannabis that interact with your body’s endocannabinoid system. Many of them have anti-inflammatory properties by modulating immune responses, reducing oxidative stress, and helping maintain balance.

Q8. What’s FECO, and why do you like it as a medical extract?
Answer:
FECO = Full Extract Cannabis Oil. It’s a highly concentrated extract using the whole plant (flower + resin) in a solvent. Because it carries the full spectrum of cannabinoids, terpenes, and plant compounds, many believe it offers broader medicinal effect (“entourage effect”) than isolates.

Q9. What is FECO, and why use it for medical cannabis?
Answer:
FECO, or Full Extract Cannabis Oil, uses the entire plant to extract cannabinoids and terpenes. It is valued by educators like Endo and DollySmokesDank because it supports the body’s full endocannabinoid response.

Q10. Can cannabis topicals help with pain or inflammation?
Answer:
Yes, many people use creams, balms, or salves containing CBD/THC for joint pain, muscle soreness, or local inflammation. The cannabinoids act locally, not systemically (less risk of psychoactive effects). For an incredible topical recipe, see my friend DollySmokesDank.

Q11. Are there risks or side effects of using medicinal cannabis?
Answer:
Absolutely. Cannabis can have side effects: dry mouth, dizziness, drowsiness, interaction with medications, etc. Also, dosing errors or overuse can cause unwanted psychoactive effects or tolerance. Always consult with a physician, especially if you’re on medications.

3. Application, Use & Safety

Q12. How should I dry and cure cannabis to preserve terpenes?
Answer:
Avoid heat, terpenes start to become volatile at ~68F. For a 9 day dry, try for around 64F. I set exhaust to 64%RH and set my humidifier at 61% in my 4x4 dry tent. I have a circulation fan above the humidifier to blow the moisture down and around the tent. I have 2 more circulation fans around the bottom of the tent, indirectly moving around for the hanging buds. After 3 days I drop the exhaust to 62%, then 61% on about day 6. After 9 days it can generally sit like that until ready to trim.  

Q13. How do I prevent mold and powdery mildew in an indoor grow tent?
Answer:
Mold and powdery mildew thrive in high humidity and poor airflow. Keep your VPD balanced, use oscillating fans, and avoid overwatering. Integrated Pest Management, or IPM, with natural sprays and beneficial insects can prevent cannabis pests before they appear. Wettable sulfur as a foliar spray is incredibly helpful at preventing powdery mildew.

Q14. What are autoflowers and feminized seeds, and which should I grow?
Answer:
Autoflowers begin flowering automatically after germination, making them ideal for quick or compact indoor grows. Feminized seeds produce only female plants, giving you a higher yield of usable flower. Both types grow well in organic living soil.

Q15. What’s the shelf life of FECO, tinctures, or edibles?
Answer:
If stored properly (dark, cool, airtight), FECO and tinctures can last 1–2 years (sometimes more). Edibles and capsules tend to degrade faster (months) due to oxidation, moisture, and exposure to air/light.

Q16. Is it hard to grow weed in living soil?
Answer:
It is easier than it looks. Once your living soil is established, the microbial network does most of the work. Living soil is ideal for organic cannabis growing because it feeds the plant naturally without synthetic nutrients. Your soil is your battery and as long as you keep it topped off the plants can take what they need from the buffet.

Learn with Endo from The Slow Lane, also known as TSL, and friend of the channel, medical cannabis consultant DollySmokesDank. Explore living soil, indoor growing, autoflowers, and cannabinoid education at TakeTheSlowLane.com. The Slow Lane is your source for organic growing, mindful self-care, and regenerative cannabis education.