Growth stages of the cannabis plant: the cannabis life cycle
During its life cycle , thecannabis plant goes through several phases. For each of these phases it requires different amounts of water, nutrients and light. If you understand the basic needs of cannabis, it will help you to be an even better grower from the very beginning to the end of your cannabis plants' life cycle. All stages of cannabis cultivation need to be refined and improved if you want to achieve the highest yields and good quality cannabis plants.
Below we will describe the different stages of cannabis growth and give you advice on how you can monitor them to maximise your yield.
How long does it take to grow cannabis?
This is a very common question amongst first-time cannabis growers, as the answer can vary greatly depending on yourgrowing plan and whether you are growing cannabis from seed or clones. In general , it takes10-32 weeks to grow a cannabis plant from seed to harvest, i.e. roughly 3-8 months. The time it takes for your plant to grow from seed to mature plant is influenced by factors related to thegenetics of the plant, the way it is grown and the stage at which you decide to plant the plant.
The 4 basic growth stages of a cannabis plant
The growth stages of the cannabis plant are divided into four basic stages. They are:
|
The growth stages of the cannabis plant: |
Duration: |
|
Germination phase |
3-10 days |
|
Seedling growth stage |
2-3 weeks |
|
Vegetative phase |
3-16 weeks |
|
Flowering stage |
8-11 weeks |
Germination stage
Thefirst of the four stages of cannabis growth is the germination phase, which lasts between three and ten days. For successful germination, it is important to ensure that the seeds are sufficiently mature. If they are not ripe, they are soft to the touch and white or green in colour and are unlikely to germinate.
Cannabis seeds require theright temperature, humidity, air and water supplyto germinate. Many growers store them in a cup of water or wrap them in a dampened paper towel and place them in a cupboard.
Once the seed has germinated, it is ready to be planted in the growing medium. At the germination stage, the root will start to grow and two rounded leaves will sprout from the stem. These first leaves are important for the plant to receive sunlight, which will ensure healthy and stable growth. Once theroots and leaves start to develop , the first stage of growth of the cannabis plant is over and the cannabis plant can be considered a seedling.
Seedling growth stage
The second and probably one of the most delicate stages of cannabis growth is the seedling stage. This usually lasts two to three weeks. In the seedling stage, you will see your cannabis plant growing out of the soil and sprouting several leaves from its stem, which fan out sideways.
At the seedling stage, plants are very fragile and need 18-24 hours of sunlight, moist soil and adequate humidity to grow faster. At this stage, the more traditional cannabis leaves, which have several blades, begin to form on the plant. A mature cannabis plant has 5 to 7 bladeson each leaf.
Theseedlings thrive best at temperatures between 22 and 27 °C and humidity between 50 and 70 %. Make sure you do not water the plant too much during the seedling stage, as the roots are so small that it does not need much water to grow. At this stage, the plants are very susceptible to mould, so it is important to keep the surrounding environment clean and free of excessive moisture to avoid disease and mould.
Vegetative phase
As soon as the seedlings have seven pointed leaves, the plant enters vegetative growth, which is generally the longest phase of the cannabis life cycle. Itlasts 3-16 weeks. Cannabis plants will need larger pots to allow their roots to grow.
During the vegetative phase, cannabis plants grow very quickly due to the additional nutrients and carbon dioxide they receive. The rate of plant growth is also dependent on the rate at which the leaves take in light and convert it into photosynthesis. The appearance of the cannabis plant changes and the stem becomes thicker.
Do not forget to gradually increase watering. Once the plant has grown and the roots have spread sideways, it is better to water more laterally to allow water to reach the root tips. Provide plenty of nitrogen forvegetative plants .
Flowering stage
The last stage of the cannabis plant is known as the flowering stage. Most varieties flower for 8-11 weeks, but some varieties can flower for longer.
Key changes during the flowering phase include a reduction in the amount of light shining on the plants. In an outdoor environment, flowering occurs naturally when the plant receives less light each day as summer turns to autumn. Growers who grow cannabis indoors can start the flowering cycle by reducing the amount of light the plants receive from 18 to 12 hours a day.
Nitrogen is no longer the most important nutrient, instead the cannabis plant needs to be provided witha supply of potassium and phosphorus.
Resins and trichomesbegin to form on the cannabis plant . The amber colour indicates a higher content of the cannabinoids CBD and THC in the resin. If the trichomes on the buds are dewy, it means they are ready for harvest. This should be done until the trichomes turn brown. As soon as the THC starts to fade, the trichomes will change from a cloudy white colour to brown. The end of the flowering phase is an expected milestone in the growing process as harvest time approaches.
When to grow cannabis?
If you are growing cannabis outdoors and want to get the highest yield, February and March are the best months to germinate cannabis seeds. A lot of growers start their seedlings indoors where they have more control over the plants as the seedlings are fragile, but when they get a bit bigger and warmer they transplant them outside into the ground. If growers are growing indoors, they start in March and finish growing cannabis in June or July.
The harvest occurs roughly between September and November. It depends on the local climate and weather of the year. If you grow cannabis indoors, you can grow it whenever you like.
It should be stressed that these periodsneed to beadapted to your specific region and local weather and climate.
You are now an expert on the growth stages of cannabis and nothing can surprise you! If you buy our cannabis seeds with a THC content of up to 1%, you can see these growth phases for yourself! So don't hesitate and visit our e-shop!
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