Cannabis is one of the most popular plants to grow, with its incredible medicinal and recreational benefits.
But before you can reap the rewards of a successful harvest, it’s important to understand the different stages of cannabis growth.
From the transition stage and stretch in week 1, all the way through late flowering in weeks 6, 7, and 8 – each week holds its key elements for a healthy, thriving plant. In this article, we’ll walk you through the different stages of cannabis growth so you can get ready to reap a rewarding harvest!
The Flowering Stage Of Cannabis Week By Week
The Flowering Stage of Cannabis is the period when the female plants produce flowers and buds, which are the source of cannabis products.
This stage begins in week 1 with the transition stage and stretch and ends in late flowering in weeks 6, 7, and 8.
In this stage, the plant will stop growing new leaves and stems and instead put energy into producing flowers.
To complete this growth phase, it’s important to adjust the environment to provide your plants with longer hours of uninterrupted darkness.
During this time, you should also check for nutrient burn or nutrient lockout from overfeeding.
Furthermore, experienced growers may want to adjust light intensity and feeding schedules during this time for optimal bud production.
Week 1 (Transition Stage and Stretch)
The transition stage and stretch of week 1 marks the beginning of the flowering period for cannabis plants.
During this time, your plant will stop producing new leaves and stems and instead focus its energy on creating flowers.
To ensure a successful harvest, it’s important to provide your cannabis with at least 12 hours of uninterrupted darkness during this period.
Additionally, experienced growers often adjust the light intensity to encourage bud production.
Finally, make sure to check for nutrient burn or lockout from overfeeding as these can impede flower growth.
With these tips in mind, novice growers can have a successful harvest!
Week 2 (Pre-Flowers and Sexing)
The pre-flowering stage of week 2 marks the next step in cannabis growth.
This is when female plants begin to produce white pistils at the points where the fan leaves meet the main stem. These pistils will later become buds, but if your plant is a male it will not produce them.
Instead, small pollen sacs will form on its branches.
Now is also the time for growers to “sex” their plants; separating males from females to avoid pollination and seed production.
In addition, maintaining optimal environmental conditions and a feeding schedule is essential during this stage for a healthy harvest.
With these tips in mind, novice growers can take the next step toward successful flowering!
Week 3
Week 3 marks the beginning of true flowering as the cannabis plants enter their vegetative growth stage.
At this point, growers should start to see an increase in fan leaves and more distinct pre-flowers appearing on female plants.
In addition, trichomes will form and become more visible as the plants develop resin glands.
During this phase, indoor growers need to adjust the light intensity and hours of light to 12/12 (12 hours on, 12 hours off).
This is also when nutrient burn or lockout becomes a risk if too much fertilizer is applied. Growers should pay close attention to their plants’ needs during this critical time to ensure a healthy harvest.
Week 4
Week 4 marks the end of vegetative growth and the beginning of flowering.
At this point, cannabis plants have stopped growing and are now focused on forming buds.
White hairs will continue to protrude from the buds, but they should become larger and fatter as the days go by.
Trichomes will also be even more visible at this stage, creating a strong aroma that novice growers may not be used to.
As no further training is required for their cannabis plants at this point, growers may consider holding up branches that need structural support.
To ensure a successful harvest, indoor growers should pay close attention to environmental conditions such as light intensity and hours of light (12/12) as well as their feeding schedule to avoid nutrient burn or lockout.
Week 5
Week 5 is when the flowering process starts to accelerate and buds become even thicker.
This is a crucial point in the growth cycle, as it’s when female plants start to produce pre-flowers that will eventually become the actual flowers.
As such, cannabis growers should take extra care to ensure their plants are healthy and thriving, especially novice growers who may not be used to this stage of growth yet.
Pay close attention to your plant’s fan leaves and make sure they don’t look droopy or yellowish.
If the temperature drops too low or if there isn’t enough light, your plants may suffer from a nutrient burn or lockout.
Taking all these factors into consideration will help you achieve a successful harvest in the end!
Weeks 6, 7, and 8 (Late Flowering Stage, Right Before Harvest)
The late flowering stage of cannabis growth typically begins around week 6 and ends around week 8 depending on the strain.
During this period, female plants will start to form buds that will eventually become flowers.
The plant’s fan leaves should look healthy and vibrant, with no signs of wilting or yellowing.
Growers should also ensure their environment is within optimal conditions for their plants; making sure there isn’t too much humidity in the room and that the light intensity is set correctly.
Additionally, it’s important to adjust the feeding schedule if needed as well as monitor your plants for any signs of nutrient burn or lockout.
By following these steps, you can ensure a successful harvest at the end!
Happy Budding!
Happiness is the goal of any budding cannabis grower. After all, this plant is meant to be enjoyed and shared, not just smoked or sold. As you embark on your happy journey as a weed farmer, remember to take care of your plants and enjoy the fruits of your labor! Here are five tips to help you get the most out of your budding cannabis enterprise.
1. Start by sexing your plants. Knowing which plants are going to produce buds will significantly reduce the amount of time and energy you spend later on trying to figure out which buds to smoke!
2. Keep an eye on environmental conditions like humidity levels and light intensity; tiny fluctuations can have a big impact on the quality of your harvest. Make sure to adjust your feeding schedule as needed to give your plants the nutrients they need to thrive.
3. Feed your plants regularly – too much or too little food can cause nutrient lockout or burn, respectively. Feed them at least every other day, but try not to go overboard; overfeeding can lead to weaker plants.
4. Water regularly – without water, your plants can quickly become dry and brittle. Make sure to keep an eye on soil moisture levels and adjust irrigation accordingly.
5. Keep an open mind when it comes to growing cannabis; don’t be afraid to experiment with different growing methods or light schedules to find what works best for you and your plants! Over time, you’ll develop a personal cultivation style that will result in happier, healthier plants – enjoy the process
