The Life Cycle Of Cannabis
A Comprehensive Guide to the Cannabis Life Cycle
From Seed to Harvest:
Growing your own bud is a fascinating journey that requires patience, dedication, and a fairly good understanding of the plant’s life cycle. Whether you’re cultivating autoflowers or regular strains, the fundamentals of the growing process remain the same. However, there are some key differences between the two that are important to note. Autoflowering strains have a fixed life cycle and will automatically transition from the vegetative stage to the flowering stage after a few weeks, regardless of their light cycle. Photoperiodic / regular strains, on the other hand, require a change in the light cycle to trigger flowering. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the various stages of the cannabis life cycle, providing tips and best practices to help you achieve a successful harvest.
Germination (2-7 days):
The life cycle of any plant begins with the germination of the seed. To ensure successful germination, start by placing your seeds in a cup of filtered room-temperature (22 -26°C) water for 36-72 hours. Once the seed has cracked open or sunk to the bottom, carefully transfer it to a pre-moistened growing medium, such as soil or a coco coir mix, making sure to avoid any air pockets around the seed. Keep the environment humid and warm, ideally between 20-25°C (65-85% humidity), and your seedling should emerge within 3-6 days.
Tip: It’s crucial to avoid touching the seed or seedling with your bare hands, as oils and bacteria can damage the delicate plant. Use clean hands or a spoon to handle the seed, and consider using a humidity dome or a plastic cup to maintain high humidity levels around the seedling
Seedling Stage (1-3 weeks):
As your seedling breaks through the surface, it enters the most delicate phase of its life. During the first two weeks, your plant is fragile to environmental conditions and requires a high-humidity environment to thrive. The ideal relative humidity level for seedlings is between 65-80%. Avoid overwatering, as this is one of the most common mistakes made by new growers. Provide your seedling with a blue-dominant light spectrum (around 6500K) to encourage compact, bushy growth.
Tip:Seedlings require minimal nutrients and water due to their size. They primarily rely on the energy stored within the seed itself and water from the transplanting. Introduce nutrients gradually, starting at 1/4 strength and increasing to 1/2 strength as the seedling grows.
Vegetative Stage (2 - 6+ weeks):
Once your plant has developed a good root system and several sets of true leaves (leaves with a typical serrated cannabis shape), it enters the vegetative stage. This is the time when your plant will experience explosive growth, and it’s crucial to provide it with the right nutrients, light, and environment. Autoflowering strains will typically spend 2-4 weeks in the vegetative stage, while photoperiodic strains can remain in this phase for several months, depending on the light cycle.Maintain a light cycle of 16-20 hours of light per day, and keep the temperature between 20-30°C.
Tip: As your plant grows, you may need to train it to promote an even canopy and maximize light exposure. Techniques like low stress training, topping or more can be used to control the height and shape of your plant, while also increasing yield potential. Read more here
Pre-Flowering (4 - 6+ weeks):
As your plant matures, it will begin to show signs of its sex. This typically occurs after 7-8 weeks of growth for photoperiodic strains, and after 4-5 weeks for autoflowering strains. The leaves at the branch ends will start to grow more densely and female plants will develop white pistils (hairs) at the nodes, while male plants will produce pollen sacs that look like balls. If you’re growing from feminised seeds, you should not have to worry about male plants. However, if you do spot a male, remove it immediately to prevent it from pollinating your females and causing them to produce seeds instead of buds.
Tip: During the pre-flowering stage, it’s important to monitor your plants closely and address any potential issues early. Make sure you have enough space for your plants and roots to grow rapidly both inside your grow room and inside its pot. Flowering plants can more than double their size so make sure you address any problems and needs early such as transplanting, nutrient deficiencies or pests. Maintain a balanced watering schedule and ensure a proper ventilation and air circulated environment if growing indoors.
Flowering Stage (6 - 12+ weeks):
The flowering stage is when the magic happens. Autoflowering strains will automatically enter this phase after 4-5 weeks, while photoperiodic strains require a change in the light cycle (usually 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness) to trigger flowering. During the early weeks of flowering, your plants will stretch significantly, sometimes more than doubling in height. This is known as the “flowering stretch,” and it is important to manage this growth, support the branches, and to maintain an even canopy or to prevent the overcrowding of the grow space.
As the flowers develop, they’ll become denser and more resinous, and your plants will require higher levels of phosphorus and potassium to support its bud production. Adjust your nutrient solution to lean more towards phosphorus and potassium. A bloom fertilizer with an NPK ratio of around higher in those elements is recommended. Maintain a slightly lower temperature range of 18-26°C and a relative humidity level of 40-50% to prevent mold and mildew from growing on the leaves or bud sites.
Tip: In the later stages of flowering, you may notice the leaves beginning to yellow and die off. This is a natural process known as “senescence,” and it’s a sign that your plant is channeling all its energy into bud production. Remove any dead or dying leaves to improve airflow and prevent mold growth.
Ripening and Flushing (9 - 12 weeks):
As your plants approach the end of their life cycle all growth will stop. It’s important to monitor the trichomes (the tiny, mushroom-shaped glands that produce cannabinoids and terpenes) under magnification to determine the ideal harvest time. When the trichomes turn from clear to milky white, with some beginning to turn amber, it’s time to start flushing your plants with plain water to remove any residual nutrients and improve the flavor and smoothness of your final product.
Tip: Flushing involves watering your plants with plain, pH-balanced water for the final 1-2 weeks before harvest. This helps to remove any built-up salts and nutrients in the growing medium, which can affect the taste and quality of your buds. During this time, your plants may show signs of nutrient deficiencies, but this is normal and should not be a cause for concern
Harvesting and Drying (1 - 2 weeks):
Once your plants have reached peak maturity, it’s time to harvest. The ideal harvest window is when 70-80% of the trichomes have turned milky white, with the remaining 20-30% turning amber or 80% or more of the white hairy pistols have gone brown on the plant. Cut down your plant in sections and remove the large fan leaves. Hang the branches upside down similar to biltong in a dark, well-ventilated space with a temperature of 16-22°C and a relative humidity of 45-55% to dry.
After 10-14 days, depending on the drying conditions, and when the smaller branches snap instead of bend, your buds are ready to be trimmed and placed in airtight containers for curing.
Curing (4 - 12+ weeks):
Curing is an essential process that helps to preserve the flavor, aroma, and potency of your buds. Cure your buds for at least 2-3 weeks by placing them in a glass jar or airtight container, opening the jars daily for the first week or two to allow for air exchange and to prevent mold growing. After the first two weeks, you can open the jars once every few days or less if you use humidity regulating packs.
Proper curing can take several months, but the longer you cure your buds, the better they will ultimately taste and smell. Store your cured buds in airtight containers in a cool, dark place to maintain their quality and potency and vent with fresh air occasionally
Conclusion:
Growing cannabis is a rewarding experience that requires patience, attention to detail, and a willingness to learn. By understanding the intricacies of the cannabis life cycle and providing your plants with the optimal growing conditions at each stage, you can maximize your yield and produce amazing high-quality buds.
Remember, every grow and strain is unique, and you may encounter challenges along the way. Keep a close eye on your plants, monitor their progress, and be prepared to make adjustments as needed. With practice and dedication, you’ll soon be harvesting top-shelf buds that you can be proud of.
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