Growing healthy plants and getting a quality crop is the goal of any grower, whether you are an experienced hydroponic farm owner or an amateur grower who grows a small number of bushes in an indoor grow box. Growth and yield depend on many factors: the choice of soil or substrate, the mode of lighting and ventilation, the correct choice of top dressing and fertilizers for cannabis. Therefore, it is the duty of any grower to know the characteristics of each stage of marijuana growth (below you can see a photo – cannabis growth stages).
After all, depending on the stage of development of the bushes, the lighting mode, the balance of feeding, etc. are selected. Improper use of fertilizers or lighting fixtures at any given stage of cannabis growth can lead to poor crop quality, illness or even death of the bushes.
Five stages of cannabis growth
Growers identify five main stages in the growth and development of cannabis:
Marijuana growth stages – photo:
Features of caring for cannabis at one stage or another of its growth depend on the plant variety. Different varieties have certain differences in the duration of flowering and ripening, and the conditions are created taking into account the characteristics of the variety.
Germination and shoots
The cannabis seed is where the long road to harvest begins. A rare grower plants seeds directly into open soil. Those who take such a step pre-soak the seeds in a mineral solution. Most growers still prefer to germinate at home, followed by planting plants in open soil or substrate. At this stage, there is no need to use fertilizers and top dressing. In addition, a sufficiently high level of soil moisture should be maintained. Lighting should be minimal, and the air temperature should be 21-32 degrees Celsius. By the way, in our store you can choose and buy convenient and practical cassettes for seed germination and subsequent planting of plants in the ground.
Vegetative growth stage of marijuana
The vegetative stage (vegetation, vega, growing season) is the stage of development from the first shoots to the beginning of flowering. At this time, the plants turn into bushes, firmly rooted in the ground, acquire lush leaves. It is extremely important during this period to provide the plants with the necessary balance of mineral and organic substances, as well as to create the right lighting and aeration.
Vegetation Indica
The average duration of vegetation of indica varieties is 2-4 weeks. In nature and outdoors, Indica enters flowering mode when daylight reaches 12 hours. The recommended temperature for growing indoors is 18 to 28 degrees Celsius. During this period, it is also recommended to maintain high humidity and provide plants with a balanced fertilizer complex.
Sativa Vegetation
The peculiarity of Sativa is that when grown indoors, the vegetative phase continues even during the flowering period, so this subspecies can be transferred to flowering almost immediately after germination. The optimal temperature in the growbox is 20-28 degrees, the optimal type of fertilizer is nitrogen, potash and complex. Under natural conditions, the growing season of Sativa varieties can last several months.
Autoflower Vegetation
During the growing season of autoflowers, you should adhere to a temperature of 20-28 degrees, high humidity, and also provide plants with top dressing containing nitrogen and potassium. The vegetative stage of autoflowering lasts two weeks and does not depend on the light regime.
cannabis bloom
Marijuana flowering (except autoflowers) in natural conditions begins with a 12-hour daylight hours. When grown indoors, individual varieties of cannabis are transferred to flowering almost immediately after germination. This allows you to increase the number of inflorescences and, accordingly, the quantity and quality of the crop.
The flowering itself is divided into three stages:
Flowering cannabis is the longest stage, the duration of flowering depends on the variety. So, indica varieties bloom relatively quickly – up to 10 weeks (and individual hybrids completely fade in two weeks).
The duration of flowering of Indica depends on the light regime and the amount of light. The inflorescences are small but heavy. During the flowering period until the Indica matures, it is extremely important to properly feed the plants and avoid high humidity: at this stage, cannabis is prone to fungal diseases and mold.
Tropical Sativa flowers last longer – up to 12 weeks in natural conditions. The optimal light balance is 12/12, but experienced growers recommend extending daylight hours indoors. This improves the quality of the crop. Phosphorus-containing fertilizers should be used for top dressing during the flowering period and until Sativa ripening.
At the ripening stage, cones come to replace the inflorescences. It is at this stage that marijuana produces the greatest amount of what is valuable in the crop – THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). During the ripening period, plants should be watered with clean water without adding top dressing.
Harvesting (harvest)
Harvest or harvesting is not a stage per se. It would be more correct to say that this is the completion of the work of the grower and the result of this work. The quantity and quality of the crop is a direct indicator of the correct care of cannabis at all stages of growth, and when properly done, this stage is the most pleasant, although the shortest. The most favorable time of day for harvesting is early morning, as this is the time when the buds contain the highest amount of THC.
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