Growing cannabis is a multi-step process that calls for varying degrees of attention, light exposure, and food input at each stage. A cannabis plant goes through the following developmental phases:
The Seedling Stage
The cannabis plant’s journey begins with a single seed. In the first, or germination, stage, seeds are germinated by being placed in a wet medium like paper towels, peat pellets, or soil. The seeds are then placed in a warm environment to encourage growth.
The seed’s germination process is kicked into high gear by the favourable conditions, and it sends out a radicle—the first stage of a root—to extend downward into the earth. At the same time, a new shoot appears that will eventually reach for the sky. This time of the plant’s life cycle is extremely important and lasts for about 5-10 days. The plant’s future development depends on the foundation established now.
After seeds germinate, they enter the seedling stage. At this stage, the sprout’s leaves begin to emerge. The seedling’s first leaves, the cotyledons, are two circular structures that begin photosynthesizing and feeding the plant.
After this stage, the plant begins to develop the serrated leaves typical of full-grown cannabis plants. Young plants are delicate and dependent on ideal conditions such as adequate light, water, and temperature in order to flourish and mature.
During the seedling stage, which lasts for around two to three weeks, the plant establishes its first set of roots and begins to show off its characteristic characteristics as a cannabis plant.
The Vegetative Stage
The vegetative stage of the cannabis plant is characterised by rapid development. At this stage, the plant puts out new roots and starts branching out.
To flourish, cannabis plants need to be exposed to light for as long as 18 hours per day and fed a diet rich in nitrogen.
Depending on when the grower decides to trigger flowering, the vegetative period can take anywhere from a few weeks to many months. At this point, the plant’s basic form and size have been established, paving the way for the subsequent flowering stage.
The Flowering Stage
The flowering stage of a plant’s growth cycle is triggered by a shift to a light cycle of 12 hours of daylight followed by 12 hours of darkness per day. At this stage, the plant’s sexuality can also be determined. Male plants generate pollen sacs while female plants produce buds that are collected for their THC content.
Because fertilised female plants yield seeds rather than buds, growers often remove male plants from the plot.
There is a wide range, from 8 weeks to 12 weeks, for the blossoming phase. At this point, the plant’s resources are being allocated towards reproduction, which ultimately results in the formation of the buds.
Harvest
The ability to know when to harvest comes with time and practise. Both the trichomes and the pistils, which are hair-like structures on female plants, change colour to signal when they are mature and ready to be harvested.
Trichomes, which carry the cannabinoids, go from transparent to milky white while the pistils change from white to a reddish brown.
Once the buds have been collected, they must be dried and cured. It takes roughly a week for anything to dry, and anywhere from two weeks to many months to cure. This last step is critical for achieving optimal cannabis strength and flavour.
Temperature, light and humidity
To cultivate cannabis successfully, one must pay close attention to the surrounding environment. The plant’s health and yield are heavily influenced by environmental factors such temperature, light intensity and duration, humidity, and soil quality. A cannabis plant’s growth and development can be negatively affected by even minor shifts in its surrounding environment.
When cultivating cannabis, temperature has a significant role. Temperatures between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit are ideal for the plant during its vegetative stage, and temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit are ideal for its flowering stage. Temperatures that are too high can put a plant under stress, stunting its growth or even killing it.
The length and intensity of available light are also crucial. When in the vegetative stage, cannabis plants require a lot of light, ideally between 18 and 24 hours a day. However, they need a time of darkness to induce bud development during the flowering stage. There are now 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness in a 24-hour period.
The humidity level is also very important for cannabis cultivation. When plants are young, they do best in higher humidity, but as they age, they do better in lower humidity. Mould and mildew thrive in damp environments, wreaking havoc on plants and diminishing their yield.
The quality of the soil is also crucial. Cannabis plants thrive in loamy, organic, well-drained soil. The ideal pH for soil is anywhere between 6.0 and 7.0, making it slightly acidic. Essential plant nutrients including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium should be present in the soil.
