Stages of development Cannabis cultivation

1 stages of development

1.1 germination
1.2 seedling phase
1.3 vegetative phase
1.4 pre-flowering phase
1.5 flowering phase

stages of development
germination

germination process in seeds sprout , root emerges. in cannabis, takes 12 hours 8 days. warmth, darkness, , moisture initiate metabolic processes such activation of hormones trigger expansion of embryo within seed. seed coat cracks open , small embryonic root emerges , begins growing downward (because of gravitropism), if placed in proper growing medium. (after 2–4 days) root anchored , 2 circular embryonic leaves (cotyledons) emerge in search of light , remains of seed shell pushed away. marks beginning of seedling stage.

germination initiated soaking seeds either between wet paper towels, in cup of water @ room temperature, in wet peat pellets, or directly in potting soil. peat pellets used germinating medium because saturated pellets seedlings can planted directly intended growing medium minimum of shock plant.

seedling phase

the seedling stage begins when seed coat splits open , exposes root , round “seed leaves” or cotyledons. lasts 1 4 weeks , period of greatest vulnerability in life cycle of plant, requiring moderate humidity levels, medium high light intensity, , adequate not excessive soil moisture.

a young c. sativa seedling. tips of first set of rough leaves emerging between 2 round seed leaves (cotyledons)

most indoor growers use compact fluorescent or t5 fluorescent lights during stage produce little heat. hps , mh lights produce large amounts of radiant heat , increase rate of transpiration in plant can dry out seedlings small root systems.

vegetative phase

this cannabis plant being grown in coco coir medium. making stems , leaves @ point because in vegetative stage

duration: 1–2 months indoors. in stage plant needs significant amount of light , nutrients, depending on genetics of particular plant. continues grow vertically , produce new leaves. sex starting reveal itself, sign next stage begins. concurrently root system expands downwards in search of more water , food.

when plant possesses 7 sets of true leaves , 8th barely visible in center of growth tip, or shoot apical meristem (sam), plant has entered vegetative phase of growth. during vegetative phase, plant directs energy resources growth of leaves, stems, , roots. strong root system required strong floral development. plant needs 1 or 2 months mature before blooming. plant ready when has revealed sex. plant size indicator of sex. females tend shorter , branchier due raceme type inflorescence males, flowers grow in panicles. males culled when identified, females not pollinated, producing sin semilla ( without seed ) buds.

during vegetative phase, cultivators employ 18- 24-hour photoperiod because plants grow more if receive more light, although warmer , cooler period required optimal health. although no dark period required, there debate among cultivators whether dark period beneficial, , many continue employ dark period. energy savings support using dark period, plants undergo late day decline , therefore lighting during late night hours less effective.

the amount of time grow cannabis plant indoors in vegetative stage depends on size of flower, light used, size of space, , how many plants intended flower @ once, , how big strain gets in stretch (i.e., first 2 weeks of flowering).

cannabis cultivators employ fertilizers high in n (nitrogen) , k (potassium) during vegetative stage, complete micro nutrient fertilizer. strength of fertilizer gradually increased plants grow , become more hardy.

advanced cultivation methods include:

the emphasis on advanced cultivation techniques, availability of hybrid strains (with names northern lights, master kush, nyc diesel), believed factor in increase in overall quality , variety of commercially available cannabis on past few decades. internet in particular has brought diverse genetics around world through trading , purchasing. however, well-grown heirloom strains (e.g. island sweet skunk, fruity thai etc.) used produce 1 gram per watt (g/w) harvest.

pre-flowering phase

a young male cannabis plant during flowering stage

also called stretch, takes 1 day 2 weeks. plants spend 10–14 days in period after switching light cycle 12 hours of darkness. plant development increases dramatically, plant doubling or more in size. (see reproductive development below.) production of more branches , nodes occurs during stage, structure flowering grows. plant starts develop bracts/bracteoles branches meet stem (nodes). pre-flowering indicates plant ready flower.

flowering phase

the flowering phase varies 6 22 weeks pure indicas shorter flowering time pure sativas. mixed indica/sativa strains have intermediate flowering time. sex revealed in first flowering phase. males produce little ball-like flowers clustered grapes called panicles. plants (except auto flowering strains flower independently of photoperiod) begin flower under diminishing light. in nature, cannabis plants sense forthcoming winter earth revolves sun , daylight reduces in duration (see season). if females not pollinated (fertilized male pollen) start produce buds contain sticky white resin glands or trichomes in final attempt pollination windborne male pollen. trichomes produce resins contain largest amounts of thc , cbn, 2 main psychoactive substances. fertilized females continue produce resinous trichomes more plant energy consumed production of seeds, can half mass of fertilized bract; thus, maximize resin per gram, infertile cultivation preferred.

a flowering cannabis plant

inflorescence produce no seeds called sin semilla (which translates without seeds in spanish, , misspelled 1 word). potent sin semilla important medical users, minimize amount of cannabis must consume afforded relief. cannabis seeds considered of inferior quality and/or grown inferior technique. cannabis grown induced flowering decreasing photoperiod @ least 10 hours of darkness per day. in order initiate flowering response, number of hours of darkness must exceed critical point. more hours of darkness each day, shorter overall flowering period lower yield. conversely, fewer hours of darkness each day, longer overall flowering period , higher yield. traditionally, growers change plants lighting cycle 12 hours on , 12 hours off since works happy medium strains respond well. change in photoperiod mimics plant s natural outdoor cycle, 18 hours of light per day in summer , down less 12 hours of light in fall , winter.

the budding flowers of male cannabis plant

some semi-autoflowering strains have been bred exclusively outdoor use, particularly in outdoor climates such of uk, start flowering as 16–17 hours of light per day. can start flowering in july , finish far earlier other strains, particularly haven t been bred outdoor strains. semi-autoflowering strains can harvested before weather in northern latitudes becomes wet , cold (generally october), whereas other strains finishing flowering, , may suffer botrytis (grey mold) caused wet weather. alternatively growers may artificially induce flowering period during warmer months blacking out plants 12 hours day i.e. covering plants black plastic example, excludes light during period plant can flower during long days.

although flowering hormone in plants (including cannabis) present during phases of growth, inhibited exposure light. induce flowering, plant must subject @ least 8 hours of darkness per day; number strain-specific , growers use 12 hours of darkness.

flowers plants (e.g. cannabis) called bract/bracteole, , (with cannabis) prized part of plant. during late period, bract/bracteole visible naked eye. bract/bracteole development begins approximately 1–2 weeks after photoperiod reduced. in first weeks of flowering plant doubles in size , can triple. bract/bracteole development ends around 5 weeks flowering , followed period of bract/bracteole “swelling”. during time buds increase in weight , size.