Cannabis use is rapidly growing in the US in recent years. With this new social and legal acceptance, people are actively looking for ways to produce cannabis and take advantage of the increasing demand.
The flowering stage is an important element in the production of cannabis. In horticulture, the stages of flowering cannabis are also known as the blooming or fruiting stage. After this time, harvesting will occur.
During the first weeks, the plant grows in height until it starts to produce pre-flowers. By the beginning of week four, cannabis stops growing and directs its energy towards the development of buds. Most cannabis varieties are ready by the eighth week.
The commencement of flowering in cannabis is greatly affected by light and temperature. Cannabis thrives in longer periods of uninterrupted darkness. Consequently, your plants will cease to grow and start bearing flowers if they’re in the dark for longer than eight hours.We cover multiple topics on our blog, such as the differences between CBD vs. CBC, and the use of cannabis for neuropathy, amongst others, so be sure to look around!
The Flowering Initiation Stage (1-3 Weeks)
Following exposure to ten to twelve hours of darkness, the cannabis flowering initiation stage will kick off. During the first weeks, the plant grows in height until it starts to produce pre-flowers. At this point, the cannabis pistils resemble white hairs. Here is where the plant will develop buds. Towards the end of the third week, the fan leaves are vibrant with a gentle green color that is neither too light nor dark. Young cannabis plants are susceptible to pests, mold, and fungus. So, take care to monitor their progress regularly.
The Mid-Flowering Stage (4 -5 Weeks)
By the beginning of week four, the plant stops growing and directs its energy towards the development of buds. As such, the buds will increase in both size and weight, producing more trichomes. The result is a much more noticeable odor that’s characteristic of cannabis. You may consider holding up the bent-down branches to aid in quality production. As week five approaches, the buds thicken and begin to grow along with the main cola. Moreover, the cannabis odor intensifies. During this period, white pistil hairs darken, either into a brown or amber color.
The Late Flowering Stage (6 To 8 Weeks)
Most cannabis varieties are ready within eight weeks. However, some strains may reach the late flowering stage earlier and some later. At week six, cease the administration of salts and minerals and water the plant with neutral water. This process is called flushing. It helps to ensure a pure-tasting bud. Towards the end of week eight, transparent trichomes adopt an amber color indicating that the maximum THC content has been reached and it’s time for harvesting.
Conclusion
While the process of growing cannabis is straightforward, growers should pay close attention to the type of cannabis they are working with. In this guide, we’ve delved deeper into the growth of the plant, paying much attention to the flowering stage. If you plan on growing cannabis, take care to monitor the flowering stage of the plant as it determines the quality of the product.