In recent years, the US has seen a sharp increase in cannabis consumption. People are actively exploring ways to cultivate cannabis and capitalize on the rising demand as a result of its newfound legal and social acceptability.
An essential part of the cannabis plant’s growth is the flowering stage. The cannabis flowering stages are commonly referred to as the blooming or fruiting stage in horticulture. Harvesting is done immediately after this phase.
The plant heightens throughout the first few weeks before beginning to blossom. Cannabis stops growing at the start of week four and focuses its energy on developing buds. By week eight, the majority of cannabis strains are ready.
Light and temperature have a significant impact on when cannabis plants start to blossom. Longer durations of continuous darkness are ideal for cannabis growth. Thus, if they are left in the dark for more than eight hours, the plants will stop growing and begin to bloom. Check out our blog to learn more details about the cannabis flowering stage.
Table of Contents
Weeks 1-3: The Initiation Stage of Flowering
The cannabis flowering stage begins after being exposed to ten to twelve hours of darkness. The plant heightens throughout the first few weeks before beginning to blossom. The pistils of the cannabis plant look like white hairs at this point. The plant will form buds at this stage. The fan leaves become lively and have a soft green hue that is neither too dark nor too bright around the end of the third week.
Fungus, mold, and pests can easily infect young cannabis plants. Consequently, be sure to frequently check on their progress.
Weeks 4-5: Mild Flowering Stage
The plant’s growth stops at the start of week four and focuses its energy on developing buds. As a result, the buds will grow larger and heavier, creating more trichomes. As a result, the distinctive smell of cannabis is considerably more audible.
If you want to ensure high-quality output, you can think about supporting the crooked branches. As week five draws near, the buds start to thicken and expand alongside the main cola. The smell of cannabis also gets stronger. The white pistil hairs turn brown or amber in color during this time.
Weeks 6-8: Late Flowering Stage
The majority of cannabis strains mature in eight weeks or less. However, certain strains might finish early flowering while others might finish late. Six weeks in, stop adding minerals and salts and start watering the plant using neutral water.
Flushing is the name given to this action. It makes the buds taste purer. Transparent trichomes start to become amber by the end of week eight, signaling that the THC level has been achieved and that it is time to harvest.
5 Things You Should Care About During the Cannabis Flowering Stage
- Temperature and Humidity
The optimal temperature range for your cannabis flower is 20-27ºC. Don’t put the plants in room over 30ºC or lower than 18ºC. Plus, make sure the room temperature remains low.
- PH and EC Levels
Check the PH and EC meters on a regular basis, as they’re much likely to destroy your plants’ growth when going wrong.
- Lighting
Pay attention to both the PPFD light levels and the light’s height above your plants. During the cannabis flowering stage, the light level typically falls within 600-900. When you move the light further from the grow area, the light energy transmitted to your plants is also lowered down.
- Smell
The grow tent might give pungent smell when you’re growing some quality cannabis seeds. Deal with it by using a good carbon filter.
- Prevent Bud Rot from Happening
Keep an eye on the humidity (not higher than 45-50%) in case of bud rot on your cannabis flowers.
Final Word
Although cultivating cannabis is a simple operation, gardeners should be very aware of the kind of cannabis they are dealing with. This guide delves deeper into the development of the plant, with a focus on the cannabis flowering stages. If you intend to grow marijuana, be sure to keep an eye on the plant’s flowering stage because it affects the product’s quality.
