If you’ve ever broadcast a bunch of wildflower seeds into your yard and found daisies, bachelor’s buttons, and black-eyed Susans a month or two later, you might think growing cannabis is easy.
The stages and requirements for growing cannabis are decidedly more complicated than tossing out some seeds and hoping for the best though. Especially when you’re growing indoors.
Although cannabis has adapted to grow in multiple environments, it can be very exacting about what it needs at each different stage of growth.
Stages and Requirements for Growing Cannabis
Our knowledge of cultivating cannabis allowed us to establish a state-of-the-art grow house in Burton, Michigan. And because Michigan climate is one of four very distinct seasons, we have to ensure that what’s happening outside is completely separate from what’s happening inside.
Plus, there are specific conditions required for each stage. So the conditions that help a seedling flourish are going to be different from those that sustain the plant once it’s flowering.
Here’s how it breaks down.
Germination Stage
Cannabis seeds are usually hard and dry so they require significant moisture to soften the outer shell. Yet, there’s a fine line between moist and soaked. Too much water can destroy a seed.
Growing the seeds in a warm, dark, and humid place will encourage germination. During this stage, seeds don’t need any added nutrients. They need only water.
Within 2-10 days, the seeds will germinate. (For some strains, this can be up to two weeks though.) Germination means that the tap root has emerged and is growing downward. During this time, the first set of cotyledon leaves also emerge – signaling that the root system is starting to form and the plant has moved to the next stage.
Seedling Stage
As the young plant continues to grow, the next bright green leaves that sprout begin to look more like the iconic multi-ridged fan leaves.
The seedling stage lasts for about 2-3 weeks and at this point, it’s important to keep the humidity in the 65-80% range and the temperature in the 70s. This is also when attention must be paid to the pH levels. For seedlings, the magic number is between 6 and 7.
At this stage of growth, the plants require 18 hours of low-intensity blue spectrum light, and six hours of darkness.
As with the germination stage, there is always the risk of overwatering. This is particularly problematic at this stage because now the plants are prone to mold.
In addition, the plants begin to need nutrients is small dosages that slowly build up over time. As more growth develops, the leaves will continue to develop more blades and the plant is moves into its next stage.
Vegetative Stage
The vegetative stage lasts anywhere from three to 16 weeks. It’s during this time that the plants see a major growth spurt, with vertical growth especially pronounced. Some may grow as much as 2 inches in just 24 hours.
All of this rapid growth means the plants require more nutrients and are put on a regular feeding schedule. They continue to need 18 hours of light and six hours of darkness. And the pH levels of soil stay in the 6 to 7 range.
The ideal temperature is in the 70s, but they require only 40-60% humidity. They must be regularly watered though and have proper drainage in place.
It’s during the vegetative stage that the plants begin to take on definitive shapes based on their strain. The sexual characteristics also become apparent.
Near the end of the vegetative state, the female plants exhibit two white pistils, while male plants grow pollen sacs. It’s crucial that the pollen sacs are removed to avoid contamination of the female plants.
All of this brings us to the final stage.
Flowering Stage
The payoff for all of this specific care and attention to each phase is, of course, the coveted cannabis flower. Any growth that happens at this phase occurs on the buds.
During these eight to 11 weeks, the humidity stays around 50%, but the light requirements change. Flowering plants need 12 hours of light and 12 of darkness. And they also require higher intensity light – shifting from blue spectrum to red spectrum.
Taking the necessary steps during this final phase produces a superior flower that promises a fantastic consumer experience.
Enjoy the Grow House Advantage
Having a keen understanding of the stages and requirements for growing cannabis allows us to optimize our grow environment and nurture some of the finest cannabis available.
So if you want to experience what it means to enjoy high quality cannabis from a grow house driven by a passion for the plant, then click here to find out where you can buy our products.
We’re sure you’ll notice a difference.