Cannabis Plant Life Cycle & 4 Cannabis Growth Stages
As we know, cannabis farming has become legalized in many countries. The USA is one of the most emerging countries legalizing cannabis plant farming.
Cannabis farming may or may not be easier for growers even with the help of indoor grow lights.
It can be easier for those who follow the different stages of the cannabis plant. Others who don’t follow the sequence may face additional consequences.
If you follow this article, it may help you reduce some consequences and provide more productive cultivation. Since this article outlines the complete life cycle of a cannabis plant that comprises four different stages.
If you’re new to cannabis farming, this article can be your best opportunity to get your facts clear with cannabis farming.
Cannabis Plant Life Cycle
As we mentioned above, the cannabis plant is like all other living things, and they follow a sequence of stages as they grow up.
If you’re planning to grow a cannabis plant of your own, you need to provide proper care through every stage of its life cycle. You should be well-prepared for any circumstances that occur during the different phases.
That’s why it’s crucial to study the different phases of the cannabis plant that go through its natural life cycle. Each stage of the cannabis plant acts and behaves differently, so you should act accordingly as the need of a particular stage.
Each stage of growth requires care and directives. Some directives include water, nutrients, grooming, and most importantly the light exposure is needed for each stage.
Being familiar with the different stages of plants it’s also essential in determining the sex of your cannabis plant.
Here are the four most crucial phases of cannabis growth from tiny seeds to harvest:
1. Germination Stage
2. Seedling Stage
3. Vegetative Stage
4. Flowering Stage.
Well, above was the complete overview, which will give you an idea of what to expect during each growing stage of a cannabis plant. All of the above stages will make sure you got healthy plants to harvest.
Let’s dive deeper into the different stages of the cannabis life cycle.
1. Germination Stage
Of course, the first stage of every cultivation begins with tiny cannabis seeds. This stage is the most important stage; the future of your cannabis plant depends on it.
If you’ve got the correct strain and quality seeds, then your plant’s futures bright.
So, how can you ensure the quality of the seeds?
Perhaps, it’s a life-saving question! Well, you can understand the quality of seeds by observing the color and texture of the seeds.
A good and healthy developed seed must not contain any of the following:
● Slimy
● Pale Green
● Squishy
● White
Avoid those seeds that contain the above qualities. Always choose those seeds which have the following characteristics:
● Dry
● Brown in Color
Water is crucial for any other plant to live. Water plays an important role in the germination of cannabis seeds.
Cannabis seeds won’t sprout if they don’t get enough water, whether in nature or a controlled environment.
Usually, cannabis germination takes 3 to 10 days.
In these days, your seeds need humidity, warm temperature, air, and water. You can also place the seeds between wet paper towels or damped napkins.
After 3 to 10 days, the splits’ outer shell develops into a tiny sprout. From now on, your little cannabis plant is ready to be placed into its growing medium.
When the cannabis plant dig its root down, your plant will find stability and nutrients.
As the roots go down deep and the buds of the cannabis plant move upwards, you’ll see cotyledon leaves.
At this point, your plant will need a light source to begin the process of photosynthesis.
If you’re growing cannabis outside, sunlight is the best source to start photosynthesis. However, for controlled environments, you may use artificial grow lights as the alternative for the sun.
Different types of grow lights are available for the controlled environments or grow tents. But we’d recommend using LED grow lights.
LED grow lights are way better than the other artificial lights. It is more energy-efficient and provides a full spectrum of color light.
Some specialized LED grow lights are available for your choice; you can try one of these in your controlled environment or personalized grow tents.
As your plant’s cotyledon leaves transferred their growth in the form of fingered fan leaves where your cannabis plant moves to the second stage of its life cycle.
2. Seedling Stage
Seedling is the second stage of the cannabis plant life cycle. The second stage begins when the plants start developing fingered fan leaves.
So, how to identify the fan leaves? As time passes, the iconic fingered fan leaves may look different. There’s a subtle change in its fingers.
Initially, you will witness one finger fan leaves, then three, and lastly, five fingers.
You may witness more fingers leaves in your growing career. Yes, some cannabis plants may grow up to seven to nine fingers.
Why we’re giving more time to focus on fan leaves? Because fan leaves will help to identify the maturity of the cannabis plant.
The mature seedling will have five to seven fingers or more.
Once your plant starts producing the mature leaves more consistently, it means that your plant has arrived at the vegetative stage.
But before going further into the next stage, always remember one thing in mind: you’re growing cannabis at a commercial level.
So, it’s better to produce small and dense vegetation. Make sure you’re giving your plant enough light at this stage to grow thicker and more viscous.
No need for any feed or over-access water to your cannabis plant. Just make sure to keep the environment clean and not too humid to attract molds and other diseases.
3. Vegetative Stage
So, vegetative is the third stage in the cannabis life cycle.
After 2–3 weeks of seedling with the 18–24 hrs. light a day, your cannabis plant should be entering in next stage, that is the vegetative stage.
The vegetative stage occurs when most plants become denser and thicker with multiple layers of matured fan leaves.
At this point, if your cannabis plant receives the right amount of light, nutrients, and water, you’re setting them up for exponential growth in the future.
The Vegetative stage may last anywhere between 2–9 weeks. Well, it depends on which technique you are following.
Whichever method you’re using, make sure your plant receives 13 to 24 hrs. of light a day in the vegetative stage.
You would expect more and more growth of the plants as they are receiving more light. If you’re cultivating cannabis in a controlled environment, make sure to put the plants in bigger pots. Make enough room for the roots to expand and grow deeper into the soil.
When the amount of light drops below 12 hrs. a day, that’s where the vegetative stage ends and the flowering stage starts.
As the excessive source of light help your cannabis plant to grow thicker and denser, you must start trimming and decorating your plants.
Apart from trimming, at the vegetative stage, your plant would love nutrients.
Some knowledgeable nutrients for your plant to live a healthy life are as follows:
Primary Nutrients
● Nitrogen (N)
● Phosphorus (P)
● Potassium (K)
Secondary Nutrients
● Calcium (Ca)
● Magnesium (Mg)
● Sulfur (S)
Well, these were some essential nutrients that can keep your plants healthy and more fruitful.
Once your cannabis plant approaches the flowering stage, you’ll be able to determine its sex located at the nodes.
The female pre-flowers exhibit hair-like pistols on the buds. On the other hand, males produce tiny sacs that contain pollen.
Both male and female buds must be separated from each other to save them from over-flowering.
It would take 8 to 9 weeks to get your plant ready for the flowering stage. And this is when you need to turn off your lights for straight 12 hrs. a day. The light cycle should be 12 hrs on and 12 off.
4. Flowering Stage
At last, we’re here at the rewarding stage!
The flowering stage is the final stage of the cannabis plant life cycle, where you’ll get to see the rewards of your hard work.
The flowering stage is activated naturally when the plant receives less than or equal to 12 hrs. of light a day.
As we mentioned in the previous stage, you should keep the lights on for 12 hrs. and 12 hrs. off a day.
During the dark hours, your plant will focus all of its energy on producing flowers. So, here are some things you should keep in mind.
● Keep watering your cannabis plants.
● Stop cutting or pruning your plant.
● Give your plants proper nutrients (Higher levels of Potassium & Phosphorus).
That’s it! Now, wait for the plant to reach full maturity. After getting to its full maturity, it’s time to harvest!
Final Sayings
After your cannabis plant has been in the flowering stage, you should notice that your plant has sticky and glittery light glands that should be covering the buds in an ice manner.
These little sticky things are known as Trichomes, can only be seen with a magnifying glass. These Trichomes will help to understand when to harvest.
