Contents
Want to know how long it takes for cannabis to flower? This blog post covers everything you need to know about the flowering process.
Checkout this video:
The vegetative stage
How long to flower cannabis plants? Many growers ask this question, but the answer isn’t as simple as a number of weeks. The time it takes your cannabis plants to flower depends on several factors, including the strain you’re growing, the size and health of your plants, the amount of light they’re getting, and more. In this article, we’ll give you a general overview of how long it takes cannabis plants to flower, as well as some tips on how to shorten the flowering time if you’re in a hurry.
How long does the vegetative stage last?
The vegetative stage of cannabis can last anywhere from 2 to 16 weeks, although most cannabis strains will be ready to flip to the flowering stage after about 6-8 weeks in the vegetative stage.
You can extend or shorten the vegetative stage as you see fit, but remember that the longer you keep your plants in the vegetative stage, the larger they will get. If you have limited space, you may want to consider flipping to the flowering stage sooner rather than later.
The main factor that determines how long the vegetative stage lasts is the light cycle that you provide for your plants. Cannabis plants need at least 8 hours of complete darkness every single day in order to begin producing flowers (buds).
If you give your plants more than 12 hours of light each day, they will remain in the vegetative stage indefinitely. Many growers choose to give their plants 18-24 hours of light per day during the vegetative stage, as this encourages faster growth rates.
What happens during the vegetative stage?
During the vegetative stage, the plant is growing and developing its structure (branches, leaves, etc.). The photoperiod (length of time the plant is exposed to light each day) has a big impact on how quickly the plant grows during this stage.
In general, cannabis plants need around 16 hours of light per day during the vegetative stage. However, some plants may do better with more or less light. For example, some indica strains can be pushed to grow faster by increasing the light exposure to 18-20 hours per day.
The extra light won’t make them produce more buds, but it will make them grow bigger and bushier. This can be helpful if you’re trying to increase yield by growing more plants in a smaller space.
As long as the plant is getting enough light, it will continue to grow vegetatively. Most growers switch to a flowering schedule when their plants are 6-8 weeks old, but this can vary depending on the strain and desired final size of the plant.
The flowering stage
The flowering stage is when the cannabis plant grows its flowers. This is the reproductive part of the plant’s life cycle. The flowers are where the plant produces its cannabinoids and terpenes. When the plant is ready to flower, it will start to produce more resin. The flowers will grow bigger and more potent.
How long does the flowering stage last?
How long does the flowering stage last? The flowering stage of cannabis lasts about 6-8 weeks, but it can vary depending on the strain. Indica strains tend to flower for shorter periods of time than sativa strains. During the flowering stage, you will notice the buds on your plants getting larger and more dense. Eventually, the flowers will begin to turn brown and pistils will darken as they mature. Once your plants have reached this point, they are ready to harvest!
What happens during the flowering stage?
During the flowering stage, the amount of daylight the plants receive will determine how quickly they mature. There are two ways to flower cannabis: with a natural light cycle (keeping them outdoors) or by using artificial lights (keeping them indoors).
Cannabis planted outdoors will begin to flower when the amount of daylight per day starts to decrease (usually in late summer or early fall). The days become shorter and the nights become longer, which signals to the plant that it’s time to produce flowers.
Cannabis grown indoors can be flowered any time of year by manipulating the light cycle. All you need to do is reduce the amount of light per day that the plants receive. Most growers reduce the light cycle to 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness per day.
As soon as the flowering stage begins, you’ll start to see some changes in your plants. The most noticeable change will be the production of flowers (or buds). Male plants will produce small, round balls that look like grapes. Female plants will produce larger, teardrop-shaped balls.
The buds produced by female plants are what you want! These buds contain high levels of THC and CBD, which are responsible for the psychoactive and medicinal effects of cannabis. Male plants don’t produce these buds, so they’re often removed from gardens as soon as they’re discovered.
The ripening stage
All cannabis strains go through different stages of growth. The vegetative stage is when the plant is growing leaves and roots. The flowering stage is when the plant is growing buds. And the ripening stage is when the plant is maturing the buds.
How long does the ripening stage last?
The ripening stage is the final stage of cannabis flowering. During this stage, the cannabis plant’s flowers (or “buds”) mature and produce THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids. The length of the ripening stage depends on many factors, including the type of cannabis plant, the growing conditions, and the genetics of the plant. In general, the ripening stage lasts between 7 and 14 days.
What happens during the ripening stage?
The final stage of the cannabis flowering process is ripening. At this point, the plant has stopped growing and is beginning to produce its flowers, or buds. This is the last chance for the plant to produce cannabinoids and terpenes, so it is important to give it the conditions it needs to thrive.
During ripening, cannabis plants will often change color, from green to purple or red. This is caused by a reaction between the leaves and flowers, called anthocyanin accumulation. It is thought to be a way for the plant to attract pollinators, as well as protect its flowers from UV damage.
Ripening usually takes around 2-3 weeks, but can take longer if the conditions are not ideal. When the buds are ready, they will be sticky to the touch and will have a strong odor. At this point, they can be harvested.
