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If you want to learn how to get the most out of your cannabis plants, then you need to know how to train them for maximum yield. By following these simple tips, you can ensure that your plants are healthy and produce the highest possible yield.
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The vegetative stage
Your cannabis plant will go through different stages of life. The first stage is the vegetative stage. During this stage, your plant will grow leaves and roots. This is the stage where you will want to train your plant for maximum yield.
Light
Light is one of the most important aspects of plant growth, and the vegetative stage is no different. Cannabis plants need a minimum of 18 hours of light per day to stay in the vegetative stage, but they will grow faster if they get more. Some growers give their plants 24 hours of light per day in the vegetative stage, but this isn’t necessary unless you are trying to maximize growth.
Cannabis plants can grow under a wide range of light situations, but they will always grow fastest under strong light. If you are growing indoors, you should use the strongest artificial lights that you can afford. HID lights (high-intensity discharge lights) are typically the best choice for indoor growers, but LED and compact fluorescent lights can also be used.
If you are growing outdoors, your plants will obviously be exposed to sunlight. The strength of the sun varies depending on the time of year and your location, but it is always stronger than any artificial light source. As a general rule, cannabis plants grown outdoors in direct sunlight will grow faster and produce more buds than plants grown indoors under artificial lights.
Temperature
Cannabis plants are highly sensitive to temperature and prefer a range of 68-77°F (20-25°C) during the vegetative stage. If the temperature gets too high, it can cause the plant to wilt and stop growing. If the temperature gets too low, the plant will become stressed and its growth will slow down.
Water and humidity
Cannabis plants love water, but they can’t handle being waterlogged. The roots need oxygen to stay healthy, so it’s important to keep the soil moist but not wet. Water your plants when the top inch of soil is dry.
Humidity is also important for healthy plants. Cannabis evolved in humid environments, so too much moisture in the air can actually be helpful during the vegetative stage. If your growing area is too dry, you may see your plants start to shed their leaves (a process called lysing). If this happens, increase the humidity by adding a humidifier to your grow room.
Nutrients
Now that your plants have germinated and are 2 – 6 inches tall, they are ready to be transplanted into their final home, whether it’s a pot, hydroponic system, or soil in your backyard. Once they’re in their new home, it’s time to start feeding them nutrients.
There are three primary macronutrients that your plants will need: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). These nutrients are typically found in abundance in nature, but when growing cannabis indoors, it’s important to make sure that your plants are getting the right ratios of each.
Nitrogen is crucial for vegetative growth and is responsible for the development of strong stems and leaves. Phosphorus is key for root growth and Flowering, while potassium helps with water uptake and overall plant health.
You can find products that contain all three nutrients (known as “triple-packs” or “complete fertilizers”), or you can purchase them separately and mix them yourself at the desired ratios. Just be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how much to use—too much of any nutrient can be just as harmful as too little.
The flowering stage
The flowering stage is when your cannabis plant grows its buds. This is the most important stage of the plant’s life cycle, and it’s when you’ll see the biggest yields. There are a few things you can do to help your plant produce the most buds possible.
Light
Cannabis plants need a minimum of 12 hours of uninterrupted darkness to initiate flowering. Flowering is stimulated by the plant’s exposure to light. When the plant receives less than 12 hours of light per day, it will begin to flower. The length of the flowering stage depends on the variety of cannabis being grown, but generally, it lasts between 6 and 8 weeks.
During the flowering stage, the plants will grow taller and produce more flowers (or buds). The buds will mature and begin to emit a strong, pungent aroma. At this point, the plant will stop growing taller and most of its energy will be directed towards producing flowers.
Temperature
Cannabis plants are particular about temperature, and if the temperature is too high or low, it can cause problems with the flowering stage. If the temperature is too high, it can cause the flowers to become hermaphrodites and produce both male and female gametes. If the temperature is too low, it can cause the flowers to produce less resin, resulting in poorer-quality cannabis. The ideal temperature for cannabis plants during the flowering stage is between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Water and humidity
Watering your cannabis plants is one of the most crucial steps in achieving a bountiful harvest, so it’s important to get it right. During the vegetative stage, your plants will need around 20-25 litres of water per week. However, during the flowering stage, they will need less – around 10-15 litres per week.
It’s also important to monitor the humidity levels in your grow room, as too much or too little humidity can seriously impact the yield of your crop. The ideal level of humidity for a flowering cannabis plant is 40-50%.
You can check the humidity level in your grow room using a hygrometer, which is relatively inexpensive and easy to find in gardening stores or online.
Nutrients
During the flowering stage, your cannabis plant will be growing rapidly and using a lot of energy to produce big, beautiful buds. That’s why it’s important to make sure your plant is getting all the nutrients it needs during this crucial time.
Depending on the type of soil you’re using, you may need to supplement with additional nutrients during the flowering stage. If you’re using a high-quality organic soil, you may not need to add anything other than water. But if you’re using a synthetic soil or a lower-quality organic soil, you may need to add some additional nutrients to help your plant reach its full potential.
The most important nutrients for cannabis during the flowering stage are phosphorus and potassium. Phosphorus is responsible for bud development, while potassium helps with photosynthesis and strengthens the stem and leaves. You can find these nutrients in most general-purpose fertilizer blends designed for flowering plants.
You should also keep an eye on your plant’s nitrogen levels during the flowering stage. Although nitrogen is not used as much during this time, it’s still important for overall plant health. If your plant starts to show signs of nitrogen deficiency (yellowing leaves), you can supplement with a high-nitrogen fertilizer or compost tea.
In general, you should fertilize your cannabis plants every two weeks during the flowering stage. But as always, it’s important to pay attention to your plants and Individual requirements may vary depending on the type of soil you’re using and the size of your plants.
The harvesting stage
After a few months of growing, your cannabis plant will finally be ready to harvest. This is an exciting time for any grower, as it signals the end of the growing cycle and the beginning of the curing process. But before you can enjoy your bounty, there’s one last important step to take: training your plant for maximum yield.
Light
Cannabis plants need a specific number of hours of light each day in order to flower. The amount of time depends on the strain, but most cannabis strains need 12 hours of complete darkness in order to flower. This means that if you are growing cannabis indoors, you will need to provide your plants with a light cycle that simulates the natural light cycle of the sun.
You can do this by using a timer to turn your grow lights off and on at the same time each day. If you are growing cannabis outdoors, you will need to make sure that your plants are not receiving any light at night, either by covering them with a black tarp or by growing them in an area where there is no artificial light at night (such as in a forest).
The flowering stage of the cannabis plant life cycle can last anywhere from 6-16 weeks, depending on the strain.
Temperature
Temperature is one of the most important environmental factors that affect plant growth. It influences metabolic processes, photosynthesis, respiration, plant hormone production, water use efficiency, and stomatal conductance.
Cannabis plants are thermophilic, which means they prefer warmer temperatures. The optimum temperature range for cannabis growth is 21-26°C. However, cannabis plants can tolerate a wide range of temperatures and can even survive freezing temperatures as long as they are not exposed to the cold for too long.
Temperatures below 10°C will cause the plant to go into dormancy and stop growing. However, some strains of cannabis are more tolerant of cold temperatures than others. For example, strains from colder regions like Afghanistan and Nepal can tolerate cooler temperatures better than strains from tropical regions.
Too much heat can also be detrimental to plant growth. Temperatures above 30°C can cause the leaves to wilt and the flowers to lose their potency. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can also cause the leaves to turn yellow and fall off the plant.
Water and humidity
Water and humidity play a vital role in the health of your cannabis plant and its ability to produce a high yield. Too much or too little water can lead to problems such as nutrient deficiencies, root rot, and mold. The ideal humidity level for cannabis plants is between 40% and 60%.
There are a few ways to measure humidity, including using a hygrometer or a moisture meter. Hygrometers are the most accurate way to measure humidity, but they can be expensive. Moisture meters are less expensive and easier to use, but they are not as accurate.
Once you know the ideal humidity level for your cannabis plant, you can take steps to maintain it. If the air is too dry, you can use a humidifier to add moisture to the air. If the air is too humid, you can use a dehumidifier to remove moisture from the air.
Nutrients
As your plants start to flower, they will need more and different nutrients than they did during the vegetative stage. The three most important nutrients for cannabis during flowering are phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen. Phosphorus is essential for proper flower development, and potassium helps to strengthen the flowers and increase their essential oil production. Nitrogen is still necessary during flowering, but in much smaller quantities than phosphorus and potassium. If your plant is showing signs of nutrient deficiency, a good fertilizer to use is one that is high in phosphorus, such as bone meal or bat guano.
