Contents
A guide to help you identify what a cannabis plant looks like so you can start your grow operation today!
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The Different Stages of Cannabis Plants
Cannabis plants go through different stages during their life cycle. The first stage is the Seedling stage, which is when the plant is germinating and growing its first leaves. The second stage is the vegetative stage, where the plant is growing its leaves and branches. The third stage is the flowering stage, where the plant is blooming and producing buds. Finally, the fourth stage is the harvest stage, where the plant is ready to be harvested and dried.
The vegetative stage
After the seed germination process is complete and your young cannabis plant has emerged from its seed coat (or shell), it will enter the vegetative stage of growth. Don’t worry if it looks a bit different from the mature cannabis plants you’re used to seeing; it will take some time for it to develop its distinctive features.
At this early stage, your plant will focus on developing a strong root system and building up its energy reserves in preparation for the flowering stage. It is during the vegetative stage that you can manipulate your plant’s environment, such as changing the amount of light it receives or the temperature of its growing space, to encourage it to grow in the way you want.
The vegetative stage typically lasts between four and eight weeks, but can be longer if you are growing a large plant or if you are using a technique like super cropping (which we will discuss in more detail later). Once your plant has reached its desired size or shape, you can induce flowering by switching to a 12-hour light/12-hour dark cycle.
The flowering stage
The flowering stage is when the plant grows its buds. The amount of time it takes for a cannabis plant to flower will depend on the strain, with some plants taking as little as six weeks and others taking up to 16 weeks. Once the plant has flowered, the flowers (or buds) will need to be dried before they can be used.
The Different Parts of Cannabis Plants
Cannabis plants are made up of different parts that all work together to produce the final product. The leaves and flowers are the most popular parts of the plant, but the roots, stem, and pollen are also important. Each part of the plant has a different function, and they all work together to create the perfect cannabis plant.
The leaves
Cannabis leaves are perhaps the most iconic part of the plant. They’re often bright green, with serrated edges and a fan-like shape. The surface of cannabis leaves is covered in tiny trichomes, which contain high concentrations of THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids.
The leaves of a cannabis plant are actually pretty efficient at photosynthesis, which is how the plant produces its food. When exposed to sunlight, the chloroplasts in the leaves’ cells convert sunlight into chemical energy that the plant can then use to grow and thrive.
While the leaves of a cannabis plant are important, they’re not the only part that contains valuable cannabinoids. In fact, all parts of the cannabis plant – including the flowers, stems, and even roots – contain these compounds.
The flowers
The flowers of a cannabis plant are its reproductive organs, which allow the plant to produce viable seeds. The flowers are densely packed with tiny, sticky trichomes, which contain high concentrations of THC and other cannabinoids. These glands make the flowers very potent, especially when they are dried and cured properly. Flowers can be smoked, vaped, or used to make edibles and other cannabis products.
The stem
The stem is the part of the cannabis plant that connects the leaves and flowers to the main stalk. It is typically green and can vary in thickness, depending on the variety of cannabis plant. The stem is an important part of the plant, as it transports water and nutrients from the roots to the rest of the plant.
The Different Colors of Cannabis Plants
Cannabis plants come in many different colors, from the well-known green to purple, blue, yellow, white, and red. Each color is the result of different pigments in the plant’s leaves, and these colors can offer some clues about a plant’s genetics. For example, purple cannabis plants are usually indica strains. Blue cannabis plants are usually sativa strains.
Green
The most common color of cannabis plants is green. Green plants are easy to grow and are popular with beginners. They are also the most forgiving when it comes to mistakes in watering and feeding.
Green plants have a distinctive smell that is often described as earthy or grassy. The smell is caused by the presence of chlorophyll, which is essential for photosynthesis. Chlorophyll also gives plants their green color.
Cannabis plants can also be yellow, red, or purple. These colors are caused by the presence of other pigments, such as carotenes and anthocyanins. Yellow and red plants are less common than green ones, but they can be just as easy to grow.
Purple cannabis plants are the rarest of all. They occur when Anthocyanins pigments interact withother compounds in the plant, such as chlorophyll. Purple cannabis plants are prized by growers because they are considered to be more aesthetically pleasing than other colors.
Brown
Brown cannabis plants are on the drier side and may be indica dominant. They often have a more hashy smell.
Purple
The Purple cannabis plant is fairly easy to spot among other types of Cannabis. As the name suggests, this particular strain has a hue of purple. Due to a pigmentation anomaly, the leaves, buds, and even the stem of this plant carry a purple color. It isn’t quite as common as green or brown strains, but Purple cannabis is becoming more popular in recent years.
The most significant difference between Purple Cannabis and other strains is the color. However, there are some subtle variations in taste and smell that distinguish it from others. Some say that it has a sweeter flavor than regular green Cannabis. Additionally, its aroma is a bit more pungent than average.
The effects of smoking purple Cannabis are pretty much the same as any other strain out there. So, if you’re looking to get high, this particular type of Cannabis won’t let you down.
The Different Shapes of Cannabis Plants
Cannabis plants can vary greatly in size, shape, and architecture. The shape of a cannabis plant is determined by its genetics and the environment in which it is grown. For example, if a cannabis plant is grown indoors with limited space, it will tend to be shorter and stockier than a plant grown outdoors in a large open area.
Indica
Indica plants are shorter and bushier than sativas, with wider leaves. They tend to grow faster and have a higher yield than sativas. Indicas are better suited for indoor growing, due to their shorter stature. They also have a shorter flowering time—usually around 6-8 weeks.
Some indica strains include:
-Afghan Kush
-G-13
-Northern Lights
Sativa
Cannabis Sativa plants are tall, thin and have long, narrow leaves. They can grow up to 20 feet tall! These plants are better suited for outdoor growing, as they need a lot of space to reach their full potential. They take longer to mature than Indica plants, typically taking 10-16 weeks to flower. When grown indoors, they may need special support to prevent them from toppling over. Sativa strains tend to have a more uplifting effect, making them a popular choice for daytime use.
Hybrid
Most of the cannabis that is available on the market today is hybrid. This type of cannabis is a mixture of both indica and sativa genetics, and as such, it can exhibit characteristics of both plant types. Hybrid plants are usually bred by growers in an attempt to combine the best traits of both parents. For example, a grower might breed an indica plant with a sativa plant in order to create a hybrid plant that has the short stature and fast flowering time of an indica, but the uplifting and cerebral effects of a sativa.
