If you’re a cannabis grower, you probably know that plants start to smell when they reach the flowering stage. But what exactly causes this smell?
Checkout this video:
The Smell of Cannabis
One of the most common questions people have about cannabis is related to its smell. When do cannabis plants start to smell? The short answer is that it depends on the type of cannabis plant. Some plants will start to smell when they are just a few weeks old, while others may not start to smell until they are a few months old.
The Scent of the Cannabis Plant
The cannabis plant has a distinct smell that is often described as earthy, skunky, or similar to hay. The smell is caused by the plant’s essential oils, which are released when the plant is disturbed. Depending on the strain, the smell of cannabis can be very strong or barely noticeable.
Cannabis plants start to produce essential oils as they mature, and the concentration of these oils increases as the plant grows older. When the plant is ready to harvest, the essential oils will be at their peak.
When Do Cannabis Plants Start to Smell?
Most people are familiar with the signature smell of cannabis, often described as earthy, skunky, or dank. But did you know that this potent smell is actually produced by the cannabis plant’s flowers? In fact, flowers are the only part of the plant that contains the compounds responsible for this distinct odor.
So when do cannabis plants start to smell? It depends on the type of cannabis plant and the stage of its life cycle. For example, young cannabis plants (in the vegetative stage) typically don’t produce much of an odor. It’s not until they begin to bloom (or flower) that they start to develop that signature smell.
Different types of cannabis plants can also have different smells. For instance, indica strains tend to be more pungent, while sativa strains are often described as being sweeter or fruitier. And within each strain, there can be even more variation in odor depending on the specific genetics (or “chemotype”) of the plant.
So if you’re wondering when do cannabis plants start to smell, the answer is: it depends! But in general, you won’t start to notice that characteristic odor until the plant begins to flower.
The Stages of Smell
The stages of smell for a cannabis plant are: the vegetative stage, the flowering stage, and the ripening stage. The vegetative stage is when the plant is growing and is not yet producing flowers. The flowering stage is when the plant starts to produce flowers. The ripening stage is when the plant’s flowers are mature and ready to harvest.
The Pre-flowering Stage
Pre-flowering is when the cannabis plant becomes ready to reproduce. During this time, the plant will start to develop flowers (or buds), but they won’t be mature enough to produce viable seeds. This is also when the plant will start to produce its iconic aroma.
The pre-flowering stage usually lasts for about 6-8 weeks, but it can vary depending on the strain of cannabis. For example, indica strains typically flower faster than sativa strains.
During the pre-flowering stage, you may notice that your plants start to smell sweeter and more pungent. This is because the glands that produce THC and CBD are beginning to produce more cannabinoids. These cannabinoids are what give cannabis its signature smell.
At this point in the grow cycle, you may also start to see some white pistils starting to form on the buds. These are pistils that have not yet been fertilized by pollen from a male plant. Once fertilized, these pistils will turn into seeds.
The Flowering Stage
The flowering stage is when your cannabis plants start to produce buds. This happens when the plants are exposed to 12 hours of uninterrupted darkness and 12 hours of light each day. The plant will start to grow taller and produce more leaves during this time. The buds will also begin to form and grow larger. As the buds grow, they will start to produce a strong smell that can be detected from far away.
The Post-flowering Stage
The post-flowering stage is when the plant’s flowers (also called buds) mature and begin to produce aroma. Most cannabis varieties will be ready for harvest between 60 and 90 days after planting. The actual time it takes to mature will depend on the variety, growing conditions, and the size/genotype of the particular plant.
During the post-flowering stage, you may notice an increase in the intensity of your plant’s smell. This is normal and nothing to be concerned about. In fact, it’s a good sign that your plants are healthy and produce high-quality buds.
You’ll know your plants are ready for harvest when the buds are densely packed with trichomes (the tiny, sticky crystals that contain THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids). Use a magnifying glass or jeweler’s loupe to get a close look at your plant’s trichomes and determine when they’re ready for harvest.
The Benefits of Smelling Cannabis
When cannabis plants start to smell, it means they are ready to harvest. The benefits of smelling cannabis are that it can help you determine when the plant is ready to harvest and it can also help you preserve the quality of the buds.
The Aroma of Cannabis
When trying to determine if your cannabis plants are ready for harvest, one of the most telling signs is the smell. At a certain point in the plant’s life cycle, the buds will begin to emit a strong, distinct aroma. For some, this is the most wonderful smell in the world. For others, it can be overbearing and even unpleasant. But regardless of your opinion on the matter, there’s no denying that the smell of cannabis is one of the plant’s most defining traits.
So what causes this signature scent? The answer lies in the plant’s unique chemical makeup. Cannabis is full of aromatic compounds known as terpenes. These molecules are what give each strain its own distinctive smell and flavor. When plants reach maturity and begin to flower, they produce more terpenes in an attempt to attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. However, these same compounds also happen to be responsible for the plant’s distinct aroma.
As cannabis flowers mature, they go through a process known as “curing” which further develops and intensifies their flavors and aromas. During this time, excess water is removed from the buds and they are allowed to “breathe” in an effort to prevent mold or mildew growth. Curing typically takes anywhere from 2-8 weeks depending on the method used and desired results. Once curing is complete, your buds will be packed with flavor and aroma, making them ready for consumption!
The Scent of the Cannabis Plant
The scent of cannabis is one of the most distinctive and recognizable smells in the world. For many people, the smell of cannabis is associated with relaxation and positive experiences. In fact, the smell of cannabis is so distinctive that it’s often used to help people identify the plant.
Cannabis plants produce a range of different compounds that are responsible for their characteristic smell. These compounds are called terpenes, and they’re found in a wide variety of plant-based products, including essential oils.
There are dozens of different terpenes that have been identified in cannabis plants, and each one has its own unique scent. Some of the most common terpenes found in cannabis include myrcene, limonene, and pinene.
Scientists believe that these terpenes may play a role in the therapeutic effects of cannabis. For example, myrcene has been shown to have sedative effects, while limonene is thought to boost mood and energy levels. Pinene, on the other hand, is believed to improve memory and focus.
The scent of cannabis can also vary depending on the strain. Some strains are known for their “skunky” smell, while others may have fruity or floral notes. The scent can also change depending on how the plant is grown and processed. For example, indoor-grown cannabis may have a more pungent odor than plants grown outdoors.
If you’re interested in trying cannabis but don’t want to deal with the smell, there are a few options available. Many companies now offer “odourless” cannabis products that don’t produce any noticeable scent when they’re used. These products typically use odorless varieties of cannabis or oil-based extraction methods that don’t involve heating the plant material.
When Do Cannabis Plants Start to Smell?
Cannabis plants have distinct smells at different stages of their life cycle.
During the vegetative stage, when the plant is just growing and hasn’t yet begun to flower, it will have a grassy smell. Once the plant starts to flower, however, it will begin to produce more of the fragrant cannabinoids that give cannabis its distinctive aroma.
Over the course of flowering, the scent of the plant will change as different cannabinoids are produced. For example, early in flowering, plants may smell sweet or fruity as they produce more terpenes. As flowering progresses, plants will typically produce more pungent smells as they create more cannabigerol (CBG) and myrcene.
The peak of a plant’s aroma usually occurs just before harvest, when it is producing large quantities of fragrance molecules. At this point, the smell of the plant will be determined by its genetics and growing conditions, as well as by the specific cannabinoids and terpenes that it has produced.
After harvest, cannabis plants lose much of their aroma as the fragrance molecules degrade. However, there are still traces of these molecules present in cured and dried cannabis flowers, which is why they retain some of their scent even after being processed.
