Cannabis grows on long, thin stems with large fan-shaped leaves that emerge from the nodes. It really stands out for its flowers, in which unique formations occur: fiery orange hairs, sugar crystals and stocky buds surrounded by tiny leaves.
A unique plant with a wonderful aroma can give the grower a lot of positive emotions. To experience all the benefits of gardening, you just need to plant the seeds in a pot and take care of the future harvest.
Cannabis has four main life cycles that affect the quality of the crop. If you make a minor mistake, you can lose part of it.
Life cycles of marijuana
- Germination (3-10 days)
- Seedlings (2-3 weeks)
- Vegetative (3-16 weeks)
- Flowering (8-11 weeks)
When the seed germinates, it emerges through the soil and the first leaves open;
After germination, when the first cotyledon leaves appear on the plant;
The main stage of growth. It is characterized by the appearance of strong stems, fan leaves. The plant is preparing for flowering;
Hemp begins to produce buds, coating them with resins and crystal trichomes. During this period of life, the buds emit a characteristic odor.
The main life cycle is vegetation. It is during this period that the plant is more susceptible to the external environment. The task of the grower is to provide his plantation with a comfortable microclimate in order to reap a generous harvest at the end of the season.
Necessary care during the growing season of marijuana
Let's take a look at popular methods from growers around the globe. By following simple rules, you can not worry about the final result.
Factors contributing to good growth during the cannabis growing season:
- The optimum air temperature is around 22 - 27º C;
- Relative air humidity, about 40 - 60%;
- Low light intensity, blue spectrum preferred;
- Photoperiod: 18 hours of light / 6 hours of absolute darkness;
- Nutrition: low dose of nutrients to start, then increase;
- Large pot size with drainage (7-10 liters for a small bush);
- Watering: from a sprayer to avoid waterlogging, exclusively filtered water to avoid diseases;
- Substrate: 80% black earth with minerals and fertilizers, 20% coir fiber;
- pH levels: 6 to 7;
- Good air exchange.
The vegetative stage of marijuana will begin three weeks after sowing, and will last from 6 to 8 weeks (depending on the variety). You can determine the beginning of the growing season, both by nodes and by the size of the bush. Cannabis will start producing leaves with five petioles.
During the vegetative stage, a healthy cannabis plant grows as tall as it can under the given conditions. The plant grows only leaves and stems. Meanwhile, it may show "preflowers" to indicate sex, but buds will only start to grow when the days get shorter (in autumn) or the photoperiod changes from 18/6 to 12/12.
At the vegetative stage, cannabis shows its first sexual characteristics. When growing for harvest, only allow female plants to grow, and get rid of male and hermaphrodites as soon as possible. During the flowering period, male plants will begin to pollinate females. As a result, there will be many seeds and few buds.
To be sure of the uniquely female field of seeds when choosing, you should pay attention to feminized cannabis seeds. In 99%, “female plants” are obtained.
*The material is provided for informational purposes only. Use your cannabis growing knowledge only in countries where it is legal.
