1. Flowering Cannabis – From the First Signs of the Flowering Stage Until Harvest

What is Flowering Cannabis?

The flowering stage of a cannabis plant’s growth cycle is 100% the most exciting of all three growth stages but also stress-inducing. It’s the stage that all weed growers look forward to, but it does come with a few hurdles and challenges.

During the flowering stage, you will start to watch delicious, beautiful buds start to grow and mature until they are ready to harvest.

This is the part of the growth cycle when all of your hard work nurturing your plant pays off, and you start to reap the benefits.

If you are growing indoors, you can induce the flowering stage (of photoperiod plants) when you change the light schedule to a 12/12 schedule. If you are growing outdoors, the flowering stage will begin when the summer months turn to autumn and the natural light that the plant gets begins to reduce.

During the flowering stage, your cannabis plants will start redirecting all of their nutrients and energy into the development of buds. You will also notice the first signs of sugar leaves growing on the plant.

The vegetative stage is all about getting the plant as big and strong as possible in preparation for the flowering stage. Once the flowering stage has begun, the plant focuses its time and energy on producing big, potent, and gorgeous buds.

When Does Cannabis Start to Flower?

The start of the flowering stage is all about light. Your plant will transition from the vegetative stage to the flowering stage when it notices the reduction in daily light. The way this works changes depending on whether you are growing indoors or outdoors.

Indoor Grows

For indoor grows, you can keep your plant in the vegetative stage for as long as you like. Your plant is exposed to more hours of light than darkness during the veg stage, usually 18 hours of light to 6 hours of dark. The flowering stage will only begin when you switch to a 12/12 cycle. Meaning 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness per day.

Think of it as a way of essentially tricking your plant into thinking the days are getting shorter and that the winter months are approaching. This is their cue to start flowering. 

If you are growing autoflowers, they have an internal clock which triggers them into the flowering stage no matter what is going on with the light schedule. This will usually happen around week 4 or 5 for autos. 

Outdoor Grows

Growing weed outdoors is a different game altogether. You do not have direct control of how much light your plants get (unless you are supplementing or restricting the lighting in a greenhouse), so they will naturally start to transition into the flowering stage after the summer solstice and when the days start to get shorter.

This is why it is so important to begin your outdoor grow at the right time. If you plant your seeds too late, they will not have enough time in the vegetative stage and will transition into the flowering stage before they can reach that true potential.

If this happens, you will get much smaller yields or even no yield at all. Your plant may not be prepared enough to even grow buds, and your grow attempt will all be for nothing.

When Should You Flip From Veg to Flower?

For indoor grows, it is totally up to the grower when they want to begin the flowering stage. If you are attempting to grow one huge plant, you can keep your plant in the veg stage by keeping it on an 18/6 light schedule for, let’s say, 12 weeks. This will encourage the plant to keep growing in the veg stage before you initiate the 12/12 cycle.

However, if you are growing multiple smaller plants, you may want to switch it over to the 12/12 cycle after 5 to 6 weeks of veg.

Keep in mind how much space you have in your grow setup. If you keep your plants in the veg stage for too long, they will take up too much space and will cause issues later down the line after they have gone through the stretching phase. These issues can include things like shading and humidity problems.

Similarly, autoflowers’ internal clock determines when they switch to the flowering stage, which usually happens around week 4 or 5.

How Long Does a Weed Plant Stay in the Flowering Stage?

Cannabis plants stay in the flowering stage for different amounts of time depending on a number of factors. The main thing that affects the length of the flowering stage is the genetics of the plant. Some strains (indica dominant) only need to flower for around 6–10 weeks before they are ready to harvest, while other strains (sativa dominant) can take up to 12–14 weeks to properly develop buds that are ripe for the picking.

Another factor that affects the flowering stage is how you treat your plant during this phase of its grow cycle. By giving it the right nutrients at the right times and providing it with the correct levels of light, your plant will grow big, strong, and potent buds in less time.

If you neglect your plant and give it the wrong kinds of nutrients, not enough water or too little/too much light exposure, the buds will not only be smaller and lower quality, but they will also take longer to grow.

Grow techniques also affect the length of the flowering stage. Both high-stress and low-stress techniques can affect how long your plant remains in the flowering stage. It is also up to you as a grower to recognize when your buds have become as big and as potent as they will get, and know the right time to harvest.

The only true way to tell if your plants are ready to be harvested is by checking out the state of the trichomes with a USB microscope. More on this later…

Autoflowers

It is completely different for autos. The flowering stage is much shorter and less affected by the same things that affect photoperiod plants. For autos, you can expect your plants to be ready for harvest after 4–5 weeks of flowering.

Yes, your yield will be smaller than that of a well-grown photoperiod plant, but not by a huge deal if you get everything right, and the turnaround time is what makes autos so appealing. From seed to harvest, it can take as little as 8–10 weeks.

Flowering Stage Week-By-Week

Keep in mind that the following is just a rough guide. The actual timing of each stage may vary depending on the strain, growing conditions, and grow techniques.

Week 1

During the first week of the flowering stage, your plant is still transitioning from the veg stage. You will definitely notice an increase in the size of the plant in this first week. Some plants can grow a huge amount during this time, and depending on the strain, they can grow up to double in size.

The sudden increase in the plant’s size is known as stretching. During the stretching phase, you will also observe a bunch of new leaves at the top of the main colas. 

Make sure you are still feeding your plants the right nutrients during this phase. We would recommend slowing transitioning over to the flower nutes, maybe half/half for the first week.

This is also a good time to use some low-stress training techniques. One popular technique during the first week of flowering is bending the stems down and away from the center of the plant. This will encourage a more even canopy and help increase yield.

Week 2

In week 2, you will start to see the formation of the first white pistils. These are fine, wispy white hairs and start to grow in the areas that will later be the budding sites of the plant. 

With the formation of the first white pistils, your plant is properly entering the flowering stage. This is when you should start to change the nutrients you are giving your plant. We recommend that by the end of week 2, you are switching from growing nutrients to flowering nutrients to help promote the maximum yield.

Week 3

The stretching process should be finished by the end of week 3. This means that your plant has stopped growing and will now spend all of its time and energy growing flowers and buds.

On the sites where you saw the white hairs during week 2, should now be the first signs of real buds. They will not have trichomes or resin glands, so the pungent smell won’t have started, but it is getting close.

Now that your plant is properly flowering and no longer growing make sure that you are feeding it the right nutrients. Check the nutrient packs to make sure you are giving them the right type, and also check the dosages to make sure you are getting that right also.

Week 4

By this point of the flowering stage, your plant is fully focused on growing buds, rather than growing in size. The budding sites will start to get trichomes, and you will start to notice the familiar dank odor that these beauties give off. 

Now that your plant has stopped growing completely, you can stop with any training techniques. Those stems that you bent away from the center of the plant may even need some structural support to keep them upright by this stage.

Week 5

During week 5, the fun really begins. You will start to see your buds get a heap bigger with noticeable growth each day. You might even see some new buds popping up in areas such as the main cola.

You will also start to get an intense odor during this time, which is caused by the formation of the trichomes on the buds. Make sure that you have a good ventilation system if you are growing indoors, especially if you are growing in an area that doesn’t allow legal cultivation. 

Late Stage of Flowering (Weeks 6-8)

All weed strains will be ready to harvest at different times, however, some can be ready to cut down as early as the end of week 8. Before you start your harvest process though, it is important that you do a few particular things to increase the purity, potency, and taste of the buds.

Flushing Your Cannabis Plants

About a week before you harvest your buds, you should undergo the flushing process. In this time you should stop giving your plant nutrients and only give it pH-balanced water. This helps to flush out all of the salts, minerals, and other nutrients that might affect the taste when you smoke.

This process is super important in making a better and more pure-tasting bud. If you don’t flush your plants, you can have a very unpleasant smoking experience, which can sometimes leave a chemical taste in your mouth. 

Checking When It Is Time to Harvest

Harvesting your buds at the right time will have a huge impact on how nice your smoking experience is. If you pick them too early, not only will your yield be smaller, but the taste of the buds will be different. This is the same for if you were to harvest them too late.

The best way to check if your buds are ready to harvest is to get a microscope or a jewellers loupe and take a close look at the trichomes. You are looking for a mix of amber and milky white trichs. If the trichomes are still clear, then you know your plant is still not ready to harvest. 

How Long is the Flowering Stage for Outdoor Plants?

The flowering stage for outdoor plants is relatively similar to indoor plants, and takes around 8–12 weeks, depending on the strain you are growing. This stage is initiated naturally when the days start to get shorter, and your plants are exposed to less sunlight each day.

There are actually three main stages to the flowering process for outdoor plants.

1. Pre-Flower Stage: During the first couple of weeks of the flowering stage, you will be able to tell the sex of your plant; male, female, or hermaphrodite. You will also notice a huge increase in the size of your plant, which is known as stretching. Your plant does this to prepare itself for growing large, heavy buds.
2. Mid-Flowering Stage: As the summer months progress and get shorter, your plant will stack on a heap of weight caused by the growth of buds. Trichomes will also begin to form, and you will start to notice a strong dank odor coming from the plant.
3. Late-Flowering Stage: This is the ripening stage, where the buds properly form cannabinoids and terpenes. Keep in mind that although you are getting close to harvest time, that all depends on the strain you are growing. Some strains will be ready to harvest as early as September, while others won’t be ready until the start of December.

Grow Techniques for the Flowering Stage

If you really want to maximize your yield when it comes time to harvest, there are a few grow techniques and tips to follow to help you get there.

ScrOG (Screen of Green)

This technique involves putting a piece of mesh over your plant at the later parts of the veg stage. As your plant begins to stretch, you can feed different branches through different parts of the mesh. 

This can help grow your plant wider rather than taller. With a wider plant, more buds can be at the top of the canopy, where they will receive the most light exposure.

If you want bigger and healthier buds, you want them to get the most light exposure. Buds that are at the top of the canopy are generally the best, so having more buds at the top will result in a better yield.

Lollipopping

This process starts during the veg stage and involves cutting off the branches that are at the bottom of the plant. Buds that grow on these branches can often be shaded by the top canopy.

By cutting them off, you are allowing your plant to redirect all of its nutrients and energy to the buds at the top of the plant. This means you will have more stronger and bigger buds in the top canopy. Although you may lose some branches from the bottom of the plant, the reward that you get in terms of the quality and size of the ones at the top, is 100% worth it. 

Nutrients

It is important to ensure that you are giving your plant the right nutrients at the right time. Switch from growing nutrients to flowering nutrients after the first week or two of the flowering stage or when the stretching phase has finished.

Also, make sure you are checking the nutrient bottles for the right doses. You do not want to overfeed or underfeed your plants. Even better, get an EC or PPM meter to make sure the parts per million (PPM) of nutrients is right for your plants.

One more thing to consider is how much water you are giving your plants. As they transition and settle into the flowering stage, they will become a lot thirstier and will need more water. By the time you are in the middle of the flowering stage, up until harvest time, your plants will need around 1.5L of water per day. 

Environmental Factors

Environmental factors play a massive role in the health and yield of your plants, especially during the flowering stage. Make sure you are keeping an eye on the temperature, humidity levels, and air circulation in your grow space.

High temperatures can cause buds to dry out too quickly, resulting in smaller yields and potentially even bud rot. On the other hand, if humidity levels are too high, this can lead to mold growth on your buds. Ensuring proper ventilation and controlling these factors will help you achieve a healthier plant with a higher yield.

For best results, try keeping the grow room temperatures at around 75F and the humidity at around 40-50%.

The Art of Properly Drying and Curing Cannabis Buds

Proper drying and curing are essential for keeping your weed plants’ flavor, fragrance, and potency. After harvesting, hang the branches in a dark, cool, well-ventilated place for 7-14 days. Growers should ensure the humidity is at 50% and the temperature is between 15-21°C. Conversely, curing entails preserving the dried buds in airtight containers, like glass jars, for a few weeks. This method distributes the residual moisture uniformly and improves the weed’s overall quality and flavor.

Post-Harvest Techniques for Long-Term Storage

Some of the most important parameters influencing the quality and durability of cannabis buds are:

1. Moisture content: Cannabis buds should be dried and cured adequately to avoid mold and microbial development. The optimal moisture level for cannabis preservation is between 55 and 62%.
2. Temperature: Keep your buds in a cool and dark place (away from direct sun and other heat sources). This is because high temperatures can destroy cannabinoids and terpenes while increasing the danger of mold and insect infestation.
3. Light: Keep your cannabis buds in dark-colored or opaque containers to protect them from light. This is because light can degrade the cannabinoids and terpenes and alter the color and appearance of your weed.
4. Oxygen: Store their buds in airtight containers to minimize exposure to oxygen. This is because oxygen can oxidize the cannabinoids and terpenes of your cannabis, lowering the potency and flavor.

Common Mistakes to Avoid During the Flowering Stage

Common mistakes during the cannabis flowering stage include:

1. Overdoing weed nutrients and pH concentrations. Growers should keep the pH steady during the flowering phase. The ideal pH level in the soil is between 6.0 and 7.0, while in coco and hydro grows, it should be close to 5.8.
2. Improper lighting setup for indoor cultivators. During the flowering stage, they need 12 hours of bright light and 12 hours of uninterrupted darkness to trigger and maintain bud production. They also need a light source that provides enough light penetration and spectrum to reach all the buds and enhance their quality.
3. Male plants pollinate females. Male plants produce pollen sacs that can fertilize females, causing them to generate seeds instead of buds. This can cause reduced harvest yield and quality and introduce unwanted genetics to your plant.
4. Underestimating the dangers of humidity and mold. Mold can grow on your weed buds due to high humidity, poor ventilation, or lack of airflow in your grow space. Mold can appear as white, gray, or black fuzz, spots, or webbing on your buds or stems. It can also cause your buds to smell musty, sour, or rotten.
5. Cannabis odor leaking from your grow tent or room: Cannabis plants generate a strong and distinctive smell that can attract unwanted attention or cause issues with your neighbors or authorities. The smell becomes even more intense and noticeable during flowering, mostly as the buds mature and ripen.

Troubleshooting Flowering Issues: Tips for Success

Here are the best flowering stage tips for cannabis:

1. Remove excess foliation: Some professionals clip their plants’ leaves at this phase (defoliation) so that their plants can concentrate on bud growth. Make careful to leave enough leaves to sustain the health of your plant! The leaves fuel the plant’s system and thus bud development.
2. Support heavy weed buds to maintain light exposure: If your buds are too heavy for your plant, consider holding them up and close to the light.
3. Prevent nutrient burn: Nutrient burn might affect your plant’s health. Avoid overfeeding your plant with nutrients.
4. Proper airflow: Space all cannabis plants far enough apart to allow for optimal airflow between them. This reduces hot spots from lights and the spread of powdery mildew while increasing carbon dioxide and oxygen dispersion.
5. Only clip dead leaves and branches: It may be tempting to prune large branches, but your plants require all the energy and health they can receive right now. Alternatively, you can bend and bind the plants to make a more horizontal table-like form rather than a Christmas tree shape.
6. Maintain humidity around 45%: When maintaining humidity throughout the flowering stage, aim for 45% humidity in your grow room. With humidity above 50%, you face the danger of powdery mildew on your buds during the flowering period.

Exploring Different Harvesting Techniques and Methods

Cannabis plants are harvested using two methods: wet trimming and dry trimming. Both approaches have pros and disadvantages.

1. Wet trimming is cutting off the fan leaves when the plant is still young and hanging the branches to dry. Some growers prefer wet cutting because it is faster and simpler to manage. However, this procedure can cause the buds to dry out rapidly, impacting the overall flavor and fragrance.
2. Dry trimming involves hanging the entire cannabis plant or branch to dry before removing the leaves. Dry trimming is recognized to maintain fragrance and flavor better, although it is more labor-intensive and time-consuming.

The Importance of Timing: Planning for a Successful Harvest

Knowing when to harvest cannabis is essential for producing potent buds. Combine your strain’s estimated blooming time with its visual characteristics. The indicators of flowering completion include brown, curled pistils and opaque clarity in trichomes. These characteristics ensure you collect buds with the maximum concentration of cannabinoids and terpenes.