Cannabis flowering phase: the importance of flowering in cannabis plants production

Modified on: 19/11/2024

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE FLOWERING OF CANNABIS PLANTS

When growing CBD weed, expert-growers know very well which phases they cannot go wrong in the vegetative stage and the flowering phase of flowering marijuana plants.

Today we will focus on the CBD cannabis flowering phase, while we will devote a separate discussion to the vegetative stage in another study. By reading this article, you will learn about the importance of CBD flower, its care and harvesting. There will also be a mention of the tanning of the CBD bud, which is essential to guarantee our customers high-quality products without imperfections.

Are you ready? Then make yourself comfortable because we are starting right now!

The Secrets of Cannabis Cultivation

Cannabis cultivation is an intricate journey, from the initial stages of planting seeds to the much-anticipated flowering phase and harvest. This comprehensive guide delves into the key elements that play a pivotal role in the successful growth of cannabis plants.

Understanding the Cannabis Flowering Phase:

The cannabis flowering phase marks the start flowering a transformative period where the plants transition from vegetative growth to the production of buds. This critical stage demands careful attention, as the plants require a balanced 12-hour light and 12-hour darkness cycle to initiate flowering.

The Role of Male and Female Plants:

In cannabis cultivation, distinguishing between male and female plants is crucial. Female plants are prized for their bud production, while male plants play a role in the pollination process. Growers often prefer cultivating female plants to ensure a high yield of potent cannabis buds themselves.

Optimizing Bud Production:

The production of buds is a key goal in cannabis cultivation. Identifying bud sites during the pre-flowering stage allows growers to anticipate where the flowers will emerge, guiding cultivation practices to optimize yield.

Signs of Flowering and Bud Development:

Recognizing the first signs of marijuana flowering stage is an essential skill for growers. These signs include the appearance of white hairs, indicating the onset of the flowering phase. As the plants progress, the focus shifts to the development of actual buds, rich in cannabinoids.

Cultivating Female Cannabis Plants:

The cultivation of female cannabis plants is a priority for most growers, as these plants are responsible for the sought-after bud production. Understanding the nuances of female plant care, from nutrient management to environmental conditions, is vital for a successful cannabis harvest.

Nutrient Management and Deficiency Prevention:

Avoiding nutrient deficiencies is paramount for healthy cannabis growth. Proper nutrient management, including a well-balanced nutrient formula, ensures robust plant development throughout the growth cycle.

Light Cycles and Environmental Control:

Light cycles play a crucial role in the cannabis growth process. For indoor cultivation in a grow room, mimicking natural light cycles using grow lights is essential. Environmental control, including air circulation and relative humidity, further influences plant health.

Harvesting and the Drying Process:

Harvesting cannabis at the right time is an art. Understanding when to harvest ensures peak potency and quality. The subsequent drying process is equally critical, impacting the final product’s aroma, taste, and effects.

The Role of Feminized Seeds:

Feminized seeds have gained popularity among growers for their guarantee of producing female plants. These seeds eliminate the risk of male plants and contribute to a more straightforward cultivation process.

The Entire Growth Cycle:

From the first signs of growth to the eventual flowering and harvest, understanding the entire cannabis growth cycle is essential for growers. This knowledge empowers cultivators to address challenges, optimize conditions, and ultimately achieve a successful yield.

In conclusion, successful cannabis cultivation requires a deep understanding of each stage, from planting cannabis seeds, to the drying process. By focusing on key elements such as the flowering phase, bud development, and environmental control, growers can navigate the complexities of cannabis cultivation and enjoy a bountiful harvest.

CBD cannabis flowering: why is it so important?

As many growers you may know, the buds you find for sale in our CBD flower shop are nothing but flowers from legal cannabis plants. These inflorescences are rich in CBD, the non-psychotropic cannabinoid with great benefits for our bodies, and low in THC (less than 0.2%).

The female cannabis plant flowering phase is essential because this is when the buds are filled with pistils and trichomes. The pistils are necessary for recognising the CBD flowers’ maturity stage, while the trichomes are glands that produce resin, a product rich in cannabinoids.

A legal Sativa cannabis plant that suffers during the flowering phase first develops a few flowers (assuming it can bear them), which will be low in pistils and trichomes. The CBD buds taste and aromas are compromised. As a result, the grower’s yield is null.

It is therefore essential for the farmer to follow, step by step this critical period, and to be very attentive to anything that might compromise it.

Read also: Cannabis cycle: here are all the growth phases of the plant

The legal marijuana flowering step by step

Many traditional cannabis varieties flower in about 7-8 weeks, but some types need a few more weeks to develop and start producing buds. Whether grown indoors, outdoors or in a greenhouse, regular plants need 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness to begin flowering.

Once this phase has begun, growers need to know precisely how to care for their seedlings, week after week, as the requirements of legal cannabis are continually changing.

Here are the main details about the weeks of the cannabis flowering stage:

• First week of flowering
  The plant grows exponentially, almost doubling in size. In this phase, the plants require a lot of fertiliser because the energy expenditure is high.  

• Second week of flowering
  The first pistils start to grow, which when immature have a light, almost white colour. In this period, it is necessary to increase the doses of fertiliser, to bring the development of the flowers to its optimum level.  

• Third week of flowering
  The growth of the plants begins to slow down, while the trichomes increase in number, even though there are not many of them yet. Here, it is necessary to be wary of cannabis deficiencies as they could compromise flowering and therefore yield.

• Fourth week of flowering
  The plants stop growing, using almost 100% of the energy in the flowers’ development. During this period the trichomes increase exponentially, along with the cannabinoids and aromas of the plant.

• Fifth week of flowering
  The flowers fill the whole plant, concentrating mainly on the buds, which become very heavy. Some smaller flowers can develop in any order along the branches, but the largest buds are precisely those at the tops. The inflorescences are almost ready for harvesting.  

• Between the sixth and eighth week of flowering
  The buds generally start to ripen and are ready for harvest at the end of ripening.

The signs of maturation of the cannabis flowers growing buds are visible … under a magnifying glass!

All Factors That Matter in the Growth of Marijuana Plants

Growing healthy and potent marijuana plants is an intricate process that involves various crucial factors. From the vegetative growth phase to the cannabis flowering stage, each stage demands careful attention to ensure a successful cultivation journey.

1. Vegetative Growth:

During the vegetative growth phase, cannabis plants focus on leaf and stem development. Providing the plants receive right nutrients and light cycle is vital for robust plant growth.

2. Flowering Stage:

Transitioning to the flowering stage requires a meticulous 12-hour light and 12-hour darkness cycle. This shift stimulates the cannabis plant to produce buds and enter the flowering cycle.

3. Bud Development:

Bud development is a critical aspect of marijuana cultivation. Identifying bud sites, especially during the pre-flowering stage, allows growers to anticipate the locations where flowers will flourish.

4. Flowering Cannabis Plant:

Care during the flowering phase is essential, as the entire plant itself’s energy shifts towards bud production. Monitoring for signs of flowering, such as the appearance of white hairs, guides growers through this transformative stage.

5. Nutrient Management:

Avoiding nutrient burn and deficiencies is crucial for healthy cannabis growth. Properly managing bloom nutrients ensures optimal development during the flowering phases.

6. Environmental Control:

Maintaining the right conditions in the grow room, including air circulation, relative humidity, and light exposure, plays a pivotal role in the life cycle of cannabis plants.

7. Cannabis Strain Selection:

The choice of cannabis strain matters significantly. Sativa-dominant strains may grow rapidly, while each strain exhibits distinct characteristics during the flowering stretch.

8. Light and Darkness:

Understanding the importance of light cycles flowering plants is fundamental. Properly timed light exposure, followed by complete darkness, contributes to flowering and eventual bud production.

9. Pest and Disease Prevention:

Protecting plants from bud rot and other diseases is crucial. Regular checks for pollen sacs and signs of bud development help maintain a healthy plant.

10. Harvest Time:

Recognizing the flower clusters first signs of flowering is key to determining the optimal harvest time. Harvesting at peak potency ensures the best quality buds.

11. Adaptation to Natural Sunlight:

For outdoor cultivation, adapting plants growth to natural sunlight cycles is imperative. The plant develops according to the changing seasons and sunlight availability.

12. Grow Lights for Indoor Cultivation:

In an indoor setup, the use of grow lights is essential. Mimicking natural light cycles contributes to the overall success of the growth phase.

Understanding these factors allows growers to navigate the intricate process of marijuana cultivation successfully. Whether growing cannabis indoors or outdoors, each factor contributes to the overall health, potency, and quality of the cannabis plant.

Read also: California and marijuana: the origin of the best cannabis strains

When do CBD flowers are ready for harvest?

It is necessary to check the colour of the pistils and trichomes to identify legal-marijuana buds’ maturation stage. Growers usually arm themselves with good magnifying glass and meticulously analyse the flowers, which, once ripe, have the following characteristics:

• they have trichomes which, when transparent, have taken on a milky white colour;  

• they have darker pistils than all the other stages. The colours of the pistils can be different (and even mixed) depending on the cannabis strains: they are usually yellow, orange, brick red, purple-red or violet.

At this stage, growers can wash the roots, harvest the flowers, dry and clean them. The sugar leaves are then ready to be analysed at the chemical-pharmaceutical analysis laboratory, such as the University of Milan for all JustBob’s CBD flowers and legal hash. If they comply with the maximum THC, i.e. less than 0.2%, they are ready to be sold on our CBD online shop.

What are you waiting for? Take a look at our CBD weed strains right now and buy all the ones you want by taking advantage of the great quantity discounts!