When you start growing your own cannabis plants in your garden, the process can seem long and tedious. But if you have the skills and patience to grow organically, your harvest time can be very short.
Cannabis buds come in all shapes and sizes and it is impossible to predict when the buds will stop growing, however there are a few things to look out for.
The first of which is the smell, as buds tend to smell of either skunk or mould and this will usually mean they have been around for a while. The second is the colour of the buds, which should not be green.
Lastly, if the buds are mouldy or are giving off an unpleasant smell, then it is probably a signal that it will already stop growing.
You can also tell that it already stops growing when it reaches its maturity. Maturity occurs when the plant has ceased to grow vertically and is producing flowers.
Most cannabis plants start flowering when they are about 10 weeks old, although the exact age depends on the growth conditions. This is a fast-growing plant and will reach a height between 60cm and 120cm, depending on the strain type.
How long do cannabis buds take to grow?
Cannabis has been growing in popularity for decades, with many people claiming it to be the best medicine for pain relief, relaxation and health alike. However, before you grind up your first bud and start smoking, let’s go over the length of time cannabis buds take to grow.
Growing cannabis is an art. It takes time for the plant to grow. Buds develop over time, and it may be up to a month until you see the first buds.
Cannabis plants can grow quickly, but they grow best in warm, sunny conditions. They can grow in almost any kind of light, but they need a lot of light to grow their best. A temperature between 15 and 20 degrees is perfect for growing cannabis.
Harvesting a cannabis plant depends on the strain and the growing conditions. The harvesting method for each plant must be determined specifically. This plant can grow anywhere from 5 to 10 feet tall and can generally take anywhere from 1 to 3 months to fully mature.
Depending on the condition, cannabis plant may also reach maturity after 4-8 weeks, and can begin flowering in 8-10 weeks. Once the flowers on the plant mature, the vascular system can be developed.
The most important thing to do at this stage is to trim the buds, since the plant tends to grow very fast during this period, and you do not want to miss any of the precious flowers. White areas will be the best buds to harvest, but that means you will have to remove all the green leaves.
How to grow cannabis plants?
If you want to grow your own cannabis plant, you need to start with quality seeds. The first step would be to choose a suitable strain of cannabis, which can be found at the local dispensary.
Once you have chosen a strain of cannabis that you would like to grow, you have to plant the seeds into a suitable growing medium. Some of the common growing mediums are soil, coco, perlite, vermiculite, and rockwool.
Secondly, you have to ensure that the growing medium is properly drained, but have adequate water. Cannabis plants require humidity of at least 60%. You can use a humidity gauge to make sure that the humidity in the growing area is sufficient.
For a detailed step-by-step guide, you can follow the steps below:
- Choose a good location for growing cannabis. It needs to be a place that is safe, secure, private, and won’t be disturbed. It should be somewhere that can be locked, is well-ventilated (but not in direct sunlight) and has access to water.
- Prepare the soil and ensure that it drains well.
- Start with seeds that are recommended for the conditions you are growing in.
- Begin with seeds that are recommended for the conditions you are growing in.
- Ensure that the seeds are not older than a year.
- Germinate the seeds in a tray before transplanting them.
Germinate your cannabis seeds
Germinate your cannabis seeds in a small container such as a glass jar or wine bottle that has a good seal. Mist the seeds with water or a nutrient solution.
You can also use containers like a plastic bag or a glass jar, to hold your cannabis seeds, a water source, like tap water, distilled water, or bottled water, a small towel, like a hand towel or a washcloth, and a container for the towel, like a zip bag or a plastic container.
For faster germination, you need to place them in a warm, dark place which could range from 20-30 degrees Celsius and keep them moist. When the seeds first sprout, the root tip emerges from the seed.
If the root tip has not emerged, do not remove the seed from the water. Allow the roots to grow in the container until they are strong enough to support the seedling.
Good soil to grow your cannabis seeds
Cannabis seeds need to be planted in a specific way in order to reach their full potential. Cannabis plants need to be planted in soil and need light, water and nutrients.
When growing cannabis you need to be careful choosing the type of soil that you use, as most soils are too alkaline for your plants to grow well. You should try to avoid soils that are acidic and rich in chemicals as these can cause issues with the plant.
Your cannabis grows best in a soil that is rich in organic material that drains easily. A good quality soil that isn’t too compact and has very good drainage is essential to ensure healthy growth.
The best soil for growing cannabis is a peat-based soil – it’s easy to find, cheap and contains the nutrients your cannabis needs to thrive. It also retains moisture for your plants. However, you should always remember to only water your cannabis when the soil is dry to the touch.
A loose, friable soil with a neutral to slightly acidic pH is also recommended to grow your seeds. It is suggested to be slightly sandy with a pH level of 6.1. The pH level should be kept between 5.5 and 6.5 for optimal growth.
Know when your cannabis seeds are old
When you want to germinate your cannabis seeds, you have to make sure that they are not older than at least one year. This means that you have to know that your seeds are in good condition before trying to germinate it.
Most cannabis seeds contain a natural oil called CBD, which is essential for the proper growth and vitality of your seedlings. The age of your seeds can be determined by the amount of CBD they contain.
The general rule about how to know if the amount of CBD has depleted and when your cannabis seed is old is that it will be dry and brittle. If you are also buying your cannabis seeds, you have to look out for these signs to avoid getting it:
- If the package is old and the seeds look dry.
- If the seeds have a rotten smell or look moldy.
- If the seeds have a dark color.
Growing cannabis plants indoors
A cannabis plant can be grown indoors if you have a grow tent or other suitable space. The plants are vivacious and thrive in high humidity, but need plenty of fresh air.
When growing cannabis indoors, it should be grown in a light-controlled room with a constant temperature. The room should be lit with fluorescent bulbs for 18 hours a day.
The other 6 hours should be permitted darkness. The marijuana plants should be placed at a distance of 15-20cm from each other. It is recommended to use high-quality soil.
You can follow the steps below if you are planning to grow your cannabis indoors:
- Start with a growing medium such as coco coir or soil.
- Buy nutrient-rich compost and add it to the growing medium.
- Place a seed in the growing medium.
- Water the seeds regularly and keep the growing medium moist.
- Place the growing medium in an indoor growing tent.
- Place a grow light above the growing medium.
- Let the growing medium warm up for about 12 hours on the first day, then switch on the grow light.
- Keep the light on for 24 hours a day.
- Harvest your cannabis plants in 8 weeks.
Best fertilizer for your cannabis
The soil of the cannabis plant is very fragile. In fact, it can be easily damaged by extreme weather conditions. It is also sensitive to various types of pests.
A quick glance through the news on the cannabis industry will reveal that most gardeners have faced challenges from vermin, rodents, and insects. Fertilizers can help to minimize such issues.
They increase the lifespan of the plants and help to reinforce their roots. Cannabis farmers also use them to improve the quality of the roots.
Cannabis responds to most fertilizers, but it is best that you focus on achieving a balance between over-fertilized and under-fertilized soil.
Top-dressing with compost or manure will give you the nutrients your cannabis plants need to thrive. There are also certain types of fertilizer which helps in growing your cannabis, such as:
- Organic fertilizers
These contain nutrients derived from natural products, such as blood meal or bone meal. They are usually high in phosphorous (P) and potassium (K). They tend to be slow-release fertilizers. This fertilizer increases the size and density of buds, increases the number of flowers and increases resin production.
- Synthetic fertilizers
These contain chemical such as ammonium nitrate (15-0-0) or urea-based fertilizers that release nutrients immediately. They are often called “quick release” fertilizers. The nutrient content in synthetic fertilizers is measured in both weight percentage and in units of nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (N-P-K).
- Nitrogen-based fertilizer
This fertilizer increases the size and density of buds, increases the number of flowers and increases resin production.
- Phosphorus-based fertilizer
This fertilizer is a root stimulant which allows for faster growth of roots and stronger stems.
- Potassium-based fertilizer
This fertilizer encourages bud growth and strength.
Harvesting your cannabis
Harvesting cannabis is the most important part of the process, and most of the time its not even that difficult. This is the process of taking cannabis plants from the production phase to the drying and curing phase.
Pay attention to the color of your cannabis leaves. When the cannabis leaves start to change color, it’s time to harvest. When your cannabis is ready to harvest, it will be in the “drying” stage.
Just pull the entire plant up from the ground. It’s a good idea to do this before the sun goes down to avoid damaging the buds and leaves. Once you’ve harvested your cannabis, you should hang it upside down in a dark space to dry.
It’s best to use a dry, dark room in your house. Take the stems off the cannabis leaves before placing your harvest in the drying space.
Always remember that the best time to harvest is to wait until they reach maturity. Harvesting too early will give you a lower yield, and the plant will not taste good. Harvesting too late, the plant can be more susceptible to mold and disease.
