Bud Development, Yield & Quality
Growth Stages
Growth stages are the distinct phases a plant goes through from seed to harvest, each with different needs and behaviors.
What Growth Stages Mean for Cannabis Plants
Growth stages refer to the predictable phases of development a plant experiences throughout its life cycle. In cannabis cultivation, understanding growth stages is essential because each phase has unique requirements for light, nutrients, water, and environmental conditions. Managing these stages correctly leads to healthier plants, better yields, and higher-quality flowers.
The Main Stages of the Cannabis Life Cycle
The cannabis life cycle is commonly divided into several primary growth stages: germination, seedling, vegetative growth, pre-flower, flowering, and senescence (the final aging and ripening stage). Autoflowering cannabis follows the same biological stages but transitions based on age rather than light schedule.
Early Growth: Germination and Seedling Development
During germination, the seed absorbs water and produces its first root and shoot. The seedling stage follows, marked by the development of cotyledons and early true leaves. At this stage, plants are delicate and require gentle light, minimal nutrients, and stable moisture.
Vegetative Growth and Structural Expansion
The vegetative stage is characterized by rapid leaf, stem, and root development. Plants focus on building structure and energy reserves, requiring higher nitrogen levels and longer light periods. This is also the primary stage for training and shaping plant architecture.
Transition to Flowering and Reproductive Growth
Pre-flower is a transitional phase where plants begin showing sex characteristics and prepare for reproduction. In photoperiod plants, this stage is triggered by a reduction in light hours. Flowering follows, during which plants produce buds and require adjusted nutrient ratios, controlled humidity, and strong airflow.
Senescence and Final Plant Maturation
The final stage, senescence, involves slowed growth as the plant redirects remaining energy into flower maturation and seed or resin production. Leaves may yellow naturally as stored nutrients are used.
How Science Shaped Our Understanding of Growth Stages
Scientific study of plant growth stages advanced during the 19th and 20th centuries as botanists linked developmental phases to hormones and environmental cues. These findings form the basis of modern cultivation schedules.
Why Growth Stages Matter in Cultivation
Growth stages are closely related to plant hormones, photoperiodism, nutrient management, environmental control, and harvest timing. For cannabis growers, recognizing and responding to each growth stage is fundamental to successful, stress-free cultivation.
Related terms:
Germination, Seedling Stage, Vegetative Stage, Pre-Flower, Flowering Stage, Senescence, Photoperiod, Autoflowering, Plant Life Cycle.
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