How do I transition my cannabis plants from the vegetative stage to the flowering stage? Are there any specific steps I should follow?
One answer “Transitioning to flowering stage?”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
How do I transition my cannabis plants from the vegetative stage to the flowering stage? Are there any specific steps I should follow?
You must be logged in to post a comment.
The transition from the vegetative stage to the flowering stage of a cannabis plant’s life-cycle is arguably one of the most important points of the grow process. To achieve the best yield and quality of buds, it’s essential to give your plants the best conditions possible during this key stage.
First and foremost, the most important thing for cannabis plants is light. When transitioning from veg to flower, your lighting should change from 20 hours of light and 4 hours of darkness, to 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness, generally known as the “12/12” light cycle. An easy trick to keeping track of your light cycle is to make sure the lights turn on at 8am and off at 8pm – just remember “eight by eight”. It’s important to be as consistent as possible with this schedule as it helps to trigger the plants’ flowering response.
In addition to changing your light cycle, it’s also important to keep your plants in a temperature between 72- and 80-degrees Fahrenheit. If the environment is too warm or too cold, it can halt your cannabis plant’s development. Humidity is also an important factor to consider when transitioning to flower. Maintaining a relative humidity of 40-50% is best. Too much humidity can cause mold and mildew, while too little humidity can create dry, brittle plants.
Nutrients are also greatly important to the flowering stage of your cannabis plant’s life-cycle. During the vegetative stage, cannabis plants need high amounts of nitrogen. However, during flowering, the ratio of nitrogen to other nutrients (like phosphorous and potassium) should shift to reflect the plants’ new needs. In general, flowering nutrients will contain a higher ratio of phosphorous and potassium compared to nitrogen. It’s also important to consider the supplementation of vitamins and minerals for your cannabis plants, to help them reach their optimal yield.
Finally, the health of the root system can dramatically impact the overall health of the cannabis plant. During flower, maintaining an optimal root zone temperature of 72- and 80-degrees Fahrenheit is important. In some cases, fertigation (the injection of fertilizer/nutrients through irrigation) may be necessary to ensure proper nutrient coverage and oxygenation. Stress is another factor that can negatively impact the health of the root system. To minimize any undue stress on your plants, you should avoid unnecessary transplanting, replanting or root pruning as it can set your plants back in their development.
Knowing what conditions and nutrients your plants need during the transition from veg to flower will help ensure your cannabis plants get all the love and care they need in order to thrive. Following all of the steps outlined in this article will help you get the best yield and quality of buds possible!