Have you ever encountered a marijuana garden that doesn’t seem to flower as you expected? Knowing when and how to cultivate can make all the difference. In this post, I’ll break down a grow calendar to help you maximize the potential of your cannabis plants in soil.

Stay and discover the secret to perfect buds!

Key Takeaways

Knowing the stages of marijuana cultivation, from germination to harvest, is important to take good care of the plants.
During the vegetative phase, plants need a lot of light and a good balance between water and nutrients.
In the flowering phase, adjust the light and control humidity for the plants to flower well.
Autoflowers are quick and easy to grow because they don’t depend on the light cycle.
Using the LST technique helps plants receive more light and air, producing more and better buds.

Growth Stages of Marijuana

A marijuana plant in different growth stages.

Let’s dive into the botanical world of our friend marijuana, where each stage is like a new chapter in a captivating novel… Let’s prepare our seeds, because the growth show is about to begin, and I assure you, you won’t want to miss a single detail!

Seed Germination

Germination is key to starting well. This stage largely determines how your marijuana plant will grow.

Choose good feminized seeds, as they will carry the necessary genetic information.
Put your seeds in a warm and humid place, such as between two plates with damp paper towels.
Wait for the white root to emerge, which can take between 24 hours and a week.
Maintain the perfect environment: not too dry or too wet. This balance helps the seeds open without mold or rot.
Carefully transplant the germinated seed into the soil, placing the root facing down.
Provide soft light at first. Something like LED or fluorescent lights will work well to avoid burning them.
Watch that the young plants don’t stretch too much in search of light. If this happens, move the lights closer but carefully.
Make sure your seedlings have enough water but not too much; their roots are still delicate.
Observe the little plants closely every day. This way, you’ll quickly notice if something is wrong and fix it.

Seedling Stage

In the first few weeks, your little marijuana plant is in the seedling stage. It’s a super important time because the roots and how the plant takes in water are forming. Imagine it’s like a baby learning to walk—it needs a lot of care and love.

The plants are delicate and want attention to grow well.

You need to be sure to give them the right light and not too much water. Keep the soil moist, but not waterlogged, and ensure they have warmth but not too much. If you do it right at this stage, you’ll see your plant grow strong and ready to give a good harvest.

It’s like laying the foundations for a cool building!

Vegetative Growth

Marijuana plants put all their energy into growing bigger and stronger during “vegetative growth“. They need a lot of light, so make sure they get plenty, either from the sun or a powerful artificial light, like HPSs.

This will make them happy, and they’ll grow fast.

Also, consider the distance of the light. Don’t put it too close, or you could burn the leaves. But if it’s too far away, the plants will stretch trying to reach it, and that’s not good.

Keep everything well-balanced, and you’ll see how your “girls” turn green and robust without any problem. Of course, water and nutrients should never be lacking, but be careful! Too much of a good thing can also be bad.

Pre-Flowering

The pre-flowering stage is a warning: your plants are getting ready to show if they’re boys or girls! And of course, this matters a lot. In this phase, which can last up to three little weeks, you start to see tiny pistils on the females and little balls on the males.

You have to be attentive because choosing the ladies is key to later having buds and not seeds.

Don’t forget that caring for the environment during these days is super important. The light and humidity should be just right so the girls can prepare without problems for the next stage: flowering! Be ready to make adjustments if you notice something isn’t quite right.

Oh! And be patient, each plant is a world, and sometimes they take a little longer to give signs.

Flowering

The flowering stage arrives, and your marijuana plants show their magic. It lasts between 7 and 9 weeks, although some varieties may need more time. Here, high-pressure sodium (HPS) lights are your best allies.

You need to adjust the distance of the light so the little plants don’t get burned. It’s also key to maintain good air circulation and control humidity.

At first, the flowers start out shy. As if waking from a dream, little by little they become big and strong. At this stage, it’s important to watch for nutrient deficiencies.

If you give your plants what they need, they’ll thank you with beautiful buds. Now, let’s get ready for the harvest, the moment we’ve all been waiting for.

Harvest

The most exciting moment has arrived… the harvest! Between March and April, your marijuana plants are ready to bear fruit. Of course, it depends a lot on where you live and how the weather has been.

But when the flowers are fat and smell incredible, you know it’s time. Take your time to cut, manicure, and dry the plants. This way, you ensure that all that hard work was worth it.

And hey, patience is key here. Because properly drying and curing means you’ll have a final product that will make you smile from ear to ear. Enjoy those well-deserved buds!

Marijuana Soil Grow Calendar

Scheduling the growth of your marijuana is like marking a series of secret dates with your plant… and you don’t want to be late! With the grow calendar I’m about to lay out, you’ll be prepared for every sigh and stretch your green girl decides to take.

First Week of the Vegetative Phase

In the first week of the vegetative phase, your marijuana plants are like little kids hungry to grow. They need a lot of sun, fresh water, and a good space where they can stretch their roots and leaves.

(Oh! And pay attention to their needs, because like little ones, they make themselves known quickly). Make sure they receive love in the form of bright light so they turn green and strong.

It’s also the perfect time to take a look and see if you can tell the girls from the boys. Why is this important? Well, because then you can better plan your grow. (And of course, you also start giving them their special food—fertilizers).

You need to water them well, but be careful not to overdo it, as we don’t want to drown them. Keep it up, you’re doing well!

Second Week of the Vegetative Phase

The little marijuana plants are really taking off. They need good food to be strong and big. That means giving them what they love most: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. It’s like kids eating vitamins to grow up healthy and strong.

They make sure to stretch under the light, but be careful not to get them too close, so you don’t burn their little leaves.

Now, it’s time to talk about keeping things fresh… with good aeration. This way, the plants breathe better and grow happily. And soon, they’ll be ready to put on a great show: flowering!

First Week of the Flowering Phase

Let’s go! The flowering phase has just begun, and your plants need all the love in the world. At this stage, you need to change the lights to a more red spectrum if you’re using LED or put in high-pressure sodium (HPS) bulbs.

This way, your girls will think it’s autumn and time to flower.

During the first seven days, properly adjust the distance of the light to avoid burns. And check the humidity, keeping it below 50%. Your plants will love that dry climate to start putting out beautiful flowers.

Also, take a look at the leaves, because now it’s key to find nutrient deficiencies before the flowering progresses further. It’s time to make sure your marijuana plants have everything they need to give an impressive harvest!

Second Week of the Flowering Phase

The plants are eating more than ever. At this stage, your marijuana plants want lots of nutrients to grow strong and healthy. Make sure to give them what they need, but don’t overdo it, because if you give them too much, it can be bad for them.

With the flowering phase advancing, it’s key to monitor the light and humidity. The flowers are starting to form, and we want them to be perfect. Watch the lights; don’t put them too close to the plants, or they might get burned.

And maintain good air circulation around them so the leaves can dance a little.

Guide for Effective Growth

Hey, grower! If you’re looking for those little secrets to make your marijuana plants not just survive but become the envy of your neighborhood (metaphorically, of course), you’re in the right place.

Here, I’ll tell you how pampering and attention can make all the difference in the vegetative and flowering phases… because yes, plants also need love—and a good dose of science—to bloom big.

Care During the Vegetative Phase

Marijuana plants need love and attention in the vegetative phase. It’s like they’re little kids, they absorb everything you give them: light, water, and nutrients. Make sure they get enough light, but not so close that you burn them.

And remember, water is their best friend, but too much can drown them. A good balance is key.

During this stage, it’s vital that the plants breathe well. This means you must maintain good airflow in your grow space. Watch your marijuana’s leaves, they’ll tell you if there are nutrient deficiencies just by changing color.

Identifying if they’re girls or boys on time will prevent surprises later. That way, you’ll have everything ready when the excitement of the flowering phase arrives.

Care During the Flowering Phase

The flowering phase is special. Here, your plants need more love and attention. HPS lights are good for them, but be careful with the distance. If they’re too close, they can burn the plants.

If they’re too far away, perhaps they won’t grow well.

For the flowers to be big and strong, watch the humidity and temperature. They don’t need to be as high as in the vegetative phase. Give your plants water and nutrients without overdoing it.

This way, they won’t have problems, and you’ll be able to enjoy some beautiful flowers.

Experiences in Marijuana Cultivation: Autoflowers and LST

Autoflowers are a game-changer for growers. They don’t wait for light signals to flower and, boom! In no time, they’re ready to cut. They’re perfect for those who don’t want to bother with changes in the light cycle.

Plus, they grow faster than regular marijuana plants, which means you can have multiple harvests per year.

Using the LST technique, or ‘low stress training‘, is like being an artist with your plants. You gently bend and tie the branches to shape them. This helps the plant receive more light and air all over.

With LST, your little plants can produce more and better quality buds. It’s a brilliant trick! Now, let’s talk about how to finish your grow well and get those results you’re expecting.

Conclusion

Now you know how to take care of your marijuana from seed to harvest. It’s like having a treasure map for your garden. Remember, each plant is a world, so pay attention and give it love.

With this guide, your marijuana will grow strong and bear good fruit. Let’s get our hands in the soil and grow!

To learn more about specific techniques such as growing autoflowering varieties and applying LST (Low Stress Training), visit our detailed article “Cultivating 4 Autoflowering Marijuana Strains: First Attempt Using LST”.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the vegetative phase in marijuana cultivation?

The vegetative phase is when your little plants are growing and getting bigger. It’s like when kids eat their veggies to grow up strong, you know? In this stage, the plants need a lot of light, good air, and water to have big, healthy leaves.

2. And then what comes after the vegetative phase?

Ah! After that comes the flowering phase, which is when the plants start making flowers. It’s like the main show! During this phase, you have to change the lights to ones called “high-pressure sodium” or HPS, and be really careful about the distance of the light and how long it’s on. You also have to watch the humidity level and make sure the plants have everything they need to be happy.

3. Hey, how do I know if my plants are “happy” in their vegetative or flowering phase?

Well, look, during these phases you have to play detective. Observe the leaves and stems—if you see anything weird like spots or them looking sad, it could be that they’re lacking nutrients or not getting love in the form of fresh air. It’s like when we lack vitamin D and we all get tired!

4. Speaking of seeds… are feminized ones better for the soil grow calendar?

Of course! Using feminized seeds is like making sure your whole harvest will give flowers, because they’re almost always female. It’s like only buying chicken eggs because you know those are the ones you can eat. With these seeds, you can better plan your grow calendar and not get surprised by male plants that don’t give flowers.