Yo, what’s good? It’s your boy Dan, and today we’re talking about when to switch your cannabis grow from vegetative to flowering. This is a crucial step in getting the best yield and avoiding any complications, so listen up.
First things first, when you make the switch is super important. Doing it too early can lead to a smaller yield, while doing it too late can result in overgrowth or burned buds. So, take into account the age of your plants, the maximum height they can reach in your setup, the type of strain(s) you’re growing, whether you’re using seeds or clones, and what growing method you’re using.
Don’t just copy what other growers are doing without thinking about how it will affect your own grow. Each grow is unique and may require a different approach.
So, let’s break it down. Some growers think that plants grown from seeds need 60 days of vegetative growth before switching to flowering. But that’s not always true. Young seedlings can’t start flowering for 2-3 weeks, but with clones age isn’t an issue. You can switch as soon as the clone has established a solid root system.
Ideally, plants should be kept in vegetative growth for about 60 days to maximize yield and acclimate to their growing conditions. But if maximum yield isn’t your main priority or you don’t have enough space for a lengthy vegetative phase, you can switch earlier.
The height of your plants is one of the most important factors to consider when deciding when to switch. The longer they’re in vegetative growth, the taller they’ll get. If they get too tall in a confined space, they could reach too close to light fixtures and get damaged. Keep them at least a foot away from the lights to avoid burning or frying your buds.
Also consider the type of strain you’re growing. Indica strains are shorter and bushier than sativa strains, which can grow really tall throughout the flowering stage. Most strains are hybrids though, so research their genetic makeup to know what to expect.
If you’re growing from clones, they can grow really tall really quickly, so make sure to give them enough time to establish themselves before switching to flowering. With seeds, you can flower them earlier but remember they need 2-3 weeks before they can do so.
Different growing methods like Sea of Green (SOG), Screen of Green (ScrOG), lollipopping, and super cropping can also affect when you switch to flowering.
For outdoor growers, plants usually flower by themselves after mid-summer when days become shorter than 12 hours. But if your climate doesn’t give them enough time to flower before winter, or if you want to harvest multiple grows during the same season, you can force flowering by covering up your plants and reducing their exposure to sunlight.
During the flowering period, which usually lasts between 7-10 weeks depending on the strain, what happens will vary week by week.
So there you have it, folks. When to switch your cannabis grow from vegetative to flowering is a crucial decision that requires careful consideration of multiple factors. Don’t forget to take into account the age of your plants, their maximum height in your setup, the type of strain(s) you’re growing, whether you’re using seeds or clones, and what growing method you’re using.
Until next time, stay lit and happy growing!