The journey of the cannabis that is purchased from a dispensary is a long one. Frequently, the growers responsible for growing and maintaining cannabis plants are the unseen part of the industry. There is a myth that growing cannabis is easy, and while the plant itself is quite resilient, growing healthy and high-yielding plants requires skill, practice, and patience.
In nature, many plants start out as seeds. With nutrient-packed soil, water, and sunlight, cannabis plants can grow into mature plants. This is how some growers choose to begin their crop’s life cycle.
Seedlings are one of the ways that growers introduce new strains into their grow. There are both benefits and disadvantages to this method. Let’s take a look at just a few;
Starting with seedlings can be advantageous in a few key areas. To start, starting from seed allows for fresh genetics to enter the grow. Unlike clones, they are a unique plant and not an offshoot of a mother plant.
Secondly, seeds can offer variation when choosing specific qualities in a strain. This can be advantageous when breeding plants for specific cultivars and characteristics.
While seedlings have their advantages, there are also disadvantages that come with the territory. For example, when starting from seed, there is roughly a 50% chance the plant is a male. Male cannabis plants will need to be removed from the grow as soon as possible to prevent cross-pollination that causes seeds.
Another disadvantage of starting with seedlings is the potential of viruses being introduced with no visible signs. According to the Characterization of Plant Viruses, “Unlike vectors, infected seeds can be carried away to distant places where they act as primary source of inoculum for spread of a virus. A few of the seed-borne viruses may be carried as surface contaminants while others are carried through embryos considered as true seed-borne viruses.”
If seedlings are not your cup of tea, clones are the way to go. These are specifically clipped parts from a mother plant. Because they share the same genetics as the mother plant, they are referred to as clones. Similar to seedlings, clones offer pros and cons of their own.
Pros of Starting with Clones
Clones are replicas of the plant they are cut from, so surprises are limited. This method also allows growers to have greater control when working within a large commercial grow setting. By removing the chance for males, this form of producing new plants allows growers greater focus on other aspects of this stage of the cultivation process.
Disadvantages of Starting with Clones
Clones also come with their own set of disadvantages. One of the largest is the need to focus special attention on the health of the mother plant. If a mother plant contains pathogens or has hermed, then those traits can be passed onto the clones.
A second close is the lack of genetic diversity. Clones share the same DNA as the parent plant. As time goes on, a vegetative clone will take the place of the mother plant. This cycle can continue for quite some time, but it is important to remember that genetics can be worn down over time, leaving the plants with a weakened immune system.
Once the newly rooted cannabis plants have become established, they will be tended through their vegetative cycle until they are ready to flip into their flowering stage. According to Leafly, this stage of the plant’s life cycle can last anywhere from 3 – 16 weeks. Dependent factors can include strain, cultivation methods, and the overall health of the plants.
During this stage, growers will often use pruning techniques to keep plants the same height. In turn, it can help create a more even canopy during the flowering stage, especially if a trellis will be used. This process will also help keep the plants from stretching during their lifecycle.
This part of the cultivation process is often called “flipping” or “the flip”. It occurs when a vegetative plant is ready to move to the flowering stage of the grow process. How the flip happens is dependent on the grow setup.
For indoor grows specifically, flip can mean keeping the plants in the same room, but changing environmental factors such as day/night cycle, temperature, and humidity. It can also mean moving the plants from a vegetative room to another room for flowering. This second option is common in large grow facilities that operate multiple grow rooms at once.
The flowering stage of the cannabis plant’s life cycle is the final stage before harvest. This is where they will develop the flowering parts of the plant. If you have seen a photo on social media of a room full of cannabis plants sporting large flowering buds so big they would weigh the plant down without support, then you have seen the flowering stage.
Flowering can last anywhere from 8 to 11 weeks, according to Leafly. Similar to the vegetative stage, this can be dependent on factors such as genetics and the overall health of the plant. During this stage, growers will focus on building flavor, size, and potency in the flower.
Before harvest, growers will practice various forms of preparation. These can vary from grower to grower, and ultimately depending on the needs of the plant. It is important to remember that some of these practices will work differently in varying environments.
Some growers will perform a flush on their plants a day or so before harvest. The thought behind this process is to remove excess chlorophyll and make the plant use up its stored nutrients to avoid unwanted harsh flavors. However, if plants in the same room are being harvested at different times, it is important to only flush the plants that are being harvested.
Growers may also cease feeding their plant 12-24 hours before harvest. The idea behind this process is to remove excess moisture and assist with the drying process. This practice is beneficial for growers working in areas that have naturally high humidity. However, those in charge of the drying plants should be vigilant to prevent the plants from drying out too much while hanging, which can cause a loss in flavor.
Additionally, some growers will also remove fan leaves before harvest to assist with the drying process. Removing fan leaves can help ensure more airflow around drying plants.
Similar to ceasing feeding, this is a practice best suited for growers working in environments with naturally high humidity. However, it is important to keep an eye on the plants to make sure they do not become too dry, sacrificing flavor.
When it comes to learning about cannabis cultivation, Verne Bio is on your side. Whether you are new or an industry veteran, there is something new that can be learned every day. That is why we created our Knowledge Center.
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Learning about cannabis and the wide range of topics that come with the territory does not have to feel daunting. With Verne Bio on your side, anyone can expand their knowledge about this wonderful and unique plant. Let us be a stepping stone in your cannabis education.
Works Cited
Bhat, Alangar I., and Govind P. Rao. “Characterization of Plant Viruses.” Springer Link, 16 June 2023, https://link.springer.com/protocol/10.1007/978-1-0716-0334-5_10. Accessed 7 December 2023.
CleanLeaf. “How and When to Flush Cannabis | CleanLeaf.” Grow room air filtration systems, N/A, https://cleanleaf.com/how-and-when-to-flush-cannabis.php. Accessed 10 December 2023.
Goggins, Pat, et al. “4 Stages of Marijuana Plant Growth.” Leafly, 1 October 2020, https://www.leafly.com/learn/growing/marijuana-growth-stages. Accessed 10 December 2023.
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