Flowering or Bloom Phase of the Cannabis Growth Cycle
Professor DeBacco
Flowering Stage Length
The flowering stage is the final growth stage of a cannabis plant and is when the buds are produced and maturing.
This is typically in the weeks 8-11 of the growth cycle.
Most strains flower in 8-9 weeks of the growth phase.
Some can take even longer (Ex. Sativa dominate strains)
Overall Progression
Flowering Stage Outdoor and Indoor
Outdoor plants will initiate flowering naturally when the plant receives 12 hours of light or less each day which occurs as summer transitions into fall.
Indoor growers can trigger the flowering cycle by reducing the photoperiod to 12 hours a day.
Flowering Subphases
Flower initiation (week 1-3)
The plants continue to grow in physical size
Pre-Female flowers produce pistils (white hairs)
Mid-flowering (week 4-5)
The plant vegetatively will stop growing
Plant focuses more on bud development
Late flowering/ripening (week 6 and on)
Trichome density will increase
Color of the pistils will change
Grower Tips During Flowering Phase
Do not prune plants
Plants should be trellised to support heavy buds
Growers will typically feed bloom plants that have high concentrations of phosphorus, but consider the substrate and be careful how much is added to avoid negative environmental impacts.
End of the Flowering Phase
Flower buds will visually develop quickly toward the end of the flowering cycle.
