The First Signs of Flowering in Female Cannabis Plants: What Home Growers Need to Know
Growing marijuana at home is a fantastic way to get the best quality cannabis for your own enjoyment. However, there are many factors to consider when growing cannabis plants at home, with none more important than the female’s first signs of flowering.
Check out the Marijuana Resource Center guide to the first signs of female flowering in cannabis plants and learn how to make the most out of your home growing experience.
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BUY INDOOR PLANT FOODWhen Do Cannabis Plants Flower?
The beginning of the flowering cycle depends on numerous factors, but most importantly, the age of the cannabis plants. Generally, cannabis plants are ready to begin the flowering process after about 8 weeks or when the vegetative stage is complete.
Once the cannabis plants reach this age, they may begin to show pre-flowering signs. Pre-flowering signals usually occur between 8 and 12 weeks and are the first indications that your marijuana is ready to start flowering. Signs of pre-flowering include:
- Yellowing or drooping of leaves
- A change in their growth pattern, appearing more bushy and compact
- Tiny white hairs (pistils) emerge from the nodes of branches and leaves
- Reduced nitrogen levels in the leaves
Once you’ve verified that the pre-flowering stage has begun, two things need to happen: you need to separate any male plants from female plants immediately and then switch all female plants to a 12/12 light cycle, which will jumpstart the flowering process.
Early Flowering Signs in Female Cannabis Plants
Once the pre-flowering stage has begun and you’ve moved your cannabis plants to the 12/12 light cycle, it is just a matter of time before you start noticing more obvious initial signals of flowering, such as:
- White pistils emerging from the nodes of branches and leaves
- Faster growth rate
- More branches and nodes
- Reddish-purple hues on leaves & stems
- Increased aromatic terpenes
It is essential to note that while watching the initial signs of flowering is a visually exciting process, you shouldn’t just sit back and admire the show. You should check that none of your plants have become males as they have advanced further into the growth cycle. Male cannabis plants will not produce buds and can potentially pollinate your entire crop, rendering all of your hard growing work utterly useless.
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BUY INDOOR POTTING SOILHow To Care For Female Plants During the Initial Flowering Stage
To ensure that your plants are getting the best care during this stage, it’s vital to adhere to some simple but effective guidelines. This includes:
- Monitoring and adjusting temperatures & humidity levels
- Checking for insect pests & diseases
- Making sure that they have access to plenty of nutrients (but not too much)
- Providing adequate airflow around the plants
- Ensuring a regular 12/12 light cycle
Additionally, consider purchasing a sharp pair of pruning scissors to cut back leaf growth during the process. Pruning helps to promote bud-forming sites, which in turn increases the total weight of your yield.
Ensure A Successful Cannabis Harvest
From pre-flowering signals to early flowering signs, make sure you know what to look out for so you don’t miss any important steps in the cultivation process. With a bit of patience, and tips form our detailed Marijuana Resource Center blog, you’ll be harvesting beautiful buds with ease.
More Marijuana Resources
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