Vegetative Cycle

As your plants move into what is known as the vegetative cycle. Your gardening instincts will pick-up on the dramatic growth of stems and leaves the that breed foliage form constant new angles.

General Conditions for the Vegetative Growth of Cannabis

• Temperature – (Day) 70F- 80F | (Night) 70F – 65F     [Celsius]
• Humidity – 45 to 60% RH
• Light Cycle – ON 16 to 20 Hours a Day
• Light Spectrum – Veg. 6500K
• Light Placement – 2 to 3 Inches from Plants (CFL only)
• pH Range – 5.5 to 6.0 (Hydro)  & 6.5 to 7.0 (Soil)
• Duration – 2.5 to 8 Weeks

Temperature & Humidity: Cannabis by nature is a hearty plant and is able to survive in conditions that are less than ideal. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t strive to make your garden as hospitable as possible but just don’t drive yourself nuts trying to get the conditions perfect ALL the time. Especially if you are on a super tight budget using simple equipment  Ideally your daytime temperatures should be between 72 to 75F. Not dipping below 70F at night.

Air Circulation: Keep air circulating through your grow space. A fan should be ON inside your garden which gently moves the stem and branches of your plants. Strengthening them in this breeze. This will help them to hold the weight of dense buds without easily tipping over.

Light Cycle, Spectrum & Placement: Your lights should be ON 16 to 20 hours a day. NEVER let your lights touch your plants. CFLs can be placed 2 to 3 inches away. Cannabis grows fast and you may need to check and adjust your lighting everyday. Use only (CFL) bulbs rated for ‘Daytime’ spectrums (6500F).

Watering: The most common error of new growers is overwatering which causes plants to grow much slower and leaves them more susceptible to insects and pests. If plants are continuously overwatered they will develop a condition know as root-rot and will eventually die.

Waiting to water until your plants shows signs of being “thirsty” with slumped slightly wilted leaves is a good general rule. The dryer the soil becomes the more cannabis roots grow and stretch looking for water. Bigger roots also means bigger buds!

Note: If you are using tap water make sure to let it sit for 24 hours in an open container before watering your cannabis plants with it. Tap water often contains high levels of sodium and other minerals (hard water) that can build up, alter ph levels and slow growth. Letting tap water sit for a day helps eliminate and evaporate these ‘contaminating” minerals. Alternatively you can use either purified or spring water to avoid having to let your water sit.  

Soil pH

Calibrating the pH of your water to ensure the pH of the soil optimal, is something many growers miss. Always keeping pH levels between 5.5 and 6.5 for the best cannabis growth. The higher 6.5 is optimal for soil and the lower 5.5 level is best for any type of hydroponic setup. How do I correct a pH imbalance?

 

Stage Duration

The length your plants spend in the vegetative cycle depends on the genetics of the cannabis plant you selected to grow. Generally wait until your plant is 14″ to 18″ tall and has 4 to 6 sets of branches extending from the main stem before putting plants in the flowering cycle. If you happen to be growing an autoflowering variety then the plant will automatically begin to flower on its own.

Some cannabis strains take longer periods to get the same height or leaf levels. Make sure your plant looks strong and healthy before leaving the vegeta tive stage. Healthy plants mean dank plentiful potent buds. If you get your seeds online from a seed bank most will include a recommended time length for your vegetative and flowering cycles.  

When you grow indoors in confined spaces it is sometimes preferable to prune or trim your plant certain heights as your cannabis plant may double or triple in size during flowering.

Next Page | Flowering

Cannabis Seeds – Online Seedbanks – Germination – Basic Grow Supplies