Weed Plant Stages by Weeks Pictures: From Germination to Harvest

Growing your own weed can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it can be overwhelming if you don't know what to expect. Here's a general overview of the weed plant stages by weeks pictures to help you visualize your plant's progress.

Germination typically occurs within 1-3 weeks after planting, when the seedling emerges from the soil. This is the first visible sign of growth.

As the seedling grows, it will develop its first set of leaves, called cotyledons, which are usually round and flat.

Germinating weed seeds is the first step in growing a cannabis plant. Expose the seeds to light and moisture to activate hormones within the seed and kickstart the growth process.

A single root grows down and splits open the outer shell of your seed, then reaches down into the soil in search of water and nutrients. At the same time, a green stalk will shoot upward, and two initial cotyledon leaves appear.

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The seedling stage can last anywhere from 3-6 weeks, depending on environmental factors and the strain you're cultivating. Pay close attention to your plants, especially in the early stages of growth.

You'll want to provide your seedling with 18 hours of white light per day, a temperature between 68-77 degrees, and humidity of approximately 60%. CFL lights are perfect for seedlings because they don't produce a lot of heat.

On day 4, your seedling will continue to prioritize the development of its root system, and will show some growth in the form of a new pair of leaves.

Your cannabis plant is really starting to come into its own during the vegetative stage. This is when it produces big jagged leaves and can absorb and process much more carbon dioxide and other nutrients.

The roots will continue to expand, and the plant will grow taller, sometimes up to 2 inches in a single day. A healthy cannabis plant can grow rapidly during this stage.

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The duration of the vegetative phase is controlled primarily by light exposure. If you're growing outdoors, it will depend on your location, but if you're growing indoors, you can keep the plant in a vegetative state for as long as you please.

You'll want to keep the temperature between 68-77 degrees and the humidity between 50-70%. Constant white light, at least 18 hours a day, is also necessary.

During this stage, your plant will produce a solid structure that can support heavy buds. It will grow taller and larger, with new layers of leaves being added.

You should be able to notice the difference between cannabis varieties during this time. The vegetative stage lasts approximately 1 to 2 months.

In the early veg stage, you should still hold off on feeding regular levels of nutrients. Many growers recommend reducing nutrients to a ¼ of the amount.

As your plant grows, you'll want to ensure your environment is running optimally, with relative humidity around 60% and temperatures at 71-82°F (22-28°C).

In weeks 3 and 4, you'll watch your plants begin actively growing due to the roots being further developed. This is the time to increase nitrogen levels and give your crops enough phosphorus, potassium, and micronutrients.

Consider reading: How Much Light Does a Weed Plant Need

The flowering stage is a critical period for your weed plant, where it becomes sexually mature and ready to spread its genes. This stage begins after a period of reduced light exposure.

Male cannabis plants usually mature earlier than female plants, sometimes up to a couple weeks earlier. The flowering stage is when your plant will start producing large quantities of sticky resin on the outsides of the leaves.

This resin contains the highest percentages of THC, the active ingredient most sought after by smokers and medicinal users. The specific potency of your plant will be determined by the amount of time it has spent flowering.

About 10 days before maturity, stop fertilizing your plant to ensure the best results. You can identify maturity when the buds are dense, glimmering, and smelly.

The pistils will turn brown, large leaves will turn yellow, the buds will expand and gain weight, and the development of calyces will slow down. Depending on the type of cannabis and your personal preference, you can begin harvesting at this point.

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In week 4-6 of the flowering stage, the buds will start fattening up. This is also the time when you need to be careful about the remaining leaves, as they won't be producing many new ones.

Strategic defoliation can be used to expose the bud location, but make sure your plant still has enough foliage to absorb light and maximize yields.

Autoflower plants are bred with ruderalis genetics, which allows them to grow without specific periods of light.

These plants are more sensitive than other cannabis species, so it's essential to handle them with care.

Transplanting autoflower seedlings into their final container as soon as they appear is a good idea, as it avoids stressing them unnecessarily.

In the first week, autoflower seedlings should not be fed high levels of nutrients, as this can cause burning.

Autoflower plants have a unique life cycle that's different from other cannabis varieties.

At 4 months, your cannabis plant is likely in the flowering stage, where it will start to produce buds. This stage can last anywhere from 6-10 weeks, depending on the strain and growing environment.

You'll notice some bud development right after the plant finishes the vegetative stage, which is also known as the pre-flower stage. This is a crucial time to ensure your plant gets the right conditions to thrive.

Growers recommend sticking to one growing environment to avoid shocking the plant. Changing environments mid-lifecycle can be detrimental to the plant's health.

Cannabis is a monocarpic plant, meaning it will only produce one harvest before dying. This can be a bit sad, but it's also a reminder to appreciate the process and make the most of that one harvest.