There are plenty of reasons why it is recommended to grow your weed plants. Regardless of the reasons why you are considering into cultivating this plant – whether you do it for recreational or medicinal purposes, there is always a suitable strain for you. Cultivating your weeds can be carried out for various purposes and can even be cheaper in the long run than buying from a local dispensary. But how long does it take to grow weed?
Nevertheless, growing weeds is not just a simple caring of a potted plant. One thing a grown plant does not require is a skillful hand to manage it through the cycles of growth. Daisies, in particular, can prosper if you can at least provide it some sun and water. But with weeds? To grow weeds that can be ingested for its contemplated purpose, it needs sufficient care and time.
How long does it take to grow weed – Is it worth the wait?
Growing times for weeds can vary. Generally, for indoor cultivation, it takes around 3 to 5 months to grow weeds. Nevertheless, various factors may either increase or lessen the period of growth. These factors may include your choice to either grow a seedling or a clone, the desired yield, and the method of growing, whether hydroponic, indoors, outdoors, greenhouses, etc.
However, the best demonstration of the growing period relies on whether you are cultivating Indica, Sativa, or hybrid.
Time Required to Grow Weed from Preparation to Harvest
How long does it take to grow weed? The method of rearing weeds is not an overnight process. Sequentially, there are corresponding stages, and it all begins with effective preparation. Primarily, you need to set up your grow tent and other equipment.
You need to secure the following essentials:
- Soil
- Nutrients
- Fertilizer
- Germination medium
- Boxes and contours
- Ventilation
- Lights
- Reflective material
- Carbon filter, if necessary
If you buy a growing kit, you will notice that all these materials are attached to the kit. However, it will not hurt if you do an immediate check and ensure that you get everything secured for a triumphant weed garden. This step will normally take 0 to 14 days. It will not consume a day if you choose to buy the kit. But it can take up to 14 days if you decide to gather all the necessary equipment.
Collecting the Seeds
This process can reach up to 1 month. It is impossible to grow weeds without seeds. You might want to consider using feminized seeds. Ideally, the seeds must be collected in a manner that the plant will lead to a female one.
Males will barely have a THC content, and if you happen to have them in your collection, they may pollinate the female seeds and conclusively damage the whole batch.
Germinating the Seeds
Germination simply tells that you have to provide the seeds some moisture as well as the ideal conditions to trigger it to crack open and start to sprout. This is the commencing point of the plant.
The whole process can take around 3 to 7 days, depending on the kind of medium used, the quality of seeds, and the available growing conditions. However, do not delay your wait for more than 7 days because the vegetation state will likely take over after this period.
If you decide to use clones, then expect the germination period to be not too gentle.
Vegetative Stage
Vegetation happens within 3 weeks to 2 months. The plant will begin to grow in height, and finally, it is forming a vigorous stem. During this state, you will notice the thick branches and fan leaves. This insinuates that the plant is set for the flowering period. However, you must remember that the vegetation period is critical because this is the period where the plant is beginning to form, and the longer time it consumes for the vegetative stage, the higher and larger it will be.
While in the stage of vegetation, you get to manage your time. Hence, you have to give your plant a minimum of 18 hours of light per day and perform this regularly. However, the moment you alter the schedule of lighting from 12 hours to 12 hours of darkness or 18 hours of light to 6 hours of darkness, the flowering phase will start.
Although some growers prefer to allow their weeds vegetate for 1 month, others do it for 3 months. Nonetheless, you must not exceed 10 weeks. The hazard of making this happen is that the plant will grow tall, but it will have weak branches. Conclusively, it will overturn and cannot hold the weight of the buds.
Flowering Stage
The weed will flower anywhere from 6 weeks to 4 months. The bud begins to develop, which is conclusively the final product that you wish to get. The weed will fortify in this period and turn bigger and higher. Lastly, it is in this period that the development of THC occurs.
Hence, during the first 1 to 3 weeks, the flowering starts. Between the third to fourth weeks, the flowers begin to develop. Between the fourth to sixth weeks, the buds fatten. And between the sixth to eighth weeks, the THC develops.
Flowering period ends between the eighth to fourteenth weeks, and you have to drench your weeds with a sufficient amount of water for 2 weeks or even more to eliminate the chemicals and nutrients from the fertilizer that stayed during the process of growth.
The total need required for the weed to grow is between 10 weeks to 2 months from the start of the flowering period and into the period of harvest can also take 7 months. In certain conditions, it may consume as little as 1 week for each of the phases and 3 to 4 weeks for the period of flowering.
Harvesting
The next phase is the harvesting and drying of the weed. You will have to cut it, and this will take you around 2 hours if you have a few plants only. There will be buds on the branches, and this is what you are going to take and be hanged up dry.
Now, this process needs the best ventilation. The whole process will take around 7 to 10 days, counting in the period to completely dry the weeds. However, if you have a dehumidifier, it will cut down the process into 3 to 4 days.
Growing Period for Indica Strains
For people who are wishing to cultivate strains quite faster and obtain greater yields, Indica strains would make the best choice. With a flowering period that only takes around 8 to 12 weeks, plus the fact that it produces a relatively high yield, cultivators often choose to plant Indica since they can be grown in more constant cycles indoors. Outdoor cultivators, on the other hand, can term some growing cycles before reaching the cold weather.
Another advantage of cultivating Indica is that it is inclined to grow bushy and short compared to Sativa, making it more ideal for indoor settings or rearing in a backyard garden.
Growing Period for Sativa Strains
Sativa strains are uplifting and cerebral cannabis variant that suggests more confrontations compared to cultivating Indica. Aside from their extended flowering period that normally takes around 10 to 12 weeks, Sativa strains are likely to offer a smaller yield.
On its physical structure, the strain grows quite very tall, reaching a height of up to 20 feet when grown outdoors, which makes it hard to cover up from the nosy neighbors. Even if you try to limit its growth by cultivating it indoors, the strains can still grow tall and rangy, a difficulty for anyone who is working to handle a limited grow space.
Growing Period for Hybrid Strains
A genetic blend of Sativa and Indica strains, the growing period of hybrid strains can differ according to which the lineages lean. On average, the strains are likely to prosper quicker during the vegetation phase, just like the Sativa but may exhibit a shorter flowering phase, just like the Indica.
Because hybrids are a pure mix of Indica and Sativa, growers often choose to cultivate them because of the bigger yields, overall faster-growing period, and charm to the consumer.
Conclusion
How long does it take to grow weed? To conclude, as to how you may understand the details above, the length of time needed in growing weed is very comparative and rely on a great array of factors. Nevertheless, some approximate and generic estimates can always be given to direct the growers.
Growing weeds may involve time-consuming procedures. Some may even see it a very challenging task and complicated, but if you are sincere with your intention to successfully grow weeds, you will find an effective way to deliver well.
It is not an easy thing to do. Patience is important because you are not likely to reap your fruits in just a matter of a few days. Nonetheless, it can provide a lot of enjoyment and that I think can be very rewarding.
