The cannabis flowering stage is one of the most exciting and rewarding stages of growing weed. It also presents many challenges that growers must learn how to overcome.

During this stage, cannabis plants need proper ventilation and air movement to avoid problems like mold and fungi. In addition, it is important to keep the temperature within a range between 18deg – 26degC. High temperatures affect negatively the plant and can even kill it if exposed to them for a long period of time.

1. Pre-flowering

During the pre-flowering stage, cannabis plants concentrate all of their energy on producing precious flowers. This is the time that colas begin to emerge, trichomes develop and a viscous resin starts to fill with cannabinoids and terpenes.

The plant will start to show white, cream or brown pistils that are curling inwards. Bud sites are also beginning to develop.

As cannabis plants transition into flowering, they will need to be fed more phosphorus and potassium than nitrogen. This is why you will need to switch to a nutrient mix that is specifically designed for the early bloom phase.

2. Flowering

Flowering is a vital stage in the life cycle of a cannabis plant. It is when a cannabis plant produces its buds, which contain the majority of the cannabinoids (THC and CBD).

When the days get shorter in autumn, female plants start to develop small pre-flowering signals that indicate that it is time for them to flower. This can happen automatically for autoflowers and requires a change in the light cycle for photoperiodic strains.

When a cannabis plant enters the flowering stage, its growth will slow down and its leaves will turn yellow. These changes are normal and are used by the plant to transfer energy to its colas and buds.

3. Budlet fattening

Budlet fattening is the final cannabis flowering stage, this is when your buds start to swell. They will also start to fatten their pistils, which is a great time to take bud pics!

During this period, you can feed more nutrients, just make sure you don’t go overboard because this could lead to nutrient burn.

You can use a bloom booster for this stage but a cheaper and simpler option is to add blackstrap molasses, which contains complex sugars that are good for bud development. It also contains a range of essential nutrients like iron, selenium and copper.

4. Full flower

In the cannabis flowering stage, female plants begin to develop their first buds. This is done by growing pre-flowers (which look like white hairs) and creating bud sites in their plant nodes.

These bud points will gradually grow in size and become bigger with each passing week. The pistils, which are still white at this point, will protrude from the buds and start to bloom.

During the full flowering stage, your plant will concentrate all of its energy on developing its buds. This is a very rewarding and enjoyable part of the growing process, but it does require special care and attention.

5. Bud fattening

In this cannabis flowering stage, the buds are becoming fatter and denser. They may also start to swell slightly in individual calyxes.

Bud fattening is a good indicator that your cannabis plant has reached the final flowering phase and is ready to harvest. At this point, you’ll see trichomes start to change from clear to amber and the pistils start to darken.

You need to continue providing the correct nutrients for your marijuana plants during this cannabis flowering stage. The nutrients your cannabis needs are called macronutrients and they include Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium.

6. Trichomes

Trichomes are resin glands on the surface of buds, stems, and stalks that produce cannabinoids and terpenes over time. They are the main drivers of cannabis cultivation, and understanding their development timeline is important for producing high-quality strains that are balanced and well-suited to your needs.

As the flowering stage progresses, trichomes will develop from clear to opaque and start to turn amber and brown in color. This is a good indicator that the plant has reached its maturity and should be harvested.

7. Harvest

The cannabis flowering stage is arguably the most rewarding part of cultivation. Not only do you get to see your plant grow and develop, but you also get to experience the wonderful terpene aromas that are created during this time!

When a cannabis plant enters the flowering stage it will have completed all of the pre-flowering stages. It will be at this point where the buds begin to fatten and develop trichomes which are glandules for secreting THC and other cannabinoids.

Buds gain the most weight during this stage and they can become very sticky to touch. They are also very smelly.