The Cannabis Lifestyle
By Alex Robles
To Grow Or Not To Grow
Part Two/Four-Part Series: The Vegetative State
Welcome to “To Grow, or Not to Grow.” Our goal is to demystify the cannabis growing process and to explain it as simply as possible, not dumbed down but distilled. Growing cannabis at home isn’t hard but it isn’t easy either. Regardless of what the Internet says, there is no single perfect way to grow cannabis. The reason for this is that every environment is different, and every home grower/cultivator is unique.
its different stages of life and maturity depending on the seasonal photoperiod or light cycle. The cannabis plant needs at least 16 hours of light to stay in its vegetative stage, but 18 hours of light is the industry standard for keeping all varieties of cannabis in veg. You can veg your plants under 24 hours of light and get great results, but I like to let my plants rest since they are alive
In this series we’re going to go from germinating a cannabis seed to harvesting your cannabis flower (seedling stage, vegetative stage and flowering stage). We’re going to learn a little bit of science, a little bit of botany, expand our vocabulary, and have fun doing it. Links are provided for further explanations and because some of us learn better through video. Always, if you have any questions, email them to info@cbtsmagazine.
Cannabis is an annual diecious plant. An annual plant will complete its life cycle within one growing season. For cannabis that is usually from spring planting to the fall harvest. A Diecious (dī-ē′shәs) plant, means the male and female reproductive organs are on separate plants rather than different parts of the same plant. Most flowering plants, shrubs and trees have both male and female flowers on the same plant. This makes it easier for pollinators like butterflies and bees to move the pollen from the male flower Always remember to check local laws and regulations to the female flower that could be right next to it. Other about growing cannabis at home. You need to know flowers and fruiting trees have only male or female flowers your rights and limitations. Always. on a single plant. Which means gardeners, growers, and cultivators need to plant male and females close to each For this next part of the series, I’m going to talk in general terms other to ensure pollination. Cannabis is diecious because about cannabis plants. Because there’s so much variety in you need the pollen from the male plant to pollinate the cannabis, it’s easy to get tangled up in the small details. First, flower of the female plant to make a seed. There is also the let’s get to know this amazing plant a little better. possibility of stress-related sexual changes that could cause hermaphroditic varieties that will have both male and female The Cannabis Plant — What does it mean when we say reproductive organs on the same plant. that cannabis is a photoperiod plant? Here’s the simplest explanation: the length between the day and night hours Sex is always important — Now let’s talk about why we of a day is the photoperiod or light cycle. Some plants and want a female cannabis plant and Sinsemilla, a Spanish flowers need a certain amount of sunlight to trigger their word meaning without a seed. When we keep the females flower stage, that’s how we get the seasonal blooming of unpollinated, they will produce more flowers (buds) and flowers. When cannabis is grown outdoors, it moves through more trichomes. If a female plant gets pollinated, instead 18
Cannabis by the Sea Summer 2021
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