Published on: 02/06/2021
Details on outdoor flowering of cannabis plants
Those who plant cannabis seeds and transfer seedlings outdoors usually have a particular purpose: to achieve the outdoor flowering stage with very healthy plants to maximize yield.
But when does this particular phase begins, and how do you get your plants to produce large, powerful and fragrant flowers?
Today we will solve all your doubts regarding the flowering of outdoor cannabis, but first, we want to remind you that you should only use this information to quench your thirst for knowledge. In fact, in the UK, it is not allowed to grow cannabis (although you can buy marijuana seeds to collect them).
And now, let’s get into the flowering topic!
When does the outdoor flowering phase take place?
Photoperiod cannabis plants are grown outdoors (i.e., those whose growth depends on the hours of light/dark) transition from the vegetative phase to the flowering stage as the days begin to shorten, usually around the end of summer.
Therefore, the ripening of the buds takes place in the middle of autumn, when the photoperiod is short, i.e., the hours of darkness are greater than those of light.
In plants born from auto flower seeds (with automatic flowering), this period occurs spontaneously, based on the age of the plant and not based on the light / dark cycles.
It is a phase that all growers look forward to, but numerous factors need to be considered for optimal flower development.
Here are which ones:
- supply of nutrients
- soil pH
- wind and rain
- the presence of male plants!
Let’s see how growers look after these factors for optimal yield.
Read also: When to harvest hemp buds? All useful signs for growers
Nutrient supply to outdoor flowering cannabis plants
During the various stages of cannabis growth, particular attention must be paid to collecting nutrients, especially nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK).
Here are the indications that many farmers follow:
- Beginning of flowering phase: NPK 5 : 7: 10
- First half flowering phase: NPK 6 : 10 : 15
- Second half of the flowering stage: NPK 4 : 7 : 10
There are special fertilizers on the market for the flowering phase, which have the right amounts of nutrients.
Soil pH during the flowering phase
Whether the plants are in pots or planted directly in the soil, those who grow outdoors must pay close attention to the pH of the soil so that the plant is in total health.
PH imbalances make the plant sick and compromise the development of flowers.
The optimal pH for soil near the roots is between 6.0 and 7.0.
It must be constantly monitored so that it is always perfect for seedlings.
Outdoor cultivation? Beware of wind and rain!
With the approach of autumn, and therefore the very start of the flowering phase of cannabis, the worst weather conditions arrive.
Growers often face heavy rain, high humidity, a lot of wind and cold temperatures. So, they have to think about the best solutions to prevent damage (and prevent the flowers from spoiling).
Here are two winning methods to be used at the same time:
- move the pots under a canopy, sheltered from bad weather;
- reinforce the plants with bamboo poles, garden nets and wire.
And now we come to the last significant danger for the outdoor flowering phase… Male plants!
Read also: Difference between Sativa and Indica in its appearance and effects
Male plants: they must be eliminated before it is too late
At the same time as the flowering of the female plants comes the blossoming of the male flowers… that is to say, the pockets of pollen which, with the wind, fertilize the flowers of the females!
It is often a nefarious event for growers: most of them grow cannabis to get a good crop of flowers, not seeds.
Generally, only seed banks, such as bsf seeds, have the goal of producing a large number of seeds.
Yet when growing outdoors, it is simple not to find a male or hermaphrodite plant in time (with male and female flowers on the same stem) and notice it when it is too late or when flowering stops giving space to the production of weed seeds.
To avoid this terrible event, the plants must be controlled to perfection, especially at the end of the vegetative phase, when the plant starts the pre-flowering phase.
It is during this period that marijuana manifests its sexual characteristics. We are talking about white pistils regarding female plants and pollen sacs in clusters, similar to minimal bunches of bananas, as regards male plants.
All-male plants must be eliminated before they develop and open to prevent the pollen sacs from opening and fertilizing the flowers, interrupting their maturation and the production of cannabinoids.
Alternatively, with feminized seeds (which in the case of the weed seeds BSF it also includes autoflowering and fast flowering ones), it is possible to avoid experiencing this stress because these seeds have over 90% chance of producing female plants.
Problem solved right from the beginning!
