Modified on: 20/09/2022
Proper exposure to sunlight is essential for the adequate growth of hemp plants. But how much sun do these plants need to benefit from it and at the same time not be damaged by it?
Hemp growers know that they have to pay attention to many details and take good care of their hemp plants, as they are very delicate and demanding. One of the aspects that requires the most attention is the amount of sunlight they need to grow.
We at Sensory Seeds, who sell collectable types of hemp seeds in our online shop, would like to address the issue of sun exposure for hemp here and make one thing clear: yes, direct sunlight is advisable for these plants. But this is not the end of the story.
There are, of course, other things to know about exposure management that can ensure good growth. Let’s see what they are and why cannabis needs so much light.
Read also: Excess water in hemp: symptoms to understand if there is a problem
Why does hemp require so much sunlight?
You have to remember that the hemp plant is first a plant, and like all other plants, it needs to carry out photosynthesis to survive. It uses the energy provided by sunlight to convert water, minerals and carbon dioxide into oxygen and sugars, which in turn are used to allow the roots, leaves, and branches to grow.
Some growers, who may live in areas where there is no possibility of exposing plants to sunlight, use artificial lights for their plants. The debate over which light source is best has always sparked the world of cannabis growers, but most have no doubt: natural light, sunlight, is better than artificial light.
The sun also offers some not inconsiderable advantages: it is free, consumes no energy, and any lamp cannot match its power. Moreover, authorised growers, the industrial ones, which are the only legal ones, do not have any problems with the law and can therefore keep their crops out in the open if the location and terrain allow it. So why not do it and not make the most of Mother Nature?
For growers who don’t have this option, indoor growing with suitable lamps can be a good solution with its advantages. It gives you more control over the environment, the air humidity, the light cycle itself and the whole cultivation and plant growth in general.
Read also: Leaves pointing downwards: why it happens in cannabis and what to do about it
How much sunlight do hemp plants need?
Hemp plants require between 10 and 12 hours of direct sunlight per day. That’s a lot, and at some times of the year and in some parts of the world, it’s challenging to provide all of it to your crop. But when you can supply all this energy, the plants grow strong and vigorous.
In reality, however, hemp plants can grow healthily even with a minimum of 6 hours of continuous sunlight. In this case, growth will be slower and therefore yields slightly less than with plants exposed to the optimum amount of direct sunlight.
But let’s dwell on the word ‘direct‘. Do you require direct sunlight, or can you also grow with indirect light? Some growers manage to get by with only 1 or 2 hours of natural light a day, but this is possible because the plants make sure that they develop long, thin branches and tops to move as far as possible towards the sun and to be able to absorb as much of it as possible, even if only for a few hours a day.
It should be borne in mind that the number of countries in which it is legal to grow cannabis for commercial purposes is increasing all the time, and, above all, they are spread worldwide. Hence, exposure to the sun is necessarily different in quality and quantity.
Consequently, growers in different areas must adapt as best they can to the characteristics of the location if they are planning outdoor operations.
To conclude
We at Sensory Seeds have made it our goal in this guide to inform our readers as best we can about light management for cannabis plants, but remember that cultivation is not endorsed by law.
However, it is perfectly legal to sell and buy cannabis seeds like the ones in our shop!
If you are interested in top quality marijuana seeds, we invite you to visit our shop to discover all the varieties we have and add them to your collection!
Choose from our wide range of quality weed seeds to complete your collection: feminized seeds, auto flower seeds, fast growing weed seeds, there is something for every taste!
We look forward to seeing you on Sensoryseeds.com!
