Ways to accelerate the growth of cannabis plants

Optimal growing conditions are a key factor that directly affects the growth rate of cannabis plants. Whether indica, sativa or autoflowering varieties, experienced growers create a favorable environment for the plants to grow faster and produce a bountiful harvest.

Lighting

Light plays a crucial role in the process of photosynthesis, which is responsible for plant growth. Different cannabis varieties require different light regimes.

Indica plants prefer less intense lighting, but with a longer light cycle. The best option is to use soft-spectrum lamps during the growing stage (18-20 hours of light per day). During the flowering stage, the light cycle is reduced to 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness, which stimulates flowering and accelerates bud growth.

Sativa varieties originating from tropical regions need brighter light and warmer temperatures. They require intense lighting with a long light cycle (18-22 hours of light per day) during the growing stage. During the flowering stage, the light cycle is also reduced to 12 hours, but it is important to maintain a high light intensity.

Autoflowering varieties do not depend on light cycle changes to initiate flowering. However, to maximize their growth, use a stable light cycle of 18-20 hours throughout their life cycle.

Temperature

The temperature regime also has a significant impact on the growth of cannabis. Different varieties have their own preferences.

Indica prefers cooler conditions. The ideal temperature for its growth is between 20°C and 26°C during the day and between 18°C and 22°C at night. Maintaining a stable temperature helps to avoid plant stress and promotes rapid growth.

Sativa plants grow better at higher temperatures. Daytime temperatures can range from 24°C to 30°C and nighttime temperatures from 20°C to 24°C. Keeping warm is important to speed up the metabolic processes in the sativa, resulting in faster growth.

Autoflowering plants, due to their genetics, are more adaptable to different temperatures, but their optimal conditions are between 22°C and 28°C. A constant temperature allows these plants to move more quickly from the vegetative stage to flowering.

Humidity

Air humidity is also an important factor that affects the growth of cannabis plants. During vegetative growth, cannabis needs high humidity (60% to 70%). This promotes the rapid development of leaves and stems. High humidity also helps the plants absorb nutrients faster through the root system. At the flowering stage, humidity should be reduced to 40-50% to avoid the development of mold and fungal diseases. This is especially important for feminized varieties as they are more sensitive to excess moisture.

Ventilation

Good ventilation is essential to maintain optimum levels of CO2, which plants use for photosynthesis. Proper air circulation helps to prevent overheating and overwatering, and promotes a more even distribution of heat and light. This is especially important in grow boxes and greenhouses where natural air circulation is limited.

By optimizing all of these factors - light, temperature, humidity and ventilation - you can create the ideal conditions for accelerated growth of cannabis plants. Whether indica, sativa, autoflowering or feminized varieties, the right microclimate promotes faster development and maturation, which in turn leads to higher and better quality yields.

Use of high quality fertilizers

Proper nutrition of cannabis plants is one of the key aspects affecting their growth rate and overall health. Fertilizers provide the plants with all the necessary macro and micronutrients that promote rapid growth, abundant flowering and high yields. Different varieties of cannabis, whether indica, sativa, autoflowering or feminized, have their own specific nutritional requirements, and taking them into account helps to speed up growth considerably.

Main power elements

Cannabis needs three key micronutrients for full growth:

• Nitrogen (N): This element is critical for foliage and stem formation. Nitrogen stimulates active green mass growth, especially during the growing phase. Sativa plants, which have taller and thinner stems, require more nitrogen compared to indica plants.

• Phosphorus (P): This element plays a significant role in root development and flowering process. Phosphorus is required for energy production which is utilized by the plant for growth. Phosphorus consumption increases during the flowering phase, especially in feminized and autoflowering varieties seeking rapid bud formation.

• Potassium (K): Potassium is responsible for the overall health of the plant, increasing its resistance to disease and stress and regulating water balance. It is needed at all stages of growth, especially during flowering, when the plant uses it to form dense and resinous buds.

Fertilizers at the vegetative stage

During the vegetative growth phase, when plants are actively developing stems and leaves, it is particularly important to provide them with sufficient nitrogen. Indices require a balanced ratio of nitrogen and potassium. Due to the dense growth and shorter height of indices, excess nitrogen can lead to excessive foliage overgrowth, which will negatively affect flowering. Therefore, it is recommended to use fertilizers with moderate nitrogen content.

Sativas require more nitrogen due to their taller and more branched stems. Fertilizers with high nitrogen content promote accelerated growth and the formation of strong stems. Autoflowering plants, which have a short growing season, require a balanced fertilizer with high levels of nitrogen and moderate levels of phosphorus and potassium to get through the growing stage and into flowering quickly.

Fertilizers at the flowering stage

When cannabis starts to flower, its nutrient requirements change:

• Feminized varieties: During the flowering stage, these plants require more phosphorus and potassium to support vigorous flowering and the formation of dense buds. These elements promote the development of resinous inflorescences and increase yields. Fertilizers high in phosphorus will help speed up the flowering process.

• Autoflowering varieties: Due to the short life cycle of autoflowering varieties, it is important to use fertilizers high in phosphorus and potassium as soon as flowering begins. This will speed up the flowering process and help the plant mature faster, which is especially important for short-cycle varieties.

Micronutrients and growth stimulants

In addition to basic macronutrients, cannabis needs micronutrients such as calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc. These elements are involved in metabolic processes and keep the plant healthy:

• Calcium and magnesium: Important for strengthening cell walls and improving nutrient absorption. Adding calcium and magnesium to fertilizers helps prevent deficiencies and promotes vigorous growth.

• Growth stimulants: The use of stimulants such as hormones and organic supplements can help boost growth and improve plant health. For example, humic acids and algae extracts help accelerate root growth and increase resin in buds.

Correction of pH

The pH level affects the absorption of nutrients. The optimal pH level for cannabis in soil is 6.0-7.0 and 5.5-6.5 in hydroponic systems. Regularly checking and adjusting the pH will help avoid nutrient blockages, promoting faster growth and better plant development.

Proper use of high quality fertilizers and maintaining a balance of nutrients at different growth stages can significantly accelerate plant development, increase resistance to disease and stress, and improve the quality and quantity of yields.

Application of modern cultivation methods

Modern cultivation techniques significantly contribute to accelerating the growth of cannabis plants, improving their condition and increasing yields. Advanced techniques make efficient use of available space, light and nutrients while minimizing stress to the plants.

SCROG

The SCROG (Screen of Green) method is a technique of growing plants under a grid or lattice to control their growth and shape. This approach is particularly effective for optimizing the use of light and space:

• The principle: Plants are lifted through the grid and their lateral shoots are directed horizontally, creating a uniform screen of foliage. This ensures that all parts of the plant are evenly illuminated, promoting more uniform growth.

• Benefits: SCROG helps to increase the amount of light reaching the lower parts of the plant, which improves inflorescence development and increases the overall yield. It also helps to prevent overgrowth of the plant and utilize space efficiently.

LST

The LST (Low Stress Training) method consists of flexible and careful manipulation of the plants to stimulate their growth without significant stress:

• Principle: Using soft wires or cords, the plant stems are gently guided sideways and downwards to ensure an even distribution of light and air. This helps to increase the number of main spikelets and improve access to light for all parts of the plant.

• Benefits: LST allows you to control plant shape and increase plant productivity without compromising plant health. The method creates a flatter crown, increasing the number of actively illuminated zones and improving inflorescence development.

HST

HST (High Stress Training) involves more aggressive plant conditioning techniques such as pruning and pinching:

• How it works: HST includes techniques such as topping, removing excess branches and shoots, and “topping”, where the top of the plant is removed to stimulate the growth of lateral shoots.

• Benefits: These methods help to improve plant structure, increase the number of main spikelets and improve light and air access to them. HST helps to increase overall yield and quality, but requires careful care and monitoring to avoid stress that can negatively affect the plants.