Rather than focus on the growth of healthy foliage and strong roots, flowering cannabis plants focus almost exclusively on the development of their buds. In turn, blooming females have unique needs and prefer different conditions than vegetative plants. As a grower, it is your job to meet those needs so your plants can produce the best possible flower. Luckily, that’s exactly what you’ll learn here.
From nutrients to lighting and everything in between, keep reading for an in-depth walkthrough of the cannabis flowering phase and how to master it.
Hey fellow growers! As someone who’s been through countless grows, I wanna share everything you need to know about that exciting first week when your cannabis plants start flowering. Let’s dive into what your plants should look like and what you need to watch for during this crucial transition period.
The Big Switch: Moving to Flowering Stage
When you flip your lights to 12/12, your cannabis plants begin their amazing transformation from vegetative growth to flowering Here’s what typically happens in that first week
Physical Changes You’ll Notice
- Height Explosion: Your plants can stretch 2-3x their current height
- New Growth Pattern: Instead of just leaves, you’ll see clusters forming at nodes
- Early Pistil Development: White hairs (pistils) start appearing at branch joints
- Leaf Changes: New leaves become smaller and more compact
What Week 1 Flowering Plants Look Like
During the first week, your plants won’t have actual buds yet. Instead you’ll notice
- Small white hairs emerging from nodes
- Tighter node spacing on new growth
- Accelerated vertical growth
- Bushier overall appearance
Critical Care Tips for Week 1 Flowering
Lighting Requirements
Getting the light cycle perfect is super important
- 12 hours of uninterrupted darkness
- 12 hours of light
- No light leaks during dark period!
Nutrient Needs
Your plants need different nutes now:
- Decrease nitrogen (N)
- Increase phosphorus (P)
- Increase potassium (K)
- Consider bloom-specific nutrients
Environmental Controls
Keep these conditions stable:
- Temperature: 70-80°F (21-27°C)
- Humidity: 40-50%
- Good air circulation
- Proper ventilation
Common Week 1 Flowering Mistakes to Avoid
-
Light Schedule Errors
- Inconsistent dark periods
- Light leaks
- Wrong light distance
-
Nutrient Issues
- Continuing veg nutrients
- Overfeeding
- Wrong pH levels
-
Training Mistakes
- Heavy defoliation
- Aggressive training
- Late topping
Your Week 1 Flowering Checklist
- Confirm light schedule is exactly 12/12
- Check for light leaks
- Adjust nutrients for flowering
- Monitor plant stretch
- Maintain proper environment
- Document growth with pictures
- Look for male plants/hermies
Pro Tips from My Experience
Here’s what I’ve learned from my grows:
-
Take Daily Pictures
- Helps track progress
- Spots problems early
- Great for learning
-
Support Planning
- Get trellis ready
- Prepare ties/stakes
- Plan for stretch
-
Environment Control
- Use humidity monitors
- Check air flow
- Watch temp fluctuations
Troubleshooting Common Week 1 Issues
Problem Signs to Watch For:
| Issue | Symptoms | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Light Stress | Yellowing upper leaves | Adjust light height |
| Nutrient Burn | Leaf tip burn | Reduce nutrients |
| Stretching Too Much | Tall, weak stems | Add support, adjust light |
| Poor Transition | Slow growth | Check environment |
What’s Coming Next?
After week 1, you’ll start seeing:
- More defined bud sites
- Continued vertical growth
- Stronger stem development
- Increased nutrient demands
Final Thoughts
Week 1 of flowering is super exciting but needs careful attention. Remember, each strain grows differently – some stretch more, some less. Keep good notes and pictures of your grow, and don’t stress too much about small issues. The key is maintaining stable conditions and watching for early problems.
Quick Reference Guide
Week 1 Flowering Essentials:- Light: 12/12 schedule- Temp: 70-80°F- Humidity: 40-50%- Nutes: Transition to bloom- Watch for: Stretch, pistils, male signsRemember, growing is a journey, and every plant teaches us something new. Happy growing, fam!
#GrowTips #CannabisGrowing #Week1Flowering #GrowingCommunity
How often should you water flowering weed plants?
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to watering cannabis plants, though it is true that budding plants usually need less water than vegging plants. Just like during the veg phase, you should only water your cannabis plants when their soil is dry to the touch. Stick your finger 2 centimetres deep into your plants’ topsoil, and water them when it feels dry.
Cooler, dryer conditions
Most flowering cannabis plants grow best in daytime temperatures of 20-24°C (65-75°F); nighttime temps of 18-21°C (65- 70F), and relative humidity of around 55%.
Your grow space should always have a light breeze, as this promotes even temperatures and humidity while also repelling pests and pathogens that thrive in hot, humid conditions. When using oscillating fans, it can help to install fans both above and beneath your canopy. Never point your fans directly at your plants as this can stress them.
Overfeeding cannabis plants is always troubling, but the stress it causes can be particularly detrimental to flowering weed plants, causing stunted growth or even triggering hermaphroditism. To avoid these issues, feed your plants sparingly and using bloom-specific fertilisers predominantly rich in phosphorus, potassium, and light micronutrients.
Week 1 Flower for new cannabis growers
FAQ
What is week 1 of flowering?
What week do buds swell the most?
The Best Stage to Fatten Buds
As you may have concluded, the weeks when buds fatten the most are typically between weeks 4 and 8 from the start of your plants’ flowering phase.
What does the beginning flowering stage look like?
One of the earliest signs of the flowering stage is the emergence of pre-flowers. Pre-flowers are small, underdeveloped versions of the flowers that will later develop into buds. They appear at the nodes, where branches and leaves meet the main stem.
What do buds look like 2 weeks before harvest?
Two weeks before harvest, cannabis buds will primarily focus on ripening rather than significant size increase. The white, trichome hairs (pistils) that were previously white will begin to turn amber or brown. The trichomes themselves, tiny resin glands on the buds, will transition from clear to a milky white and then begin to turn amber.