At Agropharm, we specialize in optimizing medicinal cannabis cultivation environments to maximize yields and quality while minimizing energy consumption. Our expert team helps agricultural producers and investors create ideal growing conditions in their operations. Understanding the cannabis cultivation timeline or cannabis plant life cycle is crucial for ensuring optimal plant development. This guide outlines the key stages of cannabis growth, from propagation to harvest, and provides expert advice on how to best manage each phase for a successful crop. Let’s dive into the key stages of cannabis cultivation for optimal results.
The cannabis growing process: An overview
The process of growing cannabis involves several critical stages, each requiring specific care and attention to detail for optimal development. From the moment the seed is planted, it undergoes distinct phases of growth, each with its own unique needs. Understanding the cannabis grow timeline helps growers plan effectively and make adjustments to environmental conditions, such as light, temperature, humidity, and others, as well as considering the interaction between them, to promote healthy growth.
At Agropharm, we recognize that every stage of cannabis growth plays a vital role in the final product’s yield and quality. Our team provides expert guidance on creating optimal environments and developing tailored facilities that enhance each cannabis development phase. By partnering with Agropharm, growers can ensure that their crops reach their full potential, producing high-quality cannabis with minimal energy consumption.
There are various methodologies and approaches to growing medical cannabis, so there is no single strict procedure. However, certain reference values have been established for the main variables that affect cultivation, which are generally considered to be an accepted average among those responsible for production.
Stage 1: Propagation
If the starting material is a seed, the propagation is known as sexual propagation, and it starts with the germination, the first critical stage in the cannabis growth timeline. It’s when a cannabis seed begins to sprout and turn into a young plant. This phase typically lasts 2-7 days, depending on environmental conditions and the quality of the seeds. During this time, it’s essential to provide the right temperature, humidity, and light to ensure successful germination.
For optimal germination, seeds should be kept in a warm, moist environment. The ideal temperature is around 20-25°C, with a humidity level of 70-90%. This allows to reach the recommended VPD (Vapor Pressure Deficit) for this stage. This will encourage the seeds to sprout without risking pathogens or dehydration. Light is not strictly necessary at this stage, as the seeds rely on the moisture and warmth to activate their growth.
A medicinal cannabis industry aims to have the best possible consistency, stability and homogeinity in the final product derived from the different batches, medicinal cannabis companies that operate commercially tend to use clones as starting material. Nevertheless, there are sompanies that are starting to develope F1 hybrids that allow that plants cultivated from seeds to be almost completely identical. Commercial F1 cannabis today is usually quoted by breeders as 95 – 99 % uniform for target traits (chemotype, morphology), but not absolutely 100%.
When the starting material is a clone taken as a cutting from a selected mother plant (chosen to produce genetically identical offspring), the process is known as vegetative propagation. In this method, cuttings from healthy, pest-free mother plants are rooted under controlled conditions: 22 – 26 °C, 70 – 85 % relative humidity, and 100 – 250 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹ light with an 18 – 24 h photoperiod. Maintaining warm root zones (23 – 25 °C), high humidity, and moderate light reduces stress and encourages rapid callus and root development, resulting in vigorous young plants ready for the vegetative or flowering phase.
Besides, there is another type of vegetative propagation, called in vitro propagation. Cannabis propagation involves growing small explants taken from healthy mother plants under sterile conditions on nutrient media supplemented with plant growth regulators. Cultures are maintained at 22 – 26 °C, with 40 – 60 % relative humidity (nearly 100% inside the vessels) and low to moderate light intensity of 30–60 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹ on a 16-hour photoperiod. This technique enables rapid multiplication of uniform, disease-free plants, supports long-term genetic preservation, and reduces the risk of pests and pathogens compared with traditional cloning propagation.
Agropharm advises growers to use controlled environments, like specially designed propagation facilities , to regulate these conditions. Our team helps design and build facilities that maintain the ideal temperature and humidity, maximizing propagation success rates and minimizing energy consumption.
Stage 2: Juvenile plant stage (seedling or clone).
Once the medicinal cannabis seed or has germinated (seedling) or the clone starts to root, it enters the a crucial phase for the plant’s early development. During this stage, the juvenile plant starts to develop its first true leaves, establish roots, and build a strong foundation for future growth. This phase typically lasts 2-3 weeks, and it’s vital to provide optimal care to ensure the plant thrives.
At this stage, cannabis plants require a light cycle of 18-24 hours of light per day to promote healthy growth. The light should be bright but not too intense, as young plants can be sensitive to excessive light. Temperature should be maintained around 22 – 26°C and humidity levels should be kept at 65-70%, reaching the recommended VPD. Proper airflow is also essential to prevent pathogens such as mold and mildew, which can damage delicate juvenile plants.
The root system begins to expand during this stage, and healthy, strong roots are critical for the plant’s ability to absorb nutrients and water in the later stages of growth, independently on the selected cultivation media.
To encourage this, Agropharm recommends using controlled environments such as purpose-built propagation facilities that can regulate both light and humidity, and therefore VPD (Vapor Pressure Deficit). These systems ensure that seedlings are provided with the most ideal conditions, setting them up for success as they move into the vegetative stage.
The juvenile plant stage is an important building block in the cannabis cultivation timeline, and maintaining the right conditions will result in stronger plants that are ready to progress to the next phase.
Stage 3: Vegetative stage
The vegetative stage is where medicinal cannabis plants begin to grow vigorously. During this phase, the plant focuses on developing its structure, growing leaves, stems, and roots. The length of the vegetative stage can vary, but it typically lasts 2 – 6 weeks, depending on the desired methodology in relation to the size of the plant, the genetic, and environmental factors. This is a critical stage for establishing a healthy, robust plant that will be able to produce strong buds later in the flowering stage.
During the vegetative stage, cannabis plants require an abundance of light. The ideal light cycle is 18 – 24 hours of light per day. High-intensity light helps promote the growth of leaves and branches, which are essential for capturing sunlight and/or supplementary light for photosynthesis. Temperature should be kept between 22 – 28°C, and humidity levels should range from 40-60% to reach the corresponding VPD. Proper air recirculation is crucial during this stage to ensure the plants remain healthy and to prevent diseases.
The plants will also require increased nutrients during this stage. Nitrogen is particularly important for supporting the development of lush green leaves. In addition, a well-balanced nutrient mix will help ensure that the plants have all the minerals they need for optimal growth. Agropharm’s expertise in designing and constructing growing facilities can assist in providing tailored fertigation systems and growing environments that help maximize crop yields while minimizing energy footprint.
By maintaining optimal conditions during the vegetative stage, plants will develop a strong foundation that supports healthy flowering and increased yield during the later stages of the cannabis cultivation cycle.
It is also interesting to mention that there are some cultivation methodologies that skip the vegetative phase, going directly from a longer propagation to the flowering phase.
Stage 4: Flowering stage
The flowering stage is the most critical phase of medicinal cannabis growth, where the plant shifts its focus from vegetative growth to producing buds. This phase typically begins when the plant is exposed to a minimum of 12-hour light cycle and lasts between 6-12 weeks, depending on the selected cultivation methodology, the strain and environmental conditions. During this period, the plant’s energy is directed toward developing its flowers (or buds), which contain the cannabinoids and terpenes profiles that are prized by medicinal cannabis cultivators and patients.
Environmental considerations for the flowering stage
As the plant begins to flower, environmental factors become even more crucial. Light cycles must be precisely controlled to simulate the natural changes in day length. There are different approaches, depending on factors such as genetics. A 12/12 light/dark cycle is ideal for encouraging flowering, although some strains are more comfortable with slightly different proportions; with the light period occurring during the “day” (lights on) and complete darkness at “night” (dark hours). During this time, the temperature should be kept between 20 – 26°C (68-79°F), with slightly lower humidity (40-50%) to prevent mold and mildew from developing on the buds. This is the most delicate phase to prevent diseases like Botrytis cinerea (asexual form of grey mold fungus species) or Botryotinia fuckeliana (sexual from of that fungus).
Proper airflow is also critical, as it helps to ensure that the buds receive sufficient oxygen and prevents excessive moisture accumulation during leaf evapotransporation, which can lead to fungal infections. Agropharm recommends building a fully optimized facility with climate control systems (HVAC) designed specifically for the flowering stage, ensuring that temperature, humidity, and airflow are always maintained at optimal levels for the best possible crop quality, thus mantaining the appropiate VPD during both early and late flowering stages.
Nutrient and watering requirements
During the flowering phase, the cannabis plant’s nutrient needs shift. While nitrogen is still important, phosphorus and potassium become more critical to support bud development and flower formation. Phosphorus helps in root development and energy transfer, while potassium strengthens the plant’s overall structure, improving resistance to disease and supporting bud development.
Fertigation during this stage should be consistent but not excessive. Overwatering can stress the plant and lead to root rot, which negatively affects bud quality and overall health. It’s essential, depending on the cultivation media characteristics, to know the precise fertigation methodology to encourage healthy root systems and healthy plants.
By carefully managing the flowering stage, medicinal cannabis plants can produce high-quality, stable, potent cannabis flowers that meet the desired market standards. This stage is crucial for maximizing the yield and potency of the final product, making the right environment and management essential for success.
Stage 5: Harvesting
The harvesting stage is the final step in the cannabis grow timeline, where careful timing is essential to ensure that the medicinal cannabis plant is at its peak cannabinoid and terpene profile. The timing of the harvest is critical. If it is too early, the plant may not have developed full cannabinoid levels;, but, if it is too late, the flowers may begin to degrade in quality.
Identifying the right time to harvest
The best time to harvest is when the trichomes (the tiny, resinous glands on the buds) are cloudy or milky, with a few turning amber. This observation indicates, approximately, that the plant has reached its peak levels for the aimed traits. Another sign is the pistils (the white hairs on the flowers), which should turn from white to brown or orange as they mature. Checking both the trichomes and pistils ensures that the cannabis is harvested at the optimal time during its life cycle.
Harvesting Techniques
The harvest usually begins with by cutting the branches that contain the most mature flowers The flowers need to be dried and trimmed. Depending on the post-processing methodology, flowers can be trimmed off the branches as wet or dry biomass. The trimming can be managed manually or through the use of specific post-processign equipment, depending on the desired end product. It’s crucial to handle the flowers gently to prevent damaging the delicate trichomes. Los tricomas que atesoran los cannabinoides
Post-Harvest and Drying
After harvesting, the post-harvest process is crucial for preserving the quality and potency of cannabis. Proper drying, trimming and curing techniques are essential to ensure that the flowers retain their cannabinoid and terpene profiles as much as possible.
Drying Process
The first step is drying the harvested flowers. This is usually managed in a cool, dark room with low humidity (50 – 60%) and good airflow. The ideal temperature for drying is around 18 – 21°C, although there are different methodologies or approaches. The buds should be hung upside down or placed on drying racks to allow air circulation around them. Drying typically takes 7-14 days, depending on the environmental conditions and the selected drying methodology.
Curing Process (optional)
Once dried, some producers tend to use cannabis curing processes to enhance its flavor and aroma, although this is an optional process. Curing involves placing the dried flowers in airtight containers, opening the containers regularly to allow fresh air to enter. This process can take 2 – 4 weeks and helps to smooth out the harshness of the smoke while preserving the potency. This is usually more related to the medicinal cannabis smokable flower as a final product in pharmacies (classified as GMP Part I).
Expert advice: How Agropharm can help your cannabis project
Our team offers specialized consulting services that guide you through each stage of cannabis cultivation, from propagation to harvest. We work closely with cannabis producers and investors to design and build customized cultivation and post-processing facilities that optimize conditions for each life cycle phase while minimizing energy consumption.
Our services include greenhouse and indoor design, climate control systems, fertigation delivery equipment, workflow optimization, and project management during the facility building phase. By implementing tailored solutions, we ensure that your facility supports the ideal conditions for maximizing crop yield, consistency, and quality. Whether you’re just starting or expanding your cannabis production, Agropharm’s expert advice and hands-on approach ensure that your project is set up for long-term success.
With our industry experience and focus on sustainable practices, Agropharm helps you achieve a high return on investment (ROI) while reducing operational costs. Partnering with Agropharm means having a trusted engineering office that understands both the science of cultivation and the economics of building a successful cannabis operation.
