Flowering Stage Day by Day Timeline- [Explained!]

Getting the necessary factors right during the flowering stage is quite essential for good yield. And we know how much of a hassle it is. 

So, do you want to know about the flowering stage day-by-day timeline?

The flowering stage lasts for about 8-10 weeks. During the first 20 days, the plants grow more. But after that, it stops and starts developing the buds throughout the flowering stage. During this stage, various factors like humidity, temperature, and nutrients have to be maintained.

Although just knowing this much won’t be enough. Don’t worry though, because I’ve written a whole article just to elaborate on this. 

How Long Does the Flowering Stage Last?

After the vegetative stage, the plant enters the flowering stage. The change from the vegetative stage into the flowering stage occurs automatically. That’s why it’s also called auto-flowering.

Here, the female cannabis plants produce buds and resin throughout the flowering stage.

When using feminized photoperiod seeds, flowering starts when daylight hours per day drop to 12. Feminized strains detect the shorter daytime hours as fall arrives and bloom starts to bloom outside.

However, while cultivating in equatorial regions, the plants will immediately notice the shortening of the days.

The amount of nutrients and water needed by the plant gradually rises during the flowering stage. The amount of phosphorus needed also increases as the biochemistry of the plant changes. Here, cannabis plants see a significant increase in biomass.

While this is true, the flowering stage varies for different strains. So, what are the flowering stages for different strains?

Sativa has the longest flowering stage that ranges from 10-12 weeks. Indica, though, has a shorter flowering stage of almost 8-10 weeks. And finally, the hybrid strains have the shortest flowering stage, ranging from 6-10 weeks. 

So, depending on your strain, you should nurture your cannabis differently. The factors will vary depending on them, even in the flowering stage. And, without ensuring them, you won’t get the proper yield. 

And, that’s exactly what we’ve discussed from here on.

How is the Flowering Stage – Phase 1: First 20 Days?

After entering the flowering stage, cannabis starts to go through significant changes. During the first three weeks or about 20 days, your plants will increase both in height and size. 

Thus, it’s important to ensure the right environment for their growth.

Here, I have provided a short summary of the factors that need to be addressed.

Now that you know the numerical details, let’s dive into the detailed analysis. 

Humidity:

Maintaining the right humidity for your growing environment is a must. So, what should the humidity be for 20 days of the flowering stage? Generally, a little above 40%-50% should be the ideal amount. 

Too much humidity will hamper your plants. The same goes for too little, as your plants become too dry. But there’s a catch here. Different strains of cannabis require different humidity scales. While 40%-50% is a general number, it can be further divided.

So let’s talk about the three main strains. What should the humidity be for the Sativa flowering stage?

The humidity for the Sativa flowering stage should be 50% humidity. Sativa genetics originated near the equator. The summers are long and the winters are quite mild there. Thus Sativa adapted to a higher level of humidity than other strains. So, throughout the flowering stage, humidity should be a bit higher than that of other strains.

So, during the first 20 days of flowering, Sativa needs a bit more humidity than 50%. Although it shouldn’t be too much. 

On the other hand, what should the humidity be for Indica flowering stage?

The humidity of Indica flowering stage should be Above 40% Indica plants are originated from the Middle East’s arid, hilly environments. Thus, it’s more suited to lower humidity compared to other strains. In fact, they perform poorly in higher humidity. 

Thus, for Indica, the humidity should be a little more than 40%. That is, of course, during the first 20 days. 

Since the hybrids are generated from both Sativa and Indica genes, the humidity varies too. The hybrid may come as a Sativa major or an Indica major.

If it is a Sativa major, then the humidity should be set higher than Indica. Here the humidity should be set to 45%-50%. On the other hand, if it’s an Indica Major, then it should be set to 36%-40%.

To ensure the right humidity you need a few things. Let’s see that equipment.

• Keeping the temperature in control is crucial. Thus, you need an air conditioner for it. You can check the SereneLife Portable Air Conditioner. You can check the price on Amazon.

• To control the humidity level, it is crucial to use a dehumidifier. You can go for the Pohl Schmitt Electric Dehumidifiers. You can check for availability on Amazon.

• Of course, water works great for humidifying the room. However, during cold winter, the humidity level drops. So, a humidifier like Pure Enrichment MistAire™ Humidifier works like a charm. You can see the price on Amazon.

• Lastly, you need to keep the temperature and humidity levels accurate. To measure the temperature and humidity, a hygrometer is required. You can go with the Govee Hygrometer. You can check for availability on Amazon.

Temperature with Light:

Ensuring the right temperature is a must for getting a good yield. So, what happens to cannabis in lower temperatures? 

If the temperature is too low, then the cannabis will experience slow growth. Nearly freezing temperatures may even damage them to a point of no return. 

On the other hand, too much temperature is also hazardous. 

In higher temperatures, the evaporation rate is higher, which might lead to dryness in your plants. It’s also common to experience stunted growth and burnt leaves. 

It’s common to use lights to ensure the right temperature for cannabis. Especially in indoor planting. So, what should the temperature with lights be for 20 days of the flowering stage? 

The temperature should be set to 64.4° – 78.8 Fahrenheit for ideal growth. But like humidity, the temperature also varies for different strains. 

So, what should the temperature be for Sativa flowering stage? 

The temperature of Sativa during flowering stage should be 64.4° – 78.8° Fahrenheit. As discussed before, Sativa originated near the equator. That’s why it adapted to higher temperatures. So, throughout the flowering stage, the temperature should be kept a little higher.

On the other hand, the Indica adapted to colder temperatures. But it’s important to remember not to apply temperatures lower than 64.4° Fahrenheit. The temperature with light for the first 20 days should be around 64.4° – 78.8 Fahrenheit

In the case of Sativa strain, the temperature should be set at 64.4°- 73.4° Fahrenheit. 
Then again, the hybrid strains also require different levels of attention. But one good thing here is that almost all hybrid genres are suited to 64.4°-74.4° Fahrenheit.

Here you should also know how dark your flower room should be. Now, let’s see some grow lights to achieve the perfect temperature.

• UV and IR lights work like a charm during the flowering stage. So, you can see the Juhefa LED Grow Lights. You can check the price on Amazon.

• For large indoor cultivation, go for VIVOSUN LED Grow Light. You can check for availability on Amazon.

• To lower the operation cost, you can check the VIPARSPECTRA Full Spectrum LED Grow Lights. You can check the price on Amazon.

Nutrients:

As mentioned before, the first 20 days are essential for the growth of your plant. So, maintaining the necessary nutrient level is a must. Now, how much nutrient is needed for the cannabis flowering stage? 

Use a 1:3:2 ratio of nutrients for the cannabis flowering stage. On the other hand, for the lower flowering stage, it should be lowered down to 0:3:3. Here, the nutrient scale differs for the early and late flowering stages. It’s common to use NPK-based fertilizers for your plant’s growth.

Fertilizers such as shooting powder or Moab may help you with this. But this is only the ratio. Throughout the flowering stage, different levels of this nutrient solution should be applied. And here come our TDS and EC levels. 

So, what is TDS? TDS is the abbreviation of totally dissolved solids. It calculates the total amount of minerals dissolved in water. So how is it used in measuring nutrients? 

In plant growing, distilled water is used most often. It has 0 TDS. So, when you add fertilizer to it, the number of particles dissolved increases. So, you can have a clear idea of the concentration of your solution. 

And, what is EC? EC is the abbreviation of electrical conductivity. It means how efficiently the dissolved solids conduct electricity. 

To measure EC distilled water is used. Your fertilizer solution will have salts of nitrates and phosphates. They will increase the EC of your solution. 

Because these salts will allow the conductance of electricity through your solution. And, it can measure the concentration. 

So, what should the nutrient level be for 20 days of the flowering stage? Here the nutrient level should be 700 TDS/1.4 EC. 

But this nutrient level should be different for the various strains. For comparison, Indica requires more nutrients to be nourished properly than Sativa. So, the levels should be adjusted accordingly. 

So, how much nutrient is needed for 20 days of the Sativa flowering stage? Since it needs fewer nutrients than the others, 650 TDS/1.3 EC should be fine.

Then, how much nutrient is needed for 20 days of the Indica flowering stage? Here, applying 700 TDS/1.4 EC is a good choice because of Sativa’s needs. 

On the other hand, the hybrid strains also need different levels of attention. For the Sativa major hybrid, applying 680 TDS/1.3 EC should be appropriate. While to ensure proper nourishment for an Indica major, 680 TDS/1.35 EC is needed.

20 Days Progress Report

If you maintain all these necessary factors, there are some significant changes that you’ll see. They will help to determine if the flowering stage is going on smoothly. 

Here we have tried to show these changes:

First comes to the size. Around 20 days, your plants should have increased and doubled in their size. Since it’s an essential time for their bodily growth, anything less than this isn’t worth approval. 

Here, you’ll get to see pre-flowers. So, you should know about pre-flower topping.

Another change worth mentioning is by this time you’ll be able to identify the plant’s gender. So, how to identify cannabis gender?

During the flowering stage, you can identify the cannabis gender by checking the joints of the stalk. In female cannabis, You’ll see little bulbs with hair on them. These hairs are known as pistils. On the other hand, the male flowers won’t have these hairs coming out of the bulbs.

Some plants may have both these features. Then you should trim out the male parts. Not to mention, if it’s a male plant, immediately separate it from the female plants. Be careful to not spread any pollens. This will greatly harm your yield. 

All of these changes will happen within 20 days of the flowering stage. So, as you can see, the female plants will form bud sites and pistils.

Another sign of healthy growth is vibrant green leaves during this stage. If the leaves are dark green or a little faded, then your plants need to be taken care of.

How is the Flowering Stage – Phase 2: Next 20 Days?

As you progress through the flowering stage, your cannabis encounters different sorts of changes. From the first 20 days to the next 20, the plant develops its buds more. Rather than growing in size, the buds fatten during this stage.

Here, your plant is growing at a fast rate and, thus, optimal conditions should be met. I have provided a summary of that:

Now let’s get into a detailed analysis of this chart.

Humidity:

When your plant has lasted almost 40 days, the humidity level should be lowered a bit. So, what should the humidity be for 40 days of the flowering stage? The general answer is 40%-50%. However, this value should also be changed for different strains. 

So, as we know, Sativa can handle the extra humidity. Thus, this 40%-50% humidity is good enough for Sativa. 

But the Indica strain requires a little less humidity. Here, keeping the humidity at 35%-40% should ensure proper bud growth and development. 

On the other hand, hybrids also require different levels of humidity. If the hybrid is a Sativa major, then set it to 38%-45%. And if it’s an Indica major, then set the humidity to 37%-42%.

Temperature with Light:

During the 40-day stage of your plant, it’s essential to avoid high temperatures. Although here also, the temperature should be about the same. 

No significant changes need to be made here. Rather than that, it’s essential to steadily monitor the temperature. 

So, just follow the temperature guide for the 20 days stage for all the strains.

Nutrients:

During this period of bud growth, ensuring proper nutrients is of utmost importance. Thus, during this period, the nutrient supply should be efficiently increased. 

So, what should the nutrient level be for 40 days of the flowering stage? Here the nutrient levels should be increased to 800 TDS/1.6 EC.

Then again, this value also varies for the different strains. So, how much nutrient is needed for 40 days of the Sativa flowering stage? Since it originally needed fewer nutrients, here applying 750 TDS/1.5 EC is enough.

And, how much nutrient is needed for 40 days of Indica flowering stage? Here, the nutrient level shouldn’t be changed from the original 800 TDS/1.6 EC. 

Finally, let’s come to the hybrid strains. If your hybrid is Sativa major, set nutrient levels to 765 TDS/1.5 EC. But if it’s an Indica major, then increase it to 780 TDS/1.6 EC.

Fertilizers are great source of nutrients. They provide the proper amount of nutrients. Let’s see some of the best fertilizers available for cannabis as a source of nutrients.

• One of the best natural fertilizers is Down to Earth Organic Bat Guano Fertilizer. You can check the price on Amazon.

• For getting strong buds, go for Signal Terpene Enhancer Plant Nutrient and Supplement. You can check for availability on Amazon.

• As a liquid nutrient, the Fox Farm Fertilizer Soil Trio Liquid Nutrient is great! It has 3 different nutrients as a combo package for different stages of the cannabis plant. You can check the price on Amazon.

40 Days Progress Report

The following indicators are the signs of the proper growth of your cannabis:

During this stage, the plant focuses more on developing its buds than on size. That’s why you won’t see much of an increase in the size of the plant. And for the same reason, you’ll see the buds fattening in place of the bud sites.

The pistils will also look darker. This is a sign that your cannabis is growing at a tremendous rate. 

Another change you’ll see here is some yellowish leaves. They’ll die out and fall, but don’t worry about it. By dying out, these leaves convey nutrients to newer leaves. 

Thus, it’s an essential process. 

Although be careful that not too many leaves die out like this. That means there is a problem here. 

How is the Flowering Stage – Phase 3: 40- 50 Days?

Throughout the 40 days to 50 days stage, the buds develop the most. They gain weight and start gaining THC. You’ll get their development by the increased smell and stickiness of the buds.

To ensure the proper growth of your buds, the following conditions should be met:

Here we have elaborated on these numerical values. So, be sure to go through it all.

Humidity:

After your plant has crossed the 40-day limit, the humidity should be set even lower. That is, until 50 days. So, what should the humidity be for 50 days of the flowering stage? Here, the general humidity scale should be 35%-45%. 

But this value is also variable for the different strains.

While the Sativa grows better in 35%-45% humidity, it’s not true for the Indica. It should be lowered to 30%-35%. If the humidity is set higher, you might encounter mold and fungi.

Here too, the hybrid strains need different levels of humidity. Set the humidity to 32%-38% for the Sativa major. On the other hand, for the Indica major, set it a little lower. 32%-36% should do the job.

Temperature with Light:

During the 40-50 day stage, the temperature scale should be slightly changed. At this stage, the buds start to go through significant changes. And to support these transitions, it’s essential to make the necessary changes. 

So, what should the ideal temperature with lights be for 50 days of the flowering stage? In general, during this stage, the ideal temperature should be set to 64.4° – 78.8° Fahrenheit.

However, the temperature varies for different strains here too. So, what should the temperature with light be for the first 50 days of the Sativa flowering stage? 

Here the temperature can be 64.4° – 78.8° Fahrenheit too because of the high heat compatibility. But the same does not go for the Indica.

Since the Indica is more compatible with colder temperatures, it should be set to 64.4°- 72.4° Fahrenheit.

Finally, the hybrid strains should be comfortable at 64.4°- 73.4° Fahrenheit.

Nutrients:

During this stage, your buds are fattening and ripening at a great stage. So, it’s a must to ensure the right nutrition. Although the nutrition level here should be a little less than the previous one. 

So, what should the nutrient level be for 50 days of the flowering stage? During this stage, the nutrition should be dropped to 750 TDS/1.5 EC.

Now let’s discuss the different requirements for the various strains.

So, how much nutrient is needed for 50 days of the Sativa flowering stage? Here the same levels of nutrients can be maintained because of Sativas’ extra needs. That is 750 TDS/1.5 EC.

And, how much nutrient is needed for 50 days of Indica flowering stage? For Indica, it can be lowered to 700 TDS/1.4 EC.

Now for the hybrid strains. If your cannabis is a Sativa major, then go for 720 TDS/1.4 EC. But if it’s an Indica major, provide a little more. About 740 TDS/1.4 EC.

50 Days Progress Report

The development of the buds and pistils keeps on during this stage. Here I have enlisted the changes you should look for:

The fattened buds start showing trichomes. To the point where trichomes cover the buds. These are potent THC-secreting granules. 

Pistils in this phase of the plant might have white, cream, or brown colors. Additionally, they begin to coil inward and develop trichomes all over them. 

Similar to pistils, trichomes also change color.  You should keep an eye out for these changes in color. That’s because they indicate when it’s the right time to harvest.

How is the Flowering Stage – Phase 4: 50-70 Days?

Around 70 days into the flowering stage, the buds start to fill with flavor and aroma. This is really important to your yield. If the proper environment is not ensured, your buds will feel harsh when smoked.

So, here we have tried to enlist the right factors for you:

Now, let’s discuss these factors in detail. 

Humidity:

During this last part of the flowering stage, humidity should be set to the lowest. So, what should the humidity be for 70 days of the flowering stage? To ensure a good yield, here, you can set the humidity to 30%-35%.

Now for the different variations. Due to its high compatibility with humidity, Sativa should strive for 30%-35%. On the other hand, for Indica, it should be kept lower. Here, the humidity should be set to 30%. 

Then again, for the hybrid strains, it should vary. If your hybrid is a Sativa major, then place it at 30%-33% humidity. On the other hand, if it’s an Indica major, 31%-32% humidity should be the right choice.

Temperature with Light:

During the 70- day stage too, the temperature should be maintained as before. It’s the final part of your flowering stage where even any small inconveniences might be fatal. That is for the flavor and aroma of your buds. 

So, be sure to monitor the temperatures at all times. And follow the temperature with a light guide for the 50-day stage. 

Nutrients:

In this last part of your flowering stage, nutrients should be significantly lower. At this stage, even flushing is used to get rid of the extra solids and nutrients. So that the plant uses up the nutrients it has absorbed before. 

So, what should the nutrient level be for 70 days of the flowering stage?  It should be lowered to 250 TDS/.5 EC.

But even this varies for all the different strains. While the Indica is perfect for applying this level of nutrients, the Sativa isn’t. So, how much nutrient is needed for 70 days of the Sativa flowering stage? Here, the levels should be lowered to 220 TDS/.4 EC.

Finally, the hybrids also have different nutrient requirements. If the hybrid is Sativa major, then apply nutrients at 230 TDS/.4 EC. And, if it’s an Indica major, switch to 240 TDS/.45 EC.

70 Days Progress Report

At this last stage, the following indications refer to the maturity of your plants:

At this stage, the buds have grown fully. You’ll notice a rich aroma emanating from them. That means their flavor and quality are improving during this stage. 

And the pistils will change their colors to brown, red, and orange, signs of maturity. Although pistils turning red too early might be a problem. 

This is the right time for flushing. Here, it’s important that you don’t apply any more fertilizer to the water. It’s advised to use 10-20% more water. It should drain away from under the pot soon enough. 

Here, you’ll see that the color of the water will slowly transition from dark to light. By doing this, the excessive salt build-up is sure to flush away.

3 Other Factors to Consider!

Aside from the ones above, there are some other factors that directly impact the flowering stage. If they are not maintained properly, then you won’t be able to get proper yield. 

So, here we have tried to enlist them. 

The Watering Process for Cannabis:

Water your plants on a regular basis with pure, secure water. There is no doubt that utilizing filtered or chlorine-free water produces better results. Never overwater anything, and keep an eye out for excellent drainage.

When to water cannabis plants? A decent test would be to stick your finger a few centimeters or an inch into the soil; if it feels dry, it’s time to water.

Finally, how often to water during flowering?

During Flower, you should typically water every 2 to 3 days. You should water the pot such that 10–20% of the water runs off as drain. By putting your finger in the containers you can determine the soil’s moisture level. It’s time to water once again if the soil is dry a few inches below the surface.

Ph Levels for Cannabis Plants:

The wrong pH level can have dire effects on your cannabis. So, what should be the Ph for the flowering stage?

 When growing in soil, pH levels must stay between 6 and 7. Only within this pH range are the majority of nutrients in the growth medium accessible to the plant. 

When the pH is outside of this range, your plant may face toxicities and nutrient deficiencies. Because it cannot absorb the nutrients, even if they may be present in the soil.

Container Size of the Cannabis Plant:

It varies with the cannabis method of cultivation you are using. Depending on whether you’re cultivating in soil, buckets, pots, or hydroponics, the container size will vary. 

Your container’s size will also depend on the size of the plant. The likelihood of having a larger plant increases with container size. Don’t forget to move your tree before it starts to bloom to prevent straining or unintentionally harming the plant.

Additional Tips for a Successful Flowering Stage

Follow the progress report chart and compare it with your plants. If you don’t see similar changes, then you’ve gotten a factor wrong. Maybe your plants need more nutrition. Or you weren’t able to set the humidity and temperature right.

It’s even necessary to stop using nitrogen in nutrients at one stage of flowering.

Thus, we have prepared a guide for your cause:

Lowering Humidity Process:

So, how can I lower the humidity of my growing environment? 

Upgrade your airflow fans or run your existing tube vents at faster speeds. This holds true for both the room it’s put in and tent air exits! Boost the flow of cold, fresh air. Water your plants as soon as the lights come on.

 At that moment, the space will be cooler and there will be less overall humidity due to the quick absorption.

Raising Humidity Processes:

Then, how can I lower the humidity of my growing environment?

By spraying with a spray bottle, you can temporarily raise humidity levels. Also, keep the soil’s surface damp but not soggy. Lastly, keep the water containers in your grow chamber open. Even hanging wet towels/clothes there should help to raise the humidity.

All of these steps have to be maintained over and over again. That is if you want to ensure raised humidity because they are only temporary solutions. Also, you can use a humidifier. Though you should know where to place your humidifier.

Lowering Temperature Process:

Now, how can I lower the temperature of my growing environment?

You can start by increasing the total airflow and air exchange of the room. That is where you’re growing your cannabis. A simple method you can use here is to keep the lights off during the daytime. Similarly, keep it turned on during the night. Also, you can use a cool tube while using HPS (High-Pressure Sodium) lights.

Additionally, installing an AC will help greatly in lowering the temperature. 

The Raising Temperature Process:

Lastly,  how can I raise the temperature of my growing environment?

The wise choice would be to shift to a more capable grow light. This means it will have more watts and will be able to generate more heat. You can also place a heating mat under your growing tent or room. Even using a heater with a dependable thermostat may be one of the simplest solutions.

By following these guides, hopefully, you’ll be able to ensure the right environment for your cannabis.

Following the steps and procedures will be enough to grow flowers of cannabis correctly. Like this person’s cannabis flower.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Do bigger pots mean bigger buds?

No, larger pots don’t necessarily guarantee larger plants. While transplanting, choose a pot that is 2 to 4 inches wider in diameter. That is compared to the one that the plant was originally put in. Then, the roots will have ample room to expand. They’ll also be able to take up more water and nutrients.

How can I get bigger buds?

If you want huge buds, you should use top-notch genetics. Various strains can be grown from either seeds or clones. You can also utilize bloom boosters. Provide your plant with a proven bloom booster. It will provide additional supplements that will aid in the growth of larger, potent buds.

Can buds grow without fan leaves?

It may seem like a wrong choice to remove fan leaves. That’s because they are essential to the growth and development of the cannabis plant. But defoliation, the deliberate removal of leaves, is a technique that weed farmers frequently use.  Generally, it’s used to encourage fresh regrowth.

Bottom Line!!

Now we’d like to hear your opinion. 

Were we able to solve all your queries about the flowering stage day by day timeline?

For staying with us this long, here’s an extra reward. Trim off sugar leaves to make your buds taste and look better. 

If there’s anything else on your mind, be sure to comment down below.