A plant is able to introduce flower or fruit with 11 to 13 hour dark cycles that help with stimulating the forthcoming winter period as the days start to shorten. So, it often benefits to have two separate areas outside; one can be used for the vegetative state and a second for the fruiting and flowering stage. Provided that the dark cycle is available with no instructions of light this should ensure that the flowering is able to progress as required. Avoid like interruptions since this could delay the process.
A plant that is able to reach maturity, which is often in the region of 12 inches, is certain to benefit from the dark periods to help with encouraging the development of the flowers and the resulting fruit. Ideally, you want to automate this process with a timer to create the strict dark cycles. If grown outside in a greenhouse, a similar set-up is achieved by placing a blanket over the roof top to create the dark periods. A regular schedule of covering the greenhouse at 8 p.m. in the evening and removing at 8 a.m. in the morning should help with encouraging the plants to flower. After a two-week period you should find that the plants are able to progress with the flowering stage, although you will want to keep this routine in place until you are sure the plants are at the complete flowering stage.
An outdoor set-up throughout the autumn and spring isn't likely to require any interference since the nights are long enough to promote the flowering. It's just a case of relocating the plants in the ideal outdoor location to let the plants naturally flower. If relocated at the end of summer, with the onset of autumn near, it might only be a requirement to force the flowering stage for 14 days since the longer nights are certain to be able to provide the ideal dark cycle.
Flowering plants are able to benefit from plant food, like high P, and should remain on a very strict 12 hour cycle of no light. An alternative cycle of the 11 hours dark, 13 hours light might help with increasing the size of the flowers. It often benefits to increase the dark cycles to speed up the maturity at the end of the flower stage. But this might see a reduction in the yield.
If indoor gardening is preferred it is likely to benefit to use two shelves of similar design. On set of lamps can operate for the 12 to 13 hour cycle, and the other light can run constant. A plant needs to start with constant light and moved at a later stage to promote the growth of the flowers after a number of weeks. It is likely that the shelf for flowering needs to be bigger since the plants at this stage are going to be significantly larger. Alternatively, plants can be relocated outside if sufficient room isn't available inside the home.
A blackout curtain is certain to be created with some sort of opaque material, like black vinyl, which also comes with a material on the backside to help with reflecting the light towards the plants life. Ties or Velcro can be used to make certain that it is kept in place. A shelf mounted high in a room isn't likely to be very noticeable, which should ensure that less people are likely to notice its use.
Plant foods like 5-50-17 are likely to be highly beneficial for the flowering plants, although you might find that something like 10-20-10 is still able to offer the ideal nutrients. You want to look at adding nutrients to the plant life on each watering.
A further ingredient to want with the plant foods is the trace elements. An all-inclusive plant food is more desirable than needing to be several different separate nutrients. A local garden centre is likely to offer the trace elements for the garden lawns, which can easily be adapted for the intended use.
A hydroponic flowering solution is likely to contain one tablespoon of trace elements, half tablespoon Epsom salts, and one tablespoon of high p plant food (like 5-50-17 or 15-30-15). An optional extra can include one tablespoon of oxygen plus plant food.
It is vitally important to keep in mind that throughout the flowering stage the dark cycle cannot be interrupted by normal light. This is certain to delay the development of the flowers as the plant hormones are likely to start reacting to light. If it comes necessary to work on the plants during this period you really want to limit the light exposure as much as possible. You want to minimise any pruning of the plants when it comes to flowering.
You will likely find that it is possible to use a green light throughout the period of working on the garden in times of the dark cycle, without having any harmful issues. A garden centre is likely to offer a wide range of nursery safety lights, although you might find that any type of green bulb is sufficient. It will help if you are able to provide the dark hours at a time where you wouldn't normally visit the growth area. If you are likely to be out of the home during the daytime, you might want to look at arranging a 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. cycle, which gives the opportunity to work on the plants if necessary in the evenings.
Avoid regular spraying of the flowering plants since this is likely to cause rot and mold. Humidity levels need to be kept at a sensible level throughout the flowering stage since the plants are at their most delicate stage throughout this period.
Early flowering is likely to be seen within one or two weeks of switching the lights to the 12 hour cycles. An early indication is two white hairs that appear from the bulbous area. Use this method to establish the sex of the plants. It isn't impossible to establish the female from male by looking at the bushiness or height.
Within a period of three to six weeks after adjusting the lights, the plants should start to show white pistils which emerged from each of the grow tips on the plants. The crop should be entirely coated in them. These are the flowers which reach the mature stage and will continue to develop in the process of covering the plants. Certain plants are likely to continue this process until the lighting is switched back. Once you are in a position of seeing that the plant has enough flowers it is possible to adjust the lights to an eight to 10 hour cycle. A plant should now begin to quickly ripen, and in a position of harvesting within three weeks.
Most plants can be relocated to an outside location for the final stages, even if the outside lighting is excessive for regular flowering to take place. A plant that has been able to achieve its peak floral stage is no longer possible to change back to the vegetative growth stage, and the final act of flowering will happen. Relocating to an outside set-up offers the perfect opportunity to free up space for the next batch of flowers to begin.
Watch for signs of white hairs that start to change a brown, orange, or red color. Seed pods (with the males removed) will begin swelling with resins. Once you're able to detect that about 80% of the pistils are able to start changing colour the flowers are now in a position of harvesting.
Avoid touching the buds. It is acceptable to touch the larger-sized fan leaves if wanting to get a better appreciation of the buds, since the THC is likely to be rubbed off by touching and this might result in a smaller yield if mismanaged.