The time it takes a marijuana plant to develop from germination to harvest varies depending on the type of seed you choose. The estimated time for each phase of growth is as follows:
Feminised seeds
Germination (3-10 days): During this time, the seed opens, and a small main root begins to grow.
Seedling phase (2-3 weeks): After germination, the plant develops its first true leaves and begins to establish its basic structure.
Vegetative phase (4-8 weeks): The plant focuses on the growth of leaves and stems. Feminised plants can stay in this phase for longer if they’re provided with 18 hours of light and 6 hours of darkness to help maximise their size before the flowering phase.
Flowering phase (6-12 weeks): It starts when the plants are exposed to a cycle of 12 hours of light followed by 12 hours of darkness. Depending on the specific strain, this phase lasts between 6 and 12 weeks. Indicas ripen earlier as an evolutionary response to adverse conditions, whereas sativas can finish flowering several weeks later, since they come from regions with more favourable climates.
Autoflowering seeds
Germination (3-7 days): Autoflowering seeds tend to germinate a little faster than feminised seeds.
Seedling phase (1-2 weeks): The seedling phase is also shorter for autos.
Vegetative phase (2-4 weeks): Autoflowers have a short vegetative phase. These plants start flowering automatically, without the need for a change in the light cycle.
Flowering phase (5-8 weeks): The flowering phase is quite fast for autoflowerings. All in all, these plants can be ready for harvest in about 8 to 12 weeks from germination.
Fast flowering seeds
The germination, seedling, and vegetative phase of these strains are similar in time to those of feminised seeds.
Flowering phase (6-7 weeks): The main advantage of fast flowering seeds is their short flowering phase, which only lasts between 6 and 7 weeks. This lets you get a full harvest about 2 weeks earlier than you would with a typical photo-dependent seed.
To sum up, feminised seeds have a longer growth cycle, but allow for greater control over the size and shape of the plants. In contrast, autoflowering and fast flowering seeds offer a faster harvest, and are ideal for growers looking for quick crop rotation or for those who have limited space. Choosing the right type of seed depends on your specific needs and on the time that you can devote to your grow.
