Photoperiod strains (regular and feminised) are triggered to start the flowering cycle by a decrease in daylight hours. In the early growing stages, photoperiod strains need 18 hours of daylight and 6 hours of darkness. Plants will remain in the vegetative state indefinitely, growing to monstrous heights, until the amount of daylight hours decrease.

The plants start the flowering period at the end of the summer as the days become shorter and the amount of sunlight diminishes (12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness). Don’t worry too much about a perfect 12/12 hour cycle; most plants will transition into flowering as daylight hours drop below 14 hours.

Pure indica strains finish flowering quickly, sativa strains take their time, and hybrid strains land somewhere in the middle. Your plants will be ready for harvest in Autumn, unless you trigger them to bloom faster by covering plants using tarps or other covering to block sunlight. Remember to remove any covering at sunrise.

Don’t grow your cannabis plants on a window sill, grow them outdoors in sun-drenched gardens or balconies. Containers give you the option of moving plants in case of erratic weather patterns, like strong winds or extreme rainfall. If you’re growing on a balcony make sure the plant receives plenty of bright direct sunlight all day long. Move the container as necessary.

Daylight Hours
For optimal results, you’ll have to keep track of the amount of daylight hours in your region. Look up your local sunrise-sunset data online, to know for certain how many hours of daylight your plant will receive. Do this before you start germination. If you germinate too early, and the daylight hours are not long enough, you run the risk of your plants entering the flowering stage before they've even had a chance to grow.

In the Northern Hemisphere, the growing season starts in April and ends in November. In the Southern Hemisphere, the growing season starts in August and ends in April. Time vegetative growth to coincide with the brightest summer months. Photoperiod strains bloom slowly as the nights get longer. Check seed specifications; some strains bloom longer than others.

Optimal Temperature
To achieve their full potential, photoperiod strains need a temperature between 20 and 28 degrees Celsius and relative humidity of 40 to 50% in the flowering stage. If you’re growing in cooler climates, with lower night-time temperatures, choose hardy plants or exotic strains with bluish/purple hues whose colouration is triggered by lower night-time temperatures.

Vegetative Stage
If maximum yield is a priority, and as long as growing conditions permit it, keep plants in their vegetative state for around 60 days (8 weeks). Remember, the longer plants remain in their vegetative state, the taller they’ll be. Indica strains tend to gain around half their vegetative height during the flowering stage, while sativa and hybrid strains can double in height. The flowering stage can last anywhere from 6 to 12 weeks depending on the strain.

Container Size
You’ll most likely need a few different container sizes depending on the final height of your plant. A container that’s too small will stunt your plant’s growth and unnecessarily stress the plant. A good rule of thumb is approximately 7.5L for every 30 cm of height.

You’ll need a small container for your seedling, one for the vegetative state, and a final container. The seedling stage lasts around 2 to 3 weeks, vegetative state 2 to 8 weeks, and the flowering stage 8 to 12 weeks, but this all depends on the strain! Check seed specifications. Move seedlings when the plants have 3 to 4 sets of leaves. Move plants into their final container before the flowering stage begins.

General timeline for growing outdoors in the Netherlands

• March: Buy/order seeds online
• Start of/Mid- April: Germinate feminised photoperiod seeds. The daylight hours are long enough for seedlings to grow. Keep seedlings on a bright windowsill indoors.
• End of April: Seedlings can be placed outdoors, but you’re risking damage from night frost.
• Mid-May: Move plants outdoors, there’s little to no chance of night frost.
• June: Longest days of the year.
• July: If you want to trigger plants to bloom faster by covering them, now’s your chance. August brings the best weather, reducing the chance of moulds, mildew and rot in the flowering stage.
• End of August: Days are becoming shorter, plants start flowering. Stop covering plants.
• September: Plants are in full bloom. Protect plants from excessive rain, keep them as dry as possible.
• October: Plants are in full bloom. Fall in the Netherlands can bring rainy and cold weather, which increases the chances of rot. If that’s the case harvest now!
• November: Your plants are likely ready for harvest.

Harvest and Cure
Check if your plants are ready for harvest. Use a portable microscope to inspect the bud.

• Are the trichomes transparent? Let the plant continue blooming for a while longer. Check daily.
• Are the trichomes white? THC levels are optimal; it’s time for harvest.
• Are the trichomes brown? You waited too long, THC levels are degrading. Harvest now.

Don’t have a microscope? There are three indicators to look for. This method is not as accurate as using a portable microscope.

1. At least 80% of the bud’s hairy pistils are brownish amber in colour and shrivelled up.
2. Buds are thick and compact
3. Some of the leaves are yellow at the edges.

Ready for harvest? Remove the biggest leaves by hand. Cut the stem, hang plants upside down in a dark place at room temperature, allow for fresh airflow. Once dry, the branches will snap when you bend them. Drying will take around 10 days.

Time to cure! Pick off the buds and place them in glass containers like jars. Fill the containers about 2/3 and close the lid. Place the containers in a dark spot, like a cupboard. In the first two weeks check the jar daily for mould and mildew. Stir the contents, allow the glass jar to air out and put the lid back on. After around 2 weeks the buds will be cured. The longer you cure, the smoother the smoke and the better the taste.