Cannabis Growing Guide

Whether you’re growing your first plant or refining your process, this guide breaks down the essential stages, environmental conditions, FAQs, and tips to help you grow high-quality cannabis.

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🌱 GROW STAGES

Vegetation (0–XX Days)

Yes, you can skip veg—but why?
The vegetative stage determines your plant’s size and structure. It’s flexible in duration, depending on space and desired yield.

• Promote growth with an 18/6 light cycle
• Start topping at 5 nodes
• Train and defoliate as needed
• Monitor plant health and structure

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Stretch / Transition (12–18 Days)

To enter flowering, switch light schedule to 12 hours on / 12 off.

• Lollipop and defoliate a few days before flipping
• Expect the plant to double or triple in height
• Use trellis netting, cropping, or super cropping as needed

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Full Flower (30+ Days)

Your plant now focuses on bud development.

• Check trichomes regularly for cloudiness
• Begin flushing when 50–70% of trichomes are cloudy
• Energy shifts from leaf growth to bud swelling
• Use a 40x+ jeweler’s loupe for accurate trichome inspection

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Flush (3–7 Days)

• Stop nutrients
• Use RO or distilled water (or a flushing agent)
• Optional but recommended for better taste and smoother smoke

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Dry (3–10 Days)

• Hang plants in a dark, cool room
• Keep temps between 60–70°F and RH at 45–55%
• Use a fan to circulate air indirectly
• Dry is complete when stems snap cleanly

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Cure (2–3 Days Minimum, Ideal 3–6 Weeks+)

• Trim and jar loosely without crushing
• Store in a cool, dark place
• “Burp” jars daily for 1 week, then less frequently
• Avoid mold: if you smell ammonia or wet hay, buds are too wet

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🌡️ GROW CONDITIONS

Seedling / Clone Stage

• Light: 18/6
• Humidity: 70–85%
• Temp: 68–77°F
• Use domes and heat mats to encourage rooting

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Vegetative Stage

• Light: 18/6
• Humidity: 65–75%, reduce 5% weekly
• Temp: 74–86°F (lights on), cooler at night
• Use VPD charts to fine-tune your climate
• Add CO₂ for better growth if using high temps and intense light

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Flowering Stage

• Light: 12/12
• Humidity: 50–55% (avoid 60%+)
• Temp: 70–80°F
• LST and defoliation should be completed early in flower
• Maximize light penetration and airflow
• CO₂ use is most effective in the first 6 weeks

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Late Flowering (Optional Enhancements)

• Humidity: Lower to 25–35%
• Temps: Drop to 65–75°F during day, even lower at night
• Color change: low nighttime temps can trigger purple hues
• Mimics fall and improves appearance, yield, and flavor

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❓ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How do I know when to harvest?
Check for 50–70% cloudy trichomes across the whole plant. Leaves will fade and curl as stored energy is used—this is normal.

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What’s the best drying setup?
Use a dark room with temps between 60–70°F and 45–55% RH. A small fan should gently circulate air without hitting buds directly.

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When is it time to cure?
When stems snap instead of bend. Jar loosely, store in the dark, and “burp” daily for the first week. Avoid mold by monitoring moisture and smell.

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What’s the deal with plant training?
Training increases yields without extra gear.

• LST (Low Stress Training): Bending and tying for a flat canopy
• Manifolding: Start at 5 nodes for better spacing and airflow
• ScrOG: Use a screen to train plants horizontally

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How do I boost flavor and bud size?
Supplementing with sugars like blackstrap molasses (1 tsp/gal) during late flower helps improve flavor and bulk—especially in organic grows.

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What water should I use?

• Let tap water sit uncovered for 24+ hours
• RO water is best but needs nutrient additives
• pH range: 6.0–6.5 in soil

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Must-have tools:

• pH meter and PPM meter (plus backups)
• Check both your input and runoff water
• Follow nutrient feed charts for accuracy

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📩 Have Questions?

We’re here to help! Email us at happycutsclub@gmail.com with your grow questions.

Happy growing! 🌿
—The Happy Cuts Club Team