Growing And Flowering

BobNarley · 05-26-2008, 08:55 PM

Growth and Flowering
The cannabis plant regulates its growth and flowering stages by
measuring changes in the number of hours of uninterrupted
darkness to determine when to flower. The plant produces a hor-
mone (phytochrome) beginning at germination. When this chemical
builds up to a critical level, the plant changes its mode from
vegetative growth to flowering. This chemical is destroyed in the
presence of even a few moments of light. During the late spring and
early summer there are many more hours of light than darkness and
the hormone does not build up to a critical level. However, as the
days grow shorter and there are longer periods of uninterrupted
darkness, the hormone builds to a critical level.
Flowering occurs at different times with different varieties as a
result of the adaption of the varieties to the environment. Varieties
from the 3oth latitude grow in an area with a temperate climate and
fairly early fall. These plants usually trigger in July or August and
are ready to harvest in September or October. Southern African
varieties often flower with as little as 8 or 9 hours of darkness/15 to
16 hours of light. Other 3oth latitude varieties including most in-
dicas flower when the darkness cycle lasts a minimum of 9 to 10
hours. Jamaican and some Southeast Asian varieties will trigger at
11 hours of darkness and ripen during September or October.
Equatorial varieties trigger at 12 hours or more of darkness.
This means that they will not start flowering before late September
or early October and will not mature until late November or early
December.
Of course, indoors the plants' growth stage can be regulated
with the flick of a switch. Nevertheless, the plants respond to the ar-
tificial light cycle in the same way that they do to the natural
seasonal cycles.
The potency of the plant is related to its maturity rather than
Chronological age. Genetically identical 3 month and 6 month-old
plants which have mature flowers have the same potency. Starting
from seed, a six month old plant flowers slightly faster and fills out
more than a 3 month old plant.
Chapter Four~~
Choosing a Space
Almost any area can be converted to a growing space. Attics,
basements, spare rooms, alcoves and even shelves can be used.
Metal shacks, garages and greenhouses are ideal areas. All spaces
must be located in an area inaccessible to visitors and invisible from
the street.
The ideal area is at least 6 feet high, with a minimum of 50
square feet, an area about 7 by 7 feet. (Square footage is computed
by multiplying length times width.) A single 1,000 watt metal halide
or sodium vapor lamp, the most efficient means of illuminating a

garden, covers an area this size.
Gardeners who have smaller spaces, at least one foot wide and
several feet long, can use fluorescent tubes, 400 watt metal halides,
or sodium vapor lamps.
Gardeners who do not have a space even this large to spare can
use smaller areas (See the chapter "Novel Gardens").
Usually, large gardens are more efficient than small ones.
The space does not require windows or outside ventilation, but
it is easier to set up a space if it has one or the other.
Larger growing areas need adequate ventilation so that heat,
oxygen, and moisture levels can be controlled. Greenhouses usually
have vents and fans built in. Provisions for ventilation must be
made for lamp-lit enclosed areas. Heat and moisture buildup can be
extraordinary. During the winter in most areas, the heat is easily
dissipated; however, the heat buildup is harder to deal with in hot
weather. Adequate ventilation and air coolers are the answer.

05-26-2008, 08:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
BobNarley My Mood: Join Date: May 2007 Location: Mojove Desert-Southern California Posts: 530 gRamz: 13,378 Danks: 26 Danked 17 Times in 14 Posts	Growing And Flowering Growth and Flowering The cannabis plant regulates its growth and flowering stages by measuring changes in the number of hours of uninterrupted darkness to determine when to flower. The plant produces a hor- mone (phytochrome) beginning at germination. When this chemical builds up to a critical level, the plant changes its mode from vegetative growth to flowering. This chemical is destroyed in the presence of even a few moments of light. During the late spring and early summer there are many more hours of light than darkness and the hormone does not build up to a critical level. However, as the days grow shorter and there are longer periods of uninterrupted darkness, the hormone builds to a critical level. Flowering occurs at different times with different varieties as a result of the adaption of the varieties to the environment. Varieties from the 3oth latitude grow in an area with a temperate climate and fairly early fall. These plants usually trigger in July or August and are ready to harvest in September or October. Southern African varieties often flower with as little as 8 or 9 hours of darkness/15 to 16 hours of light. Other 3oth latitude varieties including most in- dicas flower when the darkness cycle lasts a minimum of 9 to 10 hours. Jamaican and some Southeast Asian varieties will trigger at 11 hours of darkness and ripen during September or October. Equatorial varieties trigger at 12 hours or more of darkness. This means that they will not start flowering before late September or early October and will not mature until late November or early December. Of course, indoors the plants' growth stage can be regulated with the flick of a switch. Nevertheless, the plants respond to the ar- tificial light cycle in the same way that they do to the natural seasonal cycles. The potency of the plant is related to its maturity rather than Chronological age. Genetically identical 3 month and 6 month-old plants which have mature flowers have the same potency. Starting from seed, a six month old plant flowers slightly faster and fills out more than a 3 month old plant. Chapter Four~~ Choosing a Space Almost any area can be converted to a growing space. Attics, basements, spare rooms, alcoves and even shelves can be used. Metal shacks, garages and greenhouses are ideal areas. All spaces must be located in an area inaccessible to visitors and invisible from the street. The ideal area is at least 6 feet high, with a minimum of 50 square feet, an area about 7 by 7 feet. (Square footage is computed by multiplying length times width.) A single 1,000 watt metal halide or sodium vapor lamp, the most efficient means of illuminating a garden, covers an area this size. Gardeners who have smaller spaces, at least one foot wide and several feet long, can use fluorescent tubes, 400 watt metal halides, or sodium vapor lamps. Gardeners who do not have a space even this large to spare can use smaller areas (See the chapter "Novel Gardens"). Usually, large gardens are more efficient than small ones. The space does not require windows or outside ventilation, but it is easier to set up a space if it has one or the other. Larger growing areas need adequate ventilation so that heat, oxygen, and moisture levels can be controlled. Greenhouses usually have vents and fans built in. Provisions for ventilation must be made for lamp-lit enclosed areas. Heat and moisture buildup can be extraordinary. During the winter in most areas, the heat is easily dissipated; however, the heat buildup is harder to deal with in hot weather. Adequate ventilation and air coolers are the answer.

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