If you are reading this, then you are either flowering your cannabis, or preparing to flower your cannabis. And unlike the vegetative stage, the flowering stage is when your plants start to bloom and get closer to being great herbs that you can smoke.
This video shows Let’s get started by looking at Week 1.
The first week of the flowering stage is a pivotal time for cannabis plants. This critical transitional period sets the stage for robust bud development in the weeks ahead. By understanding what cannabis plants look like at this initial stage of flowering, growers can ensure their plants are healthy and on track for a bountiful harvest.
In this article, we’ll explore what to expect as your cannabis plants enter week one of flowering. We’ll look at the subtle changes in appearance, growth patterns, and metabolism that emerge. Clear photos illustrating cannabis plants at one week into flowering will help you know exactly what to look for.
Additionally, we’ll provide tips to guide you through this sensitive phase, covering best practices related to nutrients, lighting, pest prevention, and environmental controls. Whether you are an indoor or outdoor grower, this in-depth look at cannabis plant development in week one flowering will help set your crop up for success.
Recognizing the Start of Flowering
The first step is identifying when exactly your plants have entered the flowering stage. This transition from the vegetative to flowering phase is triggered by changes in the light cycle.
For indoor growers it’s easy to control. Switching your light timer from 18 hours on/6 hours off to a 12 hour on/12 hour off schedule will signal to your plants it’s time to start flowering.
For outdoor growers, timing isn’t as exact. The natural shortening of daylight hours as summer transitions to fall is the environmental cue that initiates flowering. Depending on your geographical location, the lighting shift that stimulates flowering may happen at different times.
Here are some of the subtle changes that mark flowering has begun:
- Formation of small pre-flowers at nodes along stems. At first, they are barely noticeable little white hairs known as pistils.
- Growth rate of new vegetation slows down as energy is directed towards buds.
- Plant stretching height increase continues for another 1-3 weeks before stopping.
Being able to identify these early signs of flowering means you can properly align your care to meet the plant’s changing needs.
Week 1 Flowering Changes
In week one, the changes are subtle but important. Here’s what to expect:
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Pistils emerge: Small, wispy white hairs begin to develop at nodes along stems. This is usually the first visible indicator flowering has started.
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Focus shifts: Plant redirects energy and resources towards developing flowers instead of vegetation. You may notice lateral branch growth slows down.
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Stretching persists: The increase in plant height continues for 1-3 more weeks before stopping, so make sure your indoor lights are adjusted accordingly.
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Metabolism adjusts: Hormonal changes initiate the transition from vegetative growth to a reproductive state focused on flowering.
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No bud development yet: Don’t expect to see actual flower budding at 1 week. That emerges more in weeks 2-3.
Here’s a photo example of a cannabis plant one week into the flowering stage:
![Cannabis plant at 1 week flowering][]
Subtle pistil development marks flowering has started
As you can see, the changes are modest. But being able to identify when flowering has initiated based on pistil formation is key for properly adjusting your plant care regimen.
Tips for Week 1 Flowering
Your treatment of the plants in week one sets the stage for the rest of the flowering period. Here are some tips for setting your cannabis garden up for success:
- Monitor light intensity & distance: Ensure plants are the proper distance from lights to avoid light stress. Continue raising lights as needed to account for weed stretching in early flowering.
- Transition nutrients: Switch to a flowering nutrient formula higher in phosphorus and potassium. Start at 25-50% recommended strength.
- Prevent pests: Inspect for signs of pests and treat any issues immediately before flowering progresses. Be very thorough.
- Check environment: Dial in temperature and humidity levels in your grow area to avoid plant stress.
- Avoid excessive pruning: You can remove large fan leaves shading bud sites, but don’t overdo it.
- Prepare support: Add trellis netting or bamboo stakes in preparation for cola support later on.
- Watch the signs: Monitor closely for the subtle changes in pistil growth and branching patterns that signal flowering has started.
By providing ideal conditions during this initial transition, you enable your plants to focus their energy on developing the robust flowers, trichomes, and cannabinoids you want for an optimal harvest.
What to Expect in Week 2
After adjusting to the switch to flowering in week one, cannabis plants start exhibiting more noticeable changes in week two:
- Buds begin forming at nodes. At first just small swellings, but they will grow rapidly.
- Pistils become more prominent and abundant.
- Plant continues stretching upwards and may double in size by end of week 3 or 4.
- Leaves start showing more defined fingers and new growth patterns.
- Aromas begin to develop, emitting smells ranging from skunky to fruity depending on strain.
Here’s a cannabis plant in week two flowering:![Cannabis plant week 2 flowering][]
Pistils multiplying rapidly mark week 2 flowering
The changes are much more noticeable by the end of week two compared to week one. Resin glands are developing and buds are starting to take shape. Providing ideal lighting, nutrients, and environment will ensure your flowers bulk up properly in the weeks to come.
From Subtle to Obvious: Tracking Flowering Timeline
The transition through the initial flowering weeks begins slowly but then accelerates rapidly:
- Week 1: Subtle signs. Just small pistil growth.
- Week 2: Moderate changes. Pistils multiplying, buds swelling slightly.
- Week 3: Major growth. Buds clearly visible and expanding rapidly.
- Week 4: Flowers growing heavy. Noticeable bud structure and trichome development.
So in just a few short weeks, your plants will transform from showing barely noticeable hints of flowering to full-on bud production. This makes week one an important time to ensure you have all your ducks in a row for the major bud development about to take place.
Summary of First Week Flowering Tips
To wrap up, here are the key takeaways for cannabis plants one week into flowering:
- Look for the start of pistil production as the sign flowering has begun.
- Expect minimal visible changes in plant appearance at this early stage.
- Carefully monitor light distance and intensity to prevent light stress.
- Begin transitioning to a bloom nutrient formula, starting at low strength.
- Inspect closely for pests and treat aggressively if found.
- Prepare trellising to support colas as they fill out.
- Control temperature and humidity to avoid plant stress.
- Limit leaf pruning to open airflow on bud sites.
By understanding exactly what cannabis plants look like at one week flowering and following the tips above, you can help your crop transition smoothly into this critical production phase. The proper care you provide now will set the stage for an abundant harvest down the road. So take the time to monitor your flowering plants closely and give them what they need to thrive.
Check your Equipment and make all necessary adjustments
Next, is an equipment check. You will need more powerful lights than you used during the vegetative period. Your lights must cover all spectrums, including blue and red, and you lights must have the power to create a high amount of PPFD, i.e. light density, to pierce the canopy and get your nugs to blow up into dense, rocky nugs.
Larfy, wimpy, airy nugs are often the result of poor light density. You do not want fluff, you want real nugs, with proper density. And that comes from having powerful lights, as well as enough lights for the size of your canopy.
If you’re growing at home in a tent, you can either raise the wattage of your lights if they allow it, or Or you can switch out your lights.
Your higher wattage Veg lights will make a lot more heat than your low watt Veg lights, so get ready to cool down more. And as you get deeper into flower, you will want to taper down the humidity. So make sure your HVAC can handle that, or get additional dehumidification. A small de-humidifier may suffice for a small space.
Set up your Trellis before you begin the flowering period
First, you should set up your trellis netting before switching your light cycle to 12/12. For reasons we’ve already talked about, your plants will stretch and grow a lot in the first few weeks of the 12/12 light cycle. You don’t want to have to spread out your trellis and tuck your plants back in after they’ve already spread out.
Putting trellis over your plants after Week 2 or Week 3 will change the way they grow. Putting up your trellis net before Week 1 of the flowering light cycle is the best thing to do.
Flowering or Bloom Phase of the Cannabis Growth Cycle
FAQ
What is week 1 of flowering?
What week do buds swell the most?
What should week 3 of flowering look like?
What are the first signs of flowering stage?
How long does the flowering stage last?
In general, the flowering stage lasts around 7 to 9 weeks. It depends on the strain and some can take longer than 9 weeks or less than 7. We’re going to take a look at the first 5 weeks, week by week. Then we’ll finish with the final few weeks.
How long does it take for a flowering plant to grow?
During the two weeks of peak flowering, the buds will begin to get bigger and fatter and the pistils will change colors. In the final three weeks, you need to begin the harvest prep as your plants will be ready for harvest by the end of this process.
What is a week-by-week flowering cycle?
Week-by-Week Timeline of the Flowering Cycle (with pictures) This marijuana flowering stage “walk through” will explain exactly what to expect week-by-week while your plant is making buds, and it’ll tell you what you need to do to ensure you get to harvest with the best bud quality and yields possible! Week 1-3: Transition to Flowering
What happens in the first week of flowering?
Things that usually happen in, say, week 3, will happen in a later week instead. The first week of flowering is often referred to as the “stretch phase”. This is because your plants will grow rapidly and stretch to up to double their height. They also grow a lot more leaves. But they can’t grow rapidly without food.
What is a week-by-Week Guide to the flowering stages of cannabis?
Week-by-week guide: Flowering stages of cannabis plants This week-by-week guide to the flowering stages of cannabis cultivation will help you understand the different requirements throughout flowering maximize your weed plants’ yields and bud quality.
What is the early flowering stage?
The early flowering stage is where you will begin to notice that the buds are showing up and you will be able to tell the males from the females. During the two weeks of peak flowering, the buds will begin to get bigger and fatter and the pistils will change colors.