Are you confident that you know the suitable period of growing cannabis? Did you know that these plants follow a routine period for flowering? When the plants are grown outdoors, using seeds, the seeds germinate during the spring, and the seedlings thereon grow from spring to summer. The plants then sprout flowers during the late summer and fall.
For proper growth, mild temperatures are important. Still, if the plants are grown in extreme cold or hot temperatures, the temperature fluctuations affect the overall quality and potency of the plant.
Several factors are responsible for the proper growth of the plant, and in this article, we will mention some tips that will help you grow cannabis in harsh weather regions.
It would be best to understand some factors and why growing cannabis in a harsh weather region is a challenge, although possible.
The perfect temperature for growing cannabis
When it comes to growing cannabis, the ideal temperature during the daytime would be around 77℉ to 86℉. During the night, the temperature should be in the range of 63℉ to 65℉. Hey, no need to take a course on being a weatherman, but these basic guidelines should come in handy to get the growing temperature right.
The temperature is very important for proper photosynthesis and transpiration purposes. These two processes decide the growth, nutrient absorption, and resin production of the plant.
If the temperature goes beyond the ideal range, such temperature changes can cause many development issues. It is best to not take any unwarranted risk and read on to know the right way to maintain the right temperature throughout the growing phases of the plant.
1- Temperature during the vegetative stage
The vegetative stage is the phase when the plants require the ideal temperature and conditions for proper growth.
A healthy plant will grow in temperatures between 70℉ and 85℉. The plants require consistent warm temperatures, and the yield will also be good if the temperatures remain high and do not fluctuate as much.
2- Temperature during the flowering stage
The flowering stage of most cannabis occurs during late summer and early fall when the days are shorter. This gives the plant the necessary warmth for the proper development and growth of leaves.
The ideal temperature during the flowering stage would be around 65℉ to 85℉. During the nights, temperature fluctuations between 10℉ can be managed by the plant. If the temperature falls greatly, then you should consider taking the plant indoors.
3- Tempareutre during the pre-harvest stage
Since the pre-harvest stage occurs during the fall, the surrounding temperature should be around 60℉ to 75℉.
Since it becomes difficult to control the outdoor climates, the best option is to grow in a warm place during the fall. California is such a place with perfect weather conditions for cannabis plants. Most outdoor cannabis grown in that region is known to be the best cannabis plant.
What is the result of growing cannabis in harsh environments?
When the place’s temperature goes beyond 90℉ or under 60℉, it does harm the cannabis plant. If the temperature is not ideal, then it will hinder plant growth and development.
Effects of cold-temperature
When the temperatures are too low, it affects the plant’s photosynthesis and stops the growth, and the vigor decreases. In such cold-weather conditions, the roots of the plants are the first, and they suffer the most.
Since the temperatures are cold, it becomes difficult for the plants to absorb oxygen, water, and nutrients from the soil. Another drawback of cold temperatures is it sometimes trigger Hermaphroditism.
Hermaphroditism is when the plants grow female buds and male pollen sacs. This causes the plants to pollinate themselves, and you would not the desired result.
If such conditions are not monitored properly, it will reduce your chances of getting potent buds.
Effects of hot temperature
When the place’s temperature is too hot, there are more chances of the plant being susceptible to pests, diseases, and insect attacks.
The leaves in such conditions also curl, or they get cupped, thereby turning the leaves yellow. This reduces the overall beauty of a cannabis plant that has green color leaves.
When the temperature is not too hot or not too cold, there is always a fear of excess moisture in the air in such places. When there is excess moisture, there is a presence of mold.
If the molds are not treated early on, they will destroy the plant, and all your hard work will be in vain. Hence, you must always buy a hygrometer and check the humidity of the place before and during the growth of the cannabis.
How to protect the plant from such conditions?
You can only do several things to ensure that your plant gives you good results with high-quality and potent buds. Some things that you can do to ensure your plant survives the cold weather are mentioned below.
1- Move the plants indoors
Growing cannabis outdoors needs good planning, and you should be prepared for any unforeseen circumstances.
Some people prefer growing their cannabis indoors because they can control the atmosphere indoors and customize it as per the plant’s needs. Although depending on the yield, you can either grow the plants indoors or outdoors.
Some people germinate the seeds and wait for them to grow for at least 2 feet before taking them outdoors and planting them. In case of too cold or hot temperature, it is advised to move the plant indoors during the night carefully.
2- Force-flowering
The Force-flowering method is opted by growers who cannot move their plants indoors during the flowering stage.
Some professionals living in cold-weather regions frequently use force-flowering because it helps them protect the plants from early winter frosts and rain. Force-flowering does not affect the quality of the bud.
Some growers also prefer covering their plants with a tarp, which restricts the light to pass put. This helps give the plant additional light during shorter days and replicate the flowering light stage cycle.
3- Protect the plants from winds
People in cold-weather regions are aware of extreme winds in their area. If the plants are not protected, they are more susceptible to wind burns. To protect the plants, the growers can: –
- Plant the weed in areas with wind barriers such as fences or houses.
- In the absence of a fence, the grower can build a tall fence to act as a barrier.
- Train the plants to grow short rather than being tall. Tall plants are more vulnerable to damage as they have little protection against harsh winds.
- Plant protective plants, you should choose plants that do not have complex roots, instead are tall. For example, plant corn around the weed to protect the weed from strong winds.
Final thoughts
Taking care of the seeds and their germination after buying them from Homegrown Cannabis Co is crucial. These tips can help you grow your cannabis in harsh weather regions with ease.