How to Tell Pot Plants Are Flowering

If you are growing pot plants, you are probably keen to know when they will start to bloom. Flowering is the stage of a pot plant's life cycle where the plant produces its buds, which are the valuable part of the plant for recreational or medicinal purposes. Knowing when your plants are flowering allows you to inspect them for quality, and adjust their nutrient and light levels for optimal growth. In this article, we will show you how to tell when pot plants are flowering.

Examine the Pre-Flowering Stage

Pot plants usually develop pre-flowers as early as the fifth to the sixth week after germination. Pre-flowers are a small cluster of growth that appears in the plant's nodes, which are the points where the leaves meet the stem. One way to identify the pre-flowering stage is to look for the appearance of these clusters which will indicate the sex of the plant. Male plants will produce small pollen sacs, while females will develop tiny white hairs known as pistils. At this stage, it is important to identify the sex of the plant, as this will allow you to separate the male plants to prevent pollination of female plants.

Observe Changes in the Plant's Appearance

The flowering period marks a dramatic change in the cannabis plant's appearance. The buds will start to increase in size and, if the plant is a female, the pistils will continue to grow, darken and curl towards the calyx – a small, round structure near the base of the pistils which will eventually develop into the buds. The plant will also become taller and its leaves may thicken and change colour. Additionally, many strains will start producing a strong, pungent smell around the fourth week of flowering. If you observe these changes in your plants, it is a sign that the flowering stage has begun.

Monitor the Trichomes

Trichomes are microscopic resin glands that appear on the plant's buds, leaves and stems, and are responsible for producing the plant's unique aroma and flavour. They also contain the majority of the active compounds found in cannabis, such as THC, CBD and other cannabinoids. During the flowering stage, the trichomes will start changing in colour, from clear to milky white, and finally to amber. This change in colour is indicative of when the plant is ready for harvest. Checking the trichomes is a useful way to determine if your pot plant is at its peak harvesting period.

Conclusion

Knowing when a pot plant is flowering is essential to obtaining a fruitful harvest. It is important to check for pre-flowering, observe changes in plant appearance, and monitor the trichomes. Observing these signs will help you determine growth rate, nutrient requirements and optimal time for harvest. With these practices in mind, you will be able to visualize when your pot plants are flowering.