June 12, 2025
June 12, 2025
June 12, 2025
Cannabis lifecycle: Sowing & outdoor
Cannabis lifecycle: Sowing & outdoor
Cannabis lifecycle: Sowing & outdoor
Est. reading time: 4-5 min
Est. reading time: 4-5 min
Est. reading time: 4-5 min
As cannabis plants mature past the germination and seedling stage (part 1 of our Cannabis Lifecycle Series), they begin a critical transition – moving outdoors to grow under natural sunlight. This stage, typically occurring between April 15 and July 1, marks a significant shift in the plant’s lifecycle as it adapts to an open environment. With longer daylight hours and fresh air, cannabis plants experience rapid vegetative growth, expanding their root systems and developing sturdy stalks and fan leaves.
As cannabis plants mature past the germination and seedling stage (part 1 of our Cannabis Lifecycle Series), they begin a critical transition – moving outdoors to grow under natural sunlight. This stage, typically occurring between April 15 and July 1, marks a significant shift in the plant’s lifecycle as it adapts to an open environment. With longer daylight hours and fresh air, cannabis plants experience rapid vegetative growth, expanding their root systems and developing sturdy stalks and fan leaves.
In this article:
In this article:
Adapting to the outdoors 🏕️
Adapting to the outdoors 🏕️
During this period, cannabis plants undergo a process called hardening off, adjusting to fluctuations in temperature, wind, and humidity. Their stems thicken, their roots stretch deeper into the soil, and their leaves spread wide to absorb as much sunlight as possible. Exposure to full-spectrum sunlight fuels photosynthesis, allowing plants to produce more energy and grow at an accelerated rate.
During this period, cannabis plants undergo a process called hardening off, adjusting to fluctuations in temperature, wind, and humidity. Their stems thicken, their roots stretch deeper into the soil, and their leaves spread wide to absorb as much sunlight as possible. Exposure to full-spectrum sunlight fuels photosynthesis, allowing plants to produce more energy and grow at an accelerated rate.
At this stage, cannabis plants are entirely focused on vegetative growth — meaning they are not yet producing flowers but are instead directing energy into building a strong base. The more robust their structure, the better they’ll be able to support future bud production.
At this stage, cannabis plants are entirely focused on vegetative growth — meaning they are not yet producing flowers but are instead directing energy into building a strong base. The more robust their structure, the better they’ll be able to support future bud production.
Branching out and reaching skyward 🙌🏾
Branching out and reaching skyward 🙌🏾
Outdoors, cannabis plants take advantage of ample space to spread their branches and increase their overall canopy size. This is essential for maximizing future yields, as a broader plant structure means more bud sites can develop later in the flowering stage. During this time, cannabis plants also develop their signature five-to-nine-fingered leaves, which play a vital role in capturing sunlight for energy conversion.
Outdoors, cannabis plants take advantage of ample space to spread their branches and increase their overall canopy size. This is essential for maximizing future yields, as a broader plant structure means more bud sites can develop later in the flowering stage. During this time, cannabis plants also develop their signature five-to-nine-fingered leaves, which play a vital role in capturing sunlight for energy conversion.
By the end of this stage, cannabis plants will have established a strong vegetative foundation. Their rapid upward and outward growth signals readiness for the next phase of cultivation: topping and training to shape their structure and optimize future bud production.
By the end of this stage, cannabis plants will have established a strong vegetative foundation. Their rapid upward and outward growth signals readiness for the next phase of cultivation: topping and training to shape their structure and optimize future bud production.
Takeaways
Takeaways
The transition from indoor germination to outdoor growth allows cannabis plants to fully harness the power of natural sunlight, strengthening their structure and expanding their canopy. Plants in this phase focus entirely on vegetative growth, building the foundation needed for successful flowering. By the time this stage concludes, cannabis plants are well-prepared for further shaping and pruning to encourage maximum yields.
Curious about the other stages of the cannabis lifecycle? Check out Cannabis lifecycle series: Germination and early growth and keep an eye out for future articles to take us through the rest of the plants’ journey.
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