THC. When it is ripe, the bush fluoresces
with 10,000 points of light.
When to Flower
Indoors, growers force marijuana to
flower at any time. Even seedlings will
indicate sex and produce flowers given the
right conditions.
Marijuana flowers in response to the
light cycle. Under natural conditions, the
plant senses oncoming autumn by
chemically measuring the uninterrupted
dark period. Indoors, when the light
regimen includes a dark period of 10-12
hours each day, the plant stops its
vegetative growth cycle and starts growing
reproductive organs, male and female
flowers, which usually occur on separate
plants.
When light hits a leaf the tissue absorbs
certain rays which it uses in
photosynthesis. Those rays are unavailable
to leaves below the top. 1000 watt HID
lights penetrate only 12-18 inches of leaves
depending on their size and quantity.
Vegetative material below this canopy
receives little light, does little
photosynthesizing and produces little
energy for the plant.
Since a tall plant produces no more
than a short one, the plants are forced to
flower when they are 8-15 inches tall. At
maturity they will stand only 18-36 inches.
When the light cycle is switched to
"short day," the plant's growth changes
from vegetative - the production of leaves
and stems, to the reproductive cycle. A few