From Seed to Harvest: A Beginner's Growing Guide.
My Store AdminCompartir
Cultivation · Beginner's Guide
From Seed to Harvest: Everything You Need to Know
Four stages, explained without fuss. If this is your first hemp plant, this is the place to start.
If you've ever thought about growing your own hemp plant but didn't know where to start, you're in the right place. The process has four distinct stages, and understanding them before you get started makes all the difference between a successful harvest and a headache.
01 — Germination
Everything starts here. Germination is the moment when the seed "wakes up" from its dormant state and begins to show its first tiny root, called the radicle. It seems like a simple process, but environmental conditions are key for it to go well.
Wrap the seeds in damp paper towels and place them in a warm, dark place. Complete darkness is essential: any light exposure can interrupt the process. Under optimal conditions, you'll see the radicle appear within 24 to 72 hours.
When the root reaches 1 to 2 centimeters, it's ready to be transplanted into the substrate. Do this very carefully: at this point, the seedling is extremely delicate.
02 — Vegetative Growth
In this phase, the plant enters expansion mode: all its energy goes into developing stems, branches, and leaves. This is the most active period in terms of structural growth and usually lasts between 4 and 8 weeks, though it can vary depending on the variety and conditions.
Here, the plant requires plenty of light, regular watering, and a good supply of nitrogen-rich nutrients. Depending on whether you're growing outdoors or indoors, the approach changes slightly:
Direct sunlight for as long as possible, watering adapted to rainfall, and nutrients (NPK with high nitrogen) depending on the substrate.
An 18-hour light, 6-hour dark cycle is sufficient to keep the plant in the vegetative phase indefinitely.
Watch the color of the leaves: an intense and uniform green indicates good health. If they start to yellow early, it could be a sign of nitrogen deficiency or overwatering.
03 — Flowering
This is the most anticipated stage. The plant stops growing in height and concentrates all its energy on producing dense, resinous flowers. It usually lasts between 8 and 11 weeks, depending on the genetics of the variety.
Flowering activates naturally when days shorten and nights exceed 12 hours of darkness, typically in late summer.
Simply switch the light cycle to 12/12 (12h light, 12h darkness) to induce flowering at any time of the year.
You'll see white pistils appear at the nodes, calyxes will form, and the buds will swell, covered in sparkling trichomes. The aroma intensifies notably as the phase progresses. When the trichomes turn from clear to milky and finally amber, you're approaching the optimal harvest time.
04 — Harvest and Curing
The cycle comes to an end, but the work is not yet finished. A good curing process is as important as the entire cultivation: it improves the aroma, flavor, and preservation of the final product. From cutting to complete curing, you may need an additional 3 to 8 weeks.
Observe the trichomes with a 30–60x loupe or a pocket microscope. When 70–80% have turned from milky to amber, the plant is at its peak. Also, note that at least 70–80% of the pistils have darkened and curled.
Once maturity signals are confirmed, the process follows three steps:
Cut the plant
Use clean, sharp scissors or pruners. You can cut the entire plant from the base or branch by branch, depending on the space available for drying.
Trimming (remove excess foliage)
Remove large and small leaves surrounding the buds. This can be done wet (immediately after cutting) or dry (after drying); each method has its advantages.
Hang upside down
Hang the branches in a dark space, with a temperature of 18–22°C and humidity of 45–55%. Slow and controlled drying for 7–14 days is the foundation of good curing.
After drying, the buds are stored in airtight glass jars and aired briefly each day for the first few weeks. Curing for at least 2–4 weeks significantly transforms the final result in terms of aroma, flavor, and preservation.
Ready to get started?
Hemp cultivation has a learning curve, but by following these four stages, you'll have a solid foundation for your first harvest. Patience, observation, and good conditions are your best allies.
The information contained in this article is for informational and educational purposes. It does not constitute medical advice or therapeutic recommendation. Hemp products comply with current European regulations. Consult your country's regulations before undertaking any cultivation.