Home Growers Corner
Life Stages:
What to Do and When to do It
Part 1: Adolescence
by Gerry Donovan, contributing writer
This month, we’ ll break down the plant’ s life stages a little bit more in-depth than we have before. Whether you are talking about Autoflower or Photoperiod cannabis, there are two main life stages: the vegetative stage and the flowering stage. During the vegetative stage, the plant is developing its foundation: roots and foliage. During the flowering stage, the plant is focused on bud development.
Remember, Photoperiod plants and Autoflower plants experience the exact same life stages. However, you can keep a Photoperiod in a prolonged vegetative state under the correct light conditions, whereas an Autoflower will automatically start to flower based on the time since being planted. There are several benefits to what I like to call“ PermaVeg” Stage: mothers, clones, training, etc. For ease of continuity, I’ ll mainly be referring to Photoperiod plants.
Babies
Seedlings and clones will be kept in the vegetative( veg) stage and watered with a starter nutrient solution. The way you ensure the plant stays in the veg stage is by keeping your lights on for at least 18 hours a day.
Note: Be very careful when considering taking or buying a clone( cutting) from someone. That is the easiest way to introduce pests, mildew, and who knows what else into your garden.
When I am talking about clones, I am referring to a cutting from a regular( photoperiod) seed that I have started, which has been kept in the vegetative stage as a Mother for the sole purpose of propagation— not a purchased clone!
The stem will be quite narrow and should be introduced to some wind by the second week. This will help it develop stem strength and size.( Air movement also helps to prevent stem rot). The first two leaves are round and don’ t look like pot leaves at all. Within a few days, the first few pointy, serrated leaves will pop up. If you are keeping this as a Mother plant, let her grow a bit before taking clones.
Scan the QR code to see a“ Taking Old School Clones” video.
If you are flowering this plant, let her grow a couple of sets of leaves, then top her( see top right of next page). This will help her bud canopy develop. All of this takes place in the first two to three weeks after planting your seed. You are now moving into the full veg growth stage with your seedling.
Clones, on the other hand, are generally taken from a more developed plant. After taking your cutting, you are looking at one to two weeks until transplanting a rooted cut into your preferred grow medium.
● This cloned plant( photo below) will generally have a sizable stem to start and several branches ready to grow.
● If it has one prominent top bud / branch site, remove it( top it) to help form a canopy and she is ready to move on to the full veg stage.
Clones vs Seedlings
To start a seedling, just place the seed( pointy side down) in some soil, keep it moist, wait a few days, and you’ ll have a seedling. Many people will ignore my warning about buying clones; do so at your own risk. Just start a seed and take cuttings in a couple of weeks. Start a few Autoflower seeds if you want a quick turnaround time for your buds while you’ re waiting for your seedlings to develop. |
4-7 days after planting seed. |
10 days after planting seed. |
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12-15 days after planting clone. |
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Now that you’ ve got“ the how” down, what are the main differences between seedlings and clones?
● Seedlings can be quite fragile in the beginning, and sometimes you must help them out when they are popping.
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Scan the QR code to see a“ Seed Hull Removal” video. |
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22 May 2026 |
Day 1: Cut( seed). |
4-10 days after cutting clone: ready to transplant. |