Photoperiod strains of cannabis are plants that respond to light cycles with marked changes in their growth. These strains are photoreceptive, which means they can sense daylight and darkness, enabling them to react accordingly. Photoperiod strains have different predetermined growing patterns based on light exposure or darkness length.
These types of strains are also sometimes referred to as light-cycle cannabis strains because they respond to the duration and intensity of sunlight or artificial light produced by grow lights. Whether you’re growing indoors, outdoors or somewhere in between, knowing what type of strain you’re planting is essential for successful growth and harvest. Read on to learn more about photoperiod cannabis strains.
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Photoperiod vs. Autoflowering Cannabis Strains
There are two main types of cannabis strains: photoperiod strains and autoflowering strains. All photoperiod strains are also considered photoperiod plants. You can recognize photoperiod cannabis strains by their long growing cycles. These cannabis strains typically require 12+ uninterrupted hours of darkness each day to maximize growth.
Autoflowering strains, on the other hand, usually require just eight hours of continuous darkness each day. Autoflowering cannabis strains are genetically designed to progress through their life cycle to produce buds regardless of light cycles. These cannabis plants are genetically programmed to flower irrespective of light length. As a result, these cannabis strains typically have a shorter overall growing time compared to photoperiod cannabis strains. If you’re interested in exploring these faster-growing varieties, you can find a wide range of autoflower cannabis seeds from trusted seed banks.
Advantages of Photoperiod Cannabis Strains
There are several advantages to starting with photoperiod cannabis strains, including:
1.You have more control over the final product
Growing photoperiod cannabis strains allows you to control the maturation time by manipulating the length of the light cycle. You can also space out your harvest times by adjusting the growing time. This means you have more control over the final product and can create various products based on the same genetics.
2. You can grow indoors and outdoors
Photoperiod strains are suitable for indoor and outdoor cultivation, which makes them ideal for a wide range of growing environments.
3. More reliable harvest time
When you grow photoperiod strains, you can accurately predict the harvest time based on the length of the light cycle. This makes it easier to plan your growing schedule and manage multiple grow spaces.
4. Increased yields
Some photoperiod cannabis strains are known to produce higher yields than their autoflowering counterparts.
5. You can control the genetic makeup of your plants
Many photoperiod strains are available in both Indica and Sativa varieties.
6. You can select strains based on light requirements
Some photoperiod strains are more sensitive to light levels than others. This means you can choose a strain that will thrive in your indoor growing environment.
How Long do Photoperiod Plants Take to Grow?
As with all types of cannabis cultivation, the length of the growing season will vary depending on your location. Indoors, photoperiod plants are often ready to harvest 9-12 weeks after the growing cycle starts. An indoor growing cycle will typically run for two months or so, depending on the strain and other growing conditions. Outdoors, photoperiod plants can take anywhere from 3-6 months to fully grow and be ready for harvest. The specific growing period will depend on a host of variables, including plant strain, growing season, soil type and more.
Growing Photoperiod Cannabis Indoors
Like all cannabis plants, photoperiod strains thrive in tropical or sub-tropical environments. Indoor growers can expect to maintain a temperature range of 22-28C (72-82F), with a relative humidity of 50-70%. With the right setup, you should be able to grow photoperiod plants of all types inside. However, certain strains will grow better than others in certain climates, depending on the length of their light cycle.
Growing Photoperiod Cannabis Outdoors
Like all cannabis plants, photoperiod strains thrive in tropical or sub-tropical environments. Outdoor growers must carefully time their planting cycles with the correct date of the last frost in their region. Once you’ve successfully planted your photoperiod cannabis strains, they will continue to grow and mature until the first frost hits. Indoors, growers can control their plants’ environment and light exposure, whereas outdoor growers are at the mercy of the climate.
Light Pollution
Light pollution is a term used to describe the excessive artificial light that is emitted in and around cities and towns. Overexposure to unnatural light sources can negatively impact photoperiod cannabis plants, so outdoor growers should take care to shield their plants from unnecessary light. Indoor growers can also encounter problems with light pollution. If you’re growing in a city environment, you may want to consider installing light shields to minimise the amount of ambient light that reaches your plants.
The Bottom Line
By now, you should have a solid understanding of what photoperiod cannabis strains are and how they differ from auto-flowering strains. Indoors, most photoperiod strains are ready to harvest 9-12 weeks after the growing cycle starts. Outdoors, photoperiod plants can take anywhere from 3-6 months to fully grow and be ready for harvest. Outdoors, growers can expect to see plants thrive in tropical or sub-tropical environments, while indoors, you can expect to maintain a temperature range of 22-28C (72-82F) and a relative humidity of 50-70%. You’re ready to start growing now that you know what photoperiod cannabis strains are. Check out the Herbies for the best collection of photoperiod and autoflowering seeds.
