OG Kush Vegetative Stage
by Shone
Posted on 06-11-2023 01:12 PM
Ah, the OG Kush vegetative stage!
You're entering a crucial chapter of your cannabis cultivation journey.
This is the phase that sets the stage for a bountiful harvest.
It's all about vigorous growth and nutrient absorption.
But what's so unique about the OG Kush variety during this time?
Let's dive in!
Table of Contents
Understanding the OG Kush Vegetative Phase
Understanding the vegetative stage of OG Kush is more than just knowing when to water your plants.
It's a balance of many factors like light exposure, nutrition, and humidity control.
OG Kush is known for its resilience, but that doesn't mean you can skimp on care.
Proper training techniques like topping and LST (Low Stress Training) can result in a bushier, more productive plant.
But remember, OG Kush loves a consistent light schedule—usually 18-6 (18 hours of light and 6 hours of darkness).
Physiology and Health During Vegetative Growth
During the vegetative growth stage, OG Kush plants are like teenagers—eating a lot and growing super fast.
This period is all about developing strong roots, stems, and lush green foliage.
Your OG Kush will also display sexual maturity, showing either male or female pre-flowers.
Health during this phase is crucial for your final yield.
Keep an eye out for color changes or wilting; these could be signs of nutrient deficiencies.
Ensuring Pest and Pathogen Resilience
Say you're killing the game with the perfect soil mix and light setup.
That's awesome!
But pests and pathogens can still crash your party.
With OG Kush, natural resistance is on your side, but proactive measures make a difference.
Employ practices like neem oil sprays, introduce beneficial insects, or use silica supplements to toughen up plant cell walls.
A well-ventilated space is also key to keep those nasty molds and fungi away.
Indoor vs. Outdoor
When it comes to growing OG Kush, you've got options: the great indoors or the wild outdoors.
Indoor cultivation offers control, letting you micromanage every factor from light to temperature.
And with OG Kush, that means you can really optimize for resin production.
On the flip side, outdoor growing is like the plant’s natural habitat.
It will grow tall and robust, given enough space.
Yet, weather unpredictability can be a downside.
So, choose wisely based on your climate and growing goals.
The First Two Weeks
Alright, you've just gotten your OG Kush seedlings into the soil, and the excitement is real.
These first two weeks set the tone for the rest of the vegetative stage.
Root establishment is king right now, so don't get too caught up in the leafy growth yet.
In the first 7 to 14 days, you'll notice the emergence of cotyledons (those cute baby leaves).
The primary root system starts to sprawl, and tiny stalks begin to rise.
You're looking for that iconic dark green color that screams, "I'm a healthy OG Kush!"
Harnessing Humidity and Other Early Considerations
Early vegetative growth calls for high humidity, ideally between 60-70%.
This aids in nutrient absorption through the leaves while the root system gets its act together.
A humidifier can be your best friend, but make sure to monitor levels carefully to avoid mold or fungal issues.
Air circulation is equally crucial.
Clip-on fans or oscillating tower fans will ensure that fresh air circulates, simulating a natural breeze that strengthens those developing stems.
Sexing and Spacing
OG Kush plants will show their sex in the vegetative stage, generally between the 4th and 6th week, but you should prepare in advance.
Sexing is vital because female plants produce those cannabinoid-rich flowers you're after.
Male plants, on the other hand, can pollinate your females, leading to a seedy harvest.
Yikes!
Spacing is another factor; these plants need room to grow and breathe.
Each plant should have a minimum of one square foot of space in an indoor setup.
In outdoor gardens, aim for at least 3-4 feet between plants.
Nurturing Healthy Plants
Once your OG Kush plants have survived and thrived through the vulnerable seedling stage, the real fun begins.
This is the time when the vegetative growth really kicks into high gear.
Expect to see multiple nodes and the formation of more complex leaves.
The rate at which your plant absorbs nitrogen will also skyrocket, and you'll need to adjust your feeding schedules accordingly.
Light and Nutrient Requirements
Let's talk lighting.
Full-spectrum LED lights are a popular choice for OG Kush, offering a balanced range of light for both vegetative and flowering stages.
A minimum of 18 hours of light per day is ideal.
When it comes to nutrients, OG Kush loves nitrogen, but it’s also sensitive to nutrient burn.
A balanced N-P-K ratio in your feed can ensure your plants get all the macro and micronutrients they need without overwhelming them.
Watering and Temperature Control
Watering seems simple, but there's a method to the madness.
Over-watering is a common mistake.
To avoid this, aim for a moist, not soggy, soil environment.
How frequently you water will depend on the growth stage and your specific growing medium.
Soil moisture meters can be a game changer here.
Temperature-wise, OG Kush prefers daytime temps between 75-80°F and nighttime temps around 60-70°F.
If growing outdoors, choose a season with similar temperature ranges to keep your plants happy and healthy.
Techniques to Shape the Future Harvest
Growing OG Kush isn't just a set-it-and-forget-it ordeal.
You've got to get hands-on if you want those drool-worthy, resinous buds.
As the vegetative stage transitions into flowering, several techniques can be employed to maximize yield and ensure a healthy, robust plant.
So, put on your gardening gloves; it's time to get dirty.
Topping / Pinching
Topping is the horticultural equivalent of a high-stakes gamble with a high payoff.
By cutting off the main shoot, you encourage the plant to produce two main stems instead of one.
The result?
More colas, which means more buds and higher yields.
Pinching works similarly, but it's less drastic; you're simply squeezing the stem to weaken it, encouraging side growth.
Remember, timing is crucial.
Topping too late can stress the plant, so aim for when your plant has at least 4-6 nodes.
L.S.T / Tying Down
Low Stress Training (L.S.T) is all about bending and tying down branches to create an even canopy.
This makes for a more efficient light distribution, getting the most out of your grow lights or that big ball of fire in the sky.
Soft gardening wire or even twist ties can be used for this.
You want your plant to spread out, not up, so that all bud sites get an equal opportunity to thrive.
Super Cropping
This is essentially the "I-can't-believe-I'm-doing-this" method.
In Super Cropping, you're deliberately damaging the plant to make it stronger.
Sound crazy?
Maybe, but it works.
Pinch and twist the stems until they're soft and pliable, then bend them.
This opens up the plant to more light and increases resin production.
Fimming
An accidental discovery that turned into a technique, FIM stands for 'F**k, I missed!"
You're essentially pinching off 75% of the new growth at the top of the plant, with the aim of creating 4 main colas instead of just one.
Like Topping, Fimming results in a bushier plant with more bud-producing branches.
Pruning
It's like giving your plant a haircut, but way more beneficial.
Cut away any yellow, dead, or light-deprived leaves and stems.
This redirects energy to the more productive areas of the plant.
Pruning helps keep air flowing through the plant, reducing the risk of mold and diseases.
Defoliation
This technique involves removing some of the fan leaves to allow more light to penetrate deeper into the plant.
It's a controversial technique; some growers swear by it, while others avoid it like the plague.
However, for those in team Defoliation, the benefits include improved light penetration and air circulation.
SCROG (Screen of Green)
SCROG involves placing a screen or net over your plants, training the branches to grow through the openings.
This creates a sea of even canopies, allowing for optimal light exposure.
It's particularly useful for growers with limited vertical space.
Mainlining
Also known as "manifolding," Mainlining involves creating a "manifold" by topping the plant and training two main stems to grow into one, thick cola.
The idea here is to distribute nutrients and energy evenly across the plant.
This technique requires a lot of time and patience, but the symmetric growth and potentially huge yields make it worth the effort.