Virginia’s climate provides growers with the perfect conditions to cultivate lush outdoor cannabis gardens. The key to maximizing your yields lies in understanding the state’s seasons and how they impact the cannabis flowering timeline. With some planning and preparation, you can align your plants’ flowering stage with the optimal timeframes.
An Overview of Virginia’s Climate
Virginia features a humid subtropical climate with moderate seasons. Summers are hot and humid while winters are mild. The state enjoys a long growing season that typically spans March through November. However, the prime seasons for cannabis cultivation are spring and summer.
The average last spring frost occurs between April 10-30 depending on your region. The first frost in fall usually hits between October 20-November 10. This frost-free period provides between 5-7 months for outdoor growth. Summer peaks in July and August with average highs around 85°F.
These warm, sunny conditions are ideal for cannabis during the flowering and harvest stages. However, humidity levels can reach 70-80% which increases the risk of mold if you don’t take preventative measures.
When Does Flowering Start?
Cannabis flowering is triggered by a shift in the light cycle from long days to short days. In nature, this coincide with the fall equinox in late September. But most home growers start forcing flowering in early August to align harvest with the end of the growing season.
The flowering timeline for outdoor cannabis in Virginia looks like this:
- Early to Mid August – Switch plants to a 12/12 light schedule to initiate flowering. This means 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of uninterrupted darkness. Cover plants to block light pollution at night.
- Early to Mid September – Transition from the vegetation to flowering stage. Pistils will emerge and buds will start swelling.
- Mid September to Early October – Peak flowering and bulk of bud development. Plants will be at their stinkiest and frostiest now.
- Early to Mid October – Flowers mature and cannabis plants reach full maturity. Harvest window opens.
- Late October to Mid November – Harvest window closes as colder temps and frost risks increase. Prepare plants for overwintering or harvest all remaining buds.
The entire flowering process takes 8-10 weeks from the flip to 12/12 lighting. But plan for 10-14 weeks total of flowering and harvest time. The key is timing the flip properly so you hit peak flowering when Virginia’s weather is still warm, but avoid an early frost.
Timing Your Flowering Cycle
Successfully timing the cannabis flowering cycle involves a bit of planning. Here are some tips:
- Pick fast flowering strains – Indica dominant and early finishing strains mature faster (7-9 weeks) which gives you more leeway. Long-flowering sativas are risky.
- Use auto-flowering seeds – These plants automatically start flowering based on maturity, not light cycles. It eliminates the need to flip lighting.
- Start plants early indoors – Give yourself more time by germinating seeds indoors in March and transplanting starts outside in late April or May.
- Stagger planting times – Plant a portion of your crop every 2-3 weeks from April through June. This staggers flowering and harvest times.
- Flip lighting by mid-August – Mid August lighting flips initiate flowering so buds develop through September and early October.
- Build light deprivation covers – Construct temporary covers to force shorter days and quicker flowering.
- Chop early if needed – If cold weather comes early, consider an early chop even if buds aren’t fully ripe.
Outdoor Flowering Challenges & Solutions
Growing massive, resinous buds outdoors might sound easy, but you’ll run into some challenges along the way. Here are some common outdoor flowering issues and how to address them:
Light Pollution
Street lights, house lights, and other light pollution can disrupt the flowering process. Solutions:
- Cover plants completely to block light leaks at night
- Position garden to minimize light pollution
- Supplement with total darkness in a light-sealed structure
Humidity & Mold
High humidity levels invite powdery mildew and bud rot. Solutions:
- Promote air circulation via fans
- Increase spacing between plants
- Select mold resistant strains
- Remove thick foliage to allow air flow
- Spray beneficial fungi to outcompete mold
Pests
Spider mites, caterpillars, and other pests thrive in the warm, wet climate. Solutions:
- Release predatory insects to control populations
- Use organic sprays like neem oil or pyrethrins
- Hang sticky traps for monitoring
- Remove heavily infested areas to prevent spreading
Temperature Swings
Chilly nights and hot days stress flowering plants. Solutions:
- Use greenhouses or cold frames to regulate temps
- Provide wind protection if needed
- Monitor forecasts and be ready to protect plants from frost
- Avoid excessive heat by shading plants during peak sun
Best Practices for Flowering in Virginia
Follow these tips to keep your Virginia cannabis garden thriving through the flowering stage:
- Select pest and mold resistant, fast flowering strains suited to your region
- Start plants indoors for a head start on the growing season
- Gradually acclimate plants from indoors to outdoors in spring
- Amend soil with compost and nutrients prior to planting
- Allow enough space between plants for air circulation
- Use trellising to support heavy flower growth
- Prune strategically to improve air flow to buds
- Monitor humidity levels and increase airflow if too high
- Control light pollution by covering plants at night
- Flip to 12/12 lighting in mid August at the latest
- Prepare to protect plants from frost as temperatures drop
- Boost nutrients during peak flowering to maximize buds
- Watch closely for pests and treat organically at first signs
- Chop earlier than desired if cold weather arrives rapidly
- Dry and cure harvested buds slowly for best flavor and potency
Conclusion
With proper planning and preparation, Virginia’s long growing season is perfect for cultivating monster outdoor cannabis plants. By understanding the ideal flowering timelines and implementing strategies to control environmental factors, you can harvest huge hauls of sticky buds. Pay close attention to the weather, adjust your lighting schedules accordingly, and get ready for an abundance of homegrown marijuana.