1. Germination:
   • Duration: 1-7 days.
   • Conditions: Seeds are placed in a germination medium with warmth, moisture, and darkness. Once the seed cracks open, a young root (taproot) emerges.
   • Transfer: Once the taproot is a few centimeters long, the seedling is carefully transferred to the growing medium (soil, coco coir, or hydroponics) to continue growth.
2. Seedling Stage:
   • Duration: 2-3 weeks.
   • Conditions: Seedlings need high humidity, moderate light, and a gentle breeze for strengthening stems.
   • Light Cycle: Typically, seedlings are kept under 18-24 hours of light per day.
   • Nutrients: A mild nutrient solution is introduced as the seedling develops.
3. Vegetative Stage:
   • Duration: 4-8 weeks or longer (depending on desired plant size).
   • Conditions: Cannabis plants focus on leaf and stem growth. They require a balanced nutrient regimen, controlled temperature, and humidity.
   • Light Cycle: For vigorous growth, a light cycle of 18-24 hours of light per day is maintained.
   • Training: Some growers use techniques like topping, pruning,pipp grow racks or low-stress training to shape the plants.
4. Pre-Flowering Transition:
   • Duration: 1-2 weeks.
   • Conditions: Light cycle is adjusted to 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness to induce flowering.
   • Sexing: Female and male plants become distinguishable. In commercial operations, male plants are typically removed to prevent pollination of female flowers.
5. Flowering Stage:
   • Duration: 7-14 weeks (strain-dependent).
   • Conditions: Plants produce buds (flowers) in response to the change in light cycle. Temperature, humidity, and nutrient levels are carefully managed.
   • Light Cycle: Maintained at 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness.
   • Nutrient Changes: Adjustments are made to nutrient ratios to support bud development.
   • Pest and Disease Management: Vigilant monitoring for pests and diseases is crucial during the flowering stage.
6. Ripening and Harvest:
   • Duration: Final weeks of flowering.
   • Conditions: As the buds ripen, some strains may show changes in color, and trichomes become more amber. The plant’s nutrient intake is usually reduced during the final weeks.
   • Harvest: Plants are harvested when the buds have reached their peak potency and maturity. Harvesting involves cutting the entire plant, after which it is trimmed, dried, and cured.
7. Drying and Curing:
   • Duration: 1-3 weeks (drying), several weeks to months (curing).
   • Drying: Buds are hung in a controlled environment to dry slowly. Proper drying prevents mold and enhances flavor.
   • Curing: Buds are stored in airtight containers to cure. This process enhances the flavor, aroma, and smoothness of the final product.
8. Post-Harvest Processing:
   • Trimming: Buds are trimmed to remove excess leaves and improve aesthetics.
   • Testing: Samples may be tested for potency, terpene profiles, and contaminants.
   • Packaging: Final products are weighed, packaged, and labeled for distribution.

Throughout the entire lifecycle, careful monitoring of environmental conditions, pest control, nutrient management, and adherence to regulations are critical for a successful and compliant commercial cannabis cultivation operation.