Hemp Lifecycle
It’s important for growers to understand the needs of the hemp plant throughout its natural lifecycle. There are three main stages: seedling, vegetative, and flowering—each requiring different care and nutrients to support optimal growth.
Seedling Stage
Seeds are typically started in a light, well-aerated soil blend such as coco fiber or peat moss with perlite. Germination takes 1–2 weeks, and the seedling stage begins once sprouts emerge. In early-season greenhouses, supplemental lighting may be needed for healthy development. This stage usually lasts 2–3 weeks and requires careful monitoring of soil moisture.
Vegetative Stage
When weather permits—typically around early June in Colorado—seedlings are transplanted into prepared fields. We base our organic soil amendment plan on soil tests to ensure plants have adequate nutrition for the full season. Organic liquid nutrients are also provided through fertigation as needed. During this stage, the plants focus on structural growth and require higher levels of nitrogen. After 6–8 weeks, they naturally begin transitioning to the flowering stage.
Flowering Stage
As the plants begin to flower, their nutrient needs shift—requiring less nitrogen and more phosphorus to support flower development. Cannabinoids and terpenes begin to fully develop during this stage. We conduct internal testing several weeks into flowering to monitor progress and overall plant quality. Once the buds are full (or "fat") and pistils start to darken, harvest timing becomes critical for maximizing plant potential.
Harvest
Once we have determined the plants are ready based on cannabinoid content and flavor, we carefully harvest them by hand and get them out of the sun to preserve terpenes. We hang them in the barn to slowly air dry in the shade with good ventilation and air flow. Slow air drying maximizes terpene retention while airflow and ventilation prevent mold and mildew. After 5-7 days we shuck the hemp into storage bags to prepare for the CO2 Extraction process.