Flowering And Ripening At The Equator

[TanzanianMagic]

this here cola's off ye olde local landrace (as mentioned before, I think)...I'd say 4 1/2 weeks into flowering on equator etc. Probably major flowering inducing factor had S.F.A to do with photoperiodicity because, if anything, we're getting longer days as we approach the equinox.

So, I'm thinking the fact that this baby is in a 1 gallon pot and it's been hot lately and nutrients and water are somewhat restricted that this is the main inducement to flowering on the equator....

Is there any other factor that changes with the seasons, like rainfall, temperature, humidity?

Or do they just flower after a fixed period of vegetative growth?

 

[jimboyia]

Is there any other factor that changes with the seasons, like rainfall, temperature, humidity?

Or do they just flower after a fixed period of vegetative growth?

TBH I don't know. Only suspect. Rainfall and humidity I can cancel out because these have been controlled to some small extent. If it were up to me to guess I'd say that it had more to do with combination of factors, including a restriction of available nutrients, overall age of the plants (planted early June so flowering is pretty much on schedule).

What's interesting is that the local land-race (Sat, I think) came to fruition a couple of weeks earlier than the highly vaunted but clearly-going-to-be-disappointing Hawaiian Snow.

 

[jimboyia]

couldn't help myself
cut this cola today

There are still another 7 just like it, all from a 1gallon pot, outside. No buggering about with lights, here on the equator.

I do think the altitude makes for bigger buds, just like higher altitude makes for bigger heads on roses. But, it's pure conjecture.

Anyone got any solid information on the matter?

 

[Nnquan]

Wow, pretty bud. Just a lil thought from someone who lives in the equator. Most plants here either everbearing, or dry season or wet season producing. The temperature, humidity, and rainfall surely plays roles in ripening process. Because when its dry season, its so hot and dry. And when it rains, its so wet, it can rain for days. Maybe letting it dry out with really minimum watering can trigger rippening or the otherway around wattering it way more ( but this can give bud rot if done wrongly. I'm not helping am i? Hahahaha

Keep on growing everyone

 

[Only Ornamental]

It's known from hemp that temperature plays a crucial role in minimum day length requirement for flower induction. For example, certain northern hemp varieties flower way too early (like 'autos') when planted in Southern Europe.
Plants sense light to regulate growth and stretch but 'measure' night length to 'compare' with their circadian rhythm. The difference between sensed dark period and inner clock then tells them when to start flowering; the inner clock is somehow 'imprinted' in the plant and pretty consistent within a variety but 'ticks' faster when temperatures are higher (each variety has its own perfect temperature range for optimal performance during every single step in their development). Furthermore, this trigger is pretty much an on-off switch with nearly no grey area. I don't know how much it takes but it could be a difference in 15 minutes (?)... I suspect that plants grown sharp on the border of the minimum day length during their vegetative state will behave differently when going into flowering than their kin with a sharper drop in day lenght.
'Ripening' or rather the time spent for new flower production A) depends on whether or not the plant has been pollinated and B) is genetically determined (natural adaptation). In case B) there's not much you could do apart from hybridising or changing the variety you grow. Concerning case A) I suppose we're talking sinsemilla here: I have no knowledge on how plants react to staying a virgin their whole life (that's unnatural and there's likely not much scientific work about this 'condition') but I can't see any reason why they would rely on soil nutrient depletion. Obviously, a starving stress may it be nutrients, water, or heat will speed up 'ripening' because plants and especially annual ones like cannabis have the urge (due natural adaptation) to finish seed ripening before they die. That doesn't mean it's a good way to speed up things. Think about you doing an exam at school and running out of time... you don't get a better grade if you answer all the questions but halfheartedly than only half the questions but those perfectly. Wouldn't it be better to ask the teacher for more time and answer all questions fully? OK, he probably won't accept that bargain but it's just an example to explain my point of view .

 

[fantonald]

I grow at 5 degrees North @ 2200m. From my experience when the local plants are ready to flower, they flower. Anywhere between 2 to 5 months. And they can take quite awhile to finish. The breeders seeds I use usually finish in the time they advertise, but the veg stage can be different.

I´m no expert, just my experiences.