Cannabis Pre flowering: the moment when your plant announces what’s about to come

During this phase, the plant stretches, focuses energy on forming nodes, and begins to reveal whether it will be male or female. Much of the plant’s future potential is defined here, making it essential to understand the signals and respond with proper care.

How to Identify Preflowering in Cannabis Plants

Preflowering typically appears between the fourth and sixth week of growth, depending on the genetics and on whether the plant is feminized, regular, or autoflowering. Key terms here include floral primordia, female preflowers, and pistils.

Female plants will show small calyxes with tiny white hairs. Male plants will develop round pollen sacs. Early observation helps classify, separate, and guide each plant correctly.

Essential Care During the Preflowering Stage

The plant is in full stretch mode, which requires a balance of nutrients, light, and structural support. This stage lays the foundation for a strong flowering phase.

Controlled watering:
Avoid overwatering. Roots need oxygen, especially as growth speeds up.

Specific nutrition:
The plant still needs nitrogen, but now begins demanding more phosphorus and potassium. This is the moment for transition feeding.

Gentle training:
LST (low-stress training) and light branch spreading help improve light penetration and strengthen structure for the stretch ahead.

Recommended Growshop Products for Preflowering

The following products, available in most European growshops, help smooth the transition into full flowering:

BioBizz Bio Bloom:
Ideal for introducing bloom nutrients in moderate doses.

Top Crop Top Bloom:
Provides essential phosphorus and potassium for early flower formation.

Plagron Complete Mix:
A light, nutrient-rich substrate that supports node development and healthy stretching.

CalMag by Atami or Canna:
Strengthens structure and prevents common deficiencies in soft or filtered water.

Recommended BSF Seeds Strains for This Stage

The preflowering phase is especially interesting for growers who enjoy observing how each strain expresses its structure and vigor. Some BSF Seeds genetics that stand out during this stage include:

Lebron Haze XXL:
Produces a clearly defined preflowering phase, perfect for lovers of sativa-dominant structure.

Gorilla Glue Auto:
Robust, stable, and with a clean transition that simplifies management.

Common Mistakes During Preflowering

Overfeeding too early:
The plant is changing pace but still isn’t in full bloom mode.

Insufficient lighting:
Weak light can cause excessive stretch as the plant tries to reach for it.

Ignoring sex identification:
Especially with regular seeds, removing males early is crucial to avoid unwanted pollination.

Conclusion: A Short but Decisive Stage

Preflowering is the bridge between two worlds: vegetative expansion and full flowering. Managing this stage with attention, precision, and the right products leads to stronger outcomes. Observation becomes your best tool, and genetics your most powerful ally.

The preflowering stage is ultimately an invitation to understand your plants better and prepare for everything that follows.

Now that you know how to navigate this key phase, it's the perfect moment to explore BSF Seeds genetics. Discover new strains, enhance your future grows, and choose the seeds that best suit your goals on the official BSF Seeds Europe website.