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High-value herbs

A full stage-by-stage reference for high-value aromatic flowering herbs — light hours and DLI, pH and EC, VPD, feeding, training, problem diagnosis, harvest timing and the dry & cure.

Educational growing information only. Some aromatic herbs (including hemp and cannabis) are regulated. Always check your country, state and local laws, plant counts and licensing before you grow, and follow them.

Every stage has its own light, climate and feed targets. Log your own runs against these in the grow tracker.

🌰

Germination

2–7 days
Light18–24 h very low light (or dark until the shell cracks)
PPFD100–200 µmol
DLI6–12 mol
Temp72–80°F
Humidity70–80%
VPD0.4–0.6 kPa
pHSoil 6.2–6.5 · Hydro/coco 5.8–6.0
EC0.2–0.4 (plain / very light)
FeedNone — the seed feeds itself
WaterDamp, never soaked. Paper towel, rapid rooter or rockwool cube.
  • Warm and humid, no direct fan
  • Plant tip-down ¼–½ in deep
  • Do not feed nutrients yet
🌱

Seedling

7–21 days
Light18 h on / 6 h off
PPFD200–400 µmol
DLI13–26 mol
Temp72–78°F
Humidity65–75%
VPD0.6–0.8 kPa
pHSoil 6.2–6.5 · Hydro/coco 5.8–6.0
EC0.4–0.8
Feed¼ strength grow feed (3-1-2 ratio)
WaterSmall volumes near the stem, let the surface dry slightly.
  • Keep the light high enough to avoid stretch
  • Gentle airflow to build stem strength
  • Watch for damping-off
🍃

Vegetative

21–60 days
Light18 h on / 6 h off (24 h works but wastes power)
PPFD400–600 µmol
DLI26–39 mol
Temp72–82°F day / 65–72°F night
Humidity55–70%
VPD0.8–1.1 kPa
pHSoil 6.2–6.8 · Hydro/coco 5.6–6.0
EC1.0–1.8
FeedHigh-nitrogen grow feed (3-1-2), Ca/Mg supplement under LED
WaterWater to 10–20% runoff, then let the top 1–2 in dry before the next.
  • Topping / FIM around the 4th–5th node
  • LST, tie branches to an even canopy
  • Defoliate lightly, never more than ~20% at once
🌸

Pre-flower / stretch

7–21 days
LightFlip to 12 h on / 12 h off (photoperiod types) — total darkness at night
PPFD600–800 µmol
DLI26–35 mol
Temp72–80°F
Humidity50–60%
VPD1.0–1.2 kPa
pHSoil 6.2–6.8 · Hydro/coco 5.6–6.0
EC1.4–2.0
FeedTransition feed (2-2-3), start easing nitrogen down
WaterDemand climbs fast — check daily.
  • Plants can double or triple in height
  • Install trellis netting now
  • Identify and remove male / hermaphrodite plants if seedless flower is the goal
🌼

Early flower

14–21 days
Light12/12
PPFD700–900 µmol
DLI30–39 mol
Temp72–80°F day / 64–70°F night
Humidity45–55%
VPD1.1–1.3 kPa
pHSoil 6.2–6.8 · Hydro/coco 5.8–6.2
EC1.6–2.2
FeedBloom feed (1-3-2), P and K climbing, Ca/Mg maintained
WaterHeavy and consistent; avoid drought stress swings.
  • Last light defoliation around day 21
  • Stop most training — no more topping
  • Support heavy branches
🌺

Mid flower / bulk

14–28 days
Light12/12
PPFD800–1000 µmol (CO₂ enrichment for the top end)
DLI35–43 mol
Temp70–78°F day / 62–68°F night
Humidity40–50%
VPD1.2–1.5 kPa
pHSoil 6.2–6.8 · Hydro/coco 5.8–6.2
EC1.8–2.4
FeedPeak bloom (1-3-3), add potassium silicate for stem strength
WaterPeak uptake. Watch runoff EC for salt build-up.
  • Airflow through the canopy prevents bud rot
  • Scout daily for mold and caterpillars
  • Never let RH spike above 60%
🍯

Late flower / ripening

10–21 days
Light12/12
PPFD700–900 µmol
DLI30–39 mol
Temp68–75°F day / 58–65°F night
Humidity35–45%
VPD1.3–1.6 kPa
pHSoil 6.2–6.8 · Hydro/coco 5.8–6.2
EC1.2–1.8, falling
FeedTaper feed; many growers flush with plain pH'd water the last 7–14 days
WaterReduce slightly; cooler nights bring out color and aroma.
  • Check trichomes with a 60× loupe
  • Cloudy trichomes = peak potency; amber = heavier, sedating
  • Lower RH hard to prevent late botrytis
✂️

Harvest

1–2 days
LightHarvest at the end of the dark period
PPFD—
DLI—
TempCool room
Humidity—
VPD—
pHSoil — · Hydro/coco —
EC—
FeedNone
WaterStop watering 1–2 days before cutting.
  • Wet trim (fast, humid climates) or dry trim (slower, better aroma)
  • Weigh wet — expect ~20–25% of that as final dry weight
  • Label every plant / branch before it leaves the room
🌬️

Drying

7–14 days
LightComplete darkness
PPFD—
DLI—
Temp60–68°F
Humidity58–62%
VPD—
pHSoil — · Hydro/coco —
EC—
FeedNone
WaterNone
  • Slow is better: 10–14 days beats 4 days every time
  • Gentle indirect airflow, never a fan pointed at the flower
  • Ready when small stems snap instead of bend
🫙

Curing

14–60 days
LightDark, airtight jars or grove bags
PPFD—
DLI—
Temp60–68°F
Humidity58–62% (use 62% humidity packs)
VPD—
pHSoil — · Hydro/coco —
EC—
FeedNone
WaterNone
  • Burp jars 10 min twice a day for week 1, once a day week 2, weekly after
  • Aroma keeps improving for 4–8 weeks
  • If it smells like hay or ammonia, open and dry further