What are the developmental stages of a plant?
Today we have a botanical note that will be useful in growing practice. The developmental stage in which the plant currently is is important, among other things, for the correct dosing of fertilisers.
The development of a plant can be divided into the four stages listed below. For you, as a grower, the middle two play the most important role in fertilising, namely the vegetative stage, or growth stage, and the stage of flower formation or fruit formation.
- Embryonic: cell division begins and plant tissues are formed as the basis of the future plant body.
- Vegetative (growth): begins with seed germination and ends with the arrival of the first flowers after the plant’s stems and leaves have reached their maximum size. Depending on the plant species, it usually lasts 3–16 weeks. In nature, the end of the growth stage happens automatically (summer turns into autumn and the sun shines for a shorter time). However, if you grow plants indoor, in a grow box, the end of the growth stage is in your hands and depends on shortening the lighting period. You must practically force the plant to end growth by this act and provide it with 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness every day. An honourable exception is autoflowering plants, so-called autoflowering, which begin to flower automatically depending on their age. Within plant growth, we distinguish three smaller stages, namely embryonic, elongation and differentiation. It is enough to know that cells in plants gradually divide and increase their volume, as these processes can be effectively supported by suitable products, thanks to which you will achieve not only explosive plant growth, but also greater vitality and immunity for young plants. The physiological processes in the plant associated with its growth require, above all, a sufficient supply of nitrogen. You can add this to the basic nutrition for growth. Once the seeds germinate and break through the surface of the substrate, they become seedlings, which are soon transplanted, for example, from a propagator into larger pots, so that they can fully develop their root system, through which they absorb nutrients for further development until the end of the growing cycle. We therefore strongly recommend adding a quality root stimulator to the watering during this period as well.
- Maturation (flowering): in this stage, the plant’s reproductive organs are formed, which leads to vegetative and sexual reproduction and the formation of flowers or fruits. In this stage, plants consume the most phosphorus and potassium, and flower fertilisers are adapted to these needs, as are flower boosters and other supplements, for example those based on enzymes, which support biochemical reactions in plants during this period, because abundant blooms and large, juicy fruits are, of course, what every grower wants this stage to end with. And when is a plant mature? As soon as its organs are fully developed.
- Senescence: at this stage, there is no longer any need to pay attention to it, because you have already harvested. However, at least we have the opportunity to clarify terms such as annuals, biennials and perennials. During this stage, plant organs naturally age and then die. These terms indicate the lifespan of the plant from the initial cell division in the embryonic stage until this point.
We recommend these products:
- BioNova fertiliser sets - comprehensive nutrition for the entire growing cycle from a popular Dutch brand.
- BioNova Veganics - everything needed for the growth stage and the flowering stage if you want your harvest to be 100% organic.
- HERCULES - modern plastic pots will make your journey from seed to beautiful flowers and fruits easier.
- LED sets – a tuned grow box complete with everything you need for more than one growing cycle and a fantastic harvest.
Now you know how the plant life cycle works, and if you needed to clarify what it needs and when for its development, this article should help you with that as well. If you have any questions, we will be happy to advise you at the well-known address info@higarden.cz.
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