Bloom Duration

Bloom duration refers to the length of the flowering phase in cannabis cultivation, typically measured in weeks from the initiation of 12/12 light cycles to harvest-readiness. This trait is genetically influenced and varies significantly across strain lineages, with some cultivars completing flowering in 7-8 weeks while others require 10-12+ weeks. Bloom duration is not a terpene in the chemical sense, but rather a phenological characteristic that breeders track as a heritable trait. The duration of flowering can impact cannabinoid and terpene profile development, as longer flowering periods may allow for extended secondary metabolite accumulation. Environmental factors such as temperature, light spectrum, and nutrient availability also influence the actual flowering timeline within a given genetic line.

Breeders select for bloom duration to optimize commercial cultivation efficiency, yield timing, and metabolite development. Shorter-flowering cultivars are often crossed to extend flowering periods in fast-finishing lines, or vice versa, to create intermediate phenotypes suited to specific growing environments and production schedules.