Growing Cannabis by Phases of the Moon

Jul 25th 2023

7 mins read

Cultivation

Superior cannabis gardens are what gardeners want for their efforts, and planting by the phases of the Moon makes this possible. Seeds germinate faster. Plants are hardier and more disease-resistant. They blossom sooner and bear more fruit. Just as importantly, they better resist the stress of harsh weather, drought and insect infestation. Naturally, good gardening techniques must still be adhered to. Gardens need be watered, pruned, mulched, hoed, weeded and fertilized. If you have an outside or in side cannabis garden, paying attention to the Moon phases may be the easiest part of your cannabis gardening experience but the one with the biggest rewards for growing marijuana. Gardening by the moon phases is all a matter of timing. Since we are able to anticipate the phases, we can plan ahead and maximize the connection between the solar system and biological cycles to gain optimum results in the cannabis garden. The Moon symbolizes emotions, instincts, habits and routine. It describes the ways in which we feel most nurtured and secure. The Moon also reflects the public mood as it changes signs every two to two and half days. The Moon travels monthly through each of the 12 signs of the Zodiac, staying approximately 2 and a half days in each sign. As it does so it forms an angular relationship with the Sun that we call a Phase of the Moon. Phase actually means the angle between Moon, Earth and Sun. Moon orbits the Earth and the Earth orbits the Sun. It is the Earth’s orbit that defines the ecliptic which is divided symbolically into the Zodiac. First of all, phases occur in two stages – Waxing and Waning. The Moon is Waxing – growing – during these phases: New Moon | Crescent Moon | First quarter Moon | Gibbous Moon. It is Waning – shrinking – during these phases: Full Moon | Disseminating | Second Quarter | Balsamic. As a general rule of thumb when the Moon is waxing, plants develop leaves and above ground systems, when it is waning plants develop their root systems. Planting leafy crops such as cannabis that grow above ground are best sown at waxing moon and those that will require strong root systems or grow below ground should be sown after full moon, in the waning phase. We can now divide these phases into four quarters. 1. New Moon to First quarter2. First quarter to Full Moon3. Waxing Full Moon to Second quarter4. Second quarter to New Moon again – Waning These 4 phases can be useful to apply the rule of thumb Plant - Feed - Harvest - Destroy If you get these 4 main quarters fixed, you will go a long way to understanding cycles. The 4 intermediate phases also form a quaternary of activity. 1. Crescent2. Gibbous3. Disseminating4. BalsamicCrescent moon phase is when the best germination occurs and is a good time for thinning out seedlings to give room for the rapid growth that occurs at the next phase. Gibbous moon phase is when there is a greater uptake of nutrients from the soil, and swelling of fruits. Disseminating moon is an excellent time for seed setting and ripening. Balsamic phase is the best time for destroying weeds, pruning trees, and all preparation for the next cycle. It is important to note that you should not do any gardening task at the exact time of a phase. Wait a few hours. Each of the exact phase positions marks a critical time as the moon makes a shift from one phase to the next. Because the Sun stays in a sign for a full month there are some months that are better for certain gardening tasks than others. Interfacing the Sun cycle and the Moon’s cycle takes a little skill but is not 1 difficult once you apply the logic. If the Sun is in a ‘fertile’ sign for a month, then you should take advantage of that month to do some gardening – naturally the best results occur when the Moon is also is a fertile sign and the correct phase with the Sun. The best days for doing specific tasks will depend on the Moon’s sign. To synthesize the phase with the sign is important in planting. There is no point in planting at the correct phase, if the Moon is in an incompatible sign – one which might damage or inhibit growth. Remember the Sun stays in a sign for approximately a month, the Moon passes through all 12 signs in a month, so stays in a sign for approximately 2 and a half days. A new moon always occurs when the Sun and Moon are in the same sign. A full moon occurs when the Moon is in the opposite sign to the Sun.

However ridiculous it might sound, a large cohort of green-thumbed cultivators believe the lunar cycle holds some secrets to optimising returns on plants. This is also true of the cannabis community. Although not the voice of the majority, there certainly exists some reports of the lunar cycle coordinating with some nice weed returns. Named things like "lunar gardening" or "moon gardening", it is a practice that is as old as growing itself.

Moon Phases

So, what do they say, and is any of it true? The truth is that solid evidence for this being a measurable, repeatable advantage for growers is pretty thin. At the scientific level, it’s practically non-existent, but there are many reports of people who swear by the advantages.

Before looking at the common claims, here are the four main moon phase descriptions.

New Moon:

Not visible from Earth, as it is between the Earth and the sun.

Waxing Moon:

Appears to grow larger each night.

Full Moon:

Fully illuminated, opposite the sun.

Waning Moon:

Begins to shrink in size.

How Are Moon Phases Reported To Influence Plants

New Moon Or Waxing Moon For Planting & Watering:

Some lunar gardeners suggest planting cannabis seeds or taking clones during specific moon phases, such as the new moon or waxing moon, which enhances germination rates or promotes vigorous growth. Although it is unclear why the moon would affect vigour, some reports say enhanced gravitational pull might aid in water transport or keep plants upright. However, the moon’s gravitational pull fluctuates daily. Although the moon is less visible, it does not reduce its gravitational pull. If this argument is used, it would be more effective to plant according to the time of day rather than the time of month.

Waning Moon For Pruning:

Some people will adjust pruning schedules based on moon phases. They believe pruning during the waning moon is for better regrowth. Whilst no logic is provided for why this works, any observed differences must factor in the time of the year and the sun's position. Again, because plants work off a primary daily circadian clock, it is more likely that any advantages to pruning would be due to the time of day, as water transport and gas exchanges also ebb and flow during a 24-hour period.

Full Moon For Harvest:

It is often said that a full moon is great for plant harvesting. Some report better quality medicinal plants if harvested under a full moon. In addition, lunar growers claim to get more flower production and enhanced flavour and taste during the full moon. One of the common themes of these claims is gravity’s influence, as mentioned above and the increased ‘energy’ of living things during the full moon. Again, no objective evidence suggests these claims are due to the moon.

Harvesting at the right time includes many considerations; if the plant isn’t quite ready, harvesting under the full moon two weeks early isn’t going to bring you the gains that would be achieved if you left it two weeks and harvested when the plant was ready, irrespective of moon phase.

From The Unlikely To The Improbable

Lunar Zodiac Signs:

The notion that the moon's position within zodiac signs can impact cannabis plant characteristics and effects lacks empirical support and is grounded primarily in traditional and cultural beliefs. The purported influence of zodiac signs on plant biology lacks a scientific basis, and the mechanisms underlying any potential effects remain largely unexplored.

The subjective nature of associating specific traits or qualities with zodiac signs poses a significant challenge to scientific inquiry. The lack of standardised and objective criteria for assessing the influence of zodiac signs on cannabis plants further undermines the validity of such claims. Including the natural variance of plants themselves and their reaction to their microenvironment makes standardisation harder. Additionally, the wide variation in individual interpretations of zodiac signs and their alleged effects on plant biology adds to the inconsistency and subjectivity of this approach.

To date, scientific investigations have not substantiated the impact of zodiac signs on cannabis plant characteristics or effects. The limited empirical evidence available fails to demonstrate a causal relationship or provide a reliable framework for incorporating zodiac signs into cannabis cultivation practices.

Conclusion

In light of these considerations, it is crucial to approach the association between zodiac signs or lunar cycles and cannabis plant traits with scepticism. Relying on rigorous scientific methodologies, controlled experiments, and evidence-based horticultural practices remains essential for advancing our understanding of cannabis cultivation.

Lunar gardening is popular despite a lack of concrete evidence

While lunar gardening has historical significance, the scientific evidence remains limited. Relying on established cultivation practices, horticultural knowledge, and plant-specific requirements is the most reliable approach for successful plant growth and harvest outcomes.

The influence of so many other factors, such as weather, time of year, air quality, water quality and so on, have a more significant impact than what part of the moon can be seen. However, it is never good to shut down ideas completely. It's worth repeating that some successful growers swear by it. Therefore it must be considered plausible even in the face of no evidence until conclusively proven otherwise.

Seedsman