To get outdoor cannabis through a storm, keep the buds dry once flowering starts: cover the plants with plastic before the rain hits and pull it off as soon as it stops, stake heavy branches, and gently shake off excess water afterward. Rain is free watering, but on flowering buds it's an open invitation to mold and snapped branches.

Once your plant is flowering, it's best to keep the buds away from water, since wet weather is when fungus loves to show up. If a rain shower is followed by plenty of sun, the plants dry faster and the odds of trouble drop. Ideally, if your plants have started flowering, keep them sheltered from the rain. You can cover them from above with plastic sheeting before the downpour hits. As soon as the rain stops, take it off. Airflow is key, and you don't want to create a little microclimate that breeds mold. Getting a bit damp is much less serious than taking a heavy downpour head-on.

What happens if you leave cannabis plants out in the rain?

Heavy rain can snap a branch, but don't panic: tie it up, as long as the branch isn't completely torn off the plant. Try to get the branch back into its original position, the way it was before it broke, and pay special attention to the break itself, wrapping it with tape (good old duct tape works). Wait a couple of days and check that the branch hasn't wilted. To head off bigger problems, it's a good idea to drive in a stake or bamboo cane to help the branches carry the weight of your buds.

Why rain is dangerous during flowering

• First, the flowers can soak up a lot of water and the weight can bend them over, sometimes snapping a branch. This one isn't so serious, and tying the branch up takes care of it.

• The second danger is the worst: all that water combined with swinging hot and cold temperatures can trigger mold on your cannabis plants.

Are some cannabis strains more rain-tolerant?

Of all the types, sativas handle downpours better than indicas, since these plants come from the tropics and evolved in those conditions over a very long time. Their long, flexible branches and airier buds help them ride out heavy rain.

Indicas, with their tighter and usually bigger buds, are the most prone to mold and broken branches.

The surest way to avoid these problems is to move your plants under a roof if they're in containers, or build them a shelter where you can keep them covered. In rainy spells, or on the dewy nights that roll in toward the end of the season, doing this pretty much solves the problem.

Beyond the fixes above, there are other strategies growers can use to protect their plants from rain during flowering.

Other ways to protect cannabis plants in a storm

Grow in a greenhouse

One option is to grow in a greenhouse, where you can better control the environment and protect your plants from rain and other elements that could hurt their growth and yield. Greenhouses also give growers more privacy and security if they want to keep their plants out of public view.

Pick resistant strains

Another option is to grow strains that resist humidity and mold, like certain indica strains and hybrids bred for it. These varieties are adapted to wetter environments and hold up better against fungus and moisture-related diseases. Growers can also read up on growing and humidity-management techniques to cut down the risk of weather-related problems.

Bottom line: protecting your plants from rain during flowering is essential to keep mold and other moisture problems away. Growers have plenty of options, from building a roof or greenhouse to choosing resistant strains or using humidity-management techniques. What matters is weighing your options and finding the strategy that best fits your setup and preferences.

What to do if your cannabis plant gets soaked by rain

If your cannabis plant gets wet from rain, gently shake it to get rid of the excess water sitting on the leaves and buds. Do it carefully so you don't damage the plant. It's also crucial to make sure the container or ground drains well, so water doesn't pool around the roots.

To take proper care of a cannabis plant, give it the best possible environment, with the right temperature and humidity, good light and airflow, and proper watering and feeding. It's also important to check on the plant regularly to catch problems like pests or disease early.

If your cannabis plant has wilted or been damaged by rain or anything else, there are several ways to bring it back, depending on the cause. Some of them: adjusting your watering, giving it the right nutrition, pruning damaged parts, or taking cuttings to grow a new plant from the mother.

What's the best environment for a cannabis plant?

The right environment for a cannabis plant depends on its growth stage and the specific needs of the strain. In general, cannabis plants need bright light and temperatures of around 20 to 25 °C (68 to 77 °F). They also need well-drained, airy soil with enough moisture, but never so wet that it waterlogs and damages the roots.

To care for a cannabis plant in a container, pick the right container size and make sure it drains well so water doesn't build up. Water it regularly and feed it according to its specific needs.

If you're growing cannabis outdoors, it's important to protect it from harsh weather like heavy rain or strong wind. Keep an eye out for pests and diseases that can hurt your plant's health, too.

If a cannabis plant has dried out, you can try reviving it with water and nutrients, but if it's too far gone, it may not come back. It pays to watch your plant closely and take steps to keep it from drying out in the first place.

 

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