I know this is going to have a run as threads go, with all of the possible opinions, but what this is centered on is this concept:
How shall we precisely identify the start of the Vegetative phase in terms of plant and leaf identification, rather than time.
(because this may vary, and achieving this point earlier or later may be an indication of environmental issues)
I honestly wonder if this period in plant development ought to be more closely addressed as a sub-phase
As I READ in Robt’s article here - the beginning of the vegetative state shows an image at about a week or more after sprouting from seed. What this image shows me is the following:
These plants (regarded as at the starting gate of the veg phase) each appear to have TWO five leaf “fans” formed, the order being seed leaf, single leaf, tri-leaf, penta-leaf (5), and a five or seven leaf fan after that - whatever. The basic is that it is OUT of the seed phase wherein the seed itself has given its leafs to the greater good. Fine…
Wonderful
But it will be some time after the seeds poke out their first round “things that are like leaves” until stage two is on the calendar won’t it?
I know of no accurate way to estimate that into the total length from germination to harvest at this point. 
But I do know it is an important point from which to calculate all of the rest of what Robt is telling us. For me, it seems to be the first or second branching of fully developed leaves
~Visualize me throwing up my hands…
I am at a loss here
The reason is that it can vary so much that time itself is not a consideration as a means of judging progress, but also getting to that point is also a measure of how effective the growing conditions are. If the plants get there quicker, everything is right
It’s like a race: Le Grand Prix de Cannabis
I cannot help thinking that the growth between sprout and seedling sets up everything that comes after
~Frankie
