Starchild, the entire process takes about four months tops. I quit growing a while back (don't ask why) but I grew the most beautiful plants this way:
Two months of 24/7 blue light (6400k) using really good potting soil mixed with worm castings (they absolutely thrive in that shit - in fact, you could grow in castings only but it's a bit expensive).
Then two months on red light, 12 hours on / 12 hours off. (2700k) Depending on the variety you are growing, after two months on this cycle, your plants will be bursting with resin-filled trichomes. Also, during this period, introduce a fertilizer with a high middle number (I can't remember what the three numbers stand for - nitrogen, phosphorus and something else I think...just look for a middle number around 30, while the other two are like 15 or something. Also, about two weeks before harvest time flush the plants with plain water, because you don't want to be smokin the ferts - yuk!)
Go easy on the water through the entire process. It's very easy to overwater, but I wouldn't water more than once a week, depending on the size of the pot (when they're young and in small containers, you need to water more frequently, but as they get older, less is better.) If the pot feels light, water. If it feels heavy, leave it alone.
Also be easy with the ferts - pot likes as much as you can give it, but it likes it in small doses and it's WAY better to under-fertilize than to over-fertilize because you can burn the root system with too much fert.
Also, keep a fan on the whole time. The plants release toxins through the sun leaves and air circulation helps carry them away, plus it deters pests. (Make sure your grow space is hospital-clean! No pets, no smoke.)
After four months (maybe even a little sooner, depending again on the variety) your babies should be ready to harvest. (Get a microscope - a little hand held deal from Radio Shack - 15 to 30 $) to analyze the trichomes. When they're clear/cloudy (maybe even a few amber colored ones) the plant is probably ready. Snip off a good looking bud and dry it for a few days then sample it. If you get the effect you want, cut down the plant, trim the sun leaves and hang it upside down to dry for about 5 to 7 days, depending on your climate. If it doesn't get you "there" yet, give it a while longer, but keep a close watch on those trichomes. If you let it go too long, they can start to break down. Not good.
When the stems snap (but not so dry that they break off completely) put it all in a jar and store it for a month. I know you're probably eager to stoke up the bong and really it's okay to start smoking it now, but keep it sealed up and in the dark as much as possible because the early hits are liable to be rather hard on your throat because the plants are still full of chlorophyl (again: yuk!).
As the plant cures in the jar, the taste and aroma is going to come. (It's like putting wine in an oak barrel and letting it age.) Once a month has passed, if you've got a really good variety, that smoke is gonna slide down into your lungs like a well-lubed dick into an eager ass. (Sorry for the raunchy imagery, but I'm gay and to me that's pretty damn fine; if you're straight think of a juicy wet pussy.) Also, do your lungs a favor: the gas transfer takes place almost instantly, so holding it in your lungs is really not necessary - it just increases the amount of toxins your lungs are exposed to needlessly. A few seconds is really all you need. Take it in, then let it go. (French inhale it too, if you can: that's when you let it slip out of your mouth and then you suck it up through your nose: nasal passages are great for getting more THC into your system. Plus if you've let it cure properly, you're gonna fuckin' love the smell!!!! - It's what you've been smelling in your house for the past four months - God how it teased me!!! Shit I miss it!!)
Do this my friend and your herb will delight you for some time! (And please ignore my other posts; I'm a totally sick mother fucker with major issues, but one thing I do know how to do is how to grow herb. Unfortunately I just can't handle its effects anymore (i.e. - extreme paranoia), so I'm on the wagon - probably forever. But I grew some goddamn good shit back in the day and i just love reading this post and all about how you young kids get off on it. You guys are so lucky.)
Please pack a bowl for me and take a nice long hit. I'll enjoy it vicariously through you.
Peace.
And one more thing...never get old. It sucks. Believe me. I know. You're all in the best years of your lives and take it from an old fag fart: Smoke all the dope you can and fuck, fuck, FUCK as much as possible! Life will never be this good again, children.
