Sativa, Indica or hybrid? If you’ve ever been asked what type of strain you prefer and found yourself completely confused, you are not alone. This question on preference often throws beginner cannabis users for a loop. With the Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill in effect, more people are interested in how they can grow their own cannabis. In this article, we are going to tell you everything you need to know before you start growing your own cannabis.
Different ways to grow cannabis
Indoors
You can either allow your cannabis plant to grow out in the open near a window, so it can get direct sunlight, or you can go a step further and buy high-powered lights that mimic sunlight. Using high-powered lights will definitely accelerate the germination time of your plant, resulting in more harvests.
However, the amount of light your plant receives is not the only thing you need to think about. The type of soil and the cultivation method you use are also important, using traditional cultivation methods will produce a good yield but you have to be mindful of how often you water the plant and stick to a scheduled regime.
Another option you can pursue is the hydroponic method. This method is a soil science method that focuses on delivering the precise nutrients plants need to thrive. Hydroponic systems suspend plants over a tray of specifically designed growth mediums. Using a pre-mixed solution consisting of water and soil nutrients, a set timer system allows the pre-mixed solution to flow into the tray and provide the plants with the necessary nutrients.
Outdoors
By law, you can grow cannabis in your backyard, but it is essential to remember that there is a 600g per adult limit in a household. Growing cannabis outdoors is what most people would want to do. The outdoors typically provides the right soil and optimal sunlight for a quality yield, however, growing cannabis outdoors has the added disadvantage of being at the mercy of insects and a wide range of changes in weather.
If you are going to grow your cannabis outside, it is recommended that you find ways to try to protect your plants from insects and harsh rain and sunlight. Regardless of how and where you choose to grow your own cannabis, it would be a good idea to get a better understanding of soil science and botany.
Types of seeds and what they produce
As a result of the Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill, you can now grow cannabis in your private home. This provides a lot of people with the opportunity to learn more about cultivating cannabis. Before you start growing your own cannabis, there are three types of seeds that are worth knowing. Cannabis seeds are different from each other, with each type of seed requiring different growth environments for them to thrive.
Types of cannabis seeds:
Regular Seeds
Regular seeds are the result of normal plant propagation. Until the plant starts to flower, you will not be able to determine the plant’s gender and thus will not know if you are yielding a cannabinoid plant. Female plants are capable of flowering. It is these flowers that contain high concentrations of cannabinoids that are used in medicinal and recreational cannabis products.
Due to the male plant’s inability to flower, they produce little to low cannabinoids, but they are not particularly useless. Male cannabis plants produce material that is soft and thus, often times used to make hemp products like clothing, shoes and other soft but durable fibre household products.
Advantages
- 100% pure and pesticide free
- Capable of producing both male and female gendered seeds, resulting in more seed production
- Not just limited to medicinal and recreational use
Feminised Cannabis Seeds (Northern Lights)
If you want to grow a high yield of high cannabinoid concentrations, then these are the best seeds for the job. Instead of propagating, these seeds direct a lot of their energy towards producing highly potent cannabinoids in a process known as sensimilla. These types of seeds are responsible for a lot of the cannabis products that are currently being sold commercially.
Advantages
- Great for beginners, no need to remove the male plants
- Increase your yield by only focusing on female plants
- Responsible for a lot of the cannabis products in the market
Auto-flower Seeds (Easy Bud)
Auto-flower seeds are a great start for beginners who know little about gardening and cannabis. They are great because they have a fast germination period, and they don’t need as much sunlight as the other seeds. This is a great option for people who either don’t understand or have time to constantly tend to a plant, you can simply allow the plant to grow independently.
Advantages
- Requires little maintenance to thrive
- Has a fast germination time
- High environmental resistance
Cannabis seeds are important for the propagation of cannabis plants. Although with the new research and experiments, botanists are developing ways to grow seedless cannabis, which is great for us. Farmers in Morocco have recently proved that the seedless method of cultivation targets the production of secondary metabolites, such as THC, CBD, and aromatic terpenes. It’s these secondary metabolites that provide the medicinal and recreational relief we seek.
Types of strains
Sativa and Indica are the two most common strains of cannabis on the market. They are both used for medicinal and recreational purposes but produce distinctly different psychoactive effects. Sativa is characterized as a “head high”, it is known for its ability to reduce stress and anxiety while boosting creativity and overall focus. Indica, on the other hand, is rich with full-body effects. It induces sleep and deep relaxation.
As the cannabis industry grows, there is a growing concern surrounding the naming convention that has been used for many years. For many years people have referred to Indica and Sativa as strains, however, the term strains have always had a negative connotation and the Covid-19 pandemic did not help improve the narrative. As laws and regulations surrounding cannabis change and the industry becomes more commercialised, the naming convention has also undergone a revamp.
The cannabis industry is moving away from terms like “strains”, “Indica” and “Sativa” and using a more scientific approach. Opting for names like:
- Type I: High THC concentrations
- Then Type II: THC/CBD mix
- Lastly, Type III: High CBD concentrations
What to consider when cannabis choosing seeds
The most important questions to ask yourself when considering cannabis seeds are:
- What am I going to use it for?
- How much time do I want to dedicate to this?
- How much do I want to grow?
If you are an occasional recreational user, then you might want to lean more towards auto-flower seeds. They require very little maintenance and have a fast germination period. Regular seeds are more for people who genuinely like the process of cultivation. Regular seeds require more attention and maintenance in order to thrive, and thus experienced gardeners will be able to produce a sizable yield.
Feminized cannabis seeds on the other hand are for the avid cannabis user. They are great for both medicinal and recreational use, while also needing a little less attention and cultivation know-how. Users with more cannabis experience will love the high concentration of cannabinoids that comes out.
Now is a good time to take up a hobby like cannabis cultivation, even if you are not a cannabis user. People who garden, even if it’s tending to a houseplant every day, experiences less mental and physical stress than people who don’t garden.
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