Growing cannabis takes time and a strong will
There is no cannabis like cannabis
The word 'cannabis' makes everyone think of a plant with typical leaves, tall and slender. The differences between the two need to be better understood.
Sativa
Cannabis sativa is a versatile crop. It is used in cosmetics, textiles and food processing. It contains large quantities of hemp oil. The recreational effects and the amount of cannabinoids are also important.
Indica
A bushier plant from the northern Himalayas with broad leaves and a maximum height of around one metre. It has a layer of resin (like sativa) with a high cannabinoid content for which it receives so much attention.
Ruderalis
A wild form of cannabis from the Siberian region with weak foliage and a height of up to 150 centimetres. It has negligible delta-9-THC content and is known for its very rapid flowering.
Hybrid hemp
A cross between a sativa and an indica where the ratio of genes from both cannabis species is balanced. The aim is to get the best out of everything and suppress the negatives. From indica it usually takes the size, from sativa the dense flowers full of resin. Short flowering times, superior yields and resistance to adverse conditions are also common.
Growing cannabis requires a lot of time and patience. However, each grower applies different methods.
Growing from seed
The undeniable advantage of growing from small seeds is the ease of transport and storage. They take up almost no space and there is no risk of damage during transport. In contrast, the chances of growing two homogeneous plants are minimal. They will be related in species, but they will differ in appearance. This is also linked to the reduced uniformity of the top (crown) of the plant, which can have a negative effect on yield. For smaller growers this is not a problem and losses are minimal, but for larger operations it can be a significant hit to business. They generally turn to nursery stock and cuttings from mother plants or tissue cultures where crown uniformity is assured.
Apart from the type of cultivation (seeds are best), two other factors need to be considered. The first is the effects, the second is the requirements of the growing environment. THC was first isolated in 1964 and its molecular structure described. Today, most growers and breeders focus on the terpene and cannabinoid content, led by CBD or CBG. While large growers are primarily concerned with the yield from the plants and try to ensure that most of them have the same environmental and care requirements, in the home the main focus is on quality and cannabinoid potency, taste and aroma. Individual access to individual plants is not a problem.
The requirements of large-scale growers
Growing cannabis on a large scale requires planning and careful selection of varieties for maximum yield, so that the plants are not just 'ornamental' and the cost of care does not exceed the profits.
Maturation rate
The onset of flowering is usually seven to eleven weeks away from full maturity. If the grower plans well, it is possible to harvest several times a year (depending on the weather or climate zone). Faster ripening allows for richer and more frequent harvests. However, it may be that the accelerated process does not allow such yields. Time is an important parameter. If there is no time to spare, the individual plants are placed closer together and the buds spread more quickly and easily.
Flowering time, ripening and weather
The weather cannot be accurately predicted and temperature fluctuations can harm cannabis plants and slow down their maturation. Excessively hot weather can lead to less dense flowers and a loss of terpenes affecting aroma and flavour. Cold temperatures in turn hinder ripening and risk not being able to harvest before winter sets in.
Varieties and scents
There are countless cannabis plants, and for most growers (small and large-scale operations) the quality of the flower and its aroma and flavour based on the terpenes it contains is often more important than the final yield.
There are around 200 terpenes, but most of them are in the background and the market focuses mainly on myrcene, caryophyllene, humulene and limonene (these are the most abundant in cannabis, but research will probably expand the list over time). Some smell of citrus, others of sweet fruit or herbs. Equally important is their therapeutic potential. .
Against moulds
Cannabis is quite vulnerable and infestations of mould and mildew are common. Unfortunately, they can destroy the whole plant. In a high humidity environment, the risk of finding them is quite high. The most resistant to mould are cultivars from countries where the cannabis plant is used to such conditions. Varieties from Thailand, Vietnam and other countries in South East Asia produce very high quality plants and are a safe bet.
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