If you’re interested in trying to grow cannabis at home, you’re not alone. Many people have become home-based marijuana farmers at this point, and more are sure to follow. Of course, growing any type of plant can be an arduous process. That’s particularly true of cannabis. After all, numerous strains are available, and each one has its own demands. Countless factors can affect the health of the plants as well as the effects of the buds they produce.
With all that in mind, it’s important to choose the right cannabis strains to ultimately generate a healthy, potent crop. There’s a vast selection of marijuana seed strains on the market. Each option has a list of unique traits, needs during the growing process, and other aspects. While you’re browsing all the possibilities at your disposal, think about the following points to help you achieve success.
Understanding the Effects of Different Cannabis Strains
First, research the possible effects of different marijuana strains to better understand their strong suits. In general, you’ll find various Indica and Sativa strains. While the former is often said to produce relaxing effects, the latter tends to be more stimulating. Of course, that’s not a cut-and-dried matter. Some produce milder effects than others, and some have the opposite impact of what’s expected. Furthermore, with all the hybrids now available, many just don’t adhere to the norms.
Digging Deeper
Now, let’s dig a bit deeper into cannabis strains and the traits they possess and exhibit. Two main factors affect the product of a cannabis seed: genotypes and phenotypes. Genotypes are the inherent traits held within the genes of a plant.
Cannabis seeds hold all the genetic information needed to ensure their contents develop into mature plants. Several types of traits can be included in a plant’s genotype, including height, CBD and THC ratios, bud color, and potency to name a few. In short, genotypes envelope all the possible characteristics a plant could ultimately exhibit.
That brings us to phenotypes. Though a plant may have numerous traits coded into its genotype, it can’t possibly exhibit them all. Nature selects the characteristics a specific plant will display, and it depends on the environment where the plant is grown to do so. Phenotypes are the outward expressions of those chosen traits.
How Genotypes and Phenotypes Factor into the Equation
For the most part, you’ll probably choose different marijuana strains to grow based on the effects they’re likely to have. You’ll most likely consider their flavor and aroma profiles as well. Seed banks provide helpful descriptions of their products to give people an idea of what to expect. Those rundowns are based on genotypes. Once you actually plant the seeds and the growing process begins, though, you may not get the expected results.
As the grower, you play a significant role in the outcome here. It’s your job to provide the right environment for the seeds to grow into mature, bud-producing plants. Seed banks often provide information about the ideal conditions to help their seeds grow properly. The closer you follow those instructions, the more spot-on the effects of their buds will be.
Nurturing a Marijuana Crop to Fruition
With so many strains of marijuana on the market, you’re bound to find some that are capable of meeting your expectations in terms of flavors, smells, and effects. How much attention you give the plants as they grow and how well you cater to their needs will determine whether they live up to their potential. Because of all that, be sure to choose appealing strains while also picking ones you can care for properly.
