What Strains Do You Want to Grow?
The current crisis we are all facing has been making self-sufficiency look more and more appealing. It will be interesting to see how supply chain breakdowns effect the way we eat, the way we shop, the way we live. So, even though cannabis is an essential industry, and their supply chains are forced to be local due to federal law, I figured we’d talk more about growing your own cannabis. Here’s some info on picking out the plants you want to grow.
With so many new strains out there it can be difficult to pick which flavors to try growing at home. And there’s a lot to consider. Everything from available space to desired effects to budget needs to be considered and coordinated. Once you have the necessary equipment and supplies (see our earlier post, So You Want to Grow Your Own Weed, for information on what you’ll need to get started!), you’ll need to start thinking about how you want to use your resources. Some plants require more space, meaning fewer plants if you’re growing in a smaller space. Another factor to consider is yield—if you’re growing your own as a hobby this may not matter as much to you, but if you’re growing for you and your large family it shouldn’t be forgotten. In short, picking your plants is a process in and of itself.
Most of the smokers I know like variety. If you’re one of them, and you hope to give yourself a couple of choices come harvest time, it’s important to consider the needs of the various strains you’re choosing so that the environment you set up is conducive to all of the plants you’re cultivating. And don’t forget that even though certain strains can happily share space they may require different care. Seeds can be expensive, so if you’re working with a tight budget you may want to invest in more established strains that are known to grow well rather than going for newer, and therefore shakier, genetics. (Side note: regardless of whether you go for a challenge or not, make sure you get your seeds from a reputable distributor so you can be certain you’re getting quality, proven genetics—Neptune Seedbank, Seed Connection, and Oregon Elite Seeds are just a few good seed banks you can order from.)
If you’re new to tending your own bud, cool names and popular hype might tempt you to try out new genetics and a variety of strains, but old standards shouldn’t be ignored and it can be easier to focus on one or two strains so that all plants require the same care. The most important factor to consider for new growers is hardiness of the plant—it logically follows that more forgiving plants are easier to grow. Starting from clones is going to be easier because seeds from even the most reputable distributor will have a lot of genetic variation—meaning two seeds of the same strain can often grow two very different plants with very different terpene and cannabinoid profiles. Many established strains like MOB, White Widow, Trainwreck, or Northern Lights) tend to be easier for newer growers to manage.
And, of course, don’t forget to look into which strains are best for the conditions you’re looking to treat. You can look up the effects of a strain on sites like Leafly and PotBotics, but keep in mind that the science is new and each individual is different, so the strains may effect you a bit differently.
Growing your own cannabis is like anything else—practice makes perfect. There is no substitute for experience and the only way to learn is from your mistakes. Your first crop won’t be dank, but it’ll help you learn what not to do. There is also a lot of genetic variation in cannabis seeds, so starting with clones will seriously cut down on the time it takes to find the perfect plant. For more information on finding the qualities you want in your plants keep an eye out for our blog on pheno-hunting!