There are a few more factors to consider before choosing the right strain, so let's talk ambiance. There is a feng shui necessary for marijuana plants to thrive, and it all begins with the environment.
Where are you planning on growing these herbs? If you're considering an outside garden, you must look into strains that can easily combat pests, diseases, and unpredictable weather. Sativa strains tend to do better with these environments as they enjoy more room to stretch.
Other, more sensitive strains would do better in a climate-controlled environment.
This is the case for a majority of Indica strains, as they don't grow as tall as Sativa varietals and are able to flourish in smaller areas.
Growing indoors allows for complete control over the growing environment, increasing your chances of a successful yield.
If you're just discovering your green thumb, we'd suggest a small garden to start. We have multiple FloraFlex® Kits available that help keep whatever strain in check by precision feeding schedules for up to eight different plants.
Indica Versus Sativa
If you're looking into growing your own weed, then you probably already have a preference for Indica vs. Sativa strains. Either way, we want to go over a few generalities when it comes to growing each of these.
Indica and Indica-dominant strains leave you with a full-body, relaxed state of mind. They often allow for a blissful night of sleep and are better for calming the mind of life's anxieties. These plants are generally shorter and bushier with dense buds. They are more resistant to colder temperatures than hot.
If you have a limited amount of space to grow your favorite plant, the Indica subspecies might be best. Sativa, on the other hand, has the ability to grow up to 3 meters tall when expertly cared for. Take this into consideration when setting up your garden.
Sativa is the daytime strain, as it makes you euphorically energized and creatively alert. These plants like to grow tall and stretch just as wide as that smile you have after its use. They prefer the heat and yield airy buds with longer and thinner leaves.
If you're wanting the best of both worlds, then a hybrid sounds up your ally.
There are thousands of strains, with more being crafted all of the time. The process can be overwhelming at first but don't get discouraged, we've got your back.
Appearance and Aroma (Bag Appeal)
Just like any other flower, there are a variety of colors and looks that each strain has. Buds can have hues of purple, pink, and orange. Indica buds are much denser in structure in comparison to Sativa.
These differing buds will emit a wide range of aromas to consider.
If you're looking into growing your own weed, then we have to assume you've grown to love that skunk-like smell. Better yet, you've advanced past the skunk, and are now on the way to sommelier-level distinction.
Do you prefer citrusy notes or a more earthy tone? Perhaps you have a sweet tooth?
What gives marijuana its signature aroma are terpenes. Over 200 terpenes exist in these lovely plants, and the varying levels allow for differences in the smell of each strain.
So, don't waste your time growing something that isn't tailored to your tastebuds. Seed banks give plenty of information on their strains, including the aroma and taste profiles. Some seeds have even been genetically modified to remind you of your favorite treats, such as certain fruits or chocolate.
Choosing the Right Cannabis Strains for YOU
Now that you have the correct materials and space ready for your plants, the fun part begins. You get to choose which seeds to get. Everyone has different preferences regarding Indica vs. Sativa, but that's not all there is to it.
Here's where we get into the nitty-gritty of finding the perfect strain.
Auto-Flower
Did you know there were such cannabis plants that "auto-flower?" This means that the carefully thought-out lighting cycles and practices aren't necessary in order for flowers to begin budding. If you're someone that dislikes strict schedules, this might be something to consider.
Auto-flowering originated from the short growing seasons in Central Asia and Eastern Europe--home to a subspecies called Cannabis Ruderalis. Nowadays, these plants are typically hybridized with popular Indica and Sativa strains in order to gain potency and productivity.
Auto-flowering strains are also suitable for an indoor garden, as most won't exceed 1 meter in height.
High-Yield
If you enjoy adhering to feeding schedules and lighting cycles, then maybe you don't need an auto-flowering strain. There are multiple high-yield strains that perform consistently alongside your diligence.
Sativa-dominant strains perform quite well in the high-yield section of the cannabis cultivation rubric. Your green thumb can harvest 1kg of flowers per plant, so long as you give it the attention and time it needs for this type of productivity.
This does mean that if you're growing indoors, more than 18 hours of light is required to produce successful yields.
We understand that indoor cultivation can be more costly with regard to lighting. So we've made cost-effective lighting solutions with a balanced spectrum and dimming powers to help any stage of the growing process.
Need for Speed
We get it, once you start a project, you want to see results immediately. Good thing there are plenty of strains that tend to all of you impatient growers out there.
A quick note: Sativa strains do tend to take more time to flower in comparison to Indica strains. This is because of their taller and wider growth spurts.
Indica-dominant varieties have a span of 7-12 weeks of care from seed to harvest. Sativa strains tend to range from 11-16 weeks. An auto-flowering strain can help speed up these processes, as they have an approximate 8 week flowering time.
Time to Start Your Growing Journey
We're glad you've done your research on finding the right cannabis strains to grow, and now it's time to bite the bullet and plant some seeds!
We want to set you up for success to the best of our abilities as you enter the green thumb community. In addition to our growing materials, we have plenty of educational reading materials and guides on how to grow, feeding schedules, and so much more.
If you're a beginner, check out our Plant Starter Kit and Bundles to get those seeds growing!
The process of growing weed has never been easier. We look forward to being a part of your journey.
