Choosing The Right Cannabis Strain to Grow

If you have limited height, selecting a plant that finishes at a reasonable size while giving you the qualities you desire should be near the top of your list. Pure Indica strains like many Afghanilandraces tend to stay very tight in growth, with effects typically being more physical.

Areas with strict plant counts typically require growers to finish plants at a larger size to keep medicine on hand in a quantity that suits the patient’s needs. In these situations, vertical height was taken care of in site selection, and a variety that grows big quickly becomes a strong part of the selection process. Some plants take two or three times longer to gain enough stature prior to the budding phase to yield the same quantities as others.

Sativa dominant strains (ex. Haze or Thai varieties) can get huge fast. During vegetation, the spacing between budding sites can be wide compared to Indicas. Lots of light gets in the plant canopy and there is less trimming labor required at harvest – they can fill out very large with heavy yields. If space is tight, it’s better to avoid Sativa growth traits in your selection.

“Consider your needs carefully and work backwards to your strain selections from there.”

The typical solution for most growers rests in hybrid strains – balanced crosses of desired sativa and indica traits. Some popular hybrids that have surfaced in recent years include Candyland, Platinum Cookies, and Grand Daddy Purple.

It’s recommended that you dedicate the first crop to selecting a mother plant to clone from seed. Some crosses will be more stable than others with seed, and a wide variety can mean a wider array of choices you can make for traits you desire (effects, yield, growth habits, etc.). Once a selection is made, you have your very own strain for as long as you maintain the mother plant.

Still, some patients require more consistent and immediate results. Clones or feminized seeds are a solid choice in this case, given that they are from reputable sources. From here, growers can go straight into bud production if the plants perform as anticipated in terms of size, growth habits, and harvest qualities.

Consider your needs carefully and work backwards to your strain selections from there. If you do, you’ll spend more time kicking back and enjoying you home-grown medicinal relief, rather than battling trying to make your strain selection fit like a round peg in a square hole.

Thanks to Erik Biksa for this article and MedicalJane.com for their platform.

Watch my next blog for Strains that Heal.