Select the Best Strain for Your Needs
The ideal cannabis plants to cultivate are subjective and will vary according to your needs, climate, and degree of expertise. Regardless of your level of expertise as a grower, selecting the correct strain is crucial. For newcomers, a tolerant variety can be a boon.
Growers with experience typically seek out strains with increased yield potential. Careful decision-making can yield significant results. Here is a detailed guide to assist you in choosing the ideal strain of cannabis for your specific needs.
Best strains for beginners: Choose easy, pest-resistant types.
Atomic Northern Lights Cannabis Seeds (Indica)—This strain is ideal for both indoor and outdoor cultivation due to its extreme resilience, rapid flowering time, and resistance to mold. For novice gardeners seeking high yields with little effort, it’s the perfect option.
Blue Dream (Hybrid)—A well-balanced variety that grows quickly, produces abundant harvests with little care, and does well in a wide range of environments. Not to mention how lenient it is when it comes to little slip-ups.
White Widow (Hybrid)—This strain is perfect for first-time growers because of its low flowering time and resistance to pests and mold. It’s also a good pick for those who want a shorter harvest period.
Extra Advice for Newcomers
Watering correctly, getting enough light, and maintaining healthy soil are the three most important aspects of cannabis cultivation to consider when first starting out. A typical error made by novice gardeners is overwatering.
Make sure there is adequate drainage to prevent this. With this, you can keep mold and root rot at bay. A basic pH meter can be a lifesaver for plant health, whether we’re growing in soil or using hydroponics.
High-yield strains: Big, dense, resinous buds for max production.
Big Bud (Indica-Dominant Hybrid)—Like its moniker suggests, this variety yields massive, resin-rich buds. Because of this, it is perfect for commercial growers or people seeking a substantial supply.
People who cultivate cannabis for profit often choose Critical Mass (Indica-Dominant Hybrid). Both the yield and the rate of flowering are high. Whether you’re growing in soil or using hydroponics, this strain will do fine.
Super Silver Haze is a sativa-dominant hybrid that, with the right amount of time and effort invested in training, yields enormous buds covered in resin. This strain has the potential to produce massive harvests when grown with careful attention to nutrient management.
Improving Your Profitability
Topping and low-stress training are two pruning methods that can help growers maximize yields from high-yielding strains. Topping promotes the formation of multiple colas, which in turn increases the overall yield of buds.
Screen of Green (ScrOG) and other trellising techniques allow for the support of heavier buds. Even canopy growth can be encouraged using this method as well.
Auto-flower strains: Self-growing, great for small spaces and quick harvests.
The hybrid variety Gorilla Glue Auto is known for its high stress tolerance and dense, sticky buds. Whether you’re growing indoors or out, this strain is great for short cycles.
The sativa-dominant Amnesia Haze Auto grows quickly and produces a strong indica high; it’s ideal for covert indoor cultivation and cramped quarters.
Autoflowering Indica variety Northern Lights Auto is great for first-timers because it is a hardy, easy-to-grow strain.
Auto-Flowering Benefits
Crops Growers who desire numerous harvests annually will find auto-flowering strains to be the most suitable. Fast turnaround times are possible because these strains usually mature in 8 to 10 weeks. Additionally, they require less attention than photoperiod varieties. People who are always on the go or who have limited living quarters will appreciate this feature.
Best hydro strains: Thrive on high nutrients and fast growth.
Strawberry Cough (Sativa-Dominant Hybrid)—This plant is perfect for hydroponics because it thrives in conditions with high levels of nutrients and humidity. When grown properly, this strain produces lots of dense buds and a pleasant scent.
Girl Scout Cookies (Hybrid)—Thrives in carefully managed hydroponic environments, reacts positively to targeted fertilization using Dosatron hydroponic dosing pumps.
Bruce Banner, a sativa-dominant hybrid, responds well to elevated CO₂ levels and precise nutrient dosing, and it grows rapidly in hydro systems. Under ideal conditions, this strain produces enormous amounts of THC and is well-known for its potency.
Advantages of a Hydroponic System
Rapid plant development, higher yield potential, and improved nutrient absorption are just a few of the benefits of hydroponic growing. Deep Water Culture (DWC) and Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) are two examples of hydro systems that provide plants with oxygen-rich water, which improves root development and yields.
Outdoor strains: Tough against pests, weather, and long flowering.
Durban Poison is a great outdoor cannabis strain because it is sativa, grows well in warm climates, and is naturally resistant to pests and mold.
A tropical strain that thrives in outdoor conditions and yields abundantly is Pineapple Express (Hybrid). Notable for its powerful effects and fruity scent.
A pure Indica landrace strain, Afghan Kush is naturally hardy and can grow in cooler climates with shorter growing seasons.
Tips for Growing in the Great Outdoors
In conditions of ample space and sunshine, growing cannabis outdoors is an excellent choice. The success of your plant growth depends on your careful selection of a site with adequate drainage and rich, fertile soil.
Stealth strains: Small, low-odor, ideal for tight or hidden spaces.
An autoflowering variety that stays under 2 feet tall, Lowryder is a Ruderalis hybrid. It’s ideal for micro-grows and other small indoor areas because it’s one of the most covert strains out there.
A good option for indoor or outdoor grows, Royal Dwarf (Hybrid) is a fast-growing, compact variety that yields respectable quantities relative to its stature.
Blue Mystic is an indica-dominant hybrid that features shorter flowering times and a less pungent aroma than its competitors.
Maintaining the Secrecy of Your Grow
Use odor-control methods like carbon filters or air purifiers to keep your growth as low-profile as possible. If you’re growing your plants indoors, pick one with a subtle aroma so no one notices.
Indoor gardeners should surround their plants with aromatic ones, such as basil or lavender. You can use them to mask the aroma of cannabis. A seamless and undetectable expansion is possible with a small and uncomplicated setup.
CBD strains: Offer medical benefits with little to no intoxication.
Anxiety, seizures, and pain are some of the most common medical conditions treated with the world-famous Charlotte’s Web (CBD-Dominant) strain.
With a well-balanced ratio of THC to CBD, the sativa-dominant hybrid Harlequin provides a calming effect without a heavy high. You can use it during the day, and it will help with stress and pain.
With almost no intoxicating effects, ACDC (CBD-Dominant) is an excellent strain for medicinal purposes and pain relief without impairment. Those who want to alleviate anxiety, muscle spasms, and pain while maintaining composure often find it helpful.
Which Strain Is Best If It Has CBD?
Many people seek out CBD-dominant strains in the hopes that they will have positive health effects, such as lowering inflammation, alleviating chronic pain, and helping them relax without getting high. Because of their adaptability, these strains are a great choice for health-conscious shoppers who are interested in edibles, tinctures, and oils.
Strains high in cannabidiol (CBD) can help with a variety of issues, including stress relief, sleep, and general comfort. Incorporating them into your routine can help you maintain a healthy state of mind and body.
Strongest strains: High THC, best for experienced growers.
An intensely euphoric high can be yours with Gorilla Glue #4 (Hybrid), a strain with high levels of THC (25-30%) and sticky, resinous buds.
Connoisseurs love Runtz (Hybrid) due to its fruity flavor and extremely potent high.
One of the highest THC strains, Godfather OG (Indica-Dominant Hybrid) can reach 35% or more. Only experienced smokers should try this strain.
Things to Think About with High-THC Strains
Because of their potential to be too much for first-timers, high-THC strains are better left to seasoned consumers. As they develop, you’ll need to be extra careful with them because they’re delicate and require a lot of nutrients to thrive.
Relaxing strains: Ease stress and promote calm without heavy sedation.
With its grape-like aroma and deep purple hues, Granddaddy Purple (Indica-Dominant) is a popular strain for its calming effects on the body, which include a reduction in anxiety, stress, and muscle tension.
Blueberry (Indica-Dominant)—A timeless strain known for its sweet berry flavor and renowned for its sedative properties that help one relax deeply and feel good about themselves.
For a night of relaxation, try Bubba Kush (Indica), which has a heavy, sedative effect. It works wonders for relieving tension.
Things to Think About with High-THC Strains
Because of their potential to be too much for first-timers, high-THC strains are better left to seasoned consumers. As they develop, they also require more attention. In order to thrive, they require a lot of nutrients and are vulnerable to stress.
Selecting the Appropriate Strain
When deciding on a strain, keep in mind:
Who are you as a grower? Are you just starting out or have a lot of experience?
Which is better for growth: soil, hydroponics, or an indoor/outdoor setup?
Do you desire quantity or quality in your yield expectations?
What are your goals in growing cannabis? Is it for medicinal purposes, a high THC content, or a balanced effect?
Strains with a high rate of nutrient uptake, such as Strawberry Cough, Girl Scout Cookies, and Bruce Banner, work best in fertigation systems that use a Dosatron hydroponic dosing pump.
Cannabis Companion Plants: How to Grow Healthy Plants with Maximum Yields
Gardeners typically strive for perfection in every step of the cannabis crop’s growth. The use of companion plants during cannabis cultivation is one of the best methods for accomplishing this.
More than just adding visual appeal, companion plants have practical benefits that can enhance garden health, increase yields, and decrease pest problems. To make things more balanced and productive, it’s helpful to know which plants complement cannabis.
Having strong plants is, of course, just half the battle when growing cannabis. Choosing the right cannabis strains is as important as choosing companion plants when it comes to getting the most out of your harvest. When it comes to taste, strength, and yield, picking the correct strain is crucial.
It is crucial to know which cannabis strains do best in different environments if you are trying to choose a strain to use with your companion planting plan or if you want to find the best options for your own growing circumstances.
Just What Are Companion Plants?
Grown in close proximity to cannabis, companion plants help the plant mature more rapidly.
Indeed, these plants are multipurpose. They entice beneficial insects while deterring unwanted ones. Soil health is also enhanced by them. They can also make cannabis smell and taste better.
Canna growers can cultivate a healthy environment for their plants by selecting appropriate companions.
The Use of Companion Plants with Cannabis and Their Benefits
When growing cannabis, companion plants are essential for several reasons:
Controlling Insects: Certain plants have a natural defense mechanism that keeps pests away from cannabis crops. Marigolds, for example, are thought to ward off aphids and whiteflies, two pests that are prevalent in cannabis gardens. Similarly, basil and mint are great pest repellents for cannabis plants.
Some companion plants have the ability to entice beneficial insects, such as pollinators and predators of pests. Ladybugs devour aphids, and pollinators like bees and ladybugs are good for the garden as a whole. Some flowers, like calendula and lavender, attract both.
Nutrient Enrichment and Soil Health: Leguminous plants, such as beans, are nitrogen-fixers and can naturally add more of this nutrient to soil that gets low in cannabis gardens. This aids in keeping soil fertility high while decreasing the need for synthetic fertilizers.
Enhancement of Flavor and Aroma: By cultivating aromatic herbs such as lavender, rosemary, and thyme in close proximity to cannabis plants, one can elevate the aroma and flavor of the harvested cannabis. Some herbs, when grown close to cannabis, impart delicate, complimentary aromas.
Companion plants can help control temperatures by casting a shadow on cannabis plants, which is particularly useful in hotter regions. Sunflowers and maize, which are taller plants, can shade cannabis plants from the intense sunlight, protecting them from sunburn and lowering their water loss rate due to evaporation.
Superb Plant Partners for Cannabis Growers
The key to a successful cannabis garden is careful companion plant selection. Some of the most reliable friends to think about are these:
Basil: Basil not only keeps pests like aphids at bay, but it also helps cannabis plants thrive. Its pungent aroma catches insects off guard, while its mere existence draws in beneficial insects like ladybugs.
Marigolds: Marigolds are a wonderful choice for a cannabis garden because of their reputation for repelling pests. When it comes to nematodes, which can damage the deep roots of cannabis, they work wonders.
Fragrant lavender entices good insects and pollinators while discouraging bad ones. As an added bonus, it enhances the overall experience by enhancing the aroma of cannabis.
Cilantro: This herb has dual purposes—it wards off aphids and spider mites. Its fragrant foliage not only enhances the aroma of your cannabis garden but also draws in helpful insects.
The nitrogen-fixing clover is a great addition to the soil around cannabis plants, helping to maintain their health and vitality. This is especially helpful if you grow your cannabis plants organically.
What Role Can Companion Plants Play in Enhancing Cannabis Yields?
The well-being and harmony of the garden are paramount to the success of any cannabis harvest. There are a number of ways in which companion plants aid in this success. They lessen the need for pesticides, which can harm cannabis plants, by drawing in beneficial insects.
Soil companion plants are great for preventing nutrient runoff and enhancing soil health. The result is cannabis plants that are healthier overall, with deeper roots and higher yields.
Growing cannabis is an adventure, but there are some companion plants that can make it even better. Plants such as rosemary and lavender, for instance, not only add a pleasant aroma to cannabis but also protect it from fungal infections.
Use Dosatron Pumps to Maximize Nutrient Delivery
Once we’ve covered how companion plants can help your cannabis garden thrive, we can move on to the next important step: choosing the right strains for your growing conditions.
Picking the correct strain is as crucial as providing a conducive environment for your cannabis plants, whether your goal is flavor, strength, or yield. Get the most out of your cannabis garden by learning about the best strains to grow.
Incorporating a Dosatron pump into your cannabis garden can greatly improve nutrient delivery, leading to even more optimal conditions. To guarantee uniform and accurate nutrient distribution, these water-powered, adjustable-dosing pumps combine liquid fertilizers and additives with water in exact proportions. By automating the process, not only is time and labor saved, but nutrient waste and over-fertilization are also reduced.
Dosatron pumps are an excellent tool for commercial and small-scale cannabis cultivation due to their ability to increase water efficiency while simultaneously promoting a healthy and sustainable growing environment.
