Cannabis spp. (indica, sativa...)

Cannabis is the botanical name of a genus of annual flowering plants in the Cannabaceae family. There are over 150 species and 10 genera included in the Cannabaceae family. Besides cannabis, the hop plant (often used in the production of beer) is also part of the Cannabaceae family.

Some species of cannabis (indica and sativa) produce fairly large amounts of a chemical known as Tetrahydrocannabinol (a cannabinoid commonly called THC). Cannabis plants that are grown for their THC content are referred to as marijuana plants.

Plants in the cannabis genus are commonly referred to as hemp plants, but the term hemp is more appropriately used to describe cannabis plants that are cultivated for commercial purposes (like clothing, fuel, etcetera) rather than THC content.

Hemp plants are intentionally bred and cultivated to have a THC content lower than 2% (a very low amount). In addition, hemp plants are harvested when it is not the optimal time for THC production.

After harvest the hemp plants are processed with no concern for preserving the little THC the hemp may contain. This further decreases potency. All in all, it is best for marijuana growers to stay away from hemp.

Even if you could harvest 1000 pounds of hemp (at a time when the THC content was at a maximum 2%) and were able to extract all the THC, it would only amount to 20 pounds. In a real world situation the amount you would actually get would be under 10 pounds.

An average marijuana strain will produce marijuana with a minimum 10% THC content (more potent strains can reach 20% or more). Marijuana users and growers should stick with cannabis plants intended to be grown for the marijuana they produce, even if hemp is free. That is not to say that you shouldn't buy hemp products (just don't bother smoking them).

Scientific Classification Of Cannabis
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Rosales
Family: Cannabaceae
Genus: Cannabis

The cannabis genus is made up of three species, they are Cannabis indica, Cannabis ruderalis, and Cannabis sativa. Cannabis indica and Cannabis sativa can both used to produce marijuana, hashish, and hashish oil.

Cannabis ruderalis is not used to produce marijuana, hashish, or hashish oil by itself. However, ruderalis plants are sometimes crossed with indica and sativa plants that are used to produce these substances.

Although Cannabis indica and Cannabis ruderalis are sometimes classified as subspecies of Cannabis sativa, there are some major differences in these plants that make them worthy of being classified as three totally separate species.

Cannabis indica

Cannabis indica probably originated in the areas around the Himalayas in Asia. It is now cultivated in most parts of the globe. When grown outdoors, an indica plant seldom exceeds 10 feet in height. However, indica is the most bushy of all species of cannabis.

The marijuana produced by indica plants is generally higher in CBD and lower in THC than sativa plants. This means marijuana from a pure Cannabis indica strain will produce a heavier, sleepy type of stone (when compared with marijuana from a Cannabis sativa plant).

The yield of Cannabis indica plants is usually higher than Cannabis sativa plants of a similar height. Cannabis indica plants take less time to mature than sativa plants.

Cannabis indica strains don't get as tall as Cannabis sativa strains but they are bushy and have to be grown further apart. A short Cannabis indica strain is ideal for growing in an area where height is a consideration (like when being grown indoors).

Cannabis sativa

Cannabis sativa probably originated in Asia or Europe. It is now cultivated in most parts of the globe. When grown outdoors, some sativa strains can grow to a height of 20-25 feet.

Because of the great height of sativa plants, they are most often used to produce hemp plants for the fiber content. A tall strain provides hemp farmers with longer strands of fiber (that are worth more money) than a short plant would.

The marijuana produced by sativa plants is generally higher in THC and lower in CBD than indica plants. This means marijuana from a pure Cannabis sativa strain will produce a more clear headed, energetic type of high (when compared with marijuana from a Cannabis indica plant).

The yield of Cannabis sativa plants is usually lower than Cannabis indica plants of a similar height. Cannabis sativa plants take more time to mature than indica plants, and are best suited to growing outdoors.

There are strains of Cannabis sativa developed for growing indoors. If you decide on growing a sativa plant indoors, look for an average or high yield indoor strain (if quantity is important).

Because Cannabis sativa plants are not as bushy as Cannabis indica plants, you can grow them closer together (allowing more plants to grow in a given area).

An indica/sativa mix will yield a larger crop that is not as tall as a pure sativa, but THC level will be lower and CBD levels will be higher. Cannabinoids play an important part in the way you feel after consuming cannabis, THC is the primary (but not solitary) active chemical.

Cannabis ruderalis

Cannabis ruderalis originated in Eastern Europe (Russia, Poland, Czech Republic, etcetera). It can be found growing wild in many parts of the world. Often found in patches surrounding roadways, these wild plants are known as 'ditch weed'.

Although the species produces low THC content marijuana that is useless to medical and recreational users, it has several qualities that some breeders like.

It doesn't grow tall (24 inches or less). It can grow in harsh climates that would stunt or kill indica and sativa plants. It will flower when the plant has grown five to seven sets of leaves regardless of photoperiod (the plants daily exposure to light).

That is, even if a Cannabis ruderalis plant were grown in an area with 18 hours of light a day, it would still flower when the plant had grown five to seven sets of leaves. Both Cannabis indica and sativa require a shorter day to trigger flowering.

Some breeders have crossed sativa and indica strains with ruderalis. The THC content of the resulting hybrid plants is slightly lower, but the plants mature quicker and don't grow as tall as a pure sativa or indica varieties. These ruderalis hybrid strains will also grow in colder climates than indica and sativa.

Marijuana seed merchants might not state that a certain seed has any Cannabis ruderalis heritage (presumably because people associate ruderalis with low THC content). A short sativa strain that flowers quickly or a strain that can tolerate a harsh growing climate might indicate some ruderalis crossing.

Cannabis afghanica

A subspecies of Cannabis indica that originated in (or near) Afghanistan. Like indica (and unlike sativa), it is a short plant. Unlike indica that can grow to a maximum height of 8-10 feet outdoors, afghanica will only grow to a maximum height of 6 feet. Cannabis afghanica leaves look similar to indica plant leaves, but they are even wider.

The plants have a high cannabinoid content and in Afghanistan they are most often used to produce hashish (rather than marijuana). The hashish from Afghanistan has mainly been produced by hand rubbing (although sieving has a long history in the area).

This may account for the origin of the subspecies. Indica plants being selectively cultivated and mated to produce a subspecies of short plants with a fairly high THC content. Being geographically isolated (over a period of centuries), plants developed certain characteristics that now distinguish Cannabis afghanica from Cannabis indica.

A seed strain that comes from afghanica heritage will usually have afghan, afghani, or something along those lines in its name. For example, afgani haze is a strain that was developed by crossing Cannabis afghanica with haze plants.

As a general rule, first time indoor growers or those with limited experience (growing indoors either with hydroponics or soil) should choose a mainly indica seed strain that is easy to grow indoors.

As you gain experience, you could move up to an indica/sativa mix like white widow. When you get to be an advanced grower, you can experiment with growing a mainly sativa strain.

Outdoor growers in a cool climate should select a strain that matures quickly. After you raise a few crops and gain some experience, you may wish to try growing a mainly sativa outdoor strain.

Frost will wipe out your crop, be sure to get a strain that grows fast for your first few crops. If there is still time left in the grow season after you harvest, you can use a seed that takes longer to mature for the next growing season.

Outdoor growers in a warm climate should select a strain that takes longer to mature because they will usually produce a larger quantity of marijuana. However a tall sativa strain can grow to a height of 20-25 feet, at that height, plants can draw attention to themselves. When security is a concern, choose an indoor/outdoor or outdoor strain that is shorter.

When growing marijuana plants for producing rubbed hashish, outdoor growers usually choose a short indica strain that was meant to be grown outdoors. This is because indica plants don't grow as tall as sativa plants.

Producing hashish by rubbing requires access to as many of the flowers as possible. Tall sativa plants are not user friendly for this purpose. A short strain like afghan (that can be grown indoors or outdoors) is a very good choice for producing rubbed or sieved hashish.

There has been some confusion all over about differences of indica and sativa plants. Here are a few rules of thumb:
--- wide fat leaves and short bush = Cannabis indica
--- thin leaves and tall bush = Cannabis sativa

Cannabis Terminology

Cross - Plants of two distinct types that are mated to produce a new distinct type of plant. Crosses are attempted in order to isolate desired characteristics of the parent plants while eliminating or minimizing undesired characteristics. The product of crossing Thai and Skunk strains of marijuana would result in a new strain that would be written Thai x Skunk (Thai crossed with Skunk). Marijuana crosses are usually referred to as marijuana strains.

Cultivate - To encourage plant growth by providing enriched growing conditions.

Genus - In botanical terminology, genus (plural form genera) is a rank that plant families are divided into (based on similar characteristics). A plant genus is comprised of all the species within that genus. In the case of marijuana plants, cannabis is the genus. Species that make up the cannabis genus are Cannabis indica, Cannabis ruderalis, and Cannabis sativa.

Hemp Plants - Cannabis plants that are cultivated for commercial (non-drug) purposes.

Hybrid - A plant that has been produced with genetically determined traits. In other words, breeding a plant for specific traits that the person cultivating the plant wants. The parent plants of marijuana hybrids are all members of the cannabis genus. In the case of other forms of hybrids, the parent plants may come from two different plant varieties, subspecies, species, genera, or (in rare cases) families. Marijuana hybrids are usually referred to as marijuana strains.

Marijuana plants - Cannabis plants that are cultivated to produce marijuana, hashish, and hashish oil.

Species - In botanical terminology, species is a rank that plant genera are divided into (based on similar characteristics). A species is a group of plants that are reproductively isolated, share a common gene pool, and a common niche. This niche defines a species reproductively, genetically, and ecologically. There are three species of cannabis: Cannabis indica, Cannabis ruderalis, and Cannabis sativa.

Strain - The term marijuana strain is used to indicate a group of marijuana plants that have developed characteristics that make them different, when compared to other marijuana strains. A strain is selected for a desirable attribute (or combination of attributes) that are clearly distinct, uniform, and stable. The term strain has no legal status among plant breeders but it is commonly used by marijuana growers to refer to a cross, hybrid, subspecies, or variety of cannabis that is grown for its THC content.

Subspecies - In botanical terminology, subspecies is a rank below that of species. A subspecies is a group of plants (or fungi) that differ from other such subdivisions in that species. Marijuana subspecies are usually referred to as marijuana strains. For example, Cannabis afghanica is often sold as a pure indica strain called afghan.

Variety - In botanical terminology, variety (recommended abbreviation: var.) is a rank below that of subspecies. A variety will have an appearance distinct from other varieties of the same subspecies, but if brought into contact, will hybridize freely with those other varieties. Varieties originate when plants develop in conditions that are different from one other. To plant breeders, a plant variety is a legal term. Marijuana varieties are usually referred to as marijuana strains.

Marijuana Botany

Very good book about breeding marijuana and improving the quality and quantity of your crop. This has information from doctors, scientists, horticulturists, and other professionals. Collected from 50 years of laboratory and field research.

Not for the small time grower, this is more for commercial operations and advanced growers. Understanding this book requires that you have a some knowledge of horticultural and scientific terminology.

Marijuana Chemistry:
Genetics, Processing And Potency

Explains the various cannabinoids that marijuana is made up of and how things like growing conditions, harvesting, processing, affect the potency of the final product.

Lots of tables, graphs, and other info. Recommended for the intermediate and expert marijuana grower, this is heavy on chemistry. If you do not have a very good grasp of science and chemistry this book is not for you.

The Cannabis Breeder's Bible:
The Definitive Guide to
Marijuana Genetics, Cannabis Botany
and Creating Strains for the Seed Market

Very good book for the marijuana grower that would like to produce their own premium seed variety for personal use, or to market and sell worldwide. Contains photographs, illustrations, and interviews with breeders and seed bank professionals.

Covers such topics as genetics and breeding, the science of cannabis (DNA, evolution, etc), developing your own strain, international seed law issues, protecting your new breeds or strains from being produced and sold by others, shipping seeds and clones, breeding lab designs, product testing, common mutations, and more.