Choosing a Varity

BobNarley · 05-26-2008, 08:52 PM

Choosing A Variety
Gardeners can grow a garden with only one or two varieties or
a potpourri. Each has its advantages. Commercial growers usually
prefer homogeneous gardens because the plants taste the same and
mature at the same time. These growers usually choose fast matur-
ing plants so that there is a quick turnaround. Commercial growers
often use clones or cuttings from one plant so that the garden is
genetically identical; the clones have exactly the same growth habits
and potency.
Homegrowers are usually more concerned with quality than
with fast maturity. Most often, they grow mixed groups of plants so
they have a selection of potency, quality of the high, and taste.
Heterogeneous gardens take longer to mature and have a lower
yield than homogeneous gardens. They take more care too, because
the plants grow at different rates, have different shapes and require
varying amounts of space. The plants require individual care.
Marijuana grown in the United States is usually one of two
main types: indica or sativa. Indica plants originated in the Hindu-
Kush valleys in central Asia, which is located between the 25-35
latitudes. The weather there is changeable. One year there may be
drought, the next it might be cloudy, wet, rainy or sunny. For the
population to survive, the plant group needs to have individuals
which survive and thrive under different conditions. Thus, in any
season, no matter what the weather, some plants will do well and
some will do poorly.
Indica was probably developed by hash users for resin content,
not for flower smoking. The resin was removed from the plant. An
indication of indica's development is the seeds, which remain
enclosed and stick to the resin. Since they are very hard to discon-
nect from the plant, they require human help. Wild plants readily
drop seeds once they mature.
Plants from the same line from equatorial areas are usually
fairly uniform. These include Colombians and central Africans.
Plants from higher latitudes of the same line sometimes have very
different characteristics. These include Southern Africans, Nor-
thern Mexicans, and indicas. The plants look different from each

other and have different maturities and potency. The ratio of THC
(the ingredient which is psychoactive) to CBD (its precursor, which
often leaves the smoker feeling disoriented, sleepy, drugged or con-
fused) also varies.
High latitude sativas have the same general characteristics as
other sativas: conical form, long bladed leaves, wide spacing be-
tween branches, and vigorous growth.
Indicas do have some broad general characteristics: they tend
to mature early, have compact short branches and wide, short
leaves which are dark green, sometimes tinged purple.
Indica buds are usually tight, heavy, wide and thick rather than
long. They smell "stinky", "skunky", or "pungent" and their
smoke is thick - a small toke can induce coughing. The best in-
dicas have a relaxing "social high" which allow one to sense and
feel the environment but do not lead to thinking about or analyzing
the experience.
Cannabis sativa plants are found throughout the world. Potent
varieties such as Colombian, Panamanian, Mexican, Nigerian,
Congolese, Indian and Thai are found in equatorial zones. These
plants require a long time to mature and ordinarily grow in areas
where they have a long season. They are usually very potent, con-
taining large quantities of THC and virtually no CBD. They have
long, medium4hick buds when they are grown in full equatorial
sun, but under artificial light or even under the temperate sun, the
buds tend to run (not fill out completely). The buds usually smell
sweet or tangy and the smoke is smooth, sometimes deceptively so.
The THC to CBD ratio of sativa plants gets lower as the plants
are found further from the equator. Jamaican and Central Mexican
varieties are found at the 1 5-2Oth latitudes. At the 3Oth latitude,
varieties such as Southern African and Northern Mexican are
variable and may contain equal amounts of THC and CBD, giving
CHART 2-1: The Varieties at a Glance
Variety Maturity Outdoor Size Branching Pattern Bud Type Aroma High Buds Color Comments
(in feet) Density of Bud (flowers)
Height Width Indoors
Afghani mid- 4-8 3-6 squat, compact, thick, heavy heavy, rounded, dark The standard corn-
& Kush Sept. short sidebranches, dense, pungent, tiring, dense green, mercial plant. Quality
-Oct. thick webbed leaves short, skunky- stupefying purple varies within
rounded fruity population.
Colombian late 7-12 4-7 conical, X-mas med. thick, sweet, spacy, Tends to run green, Rarely seen commer
Nov.-Jan. tree, long branches 4-8" long, fruity, thought- long flower some red cially. Needs lots of
at bottom, tapering light to light provoking, stem, sparse light and warmth to
at the top, thin long medium strong flowered develop thick colas.
leaves density _________ ____________________
Indian mid Nov.- 8-12 4-6 long internodes, big big, thick, med strong, large fluffy light Will run without
(Central) mid Dec. leaves, strong firm 7-12" long; fruity- active, buds green, intense light.
branches, elongated light-wt. skunky social red Susceptible to
conical shape flowers on pistils fusarium wilt.
tiny cola
branches.
Jamaican late 6-10 3-6 conical, but squat- long thin light, medium, thin, long runs light Adaptable, good

Oct.-Dec. ter than Col. Med. colas sweet, active, under low light green weather resistance.
leaves, medium w/buds musky social Susceptible to
branching 11/2 "-3" fusarium wilt.
long
Mexican Oct.-early 8-15 41/2-9 elongated long, thin light, weak, long thin light Vigorous plants, fast
(Northern) Nov. X-mas tree, long 12"-24" sweet slightly mature well green, starters. Some cold-
branches, medium- colas perfume, heavy, red resistance.
sized leaves spicy sleepy
Mexican Nov.-Dec. 8-14 4 1/2-9 shorter than long thin sweet comes on long, thin, may very' light Hybridizes well with
(Southern) northern 12 "-18" quick; run a little colored, Afghani.
colas intense, red hairs
soaring
Moroccan Aug.- 4-9 21/2-5 some sidebranching, thick, round med. weak, thin buds dark Good breeding
Sept. but most effort in ed, 3"-6" sweet to buzzy mature easily green material, lots of
tops long skunky variation.
Nigerian mid 6-12 4-7 X-mas tree with med. thick, dry- very thick, med. medium Vigorous warm
Nov.-mid strong side dense; runs sweet, strong, length, may green weather plant. Needs
Dec. branches; long, in low light perfume bell- run; needs light to mature.
highly serrated musk ringing, lots of light
fingers paralyzing
Thai Dec.-Jan. 5-9 4-8 asymmetrical, long dense, medium, strong fluffy, medium Many hermaphodites
and con- branches seek open under high dry- druggy, mature Se- green make growing hard.
tinuing space light runs sweet, has energ quentially Buds ripen but plant
otherwise spicy over months sends out new
flowers.
Southern Aug.- 5-9 4-6 elongated conical med. thick, heavy uplifting, thin buds light Very variable. Good
African Oct. lower branches may be sweet to social mature easily green breeding material.
angle up sharply; somewhat spicy
thin-bladed leaves loose &
often heavily leafy
serrated
All of the descriptions are tentative guidelines. They are affected by cultivation technique, microenvironmental conditions, variations in climate, nutrients
available, latitude and other factors. Often, several distinctive varieties can be found in the same areas. The most common varieties are described.
the smoker a buzzy, confusing high. These plants are used mostly
for hybridizing. Plants found above the 3oth latitude usually have
low levels of THC, with high levels of CBD and are considered
hemp.
If indica and sativa varieties are considered opposite ends of a
spectrum, most plants fall in between the spectrum. Because of
marijuana and hemp's long symbiotic relationship with humans,
seeds are constantly procured or traded so that virtually all popula-
tions have been mixed with foreign plants at one time or another.
Even in traditional marijuana-growing countries, the mari-
juana is often the result of several crossed lines. Jamaican ganja,
for example, is probably the result of crosses between hemp, which
the English cultivated for rope, and Indian ganja, which arrived
with the Indian immigrants who came to the country. The term for
marijuana in Jamaica is ganja, the same as in India. The traditional
Jamaican term for the best weed is Kali, named for the Indian killer
goddess.

05-26-2008, 08:52 PM	#1 (permalink)
BobNarley My Mood: Join Date: May 2007 Location: Mojove Desert-Southern California Posts: 530 gRamz: 13,089 Danks: 26 Danked 17 Times in 14 Posts	Choosing a Varity Choosing A Variety Gardeners can grow a garden with only one or two varieties or a potpourri. Each has its advantages. Commercial growers usually prefer homogeneous gardens because the plants taste the same and mature at the same time. These growers usually choose fast matur- ing plants so that there is a quick turnaround. Commercial growers often use clones or cuttings from one plant so that the garden is genetically identical; the clones have exactly the same growth habits and potency. Homegrowers are usually more concerned with quality than with fast maturity. Most often, they grow mixed groups of plants so they have a selection of potency, quality of the high, and taste. Heterogeneous gardens take longer to mature and have a lower yield than homogeneous gardens. They take more care too, because the plants grow at different rates, have different shapes and require varying amounts of space. The plants require individual care. Marijuana grown in the United States is usually one of two main types: indica or sativa. Indica plants originated in the Hindu- Kush valleys in central Asia, which is located between the 25-35 latitudes. The weather there is changeable. One year there may be drought, the next it might be cloudy, wet, rainy or sunny. For the population to survive, the plant group needs to have individuals which survive and thrive under different conditions. Thus, in any season, no matter what the weather, some plants will do well and some will do poorly. Indica was probably developed by hash users for resin content, not for flower smoking. The resin was removed from the plant. An indication of indica's development is the seeds, which remain enclosed and stick to the resin. Since they are very hard to discon- nect from the plant, they require human help. Wild plants readily drop seeds once they mature. Plants from the same line from equatorial areas are usually fairly uniform. These include Colombians and central Africans. Plants from higher latitudes of the same line sometimes have very different characteristics. These include Southern Africans, Nor- thern Mexicans, and indicas. The plants look different from each other and have different maturities and potency. The ratio of THC (the ingredient which is psychoactive) to CBD (its precursor, which often leaves the smoker feeling disoriented, sleepy, drugged or con- fused) also varies. High latitude sativas have the same general characteristics as other sativas: conical form, long bladed leaves, wide spacing be- tween branches, and vigorous growth. Indicas do have some broad general characteristics: they tend to mature early, have compact short branches and wide, short leaves which are dark green, sometimes tinged purple. Indica buds are usually tight, heavy, wide and thick rather than long. They smell "stinky", "skunky", or "pungent" and their smoke is thick - a small toke can induce coughing. The best in- dicas have a relaxing "social high" which allow one to sense and feel the environment but do not lead to thinking about or analyzing the experience. Cannabis sativa plants are found throughout the world. Potent varieties such as Colombian, Panamanian, Mexican, Nigerian, Congolese, Indian and Thai are found in equatorial zones. These plants require a long time to mature and ordinarily grow in areas where they have a long season. They are usually very potent, con- taining large quantities of THC and virtually no CBD. They have long, medium4hick buds when they are grown in full equatorial sun, but under artificial light or even under the temperate sun, the buds tend to run (not fill out completely). The buds usually smell sweet or tangy and the smoke is smooth, sometimes deceptively so. The THC to CBD ratio of sativa plants gets lower as the plants are found further from the equator. Jamaican and Central Mexican varieties are found at the 1 5-2Oth latitudes. At the 3Oth latitude, varieties such as Southern African and Northern Mexican are variable and may contain equal amounts of THC and CBD, giving CHART 2-1: The Varieties at a Glance Variety Maturity Outdoor Size Branching Pattern Bud Type Aroma High Buds Color Comments (in feet) Density of Bud (flowers) Height Width Indoors Afghani mid- 4-8 3-6 squat, compact, thick, heavy heavy, rounded, dark The standard corn- & Kush Sept. short sidebranches, dense, pungent, tiring, dense green, mercial plant. Quality -Oct. thick webbed leaves short, skunky- stupefying purple varies within rounded fruity population. Colombian late 7-12 4-7 conical, X-mas med. thick, sweet, spacy, Tends to run green, Rarely seen commer Nov.-Jan. tree, long branches 4-8" long, fruity, thought- long flower some red cially. Needs lots of at bottom, tapering light to light provoking, stem, sparse light and warmth to at the top, thin long medium strong flowered develop thick colas. leaves density _________ ____________________ Indian mid Nov.- 8-12 4-6 long internodes, big big, thick, med strong, large fluffy light Will run without (Central) mid Dec. leaves, strong firm 7-12" long; fruity- active, buds green, intense light. branches, elongated light-wt. skunky social red Susceptible to conical shape flowers on pistils fusarium wilt. tiny cola branches. Jamaican late 6-10 3-6 conical, but squat- long thin light, medium, thin, long runs light Adaptable, good Oct.-Dec. ter than Col. Med. colas sweet, active, under low light green weather resistance. leaves, medium w/buds musky social Susceptible to branching 11/2 "-3" fusarium wilt. long Mexican Oct.-early 8-15 41/2-9 elongated long, thin light, weak, long thin light Vigorous plants, fast (Northern) Nov. X-mas tree, long 12"-24" sweet slightly mature well green, starters. Some cold- branches, medium- colas perfume, heavy, red resistance. sized leaves spicy sleepy Mexican Nov.-Dec. 8-14 4 1/2-9 shorter than long thin sweet comes on long, thin, may very' light Hybridizes well with (Southern) northern 12 "-18" quick; run a little colored, Afghani. colas intense, red hairs soaring Moroccan Aug.- 4-9 21/2-5 some sidebranching, thick, round med. weak, thin buds dark Good breeding Sept. but most effort in ed, 3"-6" sweet to buzzy mature easily green material, lots of tops long skunky variation. Nigerian mid 6-12 4-7 X-mas tree with med. thick, dry- very thick, med. medium Vigorous warm Nov.-mid strong side dense; runs sweet, strong, length, may green weather plant. Needs Dec. branches; long, in low light perfume bell- run; needs light to mature. highly serrated musk ringing, lots of light fingers paralyzing Thai Dec.-Jan. 5-9 4-8 asymmetrical, long dense, medium, strong fluffy, medium Many hermaphodites and con- branches seek open under high dry- druggy, mature Se- green make growing hard. tinuing space light runs sweet, has energ quentially Buds ripen but plant otherwise spicy over months sends out new flowers. Southern Aug.- 5-9 4-6 elongated conical med. thick, heavy uplifting, thin buds light Very variable. Good African Oct. lower branches may be sweet to social mature easily green breeding material. angle up sharply; somewhat spicy thin-bladed leaves loose & often heavily leafy serrated All of the descriptions are tentative guidelines. They are affected by cultivation technique, microenvironmental conditions, variations in climate, nutrients available, latitude and other factors. Often, several distinctive varieties can be found in the same areas. The most common varieties are described. the smoker a buzzy, confusing high. These plants are used mostly for hybridizing. Plants found above the 3oth latitude usually have low levels of THC, with high levels of CBD and are considered hemp. If indica and sativa varieties are considered opposite ends of a spectrum, most plants fall in between the spectrum. Because of marijuana and hemp's long symbiotic relationship with humans, seeds are constantly procured or traded so that virtually all popula- tions have been mixed with foreign plants at one time or another. Even in traditional marijuana-growing countries, the mari- juana is often the result of several crossed lines. Jamaican ganja, for example, is probably the result of crosses between hemp, which the English cultivated for rope, and Indian ganja, which arrived with the Indian immigrants who came to the country. The term for marijuana in Jamaica is ganja, the same as in India. The traditional Jamaican term for the best weed is Kali, named for the Indian killer goddess.

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