What To Consider When Picking A Cannabis Strain To Grow At Home

So, you’re thinking of growing your own cannabis plants at home. Perhaps you’re looking to cultivate your own medicine, or simply on a mission to roll the perfect joint that will take you to cloud 9 after a long and stressful day. Whatever your motivation, growing your own marijuana can be an incredibly fascinating and rewarding experience. However, it can also be a slightly confusing and challenging one, particularly for novices given the practically unlimited number of strains accessible today — from the Gorilla Glue strain, to Purple Haze and everything in between. 

Without a doubt, exploring the infinite variety of cannabis strains with their unique combinations of effects, flavours, and growth characteristics can be somewhat daunting, especially if you’re a newbie. However, have no fear! We’re here to demystify things by sharing exactly what to consider when picking a cannabis strain to grow at home.

So, roll up your sleeves, grab your gardening tools, and let's get cracking. 

Understanding Your Needs 

Every cannabis grower’s journey starts off with understanding your needs. Do you want to get rid of chronic pain or do you need fast stress relief after a hard day at work? 

Think about the experience you are striving for. Do you prefer a mellow, couch-lock effect that melts away all of the day’s tensions, or are you after a burst of creative euphoria that will help you better focus and reach new creative heights? Defining your ideal smoking outcome is the first step to choosing the perfect cannabis strain (or strains) to grow at home. So, don’t be afraid to spend some time brainstorming about this.

Understanding Cannabis Strains 

Now that you understand your needs, it’s time to get stuck into the different cannabis strains. It all starts with the two primary varieties of cannabis — sativa and indica — and their numerous hybrid species:

Sativa

Sativa strains usually offer an invigorating and energised effect, making them excellent for daytime use or any task that requires high concentration.

Indica

Indica strains are the strains that will send you to a place of pure bliss — in other words, they are prized for their relaxing and calming properties, making them ideal for unwinding and relaxing. 

Hybrid Strains

Hybrid strains like Zkittles seeds are produced by crossbreeding sativa and indica plants, providing a balance between the energising and euphoric effects of sativa and the sedative, calming effects of indicas — basically the best of both worlds.

Let’s Talk About Terpenes 

Now that you know the fundamental differences between sativa and indica strains, you can take a step further into the world of cannabis genetics and terpene profiles. 

Terpenes are aromatic molecules present in cannabis that give the plant its unique smell and effects. By learning about the different terpenes found in various strains, you can better predict how they will affect you before selecting your ideal strain. Again, since there are over 700 strains to choose from, this can feel like a slightly inundating task.

However, the good news is that there are many online resources, such as strain databases and grower forums, that you can use to research the features of various strains and read reviews from fellow home growers. Factors such as flower time, anticipated yield, pest and disease resistance, as well as the experiences and effects from other users should also be taken into account when you’re researching the best cannabis strain to grow at home.

Armed with this information, you can make the best possible decision and choose the ideal cannabis strain for your home-growing project.

Space and Yield

In an ideal world, we’d all have the luxury of a massive grow room in the comfort of our own homes. But let’s get back to the real world. The truth is that most of us are working with limited amounts of space, which is why paying attention to space and yield is super important when choosing a cannabis strain to grow at home. 

For starters, it's important to consider how much space you have and what the potential limits are. Whether working in a closet, a spare room, or even a small apartment balcony, the availability of growing space will generally dictate the type of cannabis strain you’ll grow. For example, if you’re working on a tiny balcony, you’ll want to pick a strain that grows compact and bushy. On the flipside, if space is no concern, opting for strains that stretch tall and wide may be feasible. It’s all about making your space work for you, and not the other way round.

Additionally, think about how much you’re looking to yield. If you’re a heavy user or growing to share with friends, opt for high yielding varieties that produce dense, resinous buds without taking up too much room. Alternatively, if you’re just after quality over quantity, focus on strains known for their potency, aroma, and flavour, even if they produce smaller yields.

Climate and Environmental Factors

Last but not least, be sure to consider your local climate when choosing a cannabis strain to grow at home. Since cannabis plants thrive in particular temperature, humidity, and lighting settings, you’ll have to determine which strain would tolerate or acclimate to your precise environment conditions — especially if you’re growing outdoors. Because outdoor cultivation exposes your plants to a plethora of different conditions and pests, you should choose strains that are resistant to disease, pest, and mildew. 

However, if you’re planning on growing indoors, we recommend investing in LED grow lights, fans, humidifiers or dehumidifiers, to maintain optimal growing conditions for your chosen strain. 

Experimenting with Different Varieties

At the end of the day, growing cannabis at home is a process of continuous learning and tweaking, so don’t be afraid to experiment with different strains and cultivating techniques. Remember — every strain you grow will teach you valuable lessons about plant care, nutrient management and your environmental conditions. So, start with a few simple and straightforward strains before branching out into the wild wild west of the cannabis world. 

Most importantly, don't be discouraged by setbacks or failures. Instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement. Afterall, Rome wasn’t built in a day and all that jazz! 

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Choosing the perfect cannabis strain to grow at home can seem like an overwhelming task to begin with, but with the proper knowledge and bit of research on your part, you’ll be well on your way to rolling the joint of your dreams in no time. 

So, roll up your sleeves, get your hands dirty, and let the growing begin!