Cannabis 101 Cannabis education and information on ways to consume how to grow or harvest and more. Cannabis 101 Differences in Growing Sativa Indica and Hybrid Cannabis Trevor Hennings A primary joy that comes from growing cannabis yourself is that you get to pick the genetics that interest you. However not all strains are created equal and depending on the genetics the plant you want to grow could be a poor choice for your garden. Indicas sativas and the many hybrid strains in between all grow differently take varying times to flower and produce a different end product. Weve already covered the main differences in cannabis types so whats there to know about growing each? Growing Indica Cannabis Strains Traits of a typical indica cannabis plant: Shorter flowering time High yields Effects: Sedating relaxing Symptom Relief: Anxiety insomnia pain muscle spasms Morphology: Short bushy broader leaves Because of indicas shorter flowering periods and higher yields they have always been popular amongst growers. Shorter flowering periods mean plants mature and finish growing sooner than sativa strains. This allows outdoor gardens to exist in climates where fall turns to winter quickly. For indoor gardeners this means more cycles annually. The higher yields also incentivize growers to work with indicas to increase profit margins. Additionally a benefit of growing indicas is their short stature which is ideal for most gardens indoors and out where space is limited and direct sunlight is a top priority. RELATED STORY When is the Right Time to Harvest Cannabis? Growing Sativa Cannabis Strains Closeup of Marijuana plant Traits of a typical sativa cannabis plant: Longer flowering time Low yields Effects: Uplifting creative cerebral Symptom Relief: Depression ADD/ADHD fatigue mood disorders Morphology: Tall lanky thin leaves Sativa genetics come from near the equator where the summers are long and the winters are mild. Sativas grow long lanky and take their time to finish. Generally they are not a first pick for gardeners as their height is difficult indoors while their lower yields make for a reduced profit. However if you are more interested growing as a connoisseur you might take great pleasure from exploring the sativa strains and the varying effects. RELATED STORY The Science of Sativa Cannabis Strains Sativas do offer some good qualities when it comes to growing. The period of time it takes for a sativa to complete its flower cycle can be offset by faster vegetative growth. Additionally some purebred sativas have been developed to have faster flowering times and increased yields. Coming from the equator sativa strains handle heat better than most indicas which is good for indoor gardens where temperature control is difficult or costly in the summer months. Growing Hybrid Cannabis Strains Traits of hybrid cannabis plants: Flowering time varies Many are high-yielding Effects: Blend of sativa and indica traits Symptom Relief:Varies based on genetics Morphology: wide range of growth patterns Hybrids blend the best of both worlds of the cannabis plant. Most cannabis these days tends to be a hybrid mix ofdifferent indica and sativa strains. More often than not they lean toward one side of the spectrum with either indica- or sativa-dominant traits. RELATED STORY Beginners Guide to Cannabis Breeding Genetics and Strain Variability Hybrids mayinheritthe shorter flowering time of indicaswhile retaining the cerebral high offered by sativas. They can also have the quality yields of indicas while taking on the fast vegetative growth of a sativa. Because hybrids can blend attributes of each its no wonder they make up most of the market. Do you grow your indicas sativas and hybrid strains differently? Share your tips and questions in the comments section. growingstrains Trevor Hennings Trevor is a freelance writer and photographer. He has spent years in California working in the cannabis industry. Related Articles Sativa vs. Indica vs. Hybrid: Whats the Difference Between Cannabis Types? The Cannabis Taxonomy Debate: Where Do Indica and Sativa Classifications Come From? The Science of Sativa Cannabis Strains What is Cannabis Ruderalis? Close Sign Up for More Leafly News Thank you for subscribing! Email Sign Up By submitting this form you will be subscribed to news and promotional emails from Leafly and you agree to Leafly's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe from Leafly email messages anytime. More Growing Tutorials Cannabis 101 How to Grow Cannabis in Your Closet Part 1: Indoor Garden Set Up Cannabis 101 How to Grow Cannabis in Your Closet Part 2: From the Vegetative Stage to Harvest Cannabis 101 Indoor vs. Outdoor Cannabis Growing: 3 Key Differences Cannabis 101 How to Use Hydroponic Growing Systems for Cannabis The post Differences in Growing Sativa Indica and Hybrid Cannabis appeared first on Leafly. by Trevor Hennings at Leafly