Maximum Yield Australia/New Zealand May/June 2019 | Page 26

DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION FOR A GROWER? Email [email protected] to get an answer. ask a GROWER Q I have some Cherry Wine hemp seeds. Do you think with the right nutrients and love I can make these seeds produce THC or will it just grow hemp? @syrinalynn, via Twitter a Generally, all strains of cannabis require a specific range of temperature and humidity — about 21-24°C and 40 per cent humidity — for optimal growth. They also all have a range of lighting requirements over their different phases of growth. They need mild light at the beginning and strong photosynthesis photon flux density during vegetative growth and flowering. During the flowering phase, supplemental ultraviolet-B (UV-B) stimulates the creation of the phenols and terpenes that are transformed into cannabinoid acids, which are stored in the secretory reservoir of the trichomes. While these conditions will grow great weed, they can’t change the strain’s genetic code. The strain you are discussing — Cherry Wine — is specifically bred to be a cannabidiol (CBD) strain. Hemp is generally a tall-growing, high-CBD, and high-cannabigerol (CBG) type of cannabis. It has different genetics than your typical sativa, which is usually high in tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and indica, which is usually high in CBD. Cherry Wine hemp has a potency of 15-25 per cent CBD and 0-0.3 per cent THC. Judging from this THC/ CBD output, sativa genetics were never bred into this strain. So, you cannot make this strain produce THC because the genetic code to make THC is not available in any meaningful amount. Dr. Strangebud DS 24 Maximum Yield Dr. Strangebud (aka Augustus Dunning) is the CEO of Eco Organics and is a physicist, chemist, and an inventor. He is the former systems ops designer for the International Space Station and a former regional manager of liquid, solid, and electric propulsion systems for Pratt and Whitney space propulsion, Edwards AFB, NAWC, and JPL.