What do you think of when you read the word “ cannabis ?” Most of us likely visualize an image of large mature plants with branches bending under the weight of resinous colas . Most growers cultivate the plant for female flowers that ooze cannabinoids and terpenes , after all . But as one of the most versatile species on the planet , and one humans have utilized for thousands of years for a long list of purposes , cannabis offers more than buds . Cannabis seedlings are often viewed as a means to an end . Watching baby plants emerge from seeds induces excitement at things to come , but they ’ re rarely seen as a botanical product themselves . However , the concept of microgreens might change the way we view these small green shoots . Microgreens are skyrocketing in popularity because of their nutritional status , rapid turnaround , and simplicity . Broccoli , radishes , sunflowers , and peas are amongst the most popular microgreen options , but cannabis offers something these flavourful species don ’ t : small concentrations of cannabinoid acids and flavonoids seldom found elsewhere . Below , you ’ ll discover exactly what microgreens are , what makes them unique , and how to grow them yourself at home in approximately 10 days from seed to harvest .
What Are Microgreens ?
Microgreens are essentially seedlings . They differ from other stages of plant development based on harvest time . They ’ re older than sprouts — a product harvested a matter of days following germination — yet younger than baby greens , plants that possess more true leaves and are ready to pick and process around four weeks after germination . Microgreens occupy the middle ground between these stages of growth . By definition , they stand between 2.5 to 7.5 centimetres and feature three main components : A stem , a set of cotyledon leaves , and a set of first true leaves . More than just an aesthetic garnish used in restaurants , microgreens have surged in popularity because of their long list of impressive traits . Studies show many microgreens species offer much greater quantities of beneficial bioactive molecules than their mature counterparts . For example , cilantro microgreens possess three-fold the beta-carotene content of older plants . Red cabbage microgreens offer 28-fold higher concentrations of lutein and zeaxanthin — two plant pigments that protect eye health — than mature plants . Carotenoids aside , several microgreen species also outperform older plants when it comes to minerals ; broccoli microgreens house more than twice the mineral content , including phosphorus , magnesium , and zinc . Because microgreens pump out such high levels of beneficial bioactive molecules , researchers are currently exploring how they might influence inflammation , immunity , and the microbiome . Not only do microgreens offer superior nutritional value in some cases , they take less of a toll on the environment . They don ’ t require pesticides or fertilizers , they have much less of a demand for water , and they ’ re ready to harvest far sooner ; broccoli microgreens take 93 – 95 percent less time to grow than mature plants and require approximately 200 times less water .
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Microgreens
are skyrocketing in popularity because of their nutritional status , rapid turnaround , and simplicity .”
Cannabis as a Leafy Green Vegetable
Does cannabis have a place as a leafy green alongside lettuce , spinach , and kale ? Much like cannabis , all three of these species eventually go to flower . However , we choose to use them during the microgreen and vegetative phases for their nutrient-packed foliage . While most cannabis growers dedicate their seeds to the cultivation of mature flowerbearing plants , the microgreen format also boasts some attractive properties . If you ’ ve ever handled a cannabis flower , you ’ ll have noticed a sparkling frosty layer on the exterior . Known as glandular trichomes , these translucent structures appear in various forms , including the iconic mushroomshaped capitate-stalked trichomes . During the growing cycle , trichomes are tasked with manufacturing an array of secondary metabolites , including terpenes and cannabinoid acids . These molecules fulfil several important functions , such as defending against predation and UV rays .
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