DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION FOR A GROWER ? Email editor @ maximumyield . com to get an answer . ask a GROWER
by Lee G . Lyzit
Q
My cannabis stems are red and purple . Is this genetics or is there something wrong with them ? — Anon a
Thank you for your question . When first encountered , red and / or purple stems may be concerning , however , there are actually many reasons this pigmentation can occur and not all are bad . The most common reasons for red or purple stems are genetics , temperature fluctuations , light intensity , and stress . When red or purple stems are due to genetics , the plant will otherwise perform and appear healthy . Put another way , if the plant is showing no other signs of distress , the pigmentation could simply be part of the plant ’ s genetic make-up . There are a wide variety of cannabis genetics in circulation and many of these varieties can produce purple or red pigmentation . Red and / or purple stems can also appear after large temperature fluctuations . For example , a cannabis plant grown outdoors with a daytime temperature of 80 ° F and a nighttime temperature of 50 ° F , may produce red or purple stems due to the abrupt fluctuation in temperature . If an indoor grower is experiencing red or purple stems due to temperature fluctuations , he or she may need to adjust the temperature of the dark cycle so it does not get more than 10-15 degrees cooler than the lights-on cycle . Recurring temperature fluctuation in an indoor garden can eventually lead to more serious humidity related issues . Light intensity is another reason a cannabis plant may display red or purple stems . When a stem is exposed to direct , intense light , it may develop red or purple pigmentation . If light intensity is the cause , the stems that are lower on the plant ( farther from the light source ) will usually appear greener . The coloration under intense light is a natural plant defense mechanism that provides the plant further protection from UV light . Indoor growers who use LEDs or lighting systems with an abundance of UV are most likely to experience this phenomenon . Lastly , red or purple stems can be a sign of plant stress . Unfortunately , there are many different stress-related issues that can cause discolored stems . Pathogens and / or pests can be a cause for red or purple stems . Also , nutrient deficiencies , whether caused by nutrient lockout , issues with pH , or lack of essential elements , could be the culprit . The key is to look beyond the pigmentation to see if there are any other tell-tale signs that may help pinpoint the problem . Pathogens , pests , and nutrient deficiencies will all exhibit symptoms , beyond purple / red stem pigmentation , that can be used to properly identify the problem . Once identified , a grower can put the appropriate treatment / action plan into place . I hope this answers your question .
Keep on Growing , Lee G . Lyzit
LL
Lee G . Lyzit has been involved in the medical cannabis industry for nearly 15 years . His passion for natural healing drives him to learn as much as he can about the miraculous cannabis plant . Lee breeds his own strains of cannabis to create concentrated glycerine and coconut oil extracts . Aside from cannabis education and consumption , Lee enjoys playing music , gardening , hiking , and cross-country skiing .
18 Maximum Yield