Home Growers Corner
Second Edition of a Multi Part KISS Series
Part 2
by Jay Richardson , contributing writer
If you read last month ’ s column , first of all , thank you . Secondly , if you read the February article , you know we are home-growing marijuana together . Before we can do that , we have many things to consider when it comes to which kind of cannabis we choose to cultivate . There is , of course , the choice of Sativa , Indica or a hybrid , which is when Sativa and Indica are crossbred . There is really no way to predict the effects a strain will have on any given individual , but each strain has characteristics traditionally associated with it .
Most people find Sativa provides a more energetic “ high ” that produces the urge to engage in activities that run the gamut from athletics to music and art . Sativa is generally seen as a peppy , creative alternative that can be used during the daytime without compromising your productivity or efficiency , which is completely subjective to the individual . I have plenty of anecdotal evidence and testimony from friends who claim the exact opposite . They tell me Sativa makes them relaxed and either sleepy or subject to couchlock . Couchlock is exactly what it sounds like — your butt gets locked to the couch , and you are happy to sit there and enjoy your thoughts . Regardless of which kind of marijuana strain you choose to use , under no circumstances is it recommended to use power tools or any machinery while using THC products . Of course , not driving a motor vehicle is a given .
For not much money you can get a lot of buds !
Indica is the strain most often recognized for producing couchlock and being excellent for pain relief and insomnia . Each person will have a different experience that will vary based on several factors . The time of day , how tired you are and the last time you consumed cannabis can all make the same kind of marijuana produce completely different experiences . If I start smoking or eating edibles early in the day and continue to do so throughout my daily activities , by the middle of the afternoon , even the most potent flower or concentrate of any strain is not going to produce the same results it would if it were my first smoke of the day . People who don ’ t smoke daily will require much less bud and be more affected than a more frequent consumer . The only way to find out if you want Sativa , Indica , or a hybrid is to do some research .
The good thing about this kind of research is that we are trying to determine what kind of marijuana you want to grow , and to do this , the only way to conduct the research is for you to consume different kinds of cannabis until you find the kind that you like . The more varieties you try , the better you will understand how each strain helps you achieve the results for which you are searching . As the kids would say , “ you get to smoke a bunch of grass .” Actually , I don ’ t think anyone has said that for at least 50 years , but you get my point . Nevertheless , the research is fun and is for the sake of science . By the way , I have no idea what the kids would say today .
The best way to know what kind of cannabis you are acquiring is to go to a legal dispensary and talk to its budtenders . The budtender can direct you to Sativa , an Indica , or a hybrid with the potency that you might be looking for . The amount of THC can influence the strength , and the types of terpenes the plant contains . Terpenes are a chemical contained in the essential oils of many plants .
Marijuana has been found to have at least 150 terpenes , a handful of which enhance the side effects that you are looking for — other terpenes create smell and taste . Each strain has its own chemical composition . If you need to find a dispensary in your neighborhood , you will find a complete listing on pages 64-67 in the magazine .
I like to find a particular plant that has the things I look for in a desirable strain and then turn that plant into what is known as a “ mother plant .” Once you have a good mother plant , you can grow that exact variety for as long as you like . All you have to do is take cuttings off the ends of some of the smaller branches and turn them into “ clones .” Once the cuttings grow roots , which I will explain and demonstrate in a couple of months , each clone will produce buds with the same traits as the mother plant . They will have the same smell , taste , and side effects as the original . Once a mother plant starts to get huge , you can flower it and create a new mother . Using this method , I can guarantee a consistent final product that produces the type of flower I desire .