Understand the differences between indica, sativa and hybrids. Genetics, effects and cultivation characteristics explained.
Cannabis genetics fundamentally influence growth, effect and cultivation properties:
**Cannabis basics:**
*Cannabis species:*
- Cannabis Sativa L. (generic term)
- Cannabis Indica (subspecies)
- Cannabis Ruderalis (autoflower base)
- Cannabis Sativa (subspecies)
- Modern hybrids (mixed forms)
*Genetic markers:*
- THC/CBD ratios
- Terpene profiles
- Flowering time genes
- Growth characteristics
- Resistance traits
**Indica traits:**
*Growth habit:*
- Compact, bushy growth
- Broad, dark green leaves
- Shorter internodal distances
- Thick, sturdy stems
- Low to medium height
*Flowering characteristics:*
- Fast flowering time (7-9 weeks)
- Dense, compact buds
- High bud-to-leaf ratio
- Strong resin production
- Good yields per unit time
*Growing advantages:*
- Space saving
- Fast harvests
- Less training required
- Ideal for indoor
- Beginner friendly
*Typical effects:*
- Relaxing and sedating
- Body-high dominant
- Sleep-inducing
- Stress-reducing
- "Couch-lock" effect
**Sativa properties:**
*Growth habit:*
- Tall, elongated plants
- Narrow, light green leaves
- Long internodal distances
- Thinner but tall stems
- Can grow very tall (3m+)
*Flowering characteristics:*
- Longer flowering time (9-14 weeks)
- Airier bud structure
- Lower bud-to-leaf ratio
- Complex terpene profiles
- Higher total yields possible
*Growing challenges:*
- Plenty of space required
- Longer growing cycles
- More training required
- More suitable outdoors
- Experience required
*Typical effects:*
- Energising and euphoric
- Head-high dominant
- Creativity-enhancing
- Focus-enhancing
- Daytime consumption
**Hybrid varieties:**
*Indica-dominant hybrids:*
- 60-80% indica genetics
- More compact than pure sativa
- Moderate flowering time
- Balanced effect
- Good growing characteristics
*Sativa-dominant hybrid:*
- 60-80% sativa genetics
- Taller than pure indica
- Medium flowering time
- Energetic but relaxing
- Compromise between properties
*50/50 hybrid:*
- Balanced genetics
- Variable phenotypes
- Average traits
- Unpredictable variation
- Breeder skill required
**Autoflower genetics:**
*Ruderalis influence:*
- Automatic flowering initiation
- Independent of light cycles
- Smaller plant size
- Shorter life cycles
- Robust properties
*Modern autoflower:*
- High potency hybrids
- Indica and Sativa available
- 8-12 weeks total time
- Good potency possible
- Beginner friendly
**Phenotype vs. genotype:**
*Genetics (genotype):*
- DNA-based characteristics
- Inherited characteristics
- Potential of the plant
- Stable over generations
- Basis for breeding
*Expression (phenotype):*
- Environmentally influenced expression
- Cultivation-induced variation
- Nutritional influences
- Light-dependent development
- Training effects
**Train selection criteria:**
*Growing environment:*
- Indoor: Compact Indica preferred
- Outdoor: Utilise sativa potential
- Consider room height
- Climate adaptation
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