The high CBD strains are becoming more popular as people learn about their benefits. However, not everyone knows where to start when it comes to growing these plants. In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about growing high CBD Strains from seedlings, clones, or even the cloning process itself. We will also talk about how the growth process affects the content of CBD and what is considered a good strain for beginners.
How to grow High CBD Marijuana Plant – Things to keep in mind
Before we get into the actual growing process, here are a few things to keep in mind when you begin.
Lighting
People tend to believe that bright lights produce better results for all plants, including MJ. However, that is not true. Bright lights can increase the chance of mold and other pests attacking your plants. Make sure that your light source does not burn or dry out your plant at any point in time throughout its life cycle.
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Temperature
The temperature has a very big impact on the growth rate of your cannabis plant since it directly interferes with photosynthesis which is necessary for plant growth. Protect your cannabis against cold drafts if you live in colder areas; however, too much heat may damage or kill your cannabis. Also, avoid exposing your plant to any heat source directly, or you will end up drying your plants. Humidity- Drying of leaves, mildews, and molds are very common in cannabis plants. The danger arises when they interact with each other or with the mold spores that can be naturally found on weed plants. Make sure humidity levels are less than 62% to prevent mildew and molds from attacking your plants.
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pH Level
A pH level of 5 is perfect for growing cannabis plants. If your pH level is lower than 5, then use medical grade fertilizer; otherwise, avoid touching it until you have proper knowledge about how much fertilizer should be used at what time.
Growing High CBD Strains from Seedlings & Clones
If you have seeds or clones, then you can easily grow high CBD plants by following a few simple steps detailed below:
Step 1- Germinating The Seeds
When growing from seed, you need to first germinate them before planting the seedlings into their pots. To do that, put your seeds in a damp paper towel and keep checking for moisture at least twice a day until they crack open after 3-5 days. Once this happens, plant them up to 2 cm deep in soil or coco peat with a pH level of 6-7 and humidity around 70%. Make sure if you are using a cocoa coir, then water it properly so that the coir is fully hydrated.
Step 2- Caring for Seedlings & Clones
After your seed or clone has grown to about 4 inches, you will need to care for it in such a way that it can survive and remain healthy till harvest time. This means that you should avoid any problem with root problems because once the roots start decaying, then it becomes very difficult to grow anything else from thereon. Provide them proper help and support and keep checking the pH level of the water used and, if possible, try and use distilled water instead of tap water which contains chlorine, etc.
Step 3- Provide Proper Support
To make sure your cannabis plant does not suffer from major health issues during the growth period, make sure you provide it with a strong base to grow on. This can be achieved by using stakes or some support for your plants.
Step 4- Placing The Pot In The Right Place.
Once you have made sure that you have proper lighting and sufficient water supply, it’s time to decide where you want to keep your cannabis plant growing. Make sure the area is cool enough rather than hot or humid if possible since high heat causes root problems that cannot be cured at any point of time during the growth period.
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How does the Growing Process Affect CBD Content?
When you grow high CBD plants, there is a chance that the chemical composition of your plant changes, which increases the CBD content and reduces the THC level. The process by which this happens is as follows:
The flowering period requires more water than other periods since it produces flowers during this phase. This means that you should increase the amount of water used during this time compared to other times like vegetative or cloning periods. Since these two periods do not produce as many flowers as the flowering phase does, they require less water, to be precise. This results in increased THC levels and lower CBD ones due to the reduced amount of water present in these plants, especially during the vegetative stage, where cannabis plants experience root problems due to the lack of water supply required for photosynthesis.
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What Are The 3 Best High CBD Strains?
Among the multiple high CBD strains that we know, there are three we recommend you to use to get very high amounts of CBD and also for medical purposes. These three strains are:
1. Harlequin
Harlequin is one of the best high CBD strains because it has a very prominent 5:2 THC/CBD ratio which is great for using them in medicine and other forms. It produces 7-8% CBD levels and 6-7% THC levels, making it suitable for medicinal and recreational uses without having too many psychoactive effects. This strain grows well indoors and outdoors but does not require any specific conditions to flourish.
Since Harlequin comes from Colombian Gold parentage, this means that it provides strong resistance against mold and mildew. It has a unique earthy flavor, making it more suitable for medical use since the flavor is not very prominent and does not affect the patient’s taste buds.
Due to its high CBD levels, this strain provides relief from chronic pain, muscle spasms, stress, glaucoma, and nausea, among many other conditions. The euphoric feeling provided by Harlequin is also great for depression, ADD/ADHD patients, and people living with bipolar disorder who cannot function well without proper medication to control their mood swings.
Another amazing thing about Harlequin is that it can be used during the day or night because of its ability to keep the user awake or make them drowsy (depending on what they are doing) depending on the activity.
2. Cannatonic
Cannatonic is another good high CBD strain with 6-7% CBD and 6-7% THC content, making it great for medicinal use. Because of its ability to provide relief from chronic pain, stress, lack of appetite, muscle spasms, etc., it is very effective against diseases ranging from Chron’s disease to Parkinson’s. The flavor provided by this plant is also very smooth with hints of citrus and pepper combined but not too harsh on the throat or lungs for medical patients who might want something milder than other strains available on the market.
Another amazing thing about Cannatonic is that even though it provides proper relaxation required for killing pain after using heavy amounts of CBD, it also provides mental invigoration needed for those patients who suffer from anxiety and depression due to their illness. This strain is also suitable for daytime use even though it does not have as much THC content as Harlequin does because it produces a euphoric, uplifting effect which makes the patient less likely to get drowsy.
3. Harle-Tsu
Harle-Tsu is another high CBD strain that has 7% CBD levels and 8% THC levels, making it the most potent of all strains mentioned above. Even though this plant comes with a huge risk of being moldy during the flowering period, you can avoid this by ensuring proper ventilation in your grow room along with choosing a proper medium for growing this plant so that roots do not develop fungus or root rot problems.
Despite having a very high CBD content, this plant provides euphoric effects, perfect for patients suffering from depression, stress, social anxiety, and ADD/ADHD. This strain is also great for stress relief without causing drowsiness or couch lock effect even in large doses because the THC levels are kept at reasonable levels, which makes it suitable for daytime use as well.
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To conclude,
There are many benefits to high CBD strains. With the popularity of these plants on the rise, it is important that people know how to grow them as well as where they can start their journey in learning about CBD and cannabis cultivation. If you’re interested in giving growing your own a try or just want more information about what is considered a good strain for beginners, then this article was written with you in mind. Which type of plant do you plan to grow? Let us know in the comments below!