Growing high CBD flower
High cannabidiol (CBD) strains are becoming increasingly popular for their proposed health benefits. If you’re thinking about growing high CBD seeds but are unsure how to grow CBD plants, you’ve come to the right place.
Read on to learn how to increase cannabidiol levels when cultivating. You’ll also find the top five high cannabidiol strains for your next grow project.
What Is a High CBD Strain?
If weed is high in CBD, it has more than 2% cannabidiol at a higher ratio than tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). It mutes the psychoactive effects of cultivars with concentrations of 2:1% and higher. Why would anyone want to dull the THC buzz?
Many medicinal users don’t want the high that comes from tetrahydrocannabinol. The challenge is most strains have substantial THC levels because this cannabinoid provides an array of potential health benefits.
If you have a 12% CBD and 6% THC cultivar, you reap the benefits of tetrahydrocannabinol. At the same time, the cannabidiol dulls the high, converting it to a more relaxing effect.
Some strains have low levels of THC (<2%) and high levels of CBD. People trying to avoid getting high or wanting to create tinctures are likely to choose these cultivars.
Why Are High CBD Strains Popular?
Cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol are the main active compounds in cannabis but they have very different effects. The psychoactive sensations of THC may worsen some conditions like paranoia and anxiety. That’s just one of the main reasons people choose high cannabidiol strains.
CBD’s medicinal benefits are more researched than tetrahydrocannabinol, primarily due to high THC cannabis being federally illegal (states have their own rules). Since cannabidiol is more widespread, many people feel comfortable trying these strains out, knowing they won’t have intense reactions.
Does all marijuana have CBD? Yes, all cannabis strains contain cannabidiol. Cultivars with high levels of CBD allow you to function normally and don’t impair motor ability. But tTaking them in excess amounts may lead to sleepiness, so it’s not a good idea to get behind the wheel.
They’re generallyre are some excellent daytime strains to keep you calm, pain-free, and happy without being stoned. Most people who choose high CBD strains are looking for a way to reap the relaxing, mind-clearing effects of cannabis without the psychedelic or intense tranquilizing impact of THC.
Benefits of Growing Your Own CBD Buds
Nowadays, CBD products are available pretty much everywhere. You can find everything from tinctures and capsules to lotions and patches. So, why should you grow your own?
Cultivating high CBD plants gives you total control over the final product. You can use organic fertilizers, avoid harmful pesticides, and ensure your buds are clean, aromatic, and packed with cannabidiol.
If you plant indoors, you need to invest in some equipment, such as grow lights, but growing your own buds is still cheaper in the long run. When you cultivate outdoors, it’s completely free, and either way you can use other parts of the plant, like the leaves, to make tinctures and teas.
Plus, iIf you buy CBD buds at retailers, you’re restricted to the available selection of strains. When you grow the buds, you can pick the cannabidiol-infused cultivar that best suits your personal needs.
Growing High CBD Strains vs. Regular Weed
The difference in effects is immediately noticeable after smoking a high CBD strain vs. a regular one. However, nurturing these two variants is a remarkably similar process. As with any cultivar, unique genetics determine the growing needs.
The main difference with cultivating high CBD strains is guarding the resin against harmful elements like rain. You also need to harvest before the cannabinoids start to deteriorate. Besides that, CBD strains and regular weed follow the same growing method.
Growing Techniques for High CBD Strains
You should always base your growing procedures on the strains’ unique requirements. Some golden rules exist for getting the most potent CBD buds possible.
Here are five tips for cultivating these plants:
1. Pick a High CBD Strain
Regardless of your method, you can’t grow plants with more cannabidiol than genetically possible. Growing cannabis from seed produces different phenotypes, whereas clones deliver the same.
It’s disappointing growing a seed only to find out it has high THC or deficient CBD levels, but a . A clone shwould come pretty close or be an exact match to the mother plant’s levels.
Purchase cannabis seeds with stable genetics from a reputable company to avoid disappointment. With the wide variety on today’s market, finding high CBD strains to grow is easier than ever.
2. Maintain Optimal Climate Conditions
CBD is found in the resin secreted by the cannabis plant. You must preserve this sticky coating if you want the highest cannabidiol count possible. Maintaining an environment that keeps plants hydrated is essential.
Stick to these basic climate requirements:
- Warm soil
- Warm and moderately humid air
- No heavy rain or wind
Keep temperatures between 70–85 °F. Warmer conditions help plants secrete more resin, giving you more potent buds.
Relative humidity (RH) is essential for promoting resin production and preventing it from drying out. If it’s too high, your plants may develop mold, leading to lower quality buds. Keep RH levels between 60–70%.
3. Protect Your Plants
You need to protect your plants from three main things:
- Mold and mildew
- Pests and bacteria
- Harsh elements
With warmer temperatures, it’s essential to have adequate ventilation and ensure air is circulating. Things can get sticky during flowering when the resin secretions pour in, and mold typically builds quickly. Use oscillating fans and filters to clean the environment to keep the resin fresh.
A 2011 study found that lower precipitation was associated with a higher CBD count in cannabis hemp plants. Overwatering and high humidity negatively affect cannabidiol levels, as can heavy or prolonged rain.
Bacterial infections or pests can completely derail all your hard work. If it happens, you might lose quality resin, or in the worst-case scenario, you’ll be holding a wake for your plants. To prevent these issues, you can try these techniques:
- Use dehumidifiers, air filters, and fans to keep moisture at a comfortable level.
- Keep the grow room extremely clean and sanitize all equipment, especially when plants are vulnerable as seedlings or during flowering.
- Regularly empty runoff water.
- Use hand lenses to check for pest eggs and treat them early.
- Apply sticky traps to grow areas with insect problems.
- Don’t overwater.
- Sanitize your hands or use clean gloves to prevent carrying harmful bacteria to your plants.
Harsh elements like heavy rain or wind remove bits of resin from plants. Prolonged rain can wash away the coating and give you sub-par buds. Heavy wind causes branches to crash into each other, damaging nugs and rubbing off trichomes.
Have a backup plan to move the plants or put a shelter over them in the event of sudden storms.
4. Harvest at the Right Time
When you want to preserve the cannabinoids and terpenes, it’s important to know when to harvest CBD strains. Do it when the trichomes are just right. Gathering too early or late gives you less potent buds lacking in aroma and flavor.
With high CBD plants, it’s best to harvest mid-fall when the trichomes are in peak form. Here’s what to look out for:
- Russeting white hairs covering the buds
- White to amber-hued trichomes. If clear, they’re not fully developed, and if dark amber, they’re overdeveloped and close to degradation, so you need to harvest soon.
You can harvest when 60% of the white hairs reach a light brown color or when up to 90% achieve a shade of amber. If you leave them till the later stages, they produce more CBN, another well-known beneficial cannabinoid.
The way you harvest buds can also affect the CBD range. Harvesting by hand is the best option for medicinal plants to ensure the flowers are fully intact and you don’t damage trichomes.
If you’re dealing with a particularly sticky strain, you can use scissors but be gentle to avoid mishandling and losing resin.
5. Test the Buds
This step is for those who want to be 100% sure of the CBD range in their plants. You can get your plants lab tested before growing them. The best testing time is 3-4 weeks after taproots appear.
If you don’t need a 100% cannabidiol range report but want to ensure your buds aren’t psychedelic THC bombs, try them yourself.
Sample your harvest and determine the effects. If it’s too intense, you can turn your buds into a concentrate and dilute them with CBD oil to calm the buzz.
Top 5 High CBD Strains to Grow
Are you ready to grow high cannabidiol cannabis but unsure which strain to pick? Here are the best marijuana strains high in CBD to choose from:
1. Harlequin CBD
This sativa-dominant strain uplifts your mood, clears your mind, and delivers a mild buzz. It has a divine sweet, fruity flavor with a woody, earthy fragrance, and a creamy texture.
Harlequin CBD is easy to grow but picky about the climate, so it’s best to grow indoors. Reported medicinal uses include chronic pain, nausea, and depression.
2. Blue Cheese CBD
Bask in the savory aroma of this indica-dominant cultivar. The cheesy, sweet smoke delivers an incredibly relaxing effect, perfect for nighttime use.
Blue Cheese CBD is straightforward to cultivate and an excellent pick for those in colder climates. It may help with insomnia and anxiety and boost creativity.
3. Black Mamba CBD
Fall in love with the deep purple hue of these sticky indica buds. The sweet and sour aromatics tantalize your taste buds, and the sharp smoke uplifts your mood and calms racing thoughts.
Black Mamba CBD is perfect for growers with some experience and rewards you with huge yields. Medical uses may include stress relief, chronic pain, and ADHD.
4. ACDC CBD
Rock and roll live on in this uplifting strain, voted one of the top high CBD medicinal cultivars. The sharp citrus flavor puts a smile on your face and improves focus.
ACDC CBD is ideal for experienced growers who know how to support its heavy branches. It has many medical applications, including epilepsy, MS, and PTSD.
5. CBD Candyland
This 1:1 sativa-dominant hybrid tastes like candy and is the perfect daily use medicinal strain. It delivers a mellow buzz that boosts focus and creativity.
CBD Candyland grows tall and skinny, so it’s best for experienced growers. Medical uses include arthritis, migraines, and fatigue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about cultivating high CBD crops:
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol is a compound found in marijuana and hemp. It’s a popular ingredient in many current health products and alternative medicines.
Are CBD Plants More Difficult to Grow?
Growing CBD plants isn’t that different from regular weed plants. Depending on the strain, it can be easy or difficult to cultivate.
How is CBD Different from THC?
CBD is derived from hemp and cannabis, but most products are from the former to avoid excess tetrahydrocannabinol. Cannabidiol has no psychoactive effects, whereas THC does.
Summary
Growing CBD greenery comes with many benefits. Everyone can find a suitable strain, whether you want to avoid the THC high or have a mellowed-out buzz. To get potent CBD buds, you must nurture them in a warm climate with moderate humidity.
Remember that the best way to grow high cannabidiol weed is by buying seeds with stable genetics. If you have any other questions about how to grow CBD plants, leave us a comment below, and we’ll get back to you.