3) WHAT KIND OF MARIJUANA DO YOU LIKE?

The exact taxonomy of cannabis is somewhat complicated. A fairly exhaustive study of this subject can be in Marijuana Botany, Appendix 1 Taxonomy and Nomenclature, By Robert C. Clarke, 1981.   For our purposes we will assume that potent cannabis varieties fall into three main categories: Sativas, Indicas (including Afghanicus) and Ruderalis.

Most Sativas originate in climates with hot, long, growing seasons. Many Sativas have growth patterns that produce tall plants with relatively large inter nodal distances (distance between budding sites). Longer flowering times discourage outdoor cultivation in climates with short growing seasons.

Sativas are often characterized by their enduring, zippy or up high, sometimes described as being more cerebral than Indicas. There are many Sativa strains available, some are pure breeds, some make up a component of a hybrid with other Sativas or Indicas and Ruderalis, they include: Durban, Thai, Burmese, Haze and many other equatorial strains. Haze is a stable hybrid of pure Sativas, considered by many to be the strongest cannabis in the world, and most pure skunk strains are up to 75% Sativas, both are excellent choices for your own, hybrid production. Because of their shorter stature, shorter flowering times and often higher yields, Indicas and hybrids of these strains make up the majority of indoor commercial and personal cannabis cultivation. They usually have growth patterns that produce short, conical or Christmas tree shaped, plants with relatively small inter nodal distances. Shorter flowering times encourage outdoor cultivation in climates with short growing seasons. Indicas are usually smaller or at least shorter than Sativas and can often be more easily hidden outside. Indicas are often characterized by their strong, narcotic high, sometimes described as heavier than Sativas. There are fewer pure Indica stains than Sativas, however, because of their popularity indoors, there are many mostly Indica hybrids. All Indicas originate in South Central Asia. They include: Kush, Nepalese and Persian strains from Afghanistan and Iran. Northern Lights is a stable hybrid that is up to 75% Indica, Afghani 1 and Hindu Kush are also good candidates for your own, hybrid production. Ruderalis is a less potent strain used as a hybrid with Indicas and/or Sativas. They have extremely short flowering times, often auto-flowering under longer photo periods. They tend to grow with a single, prominent, central, cola, and are rarely more than a few feet tall. They usually produce small yields.

Very short flowering times make Ruderalis hybrids popular in climates with very short growing seasons, some plants are mature by late July or August in Northern areas. These strains are not recommended for indoor cultivation, however, they are often a valuable insurance policy in high latitudes, high elevations and other marginal growing areas.