How does your garden grow?
All the Strains in a hedge
All in a perfect row
First the seeds
And then the water
Keeping 4’ of space
CBD here, THC there
Each one has their place.
Those of you who know me well, will know that my body is more receptive to cannabis strains which contain more THC than it is to strains which are known to contain more CBD.
I’m just partial to THC and how that particular cannabinoid improves the quality of my life.
I don’t seem to receive the same benefits with CBD on its own.
There. I said it. I am a THC snob.
To date, in Canada, we are currently only routinely testing for the presence of these two main cannabinoids; THC and CBD. In actuality, there are 109 more which are known to exist and I’d like to think they’re all being feverishly studied for their life supporting qualities.
(I know, I know, but it’s my pipe dream. Can you just let a girl dream?)
I do think that I am a CBD anomaly because many people around the globe report amazing results, in their own bodies, sticking to CBD only.
In fact in the last 2 years, we’ve witnessed an explosion of CBD-based products flooding the Canadian cannabis medical and retail markets.
Everyone (it seems) and their dog (literally) is clambering for the anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving benefits of CBD.
Due to the fact that CBD isn’t psychoactive, it falls into a decidedly grey area from a legal standpoint. This varies from one country to another and often from one level of government within a country to another level of government within the same country, even.
Genetics, which are known to contain CBD have been tricky to secure within Canada because the demand for them has and continues to remain high.
Research studies are indicating that CBD is more effective than THC for some types of cancers, especially if they’re estrogen based.
@knarly327 and I, have been working on our 2019 cannabis garden strategy.
Half the garden will be CBD strains. The other half will be a mixture of THC strains and hybrid strains.
The hybrid strains usually contain both THC and CBD in more balanced ratios to one another. Hybrid strains that offer a careful balance, between THC and CBD percentage are also sought after.
Strains that offer a 1:1 ratio or close to a 1:1 ratio are prized for deliverying a powerful entourage effect (meaning the ability to deliver the benefits of both THC and CBD) in a gentler way. This is because CBD generally reduces the physchoactivity of THC when both of those cannabinoids are present in the same strain. The greater the CBD percentage, the greater the psychoactive reduction will be.
Hybrids that contain THC will still produce a high effect, just not as strong of a high or psychoactive sensation than if the strain contained only THC.
I consider hybrids that offer a closer 1:1 ratio of THC to CBD to be like bicycle training wheels for people who are learning to use cannabis plant medicine.
salad bowl of diversity to round out our personal plant medicine inventory.@knarly327 and I are currently getting ready to plant a
Pro-tip:
It’s a good idea to grow different strains so that you have choice. Medically speaking, the ultimate goal is to choose a strain that’s ideally suited to balance whatever deficiencies exist and alleviate the most offensive symptoms at the same time. This varies from day to day and sometimes from hour to hour.
In addition to introducing diversity into our inventory, we are also keen to save valuable genetics at the same time. Even though CBD isn’t something that normally gets me too excited, saving genetics from one growing season to the next, does.
The CBD strains that we have secured and or, saved for our 2019 growing season and strain library are:
(Strains from left to right)
- AC/DC This strain is also known as Cannatonic and boasts a CBD % as high as 19%. (It’s a sativa.)
In the photo (above) you can see what I see. This is what the AC/DC seeds looked like after 48 hours of germination.
In the photo (below) you can see what this phenotype looked like after 96 hours of germination.
- Charlotte’s Northern Flame Ultimately this is an unknown hybrid which we’re hoping to pull 12% CBD out of, once everything is said and done.
(Friends crossed Charlotte’s Web with Northern Flame in the summer of 2018. Normally Charlotte’s Web can land anywhere from 15-20% CBD.)
In the photo (above) you can see what Charlotte’s Northern Flame looks like after germinating for 48 hours.
In the photo (below) you can see what the seeds look like after 96 hours of germination.
- Ringo’s Gift This strain is originally from California and the genetics were meticulously hybridized by the hands of Lawrence Ringo. It can reach up to 24% CBD.
In the photo (above) you can see what Ringo’s Gift looked like after 48 hours.
As you can see, not much as happened.
In the photo (below) you can see that the seeds have just started to germinate after 96 hours.
- CD-1 also known as Candida. This strain can range in its CBD content from 11-20%.
In the photo (above) you can see what the CD-1 seeds looked like after 48 hours of germination.
In the photo (below) you can see what the CD-1 seeds looked like after 96 hours of germination.
We germinate all our seeds by using an Easy Green Sprouter.
More information on this sprouter can be found from Easy Green’s website: https://www.easygreen.com/product-category/sprouters/
Not to disappoint, we were also very fortunate to be gifted a few special seeds...
We are planning to sprout these seeds in our next round of sprouting efforts and I will keep a growing log.
Once sprouted completely, all these seeds will be planted in soil and grown to be mothers which will then become cloning machines.
I’ll be sure to provide an update as progress is made. Currently we are in a deep freeze with temperatures routinely hitting-30 degrees Celsius. Quite frankly I am surprised we were able to get anything to germinate. ;)
~ Rebecca
I actually got some Super Lemon Haze from that same company you got the Charlotte's Web from
Cool! Have you germinated them yet?
Super Lemon Haze is one of my favourite strains. I have yet to grow it myself, but I have purchased it and it never disappoints.
Very nice! Must be warmer inside than -30C, heheh.
CBD treats many of the side effects of THC. Some patients require THC, but find strains or extracts with a little bit of CBD keep them from getting anxious, hypervigilant, paranoid, etc.
Looks like a nice variety of strains! Happy growing!
Haha! It's been tricky to even keep our indoor temperatures consistent...nothing will grow if it too cold or if the humidity gets too low inside the house, even.
Yes, I'd like to think that CBD regulates paranoia, anxiety and looping. For many it can and does...just not for this doll. LOL! Hey, there are worse things. ;)Thank you @vantocan.
So true, it's amazing how plants seem to be able to feel what's going on outside. The smallest draft, and they detect winter, and freak right out. It works the other way too, in good weather they grow better (indoors). They're more sensitive to weather than we are, and they're always paying attention! <3 plants :)
Oh, you've mentioned that about your paranoia and looping, right! What's great is there are so many different cannabinoids and as you say, they're being researched (or at least, experimented with!)... it seems that cannabinoids can do just about everything, if used correctly, and in the right way for the particular patient! Half the current harmaceutical cabinet could probably be replaced with plant medicines people can grow in their frickin' living room, back garden, or kitchen windowsill.
Between herbs and fungi grown and/or foraged for, plus fermentations, this is in deed true. A person can replace what they currently have in their medicine cabinets. I am working to preserve this knowledge because it's important.
Looking great as always @rebeccaryan!
I'm really jealous. We are not running an indoor garden this year, and it's unclear if we are going to do one outside either. It's about the perfect time to get the plants running full steam indoors before outdoor season starts up.
Really interesting how your seeds germinate at different rates.
Looking forward to updates down the line!
I think these things are really cool and would love to try. ;)
Just need to find an inexpensive version...Well, @massmedicinals, please send me a message at the beginning of May or sooner if you decide to grow...I know you have to have the time and resources...or what's the point? http://www.cloneshipperunit.com/products
Yeah here is the cheaper version. Look for Fire mailers 1 or 6 plug. These can also be fit with a LED. I'd love to have you ship some to our place in Canada. But I don't believe outdoor is legal yet up there.
We may just do 1-3 outside for fun again. But they probably won't get the 2 month indoor royal pre-season treatment like in 2018.