What strains do you suggest to get the most flavor growing outdoors? I’ve noticed a major difference in taste with pot grown indoors versus out. How do I bridge the gap?
Dear P.,
Indoor crops are sheltered and protected from the harsh outdoor environment, which means that buds and their resin glands remain intact. Wind, rain and other environmental factors are the main things to consider when growing quality bud outdoors: The wind will beat the shit out of your buds, knock the balls off resin stalks and erode precious resin. Wind degradation of buds will definitely lower the quality and alter the intensity of the high. The majority of mind-bending cannabinoids are located at the union of that little ball with the resin stalk (i.e., the trichome). When buds are jostled around and pounded by wind and rain, these fragile little balls fall off the stalk; this exposes the cannabinoids and terpenes (essential oils) to the air, which causes them to degrade. When they’ve degraded sufficiently, many of the terpenes will disperse into the air, decreasing the potency further. All of this adds up to a weaker overall high.
So if you’re growing outdoors, plant in sheltered areas, or build a wind block if your plants are exposed. Remember, a permeable wind block made from the surrounding foliage creates an efficient barrier and is discreet enough for security. Extreme fluctuations in temperature will also inhibit growth and degrade resin: Temperatures below 50°F and above 85°F are not advisable, especially if they fluctuate more than 30 to 35 degrees in 24 hours.
Soil and alimentation (i.e., nourishment) are also very important to ensure that your plants achieve their full genetic potential. Make sure your planting holes are well ali-mented with plenty of slow-release organic fertilizers and composts along with native soil. Grow only organically.
If you live in a growing environment with a long season and very little wind (i.e., you can harvest in November), definitely choose a Haze-based plant. Utopia Haze (Barney), Neville’s Haze Mango (Mr. Nice), Super Silver Haze and Super Lemon Haze (Green House), Northern Lights #5 x Haze and Sweet Haze (DNA Genetics), Haze x Heaven (Owl’s Production) and De la Haze (Paradise) are at the top of the list. Other than that, ! suggest growing the strains you like to smoke, as long as they do well outdoors. A few of my favorite outdoor strains are Jack Herer (Sensi), Jorge’s Diamonds #1 (Dutch Passion) and Shark Shock (Mr. Nice).
If you want to enjoy the fruits of your labor in less than three months, plant flavorful, feminized, autoflowering strains like Skyryder and Criticalryder. These two strains are guaranteed to flower in less than 90 days. The most critical period for these plants is the first three weeks: If the plant becomes sick, it has no time to recover, since it will be harvested in another 40 to 45 days. So make sure to baby these tough little plants for the first three weeks, and you’ll he paid back with an ounce or more (30-plus grams) of connoisseur-quality bud.
Dear P.,
Indoor crops are sheltered and protected from the harsh outdoor environment, which means that buds and their resin glands remain intact. Wind, rain and other environmental factors are the main things to consider when growing quality bud outdoors: The wind will beat the shit out of your buds, knock the balls off resin stalks and erode precious resin. Wind degradation of buds will definitely lower the quality and alter the intensity of the high. The majority of mind-bending cannabinoids are located at the union of that little ball with the resin stalk (i.e., the trichome). When buds are jostled around and pounded by wind and rain, these fragile little balls fall off the stalk; this exposes the cannabinoids and terpenes (essential oils) to the air, which causes them to degrade. When they’ve degraded sufficiently, many of the terpenes will disperse into the air, decreasing the potency further. All of this adds up to a weaker overall high.
So if you’re growing outdoors, plant in sheltered areas, or build a wind block if your plants are exposed. Remember, a permeable wind block made from the surrounding foliage creates an efficient barrier and is discreet enough for security. Extreme fluctuations in temperature will also inhibit growth and degrade resin: Temperatures below 50°F and above 85°F are not advisable, especially if they fluctuate more than 30 to 35 degrees in 24 hours.
Soil and alimentation (i.e., nourishment) are also very important to ensure that your plants achieve their full genetic potential. Make sure your planting holes are well ali-mented with plenty of slow-release organic fertilizers and composts along with native soil. Grow only organically.
If you live in a growing environment with a long season and very little wind (i.e., you can harvest in November), definitely choose a Haze-based plant. Utopia Haze (Barney), Neville’s Haze Mango (Mr. Nice), Super Silver Haze and Super Lemon Haze (Green House), Northern Lights #5 x Haze and Sweet Haze (DNA Genetics), Haze x Heaven (Owl’s Production) and De la Haze (Paradise) are at the top of the list. Other than that, ! suggest growing the strains you like to smoke, as long as they do well outdoors. A few of my favorite outdoor strains are Jack Herer (Sensi), Jorge’s Diamonds #1 (Dutch Passion) and Shark Shock (Mr. Nice).
If you want to enjoy the fruits of your labor in less than three months, plant flavorful, feminized, autoflowering strains like Skyryder and Criticalryder. These two strains are guaranteed to flower in less than 90 days. The most critical period for these plants is the first three weeks: If the plant becomes sick, it has no time to recover, since it will be harvested in another 40 to 45 days. So make sure to baby these tough little plants for the first three weeks, and you’ll he paid back with an ounce or more (30-plus grams) of connoisseur-quality bud.
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