If you’re just getting started with growing Marijuana, you may be wondering whether there’s any difference between growing CBD vs. THC strains. The short answer is yes! Here’s what you should know about growing CBD strains.
What is CBD?
CBD stands for cannabidiol. It’s one of over 100 different cannabinoids present in cannabis plants. While it can have psychoactive effects, it doesn’t have the same effect on your brain that THC does, which is what produces the experience of being “high” when you consume it.
What does this mean for growing?
Growing CBD strains requires a different process than growing THC-rich strains. You’ll need to look for seeds or clones specifically bred and labeled as high-CBD since regular Marijuana seeds could produce either CBD-rich or THC-rich plants.
Growing CBD Rich Marijuana
There are two predominant ways that you can grow CBD-rich strains. They can be grown indoors or outdoors and can also be grown hydroponically or in soil.
Growing CBD Rich Marijuana Outdoors
In general, if you’re tending to CBD-rich cannabis strains outside, you may want to consider growing them in a greenhouse. This is because the plants need more humidity than what’s found in most places. A greenhouse allows the Marijuana plant to thrive with grow lights and supplemental heat while limiting wind damage and drying out of the plant itself.
Indoors
If you choose to grow your CBD-rich cannabis indoors, then it is possible to use soil as a medium, but it is recommended that you use a hydroponic system instead. Hydroponic systems allow for faster growth rates and better yields at harvest time when compared with other cultivation methods. Using this method will save time and money spent on nutrients for your plants.
Growing THC-Rich Marijuana
It is quite straightforward. The process is the same as CBD-rich Marijuana with the only difference being you want less CBD and more THC in your plants. This makes it easier to grow since you don’t have to be as concerned with finding a location that allows for growing CBD-rich Marijuana. If you live somewhere that doesn’t allow for cannabis, you can always use a greenhouse!
How to Grow CBD Strains of Marijuana
There are several ways you can obtain CBD-rich strains of Marijuana. It is important to know the difference between growing a pure CBD strain and growing a high CBD strain with some THC present. Both are very different methods, and both require different handling.
You can grow a pure CBD strain by either using hemp clones or seeds, as long as it was grown originally from feminized seeds (this will ensure that most plants grown from this clone/seed stock will be female).
If it is your first time growing, I recommend using auto flowering strains to ensure there is no chance of any male plants being produced. You should also use feminized seeds when using auto flowering strains because the male genes can sometimes force themselves into the plant resulting in hermaphrodites. To avoid this, use feminized auto flowering strains.
It is also possible to grow regular photoperiod cannabis plants that have been bred for high CBD content and low THC content; however, this requires more care than just normal feminized photoperiod seeds/clones.
THC vs CBD Growing: How to Get THC-rich strains
We recommend that you start with cannabis seeds that are rich in THC, such as Runtz which you can find at Zamnesia. Not all cannabis strains have a high percentage of THC, and it is not easy to grow a strain that does. The ratio of THC to CBD is an important factor when deciding which strain to grow. In general, the strains with a higher THC content are more difficult to cultivate for beginners.
There are three main steps for growing a high-THC weed: germination, vegetative growth stage, and flowering stage.
- Germination: You will begin by soaking your seeds in water overnight or for just a few hours. If you plan on planting several plants at once, we recommend soaking them all together as long as they are all the same strain and variety.
- Vegetative Growth Stage – this step runs from week one until week 6 (depending on your harvest schedule). Make sure that you have plenty of lights during this step so that your plant can grow quickly and efficiently!
- Flowering Stage – this step runs from week six until harvest day (approximate time here). This is the most important part of your growing experience! Your plants need plenty of attention during these weeks because any mistakes made now will be challenging to fix later on down the road.
Will CBD seeds Grow with THC?
No, CBD seeds won’t grow into THC-rich plants. But that doesn’t mean that your CBD crop will be 100% free of THC. In general, it depends on the strain you’re growing. Some strains of CBD are known to produce a little bit of THC. This percentage is typically so low that it wouldn’t be detected in any tests, but there’s no guarantee it’ll be completely absent from your crop if you don’t take the proper precautions.
The bottom line is that most people who purchase CBD seeds for their medical properties aren’t interested in getting high either. So, a tiny amount of THC shouldn’t ruin your experience as long as you avoid harvesting a plant with a large amount of the substance.
The Difference Between Cannabidiol and Tetrahydrocannabinol
At the heart of the debate over Marijuana is a clear distinction between two distinct cannabinoids.
CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) are the two active compounds found in cannabis. Although both are present in Marijuana, THC is the cannabinoid that causes euphoric effects or a high. CBD doesn’t cause psychoactive effects and is best known for having medicinal effects on patients who have cancer, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental illnesses.
Some say that CBD oil is more effective at treating medical conditions than THC oil. Others would say that recreational Marijuana consumption has little to do with medical care. But one thing almost everyone can agree upon? The difference between CBD and THC boils down to their effect on your body—that’s where you’ll find the crux of what makes these two compounds so distinct from each other.
Wrap Up
Cannabis is a colorful plant. It comes in different strains, and each delivers its effects. You can have the type of Marijuana that makes you feel happy or one that makes you feel relaxed. Knowing what these compounds are will help you learn more about the cannabis plants you are growing and make it easier for you to choose the ones that work best for your preferences.
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol) cannabinoids have been researched extensively to determine their differences, as we’ve already discussed. THC is the primary psychoactive compound in Marijuana; it can make you high. CBD may also make you high—but only if it is mixed with THC-rich plant strains. Remember to start slow so as to derive the desired effects of marijuana.