Choice of your plant: Sativa, Indica and Ruderalis
At a scientific level, all cannabis plants are called sativa, which in Latin means 'cultivated' and hence 3 types are distinguished, whose full name would be: cannabis sativa sativa , cannabis sativa indica and cannabis sativa ruderalis . Although in a popular way we know them by their abbreviated form and thus we differentiate them. Broadly speaking, it is usually classified and looking for what characterizes the sativa and indica plants. Next we will see how to differentiate the 3 varieties by their morphology, their characteristics and their effects . However, there are many types of marijuana seeds, since genetics can give us different versions of the same plant and infinite combinations can be made by playing with the percentage of each type according to the objective and the effects we want to achieve. In this way, producers have been making a multitude of hybrids for years to continue looking for new aromas, textures and effects of the cannabis plant.
Sativa
Energy, psychedelia and creativity
The Sativa plant is native to America, Asia, Africa. When growing in areas of high humidity, its morphology and physical characteristics are made to adapt to that environment. To distinguish them, we will see that they can become very tall , with trunk and long branches, its leaves are thin and elongated , the branches also take length so the distances between nodes will be extended. Its growth process is relatively long, since it can range from 10 to 20 weeks. Although on the other hand, its female flower yield is wide since it can reach up to 1.5 kg per plant, in reference to dry material. The buds are larger since they have more space, they do not accumulate like an indica and their smell is milder. Its adaptation to warm and humid areas makes the buds also remain more open, not so compact, to let the flower breathe and moisture does not accumulate and for this reason will prevent the growth of possible fungi . If you want to grow this type of plant, you must bear in mind that it requires space . Depending on the variety and purity of the plant type, it can grow about 4.5m outdoors, so it could be the ideal variety to grow in gardens and outdoor spaces. For many years the fiber of this plant has been used for fabrics and there was even a time when it was used to make paper.
EFFECTS of CANNABIS SATIVA
It is considered one of the most psychedelic for its psychoactive effect. Provides energy , excitement, euphoria , stimulates you, encourages creativity and helps with depression. Its use is usually more diurnal and can be related to the development of artistic activities for their cerebral effect. It also produces the typical and sought after effect of "want to laugh."
Indica
Relaxing and therapeutic
In the areas of India, Nepal and Pakistan we find the cannabis plant known as Indica. As it grows in drier and more arid areas, its adaptation makes the plant shorter , the branches are sturdier and the leaves it has are wider. Its shape is more similar to a bush, it is more dense and compact. Its flowers are more dense and heavier and around it we can see other small orange, reddish or even purple leaves. All this makes the buds compact and the visual effect is beautiful. They are usually used a lot for interiors since you can amortize more the space than with the Sativa. It can reach an average height of 1.5m, and its growth is faster , about 4 to 6 weeks. In this way, many growers and producers of cannabis seeds find it very profitable since you can grow more plants in the same space. Outdoors they are usually planted in September. Indica strains are characterized by having a high THC content , up to 16%, and historically spread by this psychoactive. In Asia there was also a lot of tradition for the use of its fiber for garments and in India, they even use its dried flowers for different recipes. Marijuana and hashish are produced from the cannabis indica variety due to its high content of trichomes and it has become a recreational plant and very popular for its medicinal uses. According to their origin and use, several subspecies have been categorized.
Effects of Indica cannabis
Its high CBD content makes it have a relaxing effect on a physical and mental level, the opposite of Sativa. Thus, it is used for activities such as meditation and relaxation . It is known as the nocturnal variety, since it reduces tension and produces a narcotic effect that helps you sleep , so it is very useful to combat insomnia. On the other hand, it also helps reduce or alleviate specific or chronic pain , arthritis, etc.
Ruderalis
Medicinal and aromatic cannabis
The Ruderalis marijuana plant grows in areas of Siberia, where there are fewer hours of sunlight and that its flowering begins without the need for light . It is the smallest in comparison of the previous ones, from 30 to 80cm, although it is strong. Its growth is slow and it is not as popular as the previous ones. However, it is widely used for genetic crosses and hybrid experiments . By crossing ruderalis genetics with sativa and indica, we produced the varieties of autoflowering marijuana seeds . Its THC content is almost nil but due to its high content of CBD , a non-psychoactive component, it is highly valued for medicinal use . It is also used for the manufacture of incense and essences for its aromatic range. For this reason, many times genetic combinations are sought with it to provide aroma.
Effects of cannabis ruderalis
Pure cannabis ruderalis has no psychoactive effects and is not used as a recreational plant. However, the high CBD content makes it very interesting for curative and medicinal uses . It is used as a sedative and anti-inflammatory to relieve pain, reduce anxiety, in cases of chronic pain and arthritis, mental illnesses such as schizophrenia or in cancer patients to relieve their symptoms .