Tag: Botany

The botany of cannabis

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Cannabis is a versatile plant that has been grown in many cultures for centuries. However, the botanical basis of cannabis is often misunderstood or even unknown. In this article we will look at the botany of cannabis and explain the different aspects of growing and harvesting this plant.

Cannabis is (as a rule) grown as an annual plant. The plant has a characteristic structure, which consists of flowers, leaves, stems and roots. The flowers are the most important components of the plant, as they contain the cannabinoids responsible for its medicinal and psychoactive effects.

Close-up with the details of the botany of a hemp plant.
The botanical details of the hemp plant with stem, leaves and the growing flowers.

The types of cannabis

Cannabis is often divided into the two species Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica. From the perspective of botany, however, this classification is hardly meaningful – more on this in this article on the subject.

The cultivation of cannabis

Production of the Herba di Berna
Plant room of the Herba di Berna

Cannabis is usually grown from seeds or cuttings. There are different cultivation methods, including indoor cultivation, outdoor cultivation and hydroponics. However, it is important for us to emphasize that all of our hemp plants grow in natural soil, as befits the high-quality cultivation of plants. When growing cannabis, various factors such as light, temperature, humidity, and nutrients must be taken into account in order to achieve maximum harvest.

Instructions for growing hemp
Order hemp cuttings here

The harvest of cannabis

Cannabis is harvested when the flowers are ripe and rich in cannabinoids. The harvest time depends on the variety and the cultivation system. After harvesting, the cannabis is dried and then either further processed or consumed.

The active ingredients of cannabis

Cannabis contains a variety of cannabinoids. Cannabinoids are chemical compounds that activate receptors in our body’s “endocannabinoid system.” Thus, cannabinoids have a direct effect on our body. Today, more than 113 different cannabinoids are known, including THC and CBD, which are known for their medicinal and psychoactive effects. THC is responsible for the high, while CBD is known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-anxiety properties. Full-spectrum products, which contain all the active ingredients of the hemp plant, are said to have the best effect due to the “entourage effect”.

Besides cannabinoids, terpenes are the most important active substances of the hemp plant. They are responsible for the characteristic scent of the different varieties and influence the effect of the products.

Production hall of Herba di Berna with young hemp plants
Production hall with young hemp plants

The botany of cannabis is an important aspect for anyone interested in growing, harvesting, and using cannabis. Understanding the botanical basis of cannabis can help ensure a successful harvest and better understand the medicinal and psychoactive effects of cannabis.

Become a grower!
Buy hemp cuttings here

Cannabis Sativa vs. Indica

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Cannabis is often categorized as Sativa and Indica. However, this classification is neither clear nor really useful.

Widespread classification into Sativa and Indica

The fairly widespread classification of cannabis plants into the two types Cannabis Sativa and Cannabis Indica is based on many different criteria. [1] One factor is the physical and botanical nature of the plant. Sativa plants are basically taller and slimmer, while Indica plants grow smaller and bushier. Sativa leaves are also thinner and have longer “fingers”, while indica leaves are a darker shade and wider.
The larger sativa plants also have a longer growing and flowering period.

Sativa stimulates, indica calms?

In addition to these botanical differences, which have been greatly softened by various “hybrid varieties,” or hybrids of the two types, the classification is based primarily on alleged differences in effect.
The sativa varieties are said to have a stimulating effect: consumption provides an energy boost and promotes concentration. Indica varieties, on the other hand, would have a calming effect. Accordingly, Sativa is recommended during the day and Indica at night.
However, this classification is based almost exclusively on anecdotal experience and defies scientific fact.

Irrelevant is the classification from a legal perspective: All cannabis plants are varieties of the plant Cannabis Sativa L.. [2]

Indica and Sativa in science

The botanical differences between sativa and indica plants can be well justified in principle. However, this classification is (increasingly) quite useless, since very few plants can be clearly assigned to a type. There are also botanists who divide the plant into up to four types: cannabis sativa, cannabis indica, cannabis ruderalis and cannabis afghanica. [3] In the end, however, this is not very important: anyone who wants to grow hemp should know about the individual variety, how it grows and what its advantages are – regardless of whether it is now called sativa or indica.

The situation is similar with the allegedly different effects of the various types. There are no studies that demonstrate the differences in effect or CBD and THC content to a relevant extent. Another reason to say goodbye to the “sativa vs. indica” type classification.
So the type distinction is rather meaningless, or even misleading, from the consumer’s point of view: the differences in the content of cannabinoids (CBD, THC, CBG, …) and terpenes are huge from variety to variety, regardless of type. [4] These chemical differences in terms of active ingredient content are also what actually influence the effect. Therefore, if there is a need for one, the division into “chemotypes” makes much more sense: there are varieties that contain mainly THC, varieties with THC & CBD, and CBD-heavy varieties.[5]

The discussion about the sense and nonsense of the classification into Cannabis Sativa and Cannabis Indica very quickly takes on scientific features that are irrelevant for consumers. There is a strong case for abandoning the widely used classification: The classification is unclear, sometimes even wrong, and leaves out important information. From the consumer’s perspective, it is important – especially in the medical field – that a complete cannabinoid and terpene profile is established and communicated for each individual plant. Only in this way can the effect be reliably estimated in combination with experience and scientific evaluations.

About our CBD flowers

Instructions for planting hemp

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In our webshop we sell not only harvested and processed CBD products, but it also has cuttings or already somewhat larger young plants on offer. With these, you can grow your own CBD flowers. In this post we explain how to plant hemp best.

To the cultivation store

From cutting to young plant

When the cuttings have arrived, they need to be transplanted into a larger pot. In this case, it is worth using a good organic soil from a specialty store. Potted cuttings grow best with plenty of light and at a temperature of 15-21 degrees. High humidity pleases the hemp plants.
After about 2-4 weeks, the plants should be large enough and well rooted so that they can be planted out.

Plant hemp

Well-rooted seedlings (purchased or home-grown) can be planted outside as outdoor plants. Preferably right into a garden bed or anywhere else in the garden. A large pot is also a possibility, but the plant will be limited in its growth.
Plants should be planted outside no earlier than May 20. Advanced growers can dare to do it earlier, but if possible, the hemp plants should not be exposed to frost.

Another important note: slugs love young hemp plants! So a snail-free location is of great advantage.

Light requirement

Light conditions greatly affect the plant, so you should pay attention to this issue.
To grow, the plants need at least 18h of good (rather blue) light a day. The formation of flowers occurs at 12h of darkness and 12h of light during the day, with the dark phase being decisive. In outdoor cultivation, the flowering phase is initiated by itself due to the shorter days.

Water requirement

Hemp plants basically have a high water requirement. The exact amount depends on many factors such as plant size, temperature, humidity, location (and pot size). The plant copes better with too much water than with too little.
The simplest indicator is the color and consistency of the soil. It should always be a little dark and in any case not become hard and brittle.
If the leaves hang limply down it needs more water.

Potted plants need liquid more often. Drip trays should be emptied after watering or omitted altogether. Stagnant water is never good because the roots do not get enough oxygen.

Hemp plants with too much water (left) and with severe water deficiency (right).

Nutrient requirements

In good soil hemp grows even without additional fertilizer. However, fertilizer can accelerate the growth and increase the yield. Our recommendation: the fertilizer from Biobizz, which is available for purchase in our store.

The leaves show how the nutrient supply of the plant is:
Very dark, almost somewhat purple leaves that curl downward and show brown spots indicate overfertilization. The plant has too much nutrients.
A well-supplied plant will have leaves that are a dark, rich green based on the light.
Light green leaves that tend to droop downward show that some fertilizer could be added. When the edges of the leaves become quite light, dark veins appear and the leaves curl upwards the plant needs a fertilizer.

Well-fed hemp plant (left), malnutrition (center) and leaves of an overfertilized plant (right).

Climate conditions

During the growth phase, the plant thrives best with high humidity and temperatures between 15 and 21 degrees.
Towards the end of the flowering period you need to be careful not to mold the flowers, too much moisture is not good. Potted plants can be protected from rain. In the garden, there is little choice but to check the plants regularly and harvest them immediately at the first infestation.
More generally, diseased leaves (fungi such as powdery mildew or mold or pest infestation) should be removed quickly in each case, thus preventing or at least slowing down the spread.

Harvest

The flowers are harvested when about three quarters of the flower hairs are brown and the rest is still white.
To harvest, the plant is cut, the large leaves are plucked off and the remaining whole plant is hung in a dry and well-ventilated place.
Flowers that are too dry very quickly disintegrate into dust while moist flowers have a high risk of mold.

Ready for harvest

More on the topic:
– Detailed wiki on hemp cultivation: irierebel.com