Leaves—Wide, short, and rounded leaves with marble-like patterns
Blades—Usually between 3 and 5 blades per leaf
Ruderalis
Height—Small, averaging between 6 inches and 4 feet
Nodes—Very short internodes with much branching
Leaves—Small and thick
Blades—Usually between 4 and 6 blades per leaf
Ruderalis is hardly used today. Sativa and Indica are extremely common and these two species will be the main focus of this book. Indica and Sativa species produce different forms of high. The high of each species can be controlled by the time at which you harvest. In addition, they can be crossed to produce Indica/Sativa hybrids. This may sound confusing, but it is in fact quite simple and will be further explained in Chapter 15.
LEAF TYPES
Indica
Mostly Indica
Indica / Sativa
Mostly Sativa
Sativa
Ruderalis
A Word About Male Potency
In general, the male plant is considered inferior. This, however, may not be true in all cases. Male plants from some strains can produce more THC or be more potent than females from weaker strains. Most male plants from good genetics are stronger than the Ruderalis female. Males can also be smoked45 (not advised) or made into hash oil.
The Life Cycle of the Marijuana Plant
The marijuana plant grows in three main stages: germination, vegetative growth, and flowering. There are also three additional sub-stages in the marijuana plant’s life cycle. Here we describe the complete life cycle of the cannabis plant in brief.
Germination
PLANT TYPES
Sativa
Ruderalis
Indica
Germination in the initial stages as the plumule (seedling root) pushes through the seed shell.
The seed shell is still attached to the cotyledon (first seedling leaf). Photo Paradise Seeds.
Germination is the initial stage of growth and occurs when the seed’s embryo breaks through the shell, the testa, and the seedling produces its first initial root, the plumule. This root fixes itself into the germination medium and pushes the newborn seedling up and over the surface. Following surface contact, two embryonic leaves, the cotyledons, open outward to receive sunlight, pushing the empty testa away from the seedling. It takes anywhere between 12 hours and 3 weeks for seeds to germinate.
Sometimes the shell can be removed by hand if it appears to be obstructing the seedling’s growth. In nature the wind helps to shake the seed shell away. Since artificial wind is not initially used in the germination environment, some seedlings find it harder to shed their shell, although most do not have a problem doing so. Care should be taken not to damage the seedling when removing the shell.
Seedling
After the first pair of embryonic leaves receives light, the plant will begin to produce another small set of new leaves. These leaves are different from the first two and may have some more noticeable marijuana characteristics, such as the threerounded, finger-shaped points. As the seedling grows, more of these leaves are formed and bush upward along with the stem. Some stems are very weak at this sub-stage and need the support of a small, thin wooden stake tied to the seedling with some fine thread. The seedling sub-stage can last between one and three weeks. At the end of the seedling sub-stage, your plant will have between four and eight new leaves while some of the original bottom leaves and cotyledons may have dropped off.
This is a seedling that is approaching vegetative growth. It is around this time that growers may move these plants to the main grow room.
This is a cutting, or clone, that is being prepared for propagation. You can tell the difference because the cutting looks more like a branch than grown from seed.
This is a mother plant that is kept as a clone donor. You can identify mothers by their many branches, created by the grower to provide lots of areas to cut from.
Here we have a range of plants in vegetative growth in the grow room. Notice the healthy upward pointing leaves.
This is a good example of how a high trichome count can undermine the principle that a high calyx to leaf ratio is a desirable trait in marijuana plants. Here the trichomes almost seem to be covering the plant in a balm.
Vegetative Growth
The plant now begins to grow at the rate that its leaves can
