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A Guide to Growing Sativa Strains Indoors

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Alice Baker
A Guide to Growing Sativa Strains Indoors

When it comes to growing cannabis indoors, there are two main varieties of photoperiod strains that are cultivated for their buds: Indica and Sativa. While Indica plants tend to stay small and manageable (which can be convenient for indoor growing), Sativa plants are typically a little tougher to care for indoors.

Note: “Sativa” and “Indica” are extremely loose definitions and practically all marijuana strains are hybrids. “Pure” Sativa strains are rare if they exist at all. The following tutorial is all about strains with Sativa ancestry that carry a lot of common Sativa characteristics.

Sativa strains originated from hotter regions near the equator and are well adapted to long growing seasons and hot weather. As a result, they carry a few properties from their family history that can catch an indoor grower by surprise.

These two Sativa plants (Panama strain) got far taller than the grower expected. The height of Sativa plants can quickly get out of control in a small grow space.

Why do we still try to grow Sativa plants indoors if it’s tough? In part, because certain Sativa strains often have amazing and unique buds effects. Plus, many Sativa hybrids produce great yields.

 

Typical Indica vs Typical Sativa plant


These two plants were grown indoors together under the same conditions from seed to harvest. The short Indica plant produced half the yields of the 5-foot Sativa! A big part of this is the fact that the Sativa plant got big enough to take full advantage of all the lights, while the Indica stayed short.

Sativa strains often have “foxtails” (buds grow in little towers). This is what the buds of a “true” landrace Sativa looks like – basically all foxtails! Most available “Sativa” strains today are actually hybrids with some Indica genes mixed in to help increase bud density and improve overall structure.

 

This wild Sativa bud structure often results in low yields even when buds get relatively fat 

However, after a Sativa strain has been hybridized to produce tighter buds, they often reward growers with huge yields. These Sour Diesel buds by Nirvana can grow enormous in good conditions.

 

Even with Sativa hybrids like this Kaya Gold, it’s not uncommon for buds to retain a “wild” or leafy appearance

 

General Appearance of Sativa Plants

  • Often have long, skinny leaves
  • Generally stretchy appearance with lots of side branching and plenty of space between sets of leaves (as opposed to the short, squat Christmas tree shape of an Indica plant).
  • Tend to grow tall and fast throughout their life, and may double or even triple in height after entering the flowering stage!
  • Buds often have “foxtails” and may be loose or airy compared to Indica buds, which tend to be solid and dense. However, a well-bred Sativa strain can still often out-produce an Indica in the same conditions because everything about the plant grows so big and so fast.

Long, thin “fingers” on Sativa leaves, compared to Indica leaves which tend to be round and fat.

Bud Effects

Sativa buds tend to give a more cerebral “in-your-head” effect than the more “body-based” Indica effects. Sativa buds may feel more energizing, so some people prefer Sativa strains for daytime use or in social settings.

Harvest Tips

  • Trichomes may not turn amber – Some Sativa strains have trichomes that may never turn amber even after months of flowering. If your plant has fully white trichomes, it’s possible it may be time to harvest even if no ambers are appearing.
  • Harvest when trichomes are mostly cloudy white – Harvest when trichomes are mostly cloudy with a few clears left for the most psychedelic effect. Look below for two examples of trichomes from Sativa plants that are ready to harvest.

If you want to know more tips about Strongest Sativa Strain or buy weed onine VIsit our shop (Crystal Cloud 9) now!

 

 

 

 

 

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Alice Baker
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