Lots of cannabis enthusiasts have entered the world of home-growing in recent years, as it’s become more legal than ever, and as modern technology has allowed for indoor setups that eliminate the need for lots of outdoor space, and the right climate.
Growing your own is super rewarding, and it can turn into a very fruitful hobby among those who have a green thumb. With that being said, there are a number of home cultivators out there who love the challenge of growing cannabis plants that require more one-on-one care to yield successfully. For those types of growers, we’re going to talk about the best strains to grow from seed if you’re interested in a more challenging strain.
TO BUY CANNABIS SEEDS STRAIN CLICK HERE
-
Apple Fritter Auto$12.50 — or subscribe & save 15%
-
Amnesia Haze$13.00 — or subscribe & save 15%
-
Apollo F1$19.00 — or subscribe & save 15%
Why is Choosing the Right Cannabis Seeds Vital?
Choosing the right cannabis seeds is crucial for several reasons, each impacting the outcome of your cultivation project in different ways.
Reason #1: Genetics and Strain Variety
The genetics of the cannabis seeds determine the potential of the plant in terms of THC and CBD content, terpene profile, yield, and growth characteristics. Different strains offer varied effects, from stimulating and energizing to relaxing and sedating. Selecting seeds that align with your desired outcomes is fundamental.
Reason #2: Climatic Compatibility
Cannabis strains have adapted to thrive in specific environments. Some strains are better suited for cooler climates, while others need more warmth and sunlight. Choosing seeds that are well-suited to your growing environment can lead to healthier plants and higher yields.
Reason #3: Indoor vs. Outdoor Cultivation
Certain strains perform better indoors, where conditions can be carefully controlled, while others excel outdoors. Your cultivation setup should influence your choice of seeds.
Reason #4: Growth Difficulty
Some cannabis strains are more challenging to grow than others, requiring more attention to nutrients, lighting, and pruning. Beginners might opt for hardier, more forgiving strains.
Reason #5: Yield
The amount of usable cannabis flower a plant produces can vary significantly between strains. If yield is a priority, selecting seeds known for their high output is important.
Reason #6: Resistance to Pests and Diseases
Some strains are more resistant to common pests and diseases. This resilience can make the cultivation process smoother and reduce the need for chemical treatments.
Reason #7: Legal Considerations
Depending on your location, there may be legal restrictions on the types of cannabis you can grow, particularly concerning THC content. It’s imperative to select seeds that comply with local laws.
Reason #8: Personal Preference for Taste and Effect
Of course, personal preference has a significant role. The vast array of flavors, aromas, and effects cannabis can offer means you can select seeds that match your specific tastes and desired experiences.
-
Royal CBDV Auto$18.50 — or subscribe & save 15%
-
Painkiller XL$12.50 — or subscribe & save 15%
-
Royal Cookies$13.00 — or subscribe & save 15%
Understanding the Levels of Difficulty
Just like all plants, cannabis plants have certain basic requirements that enable them to grow from tiny seeds into healthy, mature plants. Because cannabis is nonornamental, we need to work harder to give it what it needs so that its buds develop the proper levels of cannabinoids and terpenes. Overall, cannabis plants require the following, regardless of the strain:
- The proper cycle of light and dark exposure.
- A certain temperature range.
- A certain humidity range.
- Specific nutrients.
- Individual attention to ensure plants are not diseased or infested with pests.
Also, many strains of cannabis require topping/pruning to encourage healthy growth, and even ensure that they can structurally support themselves.
Some strains are more temperamental than others, requiring very specific humidity levels, advanced pruning methods, an unforgivingly narrow range of sun exposure, and so on. Those strains are considered best for more experienced, advanced growers.
What are the Best Strains for Experienced Growers?
These strains can be less forgiving with different variables, but the sense of accomplishment you will get from growing them is undeniable, and you will be rewarded for your efforts with phenomenal buds that are ready to be harvested and enjoyed.
In order to grow these cannabis seed strains, you will need the following equipment and supplies:
- Growing medium: Soil, coco coir, or hydroponic systems.
- Lighting: LED or HID lamps are recommended for indoor growth.
- Nutrients: A balanced fertilizer suitable for cannabis growth; switch formulas as you transition from vegetative to flowering stages.
- Ventilation system: To maintain air circulation and temperature/humidity control.
- pH meter: To check the pH level of your water and soil, ensuring it stays within the optimal range (about 6.0-7.0 for soil and 5.5-6.5 for hydroponics).
Note: Use techniques like topping, LST (Low Stress Training), and SCROG (Screen of Green) to increase yields and manage plant size when need be.
Now, let’s look at strains that are considered more challenging, for growers who want to get really nerdy with their hobby.
Experienced Grower Strain #1: Trainwreck
Trainwreck is a notoriously powerful sativa strain that can make you feel super energized, uplifting, and tingly from head to toe. It’s a favorite for its heavy dose of psychoactive powers, and if you’re a fan of this legendary cultivar, the challenge of growing it is worthwhile.
Trainwreck is something of a diva during the growing process. It grows thin and tall, so regular topping is a must, or the stalks will simply collapse and break. It grows fast, too, so you really need to be on top of that. Training is important so that the plant grows properly, and it doesn’t grow so tall that it touches your grow lamps, which can cause the plant to burn.
Growing Steps:
- Start by germinating your Trainwreck seeds. You can do this by placing the seeds between moist paper towels and keeping them in a warm, dark place until they sprout.
- Once your seeds have sprouted, plant them in small pots with high-quality soil. Ensure they receive plenty of light (16-18 hours a day) and keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. This stage usually lasts about 2-3 weeks.
- When your plants have established a solid root system and have several sets of leaves, you can transition them to the vegetative stage. This involves more intense lighting (18-24 hours of light per day) and beginning to introduce nutrients, especially nitrogen-rich fertilizers, to promote healthy growth. This stage lasts until the plants are half their final desired size, as they will continue to grow in height during flowering.
- Trainwreck typically starts flowering when the light cycle is changed to 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness. This simulates the natural change in day length as the season progresses towards autumn, triggering the plants to flower. During this phase, switch to a phosphorus-rich fertilizer to encourage bud development. The flowering stage can last about 8-10 weeks for Trainwreck.
- Throughout the growth cycle, monitor your plants for pests, diseases, and nutritional deficiencies. Maintain proper humidity (40%-50% during vegetative growth and 40%-50% during flowering, with some variations depending on your specific environment) and temperature (around 70°F -85°F or 21°C -29°C during the day, slightly cooler at night).
- Trainwreck is ready to harvest when the trichomes (the tiny resin glands on the flowers) turn a milky white or amber color. This indicates peak THC content. Harvest by cutting down the plants, trimming away excess leaves, and then drying the buds in a controlled, ventilated space.
- After drying, cure the buds by placing them in airtight containers and storing them in a cool, dark place. Open the containers several times a day to let in fresh air and release any moisture. Curing can improve the potency, aroma, and flavor of your cannabis. This process usually takes about 2-4 weeks.
-
Wedding Cake$16.00 — or subscribe & save 15%
Experienced Grower Strain #2: Headband
Headband is a popular hybrid that can produce strong cerebral effects, hence its name, which refers to the fact that a warm and buzzy feeling will wrap around your head once the high kicks in. The plant is super temperamental when it comes to temperature, light, and humidity, being likely to yield a disappointing amount of buds if it doesn’t get exactly what it needs.
This cultivar hates humidity, needs a ton of light, and likes a hot environment, making it hard to accommodate unless you have an advanced indoor growing space. The buds also grow quite small, so that’s something to keep in mind.
Growing Steps:
- Start by germinating your Headband seeds. The paper towel method is effective: place seeds between moist paper towels and keep them in a warm, dark place until they sprout, usually within a few days.
- Transplant the sprouted seeds into small pots filled with a quality potting mix. Headband seedlings will need plenty of light (16-18 hours per day) to develop strong roots and foliage. Keep the soil consistently moist and maintain a temperature around 70°F -85°F (21°C -29°C).
- As the plants grow, they enter the vegetative stage. This phase requires lots of light (18-24 hours a day) to encourage growth. At this stage, you should also start feeding them with a balanced, nitrogen-rich fertilizer to support leaf and stem development. The vegetative phase lasts until the plants are about half their final desired size.
- Trigger the flowering stage by adjusting the light cycle to 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness. This copies the natural light cycle of late summer and induces flowering. Headband takes about 9 to 10 weeks to flower. Switch to a phosphorus-rich fertilizer to support bud formation and reduce nitrogen as excessive nitrogen can hinder bud development.
- Throughout all stages, vigilantly monitor for pests, diseases, and nutrient deficiencies. Headband benefits from a relative humidity of about 40%-50% during vegetative growth and 40%-45% during flowering. Temperature should be kept slightly cooler during the flowering stage to encourage terpene development, enhancing the strain’s aroma and flavor.
- The right time to harvest Headband is when most of the trichomes on the buds change from clear to a milky white or amber color. This change indicates peak THC/CBD levels. Harvest by cutting the plants, then carefully trim away the leaves to expose the buds.
- Hang the trimmed buds upside down in a controlled, ventilated environment to dry. This process usually takes about a week. After drying, cure the buds by placing them in airtight jars, storing them in a cool, dark place. Open the jars regularly to allow air exchange and remove excess moisture. Curing can last from two weeks to several months, depending on your preference. Proper curing will enhance the potency, flavor, and smoothness.
Experienced Grower Strain #3: Maui Wowie
Maui Wowie is really popular thanks to its ability to boost focus, creativity, and mood. Its tropical fruit flavor is also a major part of its appeal. What’s not so appealing, however, is its propensity for developing mold.
Maui Wowie is notorious for getting moldy, and this isn’t surprising considering its origin climate. The plant can develop mold quickly and rot entirely, killing off the whole plant. Assuming you stay on top of this, however, by checking it regularly, you can fend off mold so that you’re left with healthy buds.
Growing Steps:
- Begin by germinating the seeds. Place them between moist paper towels or directly into a starter cube. Keep them warm and moist until the seeds sprout, usually within 48 to 72 hours.
- Once the seeds have sprouted, plant them in small pots with a high-quality soil mix. The soil should be light and airy to encourage root growth. Maintain the seedlings under a gentle light source, maintaining humidity around 60%-70% and temperatures between 68°F -77°F (20°C -25°C).
- As the plants grow, they will enter the vegetative phase. This stage requires additional light, so increase their light exposure to 18 hours a day. Ensure adequate spacing to prevent mold and mildew. Continue to monitor humidity and temperature, adjusting as needed to maintain optimal growing conditions.
- Maui Wowie benefits from a balanced nutrient regime high in nitrogen during the vegetative phase and higher in phosphorus and potassium during the flowering stage. Always start with a lower nutrient concentration to avoid nutrient burn, gradually increasing as the plant matures.
- Water the plants when the top inch of the soil feels dry. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so ensure proper drainage. The frequency of watering will increase as the plants grow.
- To initiate the flowering phase, reduce the light exposure to 12 hours on and 12 hours off. This mimics the natural decrease in daylight hours and triggers flowering. Maintain a lower humidity level (around 40%-50%) during this stage to prevent bud rot.
- Maui Wowie typically flowers in 9-11 weeks. Look for the trichomes (tiny crystal-like structures on the buds) to turn milky white and for the pistils to darken and curl inward. These signs indicate the plant is ready for harvest. Cut the plants, trim away the leaves, and hang the buds upside down in a cool, dark place to dry.
- After drying, place the buds in airtight containers, opening them daily for the first week to allow moisture to escape and to prevent mold. This curing process enhances the potency and flavor of the buds.
-
Haze Berry Auto$11.00 — or subscribe & save 15%
Experienced Grower Strain #4: Jack Herer
Jack Herer is one of the most sought-after sativa strains of all time. Its mood effects are profound, as are its abilities to enhance social activities, making you feel chatty, giggly, and confident.
Jack Herer can also be a pain to grow if you don’t know what you’re doing, but the results are, again, totally worth it. It grows best outdoors, so if you have a warm and sunny climate, that’s ideal. Growing indoors can be done, but the plant grows very tall, so you have to make sure you have enough space for it to not touch those grow lamps.
Growing Steps:
- Start by germinating your Jack Herer seeds. You can do this by placing the seeds between moist paper towels or using seedling starter cubes. Keep them in a warm, dark place until they sprout, which typically takes 1-4 days. Jack Herer does well in both indoor and outdoor environments but thrives in stable conditions with temperatures ranging from 70°F -85°F (21°C -29°C).
- Once sprouted, transplant the seedlings into small pots with a quality potting mix. Use a light soil or a soilless mix that drains well. Maintain a gentle, steady light source (LEDs or fluorescent lights work well) and keep the environment humid (around 70%) and warm (around 75°F or 24°C).
- As your plants grow, they’ll need more space, so consider transplanting them into larger pots. Jack Herer plants prefer lots of light, so provide 18-24 hours of light per day. Regularly water your plants but allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings to prevent overwatering. Maintain room temperature and adjust your ventilation as needed to keep humidity around 40%-60%.
- During the vegetative stage, your plants will need high nitrogen levels. As they transition to the flowering stage, adjust the nutrients to higher phosphorus and potassium levels to support bud development. Start with a lower dosage to prevent nutrient burn and gradually increase as your plants grow.
- Jack Herer responds well to training methods like topping and low-stress training (LST), which can help maximize light exposure to all parts of the plant and potentially increase yields. These methods involve carefully bending and securing parts of the plant to create a more even canopy.
- To trigger the flowering stage, change the light cycle to 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness. Jack Herer typically flowers in about 50-70 days. During this stage, reduce humidity to 40%-50% to prevent mold and bud rot.
- Harvest time depends on the desired effects. Trichomes that are clear to milky white indicate a more cerebral high, while amber trichomes suggest a more relaxing effect. Use a magnifying glass to check trichome color. When ready, cut the plants, trim the buds, and hang them to dry in a cool, dark, and ventilated space for about a week.
- After drying, place the buds in airtight containers, opening them daily for the first week to allow gases to escape and then less frequently over the next few weeks. Curing enhances the potency, flavor, and overall quality of the buds.
Experienced Grower Strain #5: ACDC
ACDC is a high-CBD, low-THC strain, commonly sold on the hemp market. People love its ability to make you feel relaxed and focused, and it may offer a lot of potential benefits thanks to its unique CBD levels and terpene profile.
Growing ACDC is totally worth it as it’s regarded as one of the best CBD flower strains of all time. But, ACDC needs a lot of help. For one thing, you have to support it as it grows, since the stalks are quite thin and weak. Besides that, it has certain nutritional requirements that must be met perfectly, like lots of magnesium and calcium to grow properly.
Growing Steps:
- Begin by germinating the ACDC seeds. You can do this by placing the seeds between moist paper towels or planting them directly in starter cubes under a warm, moist environment. Typically, seeds will sprout within 72 hours, but some may take a bit longer.
- Once your seeds have sprouted, transplant them into small pots filled with a quality, light, and airy soil mix to encourage root development. Keep the seedlings under a gentle light source (LEDs or T5 fluorescent lights are ideal) and maintain a high humidity level around 70% with temperatures in the range of 68°F -77°F (20°C -25°C). ACDC thrives in a controlled environment with consistent temperatures and humidity levels. Outdoor growers should aim for a Mediterranean climate.
- As your plants grow larger, they will enter the vegetative stage. This stage requires ample light, so provide 18 hours of light and 6 hours of darkness each day. Ensure good air circulation and maintain a relative humidity around 40%-60%. At this point, plants will benefit from a nutrient solution high in nitrogen to support leaf and stem growth.
- Depending on your initial pot size, you might need to transplant your ACDC plants to larger containers to accommodate root growth. This usually happens once the plants have developed 4-6 true leaves. Be gentle during the transplant process to avoid root shock.
- During the vegetative stage, continue feeding your plants with a high-nitrogen nutrient mix. As you transition to the flowering stage, switch to a formula higher in phosphorus and potassium to encourage bud formation.
- To initiate the flowering stage, adjust the light schedule to 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness. ACDC will typically flower in 8 to 10 weeks. During this phase, reduce humidity to 40-50% to prevent mold and mildew. Keep an eye on trichome development to gauge harvest time; for ACDC, clear to milky white trichomes indicate peak CBD content.
- Harvest when the majority of trichomes are milky white for the highest CBD potency. Cut the plants, trim away excess leaves, and hang the buds upside down in a cool, dark, and ventilated space to dry.
- Permit the buds to dry until the stems snap rather than bend, usually taking about a week. Then, place the dried buds in airtight jars, opening them daily for the first week to allow moisture to escape and prevent mold. Curing can last from two weeks to several months, depending on your preference. Proper curing will enhance the flavor and potency of the buds.
Test Your Growing Skills with These 5 Impressive Strains!
If you’re an experienced cannabis cultivator, you will want to give these 5 strains a try, since they are totally rewarding. They offer some of the best effects out of any cannabis cultivars, and besides that, there’s a sense of pride you can look forward to when growing a notoriously difficult strain. At STRNG Seeds, you can explore many advanced strains in seed form, to take your hobby to the next level.
TO BUY CANNABIS SEEDS STRAIN CLICK HERE
-
Green Gelato Auto$13.00 — or subscribe & save 15%
-
O.G. Kush$11.00 — or subscribe & save 15%
-
Northern Lights$11.00 — or subscribe & save 15%