Strains of cannabis flowers

CBD flowers and different strains of cannabis – what really is the difference? The market is flooded with products with seemingly bizarre label names and tags. They are supposed to inform about the potential flavour profile, suggested effects, cultivation methods or even about the plant “lineage”.

CBD flowers – how to read labels?

Dried cannabis flowers can generally be divided into two main categories – by their cultivation method. The plants can be grown both outdoors and indoors. Additional label signs inform about the plant species (sativa, indica), about the strain itself and even about the “family” it comes from (Lemon Haze, OG Kush etc.)
The names are supposed to hint at different smell and taste profiles, suggest potential effects and inform about the wider “family” that this particular strain comes from. 

A good example is a well known and liked cannabis strain called “Lemon Haze”. The first word suggests a citrus, fruity and fresh flavour profile. On the other hand, the word “Haze” refers to a wider family from the sativa species. This example shows that correctly reading and decoding the label can tell you a lot about the cannabis flowers in the jar.

Outdoor

Cannabis plants cultivated outside, in their natural habitat are commonly referred to as outdoor. Grows like that are usually done in the suitable climate that cannabis grown outside can thrive in. Plants cultivated this way usually reach a bigger size and give a larger yield during the harvest. They are also more resistant to changing weather patterns and pest infestations. Bigger size results in a longer growth cycle – it usually takes a longer time than in an indoor environment.

Outdoor doesn’t necessarily mean the flowers are of lesser quality compared to indoor plants. In the right climate, outdoor cultivation can be drastically cheaper than their indoor counterpart. Outdoor growing allows us to save on artificial light, additional air ventilation and circulation and even on water.

Indoor

Cannabis plants cultivated inside, under closed grows are usually referred to as indoor. A cultivation like this takes place in a specially prepared greenhouse or a grow tent under artificial light. A closed grow allows for complete control of weather conditions, soil, minerals and nutrients, elimination of pests and even the amount of light provided to the plants. A full control of the entire life cycle of the plant allows the grower to carefully control the plant and train it to his specifications and likings. Indoor plants usually grow faster, but reach a smaller size – confined to their greenhouses or tents.

CBD flowers – Does strain really matter?

In the case of CBD flowers, the matter is a little different than in the case of traditional cannabis flowers with a higher THC count. In traditional cannabis flowers, names and “families” of plants have a huge meaning. Different strains contain completely different terpene profiles, resulting in big differences in the smell and flavour of the flower. When it comes to CBD, the names don’t carry as big differences as in the case of regular cannabis. This is because of the polish law, requiring all CBD flowers not to exceed the 0,2% THC mark. Because of this requirement, most CBD flowers are produced from similar hemp plants. Growers don’t have the ability to experiment with genetics and terpene profiles. This results in smaller differences in smell and flavour between different strains.

CBD flowers – what to focus on?

While picking a suitable strain for yourself, the biggest focus should be towards the information about the cultivation method and the percentage content of CBD. The plants that fit in the 0,2% THC restrictions of the polish law, naturally contain the maximum of around 6% CBD. Any higher amounts indicate that the flowers had a CBD isolate added to them to increase the CBD percentage in the bud.

Another important element are certificates and tests. These guarantee the quality of the product and the cannabinoid count. 

The name of the strain itself doesn’t play as big of a role compared to traditional cannabis plants. The name still can suggest a wider “family” that this particular strain comes from, but it doesn’t have as big of a meaning in the flavour and smell difference.