How to grow purple cannabis

And, if you have made up your mind about growing cannabis at your home, why not try something new? Go for purple cannabis if you want an attractive plant that gives you top-notch quality weed.

Since you must be having so many questions about growing purple cannabis, here's an easy guide to solve all your doubts.

What Exactly Is Purple Cannabis?

Purple cannabis is a type of cannabis that has deep purple flowers and leaves. Like all other strains of cannabis, this also starts with green leaves that change color when exposed to cold temperatures. The strain of cannabis might sound new, but it has been around for a long time now.

To understand the reason behind this unique colorization, you'll have to know about flavonoids and hybrid weed. These plants are rich in flavonoids, which determine if a plant will turn orange or purple. And anthocyanin is the flavonoids from which cannabis gets its color. Otherwise, purple cannabis has cannabinoids, THC, and terpenes, just like all other strains.

The Process of Growing Purple Cannabis

Now that you got a thorough idea about what purple cannabis is, let's get to the process of growing the plant. Keep the following things in mind when growing this plant:

1. Opt for the Right Seeds

Choose the seeds that contain more anthocyanins to get the purple color from the beginning. If you choose a cannabis strain containing more catenoids, the plant will be yellow instead of purple. 

2. Look at the Color of the Pistils and Buds:

You need to select pistils, calyxes, and buds that are brightly colored from the start so that the result is as colorful. For getting the best effect on the cured and dried buds, you need to go for a strain where most parts of the plant are colorful. Apart from the buds and pistils, it's even better if the trichomes and leaves are colorful, as well.

To produce the most colorful results, you have to make sure that the color reaches the buds and the leaves surrounding it. Buds that are pale in color from the start usually lose most of that vibrancy upon reaching maturity. So, go for the darkest purple strain of cannabis that you can find.

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3. Temperature Changes to Bring Out the Color:

Purple cannabis needs the right kind of temperature to get a vivid shade. Anthocyanin production and cold temperature are closely related. As such, anthocyanin gets activated by shorter, cooler days and longer, colder nights.

Since the plants adapt to their growing area's climatic conditions, you'll have to tweak the temperature for the best results. Try to keep the plants under shade during the day to stimulate anthocyanin production. You might even consider turning down the temperature around the plant. Generally, a nighttime temperature of below fifty degrees works well for purple cannabis.

In this regard, it's important to mention that certain purple cannabis strains work well under direct, strong light. You can ask the breeder about any specific advice they might have regarding the strain that you have purchased to grow.

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4. Preparations for Harvesting the Plant:

There is no denying that finally getting to harvest the plant is the best part of the entire process. But, figuring out the right time for harvesting is something that needs a bit of keen observation. The plant will start growing buds as the first sign of being ready for harvest. Get your magnifying glass out, and look closely at the plant to know if it's ready.

On looking at the buds and leaves under a magnifying glass, you'll notice that small crystal-like substances have started coming out of them. These are trichomes, which will go from being clear to cloudy in appearance within a few days. And, you can harvest the plant when all the trichomes turn cloudy.

Now, take the buds and hang them out to dry for six weeks at a minimum. Your purple cannabis is ready!

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How Not to Grow Purple Cannabis

You now know the steps to grow beautiful and potent purple cannabis. With so many myths about growing these strains, it's also crucial to differentiate the facts from misconceptions.

First off, no amount of carbon dioxide or oxygen deprivation can turn a green cannabis plant into a purple one. Therefore, let the plants breathe and don't unnecessarily suffocate them. The same thing goes for adjusting the plants' water and light: that's not how you turn the plant purple. Even increasing nitrogen will only make the plant turn brown.

Endnote

And that's it! You have all the information you need to try your hand at growing purple cannabis. So, go ahead and follow the suggestions given above, and let the plants bloom in the brightest shade of purple for you to use or distribute.

By Rebecca Siggers

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Source: Goedemorgen