Indica Strains

Short description

Up until 1785, all cannabis plants were classified as Sativa. That was until Jean-Baptiste Lamarck identified a variety of cannabis species that possessed varying morphological characteristics. The development of the subspecies' features was further advanced by Richard Evans Schultes and Loran C. Anderson. Today, Indica refers to a cannabis variety with short, sturdy, branchy plants with broad, dark-green leaves.

Indicas are packed with cannabinoids like THC, CBD, CBN, and CBG, making them an ideal choice for medical, recreational, and scientific research purposes. The plants are famous for the body-centered experience they produce as opposed to the cerebral effects of the Sativa plants. Consumers report feeling hazy, relaxed, calm, lazy, sedated, numb, and tension-free.

Types of Indica strains

There are two types of Indica Strains:

Pure Indica / Landrace strains

Indica landrace strains refer to varieties that have 100% Indica genetics. The plants have never undergone any cross-breeding or genetic alterations. Pure Indica plants evolved in harsh climates and environments, forcing them to adapt. This explains why they are resilient and have a shorter growth period than Sativas. Most strains originate from Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, and Nepal regions. Examples include Hindu Kush, Lashkar Gah, and Afghani.

Hybrids / Indica dominant strains

These plants have been crossed with other plants (Indica and Sativa), leading to a loss/suppression of part of their original genetic composition. There are three types of hybrids; Indica dominant, Sativa dominant, and 50/50 or balanced hybrids.

The Indica dominant variety's appearance, growing requirements, and effects lean more towards its Indica heritage. Examples include OG Kush, GSC, Northern Lights, and Kosher Kush.

Appearance

Indicas grow to a maximum height of 1 meter indoors and 2 meters outdoors. The short, dense, and compact plants are characterized by thick stems and lush, tightly packed buds. The leaves are broad and take on a dark green hue.

Growing Indica strains

Generally, growing cannabis plants is a straightforward process. However, having a deep understanding of the ins and outs of the whole process differentiates a typical plant with overage yields from a very healthy and high-yielding one. When it comes to subspecies, cultivators prefer the Indica variety thanks to its ease of growth, fast growth, and high-yielding nature.

What conditions are necessary for the optimum growth of Indica strains?

Germination stage:

There are several ways to initiate the growth of cannabis seeds. One of the simplest ones is by using dampened paper towels. Ensure that the water is distilled. Place the paper towel in a dark place where the temperatures range between 22°C to 23°C (71°F to 75°F). The seeds should germinate within one to five days.

Seedling stage:

After the germination stage is the seedling stage; here, the plant grows its first leaves within 1-3 weeks. It is not advised to use any nutrients at this phase since it can easily harm the delicate seedling. After the taproot and the first or second leaf grow, it's time to move the seedling to its final growing medium. The plant is now in its vegetative stage.

Vegetative stage:

This is where the plant focuses on growing exponentially to facilitate a seamless flowering stage. Unlike Sativas, Indica plants concentrate more on developing a sturdy stem and branch network to support the weight of the numerous buds. The broad leaves of the Indica help capture sufficient sunlight for food production.

As a grower, this is the time to use growth-boosting macro and micronutrients. Look for products with high levels of Nitrogen, average amounts of potassium, and low levels of phosphorus.

Additionally, the short nature of the plants makes them ideal candidates for low-stress training and super cropping techniques for higher yields. The Sea of Green and Screen Of Green are also suitable options for the Indica varieties. Keep the temperatures steady between 20°C-22°C and humidity levels of 40% to 50%. The light schedule should be 18/6 (recommended), 20/4, or 24/0 (not recommended as it doesn't give the plant the much-needed rest time). The vegetative stage lasts for 3-6weeks.

Flowering stage:

This is the bud-production stage. For Indicas, it lasts between 7-9weeks. To Initiate this phase, alter the lighting schedule from 18/6 or 20/4 to 12/12. Here, a grower doesn't need to do much except ensure that the plants get the necessary nutrients to support the production of the trichome-filled buds. Get products with high levels of Phosphorus and Potassium, and low amounts of Nitrogen.

After 7-9 weeks, the plant is ready for the harvesting process.

Harvest, drying, and curing:

Before harvesting, inspect the trichomes. If they are milky or amber, the plant is ready for harvest. Other signs of a mature cannabis plant include;

• Yellow and curly leaves, which may probably begin to fall off.

• Hanging branches, thanks to the swollen, heavy, and harvest-ready buds

• Buds stop increasing in size

Cannabis can be harvested in either of two ways. The first option is cutting the plant down, removing all the buds from the branches, trimming, and drying them all at once. The other option is cutting the plant down and leaving it to completely dry before cutting the buds off the branches and trimmings them. What remains constant is the fact that the buds have to be dried. So, is this important, and how is it done?

The process and importance of drying your cannabis Indica plants

Most growers and connoisseurs utilize the second method of harvesting cannabis. For the drying process, the branches are hung upside down in a well-ventilated and darkroom. One can use a fan to facilitate free flow and air. Avoid directing it towards the plants as it can largely interfere with the outcome. The ideal temperature for drying Indica plants is 18°C to 24°C (65°F to 75°F), while the humidity should be between 45% to 55%. During this process, the plant matter loses around 75% of its moisture.

Well-spaced plants contribute to proper drying and impressive results. As a grower, always ensure you conduct regular inspections of the buds to ensure the process flows seamlessly. Additionally, one needs to turn the plants around to ensure that all parts of the buds are exposed to fresh air in the room. The drying process may take anywhere between 5 days to 10 days.

How do you know if your cannabis is properly dried?

Rushing the drying process degrades the cannabinoid THC and interferes with the quality of the final product. To check if the plants have properly dried, put the branches and stems between your fingers and apply some pressure. If they break, rather than bend, then they are properly dried.

At this point, the cannabis is ready for consumption, but conducting proper curing will lead to a more potent, terpene-rich, and top-notch end product.

But first, how is cannabis trimmed?

Trimming buds gets rid of excess leaves, shielding them as well as giving them some aesthetic appeal. The process is easy to execute and requires minimum skill. With a pair of sterilized scissors, cut off all the leaves obstructing the buds. It can be as little or as much as you want, depending on how you define a neatly trimmed bud.

Tip: Do not throw away the trimmed leaves as they contain a substantial amount of trichomes on both sides. Use them to make a wide array of weed edibles instead.

Curing cannabis Indica buds

Place the buds in an airtight glass container with humidity levels ranging between 60% to 65%. Store them in a dark room with temperatures of 21°C (70°F). Within the first week, open the container twice a day for 15 minutes. This allows the buds to breathe (commonly referred to as 'burping'), allows fresh air into the container, and gets rid of the moisture released by the buds. After the first week, burp the buds one every few days or per week. The curing process may take 2 weeks or up to 6 months, depending on the cultivator's preference or target consumers.

Importance of curing cannabis:

• Similar to aging fine, classic wine, curing cannabis improves its overall quality, taste, and compound composition (potency).

• Taking time to rid the buds of moisture presents the various terpenes found in cannabis plants. The terpenes give the plant its respective flavor and aroma.

• The low moisture levels of a properly dried and cured bud allows it to be stored for longer periods (up to 2years). To facilitate the long shelf-life, store the buds in;

  • Glass airtight containers

  • Dark places away from direct sunlight

  • Invest in a hydrometer to keep the humidity levels in check

  • Store different strains in different jars and label each to avoid mixing the various flavors.

Therapeutic Benefits

Indica has potent therapeutic properties that help with the following conditions;

• Mild to chronic pain

• Different forms of anxiety

• Epileptic seizures

• Nausea and vomiting

• Insomnia