Blog Body:
The fascinating world of cannabis genetics is vast and complicated. The lineage or heritage of cannabis plants can impact the attributes, quality, and properties of the strains we consume. Understanding its genetic lineage can help users make informed decisions when purchasing or growing cannabis plants. When a strain has a known heritage, its properties or attributes can be more predictable. This is why it is important to know the parent strains of the cannabis strain you intend to use.
One of the first things to know is that cannabis plants have two primary species - cannabis sativa and cannabis indica. Most strains available today are hybrids of these species. Indica strains tend to be physically sedating, while sativa strains have a more uplifting effect. Knowing these differences can help you identify the right option depending on your needs. Additionally, the strain’s cannabinoid and terpene percentages, also derived from its genetics, can affect the overall experience.
Another critical aspect of cannabis genetics is cross-breeding. Cross-breeding a strain with another can enhance its quality, or create a whole new strain. Breeders cross strains to attain desired qualities, such as increased flavour, higher medicinal value, better resistance to pests, and improved yield. The result of cross-breeding is a hybrid strain that offers a unique combination of varying attributes from its parent strains.
Cannabis genetics already provide customers with plenty of strains, but breeders continue to create new and unique strains to fulfil the evolving desires of customers. These breeders produce different strains by tweaking and refining their parent strains, adding more complexity and uniqueness to the plants. The popularity and availability of these new hybrids can add to the confusion of selecting the right strain. However, since most of these strains have a durable lineage, it is still important to explore the plant’s heritage and how it affects its properties.
Conclusion:
In summary, the lineage of cannabis genetics is essential to understanding the characteristics of the different strains available on the market. The two primary species of cannabis, sativa and indica, are available as well as the hybrid strains derived from the cross-breeding of these two species. Cross-breeding also provides quality improvement, medicinal value, pest resistance, and better yield. Furthermore, knowing the lineage of a strain can help you make informed decisions when purchasing and ensure that the strain works for you. Therefore, the value of understanding cannabis genetics cannot be overemphasized.