Do you know the difference between cannabis strains, phenotypes and strains?

This article originally appeared on Cannabis.net and has been republished with permission.

When purchasing cannabis strains, you will find that there are many other terms used to describe them. This includes phenotypes, chemotypes, genotypes and varieties. These are also important terms to know if you want to grow your own cannabis.

Here’s a guide to everything you need to know about the many names used to describe cannabis strains.

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Cannabis strains and strains

Cannabis strains are the variation names formed by strains and any progeny produced from these modified plants. They can be produced through regular breeding or other more modern methods, sometimes they can also arise through genetic mutations.

The name of a cannabis strain like Blue Dream, Afghan Kush or Sour Diesel refers to the characteristics that the strain retains. Today, nearly 1,000 cannabis strains are known, which are further classified into one of three categories: sativa, indica, or hybrid. In general, sativa cannabis strains are known for their energizing and uplifting properties when consumed, while indica strains tend to be more calming and relaxing—suitable for late-night consumption. Meanwhile, hybrid strains combine the effects of both.

As cannabis use becomes more widespread around the world, there is always a new strain to try and look forward to as breeders attempt to make their own.

Botanically, strains and cultivars refer to plants that have been sexually bred by seed propagation. Selected plant seeds, such as those chosen because they have certain properties, are used to create another generation. Mutations can occur during the sexual reproduction of cannabis plants, although they usually only affect one plant, which the breeder can usually remove from the rest of the population.

At the end of the day, both cannabis strains and cultivars are exactly the same. Scholars tend to use the term cultivars, while strains are a more popular, mainstream term.

When looking for strains, consider or ask the breeder:

genetic ancestry: Understanding the genetic lineage of a strain will help you identify known strains. There are also numerous possible phenotypes for a strain, so knowing it by name is not enough.

laboratory tests: If you want to know more about the effects of a strain in more detail, a lab test can give you more accurate information about its THC and CBD levels, as well as its cannabinoids and terpenes.

effects: The way to know the effects of a strain is to research what consumers are saying. This will help you understand if you have specific needs that the strain can fulfill or not, and if other consumers can satisfy their needs with this strain. It’s a good place to start, although people will experience different effects as there are other factors that affect how we feel when consuming a strain, such as: B. Our own endocannabinoid system, which is different from other people’s endocannabinoid systems.

leaf type: In some cases you can easily tell the leaf variety by looking at the plant, in other cases it is not so obvious that you would have to ask. If she has big, fat buds, they are likely to possess the same genotypes and phenotypes as broad-leaved strains (BLV), while those with long, thin buds and leaves will exhibit the characteristics of a narrow-leaved strain (NLV).

Varietal shapes and sizes

Aside from the psychoactive properties, strains and strains are also identified by their physical properties. As mentioned earlier, there are Broadleaf (BLV) varieties, which are fat and bushy plants with broad leaves, while Narrowleaf (NLV) are thin and lanky plants with thin leaves. Broad-leaved plants are known for their sedative and calming effects, while narrow-leaved plants are uplifting and energizing.

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Keep in mind that while these are the usual effects associated with these strains, they are not limited to them. However, they guide the phenotypes and strains that breeders want to grow. Because of this, breeders can now create strains or cultivars that are uplifting and energizing while being slightly calming. This has led to the growth of the hybrid strain market where you can now buy many backcrosses and mixes for a uniquely pleasurable experience.

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Phenotypes, genotypes, chemotypes

We’ve already mentioned that strains or strains are classified based on their observable effects: uplifting, calming, etc.

These phenotypes are essentially the apparent traits of a plant that are associated with its effects on consumers. On the other hand, a genotype is the plant’s genetic makeup and internal blueprint, passed down from its ancestors. A genotype gives the list of possible traits that a plant can have and pass on to its offspring, although a cannabis genotype is influenced by the environment in which it is grown. The overall smell, shape, and color of a plant are all affected by the environment in which cannabis was grown.

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A chemotype refers to the chemical makeup of the plant, or what chemical components and cannabinoids are found and their amounts. Specifically, this would tell you how much CBD or THC a plant has, as well as its cannabinoids and terpenes. There are around 85 known cannabinoids, all of which have various health benefits and effects, while terpenes contribute to the strain’s unique smells and influence its therapeutic and psychoactive effects.

Differences in the same strain of cannabis

It’s not uncommon that when you buy another batch of Lemon Kush you find that it tastes, looks and feels different than the last batch you bought that you absolutely loved. This can happen because the environment and genetics affect the strain, so the end result is a plant that expresses different phenotypes.

Now that you are armed with information, you can start experimenting by growing your own cannabis plant or perhaps trying a new cannabis strain.

This article originally appeared on Cannabis.net and has been republished with permission.