Is Foxtailing in Cannabis Plants Good or Bad? Wait, what’s foxtailing again?

Most growers prefer their cannabis buds to be compact and dense, while a select few don’t mind having delicate, airy, and elongated buds. It may sound strange, but some growers actually require seeds from foxtail cannabis plants for their farms. Therefore, foxtails in cannabis cannot be universally labeled as good or bad. It depends on the niche of the breeder.

Genetics and growing methods play a big role in the formation of foxtail buds. Farmers who don’t want this should buy the best seeds from trusted seedbanks and use growing methods that don’t stress the plants with environmental pollution. Growing cannabis is not just about the outward appearance of the buds, but also about their potency, weight, flavor and aroma.

Foxtail cannabis plants

First off, what is foxtail? Foxtail is a term used to describe the deformed appearance of cannabis plants. Here the buds elongate uncontrollably and take on an irregular shape. This strange phenomenon affects cannabis plants in their flowering phase.

Foxtails can be quite unsettling for inexperienced growers. Confused about whether the appearance is good or bad, normal cannabis buds have regular shapes with dense buds, while foxtail buds have longer and slender shapes with less dense or thin buds.

If you search “foxtail cannabis plants” online, you will be presented with images of cannabis plants with calyxes arranged one on top of the other to form tower-like figures. If you look closely, you’ll see various thin sugar leaves protruding from beneath the stacked calyxes. This appearance gave rise to the name “fox tails”. The delicate sugar leaves give the buds an odd, bushy appearance reminiscent of a fox’s tail.

What causes foxtail?

Cannabis Science has traced the foxtail to three causal factors. They are genetics, heat stress and light stress. Once you understand the roles these variables play and how best to spot them, you’ll have a better idea of ​​the foxtail effect your cannabis crop is developing. There are also preventative and corrective tips you can take to get over the situation.

genetics

Different cannabis strains have individual genes that differ from others. Some cannabis plants have foxtail genes in a dominant or recessive form – these plants are more foxtailed than others. For the past four decades, breeders have experimented with different strains to identify individual traits. These breeders insist that foxtailing is one of the main defects resulting from continuous inbreeding. Farmers who prefer to have this trait on their farms said they enjoy producing unusual or unique flowers. You must buy your cannabis plants or seeds from reputable companies to avoid growing a genetically predisposed trait.

Mild stress

This is a stressor for indoor grown cannabis plants. Excessive artificial light from LED or HID sources often results in the worst foxtailing effects. Cannabis is a sun loving plant and this inspired the use of grow lights to mimic sunlight when growing indoors.

Farmers make the mistake of hanging lights too close to crops or leaving lights on in extremely hot temperatures. This quickly leads to stress and foxtails later on. It is best to place the grow lights a reasonable distance from the flowers of the plant. In addition, farmers have to adjust the temperature of the light to the growth phase of the plant. Experts recommend HID lights over LEDs because they emit less heat.

heat stress

This affects indoor and outdoor cannabis plants. It is more common than mild stress and is one of the main causes of foxtailing. Depending on the variety, cannabis plants thrive best at temperatures between 20° and 30°C. Extremely low or hot temperatures tend to have a negative impact on plants. For example, excessive heat impairs a plant’s ability to maintain homeostasis. It becomes unable to form healthy roots, flowers and buds. It also limits their ability to absorb the nutrients necessary for growth and productivity.

Cannabis plants can handle high temperatures for up to two days, but after that they can start foxtailing.

Good and bad cannabis foxtails

Some strains are genetically predisposed to foxtailing. It is more of a trait for these varieties and is referred to as “good foxtail”. Bad foxtails, on the other hand, occur when the plant suffers from environmental stress. Foxtails are only desirable if the plant’s genes produce them. In order to be sure of foxtailing in your cannabis, it is advisable to investigate the underlying cause as soon as the trait is noticed.

For the eccentric and pro-foxtail cannabis grower, there are a few strains to choose from, including Blue Cheese and Train Wreck. These strains are genetically predisposed to display foxtail traits during the flowering phase.

How to correct foxtailing in cannabis

Farmers who are not interested in the characteristics of the foxtail are advised to try the following tips to correct the structure of the buds of their plants. These tips are all about reducing the stress on your plants, whether they are grown indoors or outdoors or not.

Light distance can be changed

The first step an indoor cannabis grower needs to take is to check the distance between the facility’s grow lights and the flowers. They need to hang at an optimal height of about 29-31 cm from the top of the canopy. You’ll also need to remove excess grow lights, especially the LED lights. HID lights work best to maintain balance for cannabis plants.

Reduce environmental stress

Environmental stress includes overwatering, underwatering, too high or too low temperatures, pH, EC number and humidity. If you notice foxtail or other deformities on your farm, you should check and regulate the listed factors.

Can foxtail buds be harvested?

The occurrence of foxtails on cannabis plants does not render the plant unfit for consumption. It just indicates that the plants are stressed. Foxtail buds can be harvested. The problem is that they weigh less than regular buds and are less dense. So you can harvest them, extract the necessary oils, or even pack them in cones. The foxtails don’t mean you wouldn’t enjoy the pot.

bottom line

If you like foxtails, buy foxtail strains or seeds from reputable seed banks. Try not to put environmental stress on the plants to induce foxtails; it would have adverse effects. The goal is to have good foxtails or no foxtails.

TRIMMING CANNABIS PLANTS, READ MORE…

CANNABIS SUGAR LEAVES, WHAT ARE THEY AND HOW TO CUT THEM?