Quote:

---

A primary joy that comes from growing cannabis yourself is that you get to pick the genetics that interest you. However, not all strains are created equal and depending on the genetics, the plant you want to grow could be a poor choice for your garden. Indicas, sativas, and the many hybrid strains in between all grow differently, take varying times to flower, and produce a different end product.

Traits of a typical indica cannabis plant:

Shorter flowering time
High yields
Effects: Sedating, relaxing
Symptom Relief: Anxiety, insomnia, pain, muscle spasms
Morphology: Short, bushy, broader leaves
Because of indica’s shorter flowering periods and higher yields, they have always been popular amongst growers. Shorter flowering periods mean plants mature and finish growing sooner than sativa strains. This allows outdoor gardens to exist in climates where fall turns to winter quickly. For indoor gardeners, this means more cycles annually. The higher yields also incentivize growers to work with indicas to increase profit margins. Additionally, a benefit of growing indicas is their short stature which is ideal for most gardens indoors and out where space is limited and direct sunlight is a top priority.

Traits of a typical sativa cannabis plant:

Longer flowering time
Low yields
Effects: Uplifting, creative, cerebral
Symptom Relief: Depression, ADD/ADHD, fatigue, mood disorders
Morphology: Tall, lanky, thin leaves
Sativa genetics come from near the equator, where the summers are long and the winters are mild. Sativas grow long, lanky, and take their time to finish. Generally, they are not a first pick for gardeners as their height is difficult indoors while their lower yields make for a reduced profit. However, if you are more interested growing as a connoisseur you might take great pleasure from exploring the sativa strains and the varying effects.

---

For a first grow I would recommend an indica for the above reasons. Pure sativa flower by age of the plant rather then light cycle but even 5% of indica is enough for the plant to flower by changing the light cycle from 18 hours to 12 hours. FYI running a light for 24 hours is not cost effective because even plants need to sleep.


I would flower a sativa at 10 to 12 inches. You will need to top the plant repeatedly to shorten its height and to make it more bushy.

Quote:

---

And will my $25 LED grow light be sufficient to grow a nice clone to maturity?

---

Quote:

---

SonicTitan said:
Would it be okay to go from led to hps, or would it be ideal to cycle from veg to flowering with two of the lights linked above?

---