Without a doubt, one of the most demanded cannabinoids today is THC. This compound, though producing a cerebral high and making users feel intoxicated, is therapeutically valuable. It has strong anti-convulsant and painkilling properties and helps people with nausea. Thus, its use is also widespread across the USA, despite the need to get a prescription from a medical professional to access THC (unlike the over-the-counter availability of CBD).
Due to the recent advances in weed legalization, users with medical cannabis needs have received a unique opportunity to grow weed at home and get their supply of THC without the need to visit a dispensary now and then. The only skill to master is growing THC-rich cannabis. So, how can the total THC production in a cannabis crop be increased? What seeds can be used to achieve buds with high THC content?
Here we reveal several vital aspects of weed cultivation that can maximize the THC content in your harvest. If you want to learn more, https://askgrowers.com/seeds/thc THC weed seeds guide can become your go-to resource with plenty of educational information and a selection of top THC-rich seeds for purchase.
What Is THC and Why Does It Matter?
Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is the principal psychoactive compound out of the 113 cannabinoids recognized in cannabis. It has historically been used recreationally due to its psychoactive effects, ensuring weed consumers get a sustained euphoric feeling for many hours. Cannabis products rich in THC leave users feeling high for longer than products with low THC concentrations. However, THC is also valuable in therapeutic terms. Recently, medical research has found it effective in treating specific symptoms and diseases in humans.
The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is conducting research studies to update its 2017 guidelines on THC’s use, safety, and efficiency as an antiemetic for cancer patients. The substance has been synthesized and used in FDA-approved drugs, such as dronabinol and nabilone, prescribed to cancer patients to help curb chemotherapy-related nausea. Other THC uses include improved respiratory stability in patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea. However, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine still studies the compound’s safety, tolerability, and effectiveness in sleep regulation.
How to Grow High THC Seeds from Seed to Smoke
The first step in cultivating a high-THC product is to choose high-quality seeds of a THC-rich cannabis strain with the heaviest and most potent buds or the highest growth level. According to AskGrowers, here are some of the top three best quality, potent weed strains.
- Godfather OG: As of 2023, it is reported to be the most potent marijuana strain with a 34% THC concentration, leaving the user in a happy, relaxed state.
- Grease Monkey: This Indica-dominant hybrid crossbred between gorilla glue and cookies and cream packs a substantial 31% THC content.
- Pacman OG: This cannabis strain packs an impressive 29% THC content, making it one of the most potent cultivars.
What to Consider Before Starting the Planting Process
High-quality marijuana is in high demand, and as the market grows, growers are becoming more inventive in cultivating buds with high THC levels. If the THC levels of your cannabis are in the 25–30% range, it is among the highest reported strains, even if you don’t have access to the cannabis varieties included in this article. Here is what to consider before starting the growth process for your cannabis.
#1. Get Some Seeds or Clones
To produce high-quality crops, you must start with high-quality seeds. Once you settle on the type of strain you want to cultivate, go ahead and look for well-tested and approved seeds to begin your journey. Consider the desired yield size and the growing conditions you can provide for the plants.
#2. Select Your Space and Lighting
Whether you intend to cultivate weed indoors or outdoors, finding a secure location is essential to the success of your garden. The most important considerations are its height, security, and lighting. Outdoor farmers should find a vast, secluded space without shrubs, brush, and overhanging trees that might shade out a garden.
Southern-facing clearings are usually the optimal choice because they receive plenty of sunlight throughout the day. It’s also crucial to remember that while a plot may appear clear in the early spring, a slew of weeds, bushes, and tree limbs may have taken root by summertime. As a result, it is critical to clear the ground of any vegetative materials and trim back neighboring tree limbs.
Indoor growers should consider the room’s height, maintaining a minimum height of 6 feet for their crops to thrive. They should also ensure that the room is warm and well-aerated to avoid muskiness that may cause molds. The grower should also invest in a good lighting system to achieve maximum quality and quantity of yield.
#3. Pick Your Substrate and Containers
The next step is to select the medium where you will grow your plants, as the root zone is critical to a plant’s growth and development. Containers are as important as the medium because both work together to keep the roots moist and oxygenated—two essential components for a happy, healthy garden.
Outdoor gardeners have the privilege of working with actual soil or silt in their gardens, in addition to compost and soil supplements. Most outdoor farmers use these mediums, but those growing indoors are limited to more sterilized and nontoxic mediums. In fact, indoor gardeners no longer use soil; instead, they utilize “soilless” mediums, which look and feel similar to typical topsoil but are more expensive.
#4. Get the Best Nutrients for Your Plant
The nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium (N-P-K) ratio should be your first reference point when purchasing fertilizer items. Fertilizer lines are typically divided into a “Grow” formula and a “Bloom” formula. Grow recipes are higher in nitrogen, whereas Bloom formulas are higher in phosphorus and potassium. These proportions correspond to the requirements of the plants during their vegetative and blooming stages of development.
How to Grow the Highest Quality THC Cannabis
Now that you have planned out your weed’s cultivation, here are the various phases of cannabis plant growth and what to look for.
- Germination stage: Once you have chosen the strain, space, and substrate, germinate your seed. In this phase, the marijuana seed needs little to no attention to grow except for a good balance of moisture and warmth. This stage lasts between one to seven days.
- Seedling stage: In this delicate cannabis growing stage that lasts two to three weeks, the seedling develops chlorophyll and the essential cannabinoids. Be keen not to overwater the sapling as this would lead to the plant’s death. The plant requires approximately 18 hours of light daily to thrive and good air circulation. Keep a keen eye on observing the development of mold or diseases as the plant is prone to those in this stage.
- Vegetation stage: At this point, your marijuana plant has a more robust stalk and some broader leaves, which will grow into a bush within two to eight weeks, depending on the cannabis variety. At this stage, your plant requires 12 -18 hours of lighting and a steady supply of nutrients.
- Flowering stage: Your plant is now shooting buds; the smell is unique, depending on your chosen strain. The plant’s nutrient requirements need you to shift to more phosphorus and potassium and less nitrogen. Look out for the males and prune them to prevent the pollination of females. Pruning of the female plants also increases the THC concentration and yield quantity.
- Harvesting stage: The journey is over, and your buds are now ready for harvest and curing! Before cutting them off, it is advisable to flush your buds in the final flowering week to get rid of pesticide residue. You can then cure and dry your buds in a clean container before rolling them up for much-awaited smoke.
Conclusion
Choose only the best-quality seeds to avoid disappointing results from your farming endeavor. Armed with the information shared in this article, you should enjoy the fantastic, long-sustained effects of smoking your weed in no time. Good luck with your weed-growing project!
The author of this article is Denys Svirepchuk, a regular contributor to the AskGrowers blog and an avid fan of cannabis-growing technology. Denys is passionate about the potential of the cannabis industry for different populations, so he spreads word of mouth and educational information about growing weed to help current and aspiring growers achieve optimal results.
