Guide for choosing your cannabis strain -

How to interpret cannabis strain descriptions

We receive many queries about the parameters included in the descriptions of the different cannabis strains, and more specifically, the traits section. While some aspects, like production per square meter or cannabinoid content, are very clear for the experienced grower, newcomers to the wonderful world of marijuana home growing can find them confusing. Today, we are explaining in detail each of the attributes that can be found in the information provided by the cannabis seed banks concerning the genetics they sell. This will help you to clear any doubts when checking the strains' index cards and descriptions and to understand every trait of the plants outlined in their catalogs.

Smoke Report: Punch Out by Purple City Genetics

Today we'd like to invite you to share in a tasting session with one of Purple City Genetics' most spectacular varieties: Punch Out. Coming from a cross between Legend OG and the mythical Purple Punch, this hybrid has a rich and complex flavour and aroma that stand out above the rest, whether consumed in a cannabis vaporiser or, as in our case, rolled up in a traditional joint. Just one look at the pedigree of this variety is all that's needed to know that we're dealing with something very special. For its part, Legend OG (The Crinkle Cut) is a clone-only strain with OG Kush genetics, which is pretty much held as the benchmark of quality that many other varieties are measured by, and used in countless top-quality hybrids. On the other hand, we can't add much to everything that has already been written about Purple Punch, a plant that stands out on its own, but which also offers amazing results as a parent equalled by very few other strains. Without a doubt, the guys at PCG have come up with a knockout combination for Punch Out!

Low-THC Cannabis Varieties

With the rise of medicinal cannabis use and the inclusion of CBD in a multitude of products, the varieties of hemp chosen for cultivation are becoming increasingly important for the producer, who can see how the total CBD yield can easily double if the right choice is made. However, and as every professional hemp farmer knows, his activity is restricted by limits on the THC content in his plants permitted under the corresponding legislation, and that each country has its own limits and regulations. In today's article, we're going to introduce you to the best currently available varieties with THC levels below 1%, meaning that they can be grown in certain countries without any type of legal issues because they stay below the limits established by the respective jurisprudence. Not only that, but we'll also show you some of the certified hemp varieties that we offer in our seed catalogue.

Runtz, born under a lucky star

Since its official launching at the end of 2017, Runtz genetics hasn't stopped receiving awards and praise due to its quality and, why not say it?, a great marketing campaign. Today we are going to see in detail this unique plant, and show you some of the options available in case you want to try it. You won't regret it!

Medicinal Cannabis strains

The use of therapeutic or medicinal cannabis has seen an unprecedented boom in recent years, with thousands of people treating their illnesses, ailments and side-effects derived from other treatments either with the cannabis plant itself or the extracts that derive from it. The multiple benefits offered and the growing number of users bear witness to its effectiveness, which in recent times has led to redoubled efforts by breeders and seedbanks to create new hybrids with better ratios of certain cannabinoids, such as THC, CBD or, more recently, CBG. Today we're going to take a look at the best cannabis varieties for medicinal use, in particular from the point of view of the relative quantity of cannabinoids they contain. Nowadays, although CBG is fast gaining popularity, the "star cannabinoids" in terms of medicinal properties are THC and CBD, and we can find plenty of varieties with different ratios or proportions between one compound and the other. So, here we're going to list them according to their cannabinoid ratio so that it's easier for you to find the one you're looking for.

The history of Purple Punch (Alpha Cut)

Purple Punch, from the best Californian dispensaries to the world From time to time, we cannabis lovers start wondering about the origins of certain strains. On many occasions, this curiosity about the origin of certain genetics comes because they have reached a high level of popularity among users, while other times it's because these strains are sweeping the board at cannabis cups or because we can suddenly find them in the best dispensaries or cannabis clubs of our cities. Another reason for our curiosity could be that this strain has been newly added to the catalogue of our favourite seed bank. Well, this time we are going to dedicate an article to telling you more about the well-known Purple Punch, in particular about one of the most popular clones or cuts that have come from it, the "Alpha Cut".

Alchimia's Desert Island Strains: our personal favourite genetics

Choosing a cannabis variety has never been so stressful due to the sheer quantity of genetics available in the Alchimia grow shop catalogue. Even so, each of us usually has that special strain that we always like to have in our garden and that we regularly cultivate. We asked the Alchimia team of growers for their favourite variety, that bud that they always have in reserve and that seed that is always ready to germinate. Here is our selection of Desert Island Strains.

Choosing cannabis seeds for five-star water hash

With the increasing popularity of cannabis concentrates and resin extractions, it's only natural that more and more growers are looking for genetics that are well suited to these techniques. Whether you're growing in a small grow tent for your own supply or in a huge legal cultivation facility for a dispensary, it's always best to be as efficient and effective as possible, and that means getting the best return in terms of quality and quantity from the time, money and effort that you've invested cultivating.

Auto-Flower, Fast Version & Photo-Dependent... what's the difference?

Nowadays we growers are faced with more choices than ever when buying cannabis seeds, which can be a little overwhelming for some of us. It's not uncommon to find a seed bank offering several different versions of their best genetics, so as well as feminised seeds, we can often find the same strain also being sold as an "auto" and sometimes even a "fast version". What exactly does all this mean, and why do breeders offer these different options?

Rare cannabis strains

Most interesting and curious cannabis strains Throughout the history of marijuana, breeders have strived to find the best possible specimens of each strain in order to get hold of the highest quality plants, refine their lineages, and obtain new hybrids that are as solid as impressive. But the truth is that Mother Nature is unpredictable and sometimes she surprises and delights us with some unique and out of the ordinary plants, which stand out for their morphology or ability to adapt, developing very different traits to what we commonly consider as marijuana. Botanical inquisitiveness has led some breeders who have encountered these "mutant strains" to investigate whether they possess interesting features that could be used in cannabis breeding, thus popularizing these hybrids' peculiarities, pros, and cons.

How to make feminised cannabis seeds

Until the 1990s, any cannabis cultivator was aware that, at some point, they had to separate the male and female plants if they didn't want the first ones to pollinate the latter, which results in plants completely full of seeds. However, those were the days when pioneering seed banks like Dutch Passion were revolutionizing the cannabis scene with the birth of the first feminized cannabis strains, or in other words, seeds that only develop into female plants. At the beginning of the 20th century, many seeds banks were offering this type of seeds, feminized versions of classics strains that had been cultivated during many years as regular plants. We are sure that by now you?d probably have grown some feminized seeds, maybe even though you are a purist and the fiercest defender of regular seeds. But... do you know where feminized seeds come from? Are you familiar with the processes used by both breeders and growers to obtain them? In this article we explain everything!

Hemp and Marijuana - what's the difference?

Classification and taxonomy of cannabis Even though it is estimated that the cannabis plant has been accompanying humanity for millennia, confusion still exists today regarding the classification of its species or varieties. In fact, the debate on how to classify this plant has been active for more than two centuries: are the different varieties of cannabis typical of a single and very diverse species? Or is it a polytypic genre with several species? In this article we will investigate and explain the main differences between hemp and marijuana.

5 Cannabis varieties with discreet aromas

Among its many cherished characteristics, cannabis is highly appreciated for its aromas. Still, sometimes plants can generate a smell so powerful that it can attract the attention of neighbors. This issue can become a serious problem for those growing weed outdoors, where maximum discretion is essential and in which the use of carbon filters or other anti-odor systems is impossible. In these cases choosing a cannabis variety that gives off discreet aromas is a good idea if we want to limit the smell generated by our garden, especially for outdoor crops on terraces and balconies. For this reason, you should avoid any genetics that stand out for their powerful and telltale aromas typical of cannabis, these include the varieties of the Diesel or Skunk families, Cheese or the Sour Diesel among many others... we are talking about varieties with very high terpene content, which are distinguished by their characteristic, persistent and highly volatile aromas. In this article we look at a selection of the varieties most recognized for their subtle and discreet scents, to help you avoid security headaches and uninvited guests at your grow spot.

7 mould resistant cannabis strains

Moulds can quickly ruin your plants during the last weeks of the flowering stage, that's why many growers choose mould resistant cannabis strains to guarantee success. This type of genetics are resistant to high relative humidity levels, rarely developing moulds like botrytis or powdery mildew even if grown in humid climates. If you checked the link above, you may have seen a wide rage of mould resistant varieties. Still, we want to make your decision easier for you by listing some of our favourites, genetics that - for one reason or another - have captivated us for their excellent results in humid climates. Let's see them now!

7 cannabis strains with uplifting effect

The energizing effect of some cannabis strains is, without a doubt, a true favourite among many users. This uplifting feeling - often called "high" - is often associated to Sativa genetics with high THC content, although other plants with different cannabinoid ratios can provide a very pleasant, social and creative effect. For this reason, and within the myriad of feminised seeds available on the market, we have selected 7 marijuana strains that will increase your creativity and social side, improve your mood and motivate you to perform daily activities. We hope you'll enjoy their vibrant energy!

5 Auto strains that you must grow

5 auto-flowering strains that will surprise you The quality of auto-flowering (also known as automatic or simply auto) genetics has been greatly improved over the past years. Today, cannabis breeders develop top-quality auto versions of some of the most acclaimed photoperiod varieties, so this type of genetics is being increasingly used by many growers. Auto strains are ideal for those with small growing spaces, to make several outdoor crops per year easily or for those who have an outdoor growing space with light pollution (which can make it impossible to grow photoperiod strains). While just a few years ago the quality of these strains was mediocre, today you can find literally hundreds of autoflowering strains coming from the best genetics on the market. We want to make things easy for you, and that's why today we present you a list of 5 extraordinary auto varieties that you should definitely try if you're interested in this useful type of cannabis plant. New and classic strains, CBD-rich plants, high-yielding genetics...you'll find whatever you're looking for!