Best Cannabis Strains to Grow Outdoors in Different Climates
Growing marijuana can be quite a task, especially when it comes to choosing the right strain for a particular climate. With so many strains available, it can be overwhelming to make the right choice for outdoor growing. However, when you take into account the climate conditions, it becomes easier to find the ideal strain that can flourish in the outdoor environment. In this article, we will explore the most suitable strains for outdoor growing in different climates and provide you with a comprehensive guide that can help you make the best selection.
Hot and Humid Climates
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As summer approaches, outdoor growers in hot and humid climates may face unique challenges when selecting the right strain to cultivate. Factors such as mold, mildew, and pests can all affect the success of a crop. However, fear not, as there are strains that are better suited to thrive in these conditions. Let’s dive into some of the top strains that can withstand the heat and humidity and produce impressive yields.
1. Hawaiian Sativa
Hawaiian Sativa is a popular strain that is well-suited for hot and humid climates. This strain is known for its ability to withstand high temperatures and moisture levels, which makes it an excellent choice for outdoor growing in areas with tropical climates.
One of the most notable qualities of Hawaiian Sativa is its high THC content, which can reach as high as 24%. This delivers an impressive and long-lasting cerebral high that is sure to leave any consumer feeling euphoric and energetic.
Another benefit of this strain is its ability to grow tall and dense, which makes it ideal for outdoor growing in areas with plenty of sunlight. It is also highly resistant to pests and diseases, which makes it an easy strain to cultivate for novice growers.
Here are some key features of Hawaiian Sativa:
- High THC content (up to 24%)
- Tropical, fruity aroma and flavor
- Tall and dense plant structure
- Resistant to pests and diseases
Hawaiian Sativa is a highly recommended strain for outdoor growing in hot and humid climates. Its potency and adaptability make it a top choice for consumers who are looking for a potent, energizing high that is perfect for a sunny day outdoors.
2. Colombian Gold
Colombian Gold is a legendary Sativa strain that has been popular for decades, known for its potent high and rich flavor. It is one of the most suitable strains for outdoor growing in hot and humid climates due to its ability to thrive in tropical weather.
Characteristics:
- Colombian Gold has a tall and lanky structure with long branches and narrow leaves.
- It can grow up to 3 meters in height when grown outdoors.
- The buds are fluffy and elongated with a bright green color and fiery orange pistils.
- The strain has a high THC content, ranging from 19% to 22%, making it perfect for recreational and medicinal use.
Growing conditions:
- Colombian Gold can be grown both indoors and outdoors, but it thrives better in outdoor settings with a lot of sunlight and warm temperatures.
- It requires a humid environment to develop robust, resinous buds.
- The strain also needs adequate airflow to prevent mold growth due to the high humidity levels.
- It has a long flowering period of up to 14 weeks, which may be challenging for novice growers.
- However, the yield is worth the wait as Colombian Gold can produce high amounts of buds, ranging from 450 to 500 grams per square meter outdoors.
Effects and medical benefits:
- Colombian Gold’s high THC content provides an energetic cerebral high that can uplift your mood and creativity, making it an ideal strain for daytime use.
- The strain can also boost your focus and productivity, making it useful for doing tasks that require mental clarity.
- Additionally, the high can induce a relaxing body buzz that can ease chronic pain, inflammation, and fatigue.
- It can also stimulate appetite, making it useful for people with eating disorders or those undergoing chemotherapy treatment.
Colombian Gold is an excellent strain for experienced growers who seek a potent, flavorful, and high-yielding Sativa strain that can thrive in hot and humid outdoor climates.
3. Thai Stick
One of the most suitable strains for hot and humid climates is Thai Stick. This is a pure sativa strain that originated in Thailand, where it was cultivated for generations by local farmers. Thai Stick is known for its high THC content, which can range from 15% to 25%. This strain has a long flowering period of around 14 to 16 weeks, but the wait is worth it, as it produces high yields of dense buds.
Thai Stick is well-suited to hot and humid climates because it thrives in these conditions. It is resistant to mold and other common problems that can plague outdoor growers in humid environments. Additionally, Thai Stick has a high tolerance for heat, so it can withstand the scorching temperatures of tropical climates.
If you are thinking about growing Thai Stick, keep in mind that it requires a lot of space. This strain can grow up to 15 feet tall, so it needs room to stretch out. It also needs a lot of sunlight, so make sure to plant it in a location where it will receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
Here are some key characteristics of Thai Stick:
- High THC content: Thai Stick is known for its potent effects, which can be cerebral and energizing.
- Resistant to mold: This strain is resistant to mold and other diseases that are common in humid environments.
- Tall plant: Thai Stick can grow up to 15 feet tall, so make sure you have enough space to accommodate it.
- Long flowering period: This strain has a long flowering period of around 14 to 16 weeks, so patience is key.
- High yields: Despite its long flowering period, Thai Stick produces high yields of dense buds that are highly coveted by connoisseurs.
If you live in a hot and humid climate and you are looking for a pure sativa strain that can handle the conditions, Thai Stick is an excellent choice. It’s potent, resistant to mold, and capable of producing high yields of dense buds that will satisfy even the most discerning cannabis enthusiasts.
Mild and Temperate Climates
When it comes to growing cannabis outdoors, choosing the right strain for the climate is crucial for a successful harvest. In mild and temperate climates, where the weather can be unpredictable, growers need to select strains that are adaptable and hardy. These strains should be able to withstand temperature fluctuations and resist diseases that thrive in damp conditions. In this section, we will explore some of the most suitable strains for outdoor growing in mild and temperate climates, highlighting their unique characteristics and growth patterns.
1. Blue Dream
Blue Dream is an extremely popular strain for outdoor growing in mild and temperate climates. It is a hybrid strain with both indica and sativa genetics, resulting in a well-balanced high that is both relaxing and uplifting.
One of the key advantages of Blue Dream is its resilience to mold and pests, making it a great choice for outdoor growers who may not have full control over environmental factors. Additionally, it has a relatively short flowering time of around 9-10 weeks, allowing for multiple harvests in a single outdoor growing season.
When it comes to aroma and flavor, Blue Dream is characterized by its sweet and fruity notes, with hints of blueberry and Haze. It also has a relatively high THC content, typically around 17-24%, making it a potent choice for those seeking a strong, long-lasting high.
Blue Dream is a versatile and reliable strain that can thrive in a wide range of outdoor growing conditions, making it a top choice for outdoor growers in mild and temperate climates. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a first-time grower, Blue Dream is definitely worth considering for your next outdoor growing project.
2. Super Lemon Haze
Super Lemon Haze is a top-performing strain that is ideal for outdoor growing in mild and temperate climates. This strain is a cross between two popular strains, Super Silver Haze and Lemon Skunk. Its genetics offer a perfect balance of Sativa and Indica, making it a well-rounded strain suitable for various types of growers.
Here are some key features of Super Lemon Haze:
- Super Lemon Haze is a high-yielding strain that can produce up to 800 grams per plant when grown outdoors.
- This strain thrives in mild and temperate climates, with a preference for warm temperatures between 68 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
- The plant has a flowering time of around 9 weeks, making it a relatively fast-growing strain and perfect for those who want to harvest their outdoor crops before colder temperatures set in.
- The buds produced by Super Lemon Haze are dense and covered in trichomes, making them highly potent and valuable for both recreational and medicinal users.
- The taste and aroma of Super Lemon Haze are another reason why this strain is so highly sought after. The strain has a signature citrus aroma with hints of lemon and orange, making it a tasty and refreshing choice for smokers.
Super Lemon Haze is a highly recommended strain for outdoor growers in mild and temperate climates. Its high yield, fast-growing times, and potent buds make it a highly valuable choice for those looking for a well-rounded and versatile strain to grow outdoors.
3. Sour Diesel
Sour Diesel is a popular strain that is well-suited for mild and temperate climates. Originally bred from a mix of Chemdawg, Northern Lights, and Skunk strains, this sativa-dominant hybrid has a strong smell and a long-lasting high.
Growing Conditions: Sour Diesel grows best in temperatures between 68-80°F (20-27°C) and needs plenty of sunlight, so it’s ideal for outdoor growing in mild and temperate climates. It’s also important to keep the soil pH between 6.0-6.5 and to ensure that the plant has access to plenty of nutrients, especially nitrogen.
Appearance: Sour Diesel plants are tall and thin, with bright green leaves and neon orange hairs. The flowers are dense and resinous, with a pungent aroma that’s earned this strain its name.
Yield: Sour Diesel has a relatively high yield, producing up to 500 grams per square meter when grown indoors and up to 600 grams per plant when grown outdoors.
Effects: The effects of Sour Diesel are energizing and uplifting, making it a popular choice among those who want to stay creative and focused throughout the day. Its high THC content (up to 20%) also makes it a good choice for pain relief and reducing stress.
Flavor: Sour Diesel has a distinct diesel-like aroma with notes of lemon and citrus. The taste is also sour and tangy, with similar citrus notes.
Medical Uses: Sour Diesel is known for its ability to relieve stress and depression, as well as for its pain-relieving properties. It can also be useful for those who suffer from migraines, nausea, and lack of appetite.
Sour Diesel is a versatile and easy-to-grow strain that’s well-suited for outdoor growing in mild and temperate climates. Its energizing effects and high yield make it a popular choice among both recreational and medical users.
Cool and Dry Climates
For cannabis cultivators in areas with cool and dry climates, finding strains that can withstand the harsh conditions can be a challenge. However, with the right knowledge, it’s possible to grow healthy and potent plants that can thrive in these environments. As you plan your outdoor cannabis garden, keep in mind that the strains you choose will have a significant impact on your success. In this section, we will explore some of the most suitable strains for cool and dry climates, which are known for their resilience and impressive yields.
1. Afghani
Afghani is a landrace strain that is native to the Hindu Kush mountain range bordering Afghanistan and Pakistan. This strain has been naturally bred over hundreds of years, making it highly adaptable to harsh, cool, and dry climates. It’s a pure indica strain with a high level of resin production, which makes it a perfect choice for outdoor growers in cooler climates.
The Afghani strain is highly regarded for its sedative effects and intense relaxation properties, making it a natural choice for people who suffer from sleeping disorders, chronic pain, and anxiety. This strain has a potent earthy and spicy aroma, which fills the air around the plant with a delightful fragrance. It is a highly versatile strain, making it an excellent choice for those looking to cultivate cannabis plants for medicinal as well as recreational purposes.
Here are some of the key characteristics of the Afghani strain:
- Highly resistant to mold and pests
- Produces dense buds with a thick layer of resin
- Has a flowering period of around 8-9 weeks
- Tolerates colder temperatures better than most other strains
- Has a relatively high THC content, making it a potent strain
When growing Afghani outdoors, it’s essential to provide the plants with plenty of nutrients, especially during the vegetative stage. This strain loves phosphorus and potassium, which help it produce dense buds with a thick layer of resin. It’s also important to keep the plants well-ventilated to prevent mold and mildew from forming on the buds.
Afghani is a highly recommended strain for outdoor growers in cooler climates. Its hardy nature and potent effects make it a popular choice among cannabis enthusiasts and medical patients alike.
2. Hindu Kush
Among the various strains of cannabis that are suitable for outdoor growing in cool and dry climates, Hindu Kush is one of the most popular ones due to its remarkable resilience to harsh weather conditions. This strain is named after the Hindu Kush mountain range that stretches from Afghanistan to Pakistan and is known for its ability to produce potent, high-quality hashish.
| Characteristics | Description |
|---|---|
| Climate | Hindu Kush strains can withstand harsh weather conditions, making them suitable for growing in cool and dry climates. The ideal temperature range for growing this strain is between 65°F and 80°F, but it can tolerate temperatures as low as 50°F. |
| Plant Size | Hindu Kush plants are typically short and bushy, rarely growing taller than four feet. This makes them ideal for gardens with limited vertical space or for growers who want to keep their plants concealed. |
| Flowering Time | Hindu Kush has a relatively short flowering time of about 8-9 weeks. This makes it a great choice for outdoor growers who want to harvest their buds quickly. |
| Yield | In terms of yield, Hindu Kush is not the highest yielding strain, but it still produces a respectable amount of buds. Outdoor growers can expect to harvest between 8 and 10 ounces per plant. |
| Flavor and Aroma | Hindu Kush is known for its earthy, spicy, and herbal aroma with hints of sandalwood and pine. Its flavor is similarly complex, with a sweet and spicy taste that is both smooth and potent. |
| Effects | As a pure indica strain, Hindu Kush produces a relaxing and sedative high that is perfect for unwinding after a long day. Its effects are typically felt in the body, inducing a sense of calm and relaxation that can help alleviate stress, anxiety, and pain. |
| Medical Uses | Due to its high THC content and potent effects, Hindu Kush is popular among medical cannabis users for treating a variety of conditions such as chronic pain, insomnia, and anxiety. |
Hindu Kush is an excellent strain for outdoor cultivation in cool and dry climates due to its resilience, short flowering time, and relaxing effects. Its earthy and spicy aroma, as well as its potency, make it a popular choice among growers and medical cannabis patients alike.
3. Northern Lights
One of the most popular strains for outdoor growing in cool and dry climates is Northern Lights. Known for its potency and quick flowering time, Northern Lights is a great choice for growers looking for a resilient and easy-to-maintain strain. Here are some of the reasons why Northern Lights is perfect for cool and dry climates:
- Resilience: Northern Lights is a hardy strain that can withstand harsh weather conditions, making it ideal for outdoor growing in colder climates.
- Quick flowering time: Northern Lights has a relatively short flowering time of around 7-9 weeks, making it a popular choice for growers who want to harvest early in the season.
- High THC content: This strain is known for its strong psychoactive effects due to its high THC content, which can range from 16-21%.
- Aroma and flavor: Northern Lights has a sweet and spicy aroma with hints of pine and earthiness. Its flavor is similar, with a smooth and spicy taste that is easy on the throat.
- Indica-dominant: Northern Lights is an indica-dominant strain, making it perfect for relaxing and unwinding after a long day.
Northern Lights is a great strain for outdoor growing in cool and dry climates. Its resilience, quick flowering time, high THC content, and pleasant aroma and flavor make it a favorite among growers and smokers alike.
Conclusion
After exploring the best strains for outdoor growing in different climates, it can be concluded that choosing the right strain is crucial for a successful harvest. Each strain has its own unique characteristics that make it suitable for certain climates.
In hot and humid climates, Hawaiian Sativa, Colombian Gold, and Thai Stick are great options. These strains are known for their ability to handle high temperatures and high humidity levels.
In mild and temperate climates, Blue Dream, Super Lemon Haze, and Sour Diesel are the top picks. They can withstand the moderate climate and offer impressive yields with high THC levels.
In cool and dry climates, Afghani, Hindu Kush, and Northern Lights are recommended. These strains can endure the cooler temperatures and still produce heavy, resinous buds.
It is important to keep in mind that these are just general recommendations, and other factors such as soil quality, watering schedule, and pest control should also be considered. Nevertheless, selecting the right strain for your climate can make a significant difference in the end outcome. Therefore, it is suggested to research and experiment with different strains to find the best fit for your outdoor growing space. By doing so, you increase your chances of achieving a successful and bountiful harvest.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best strain for hot and humid climates?
The best strains for hot and humid climates are Hawaiian Sativa, Colombian Gold, and Thai Stick. These strains thrive in warm and moist environments, and can produce high yields with the right care.
What is the best strain for mild and temperate climates?
The best strains for mild and temperate climates are Blue Dream, Super Lemon Haze, and Sour Diesel. These strains prefer cooler temperatures and moderate humidity, and can produce potent and flavorful buds.
What is the best strain for cool and dry climates?
The best strains for cool and dry climates are Afghani, Hindu Kush, and Northern Lights. These strains can tolerate colder temperatures and lower humidity, and can produce dense and resinous buds.
Can you grow these strains indoors?
Yes, all of these strains can be grown indoors with proper lighting, ventilation, and humidity control. However, some strains may require more space or specialized equipment to thrive.
How long do these strains take to flower?
The flowering time can vary depending on the strain, but most outdoor strains will start to flower in late summer or early fall. Some strains may have longer or shorter flowering periods, typically ranging from 6-12 weeks.
How much yield can you expect from these strains?
The yield can vary depending on factors such as climate, soil quality, and growing techniques, but some of these strains can produce hefty yields of up to 2-3 pounds per plant. It’s important to choose the right strain for your climate and to provide optimal growing conditions to maximize yield.
Are these strains resistant to pests and diseases?
Some of these strains may be more resistant to pests and diseases than others, but it’s important to take preventative measures such as using natural pest control methods and ensuring proper soil drainage to minimize the risk of infestations or infections.
Can you grow these strains in containers?
Yes, all of these strains can be grown in containers, which can be especially useful for growers who have limited outdoor space. Just make sure to choose a container that is large and sturdy enough to support the plant’s growth, and use high-quality soil and fertilizer.
Are these strains suitable for first-time growers?
Some of these strains may be more forgiving and easier to grow than others, but all of them require some degree of care and attention to thrive. New growers should start with a strain that is known for being beginner-friendly, and should take the time to research and learn about proper growing techniques.
What is the best time to harvest these strains?
The best time to harvest these strains is when the buds have reached their peak potency and flavor, usually indicated by the changing color and appearance of the trichomes (tiny resin glands on the buds). This can vary depending on the strain and growing conditions, but it’s generally recommended to harvest when the majority of trichomes have turned from clear to milky-white or amber.
