Purple weed is all the rage in Northern California cannabis clubs, as it’s highly sought after by both consumers and producers. Let’s explore this phenomenon and learn a few things about cannabis and its color. Do you see a strong demand for the color purple these days? Not for everyday use, because this color is very common, but if we’re talking about purple marijuana, that’s a different story. This is a translation of an article by Subcool, the TGA breeder.

Pink cannabis buds

The purple color ( Purple ) by Subcool

The bud clusters of most marijuana varieties are essentially green, but at the end of the season, some elements may appear that can change the color of our fruits.

The intense green of chlorophyll usually hides the color of secondary pigments, but when chlorophyll begins to lose its dazzling green color at the end of the season, the anthocyanin pigments contained in plant tissues are exposed, and extraordinary colors appear during this period.

The purple color, resulting from an accumulation of anthocyanins, is very common in marijuana. This color change is generally triggered by a change in season and can be accelerated in an indoor grow by lowering the temperature by approximately 5°C.

This doesn’t mean that purple is controlled solely by the environment, as it is also a genetic trait. For purple to develop during ripening, a variety must have the genetically controlled metabolic potential to produce anthocyanin pigments and be receptive to environmental changes such as cold temperatures at night. This means that a variety may have the genetic potential to change color, but if conditions are not favorable, it will never do so.

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I’ve been growing Jacks Cleaner genetics for a long time, and when I came to the West Coast, I found much cooler temperatures than I was used to, so I got some beautiful purple colorations during ripening.

There are other pigments that can modify the color of cannabis at the end of flowering, such as carotenoids, which are responsible for the yellow, orange, red, and brown colors that buds can take. I think this purple coloring effect is much easier to find in marijuana crops grown in soil with organic fertilizers, but for a strain to truly be called Purple, both the large leaves and the interior of the buds must be purple.

An aspect I find equally interesting is the ongoing debate about the potency of Purple marijuana. Among those of us who have grown marijuana with purple buds under certain conditions, such as some Black Russian phenotypes, we have noticed something that seems odd. When you grow females from a hybrid that produces both red and non-red females at the same time, the colored ones always seem to be less potent .

Sometimes the plants acquire almost black tones (Image: Spencer Gray)

That’s not to say I’ve never smoked a great purple weed, though; for example, Urkle and Querkle (a TGA Urkle hybrid) both have amazing flavors and are very potent, making them favorite strains for many users.

I have friends who grow a local clone of Purple Urkle that has extraordinary flavor. It’s a variety only available as cuttings, native to Northern California. It’s easily one of the best-tasting purple varieties available, and it’s purple all the way to the center of the buds—the smallest part of the plant is purple!

I’d give it an 8 for the intensity of the effect, which is very noticeable. It’s a plant I shouldn’t miss and is, by far, my favorite. After consuming it for an entire afternoon, I realized its main attraction is the grape and lavender flavor it leaves on your lips.

Purps and Mendo Purps are both famous for their flavor, but I wasn’t impressed by the first Mendo I tried. It didn’t have a grape or berry flavor , but that may have been a poor-quality sample. We’ve also tried numerous red varieties in Amsterdam, but none stood out from the rest.

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There are so many Purple marijuana clones in California that it’s hard to really know their exact origins, but I recently smoked a Sputnik 2 female with beautiful purple colors that knocked me out in 3 tokes. Badboy recently revived a strain called Purple Helmet that he describes as very tasty and is now growing. Double Purple Doja , a TGA creation, gets me on the couch, but I wouldn’t put it up against Apollo-13 or something like OG Kush .

Other Purple marijuana strains from Northern California:

Granddaddy Purple, Godfather Purple, Super Purple Kush, God’s Gift, Urkle, Purple Midnight, Purple Rainbow, Purple Princess, Purple Fire, Purple Cream, Purple Rainbow, Lavender, Purple Friday, Purple Magic, Ray’s Purple …

Most of these varieties can be found in garden clubs, but they may be the same varieties grown by different people under new names. I can’t confirm this, but several people believe the Urkle clone and the Lavender clone are the same plant.

Let’s continue exploring this paradox of color and potency. I recently tried Berry Surprise, and although it seemed exceptional, I didn’t even finish the sample because I didn’t really notice any flavor beyond the combustion. We’re currently growing Lavender and crossing it with some males to study the traits it transmits to its offspring.

The dark purple leaves contrast with the pistils of the females (image: Rafael Lopez)

Let’s see how we can enhance the colors of your cannabis garden.

The first trick to achieving beautiful color changes is to use an organic soil mix with a perfect NPK balance. This will allow the plant to utilize all available nitrogen before degrading its chlorophyll, allowing the red pigments to appear while the green color fades.

I’m sure this can be done in hydroponic cannabis growing, but since plants respond very quickly and absorb nutrients in the water very well, it will be easier for a hydroponic plant to be dazzling green, while a plant in organic soil will be bursting with color.

The second thing that can really make a difference is having a large thermal gap between day and night temperatures. With a simple, small climate control system and a well-designed grow tent, it’s easy to reach temperatures around 15°C when the lamps are off.

Once the bulbs are on, the temperature will easily hover around 25°C or more, which translates to a difference of more than 10°C. This will quickly trigger a strain’s color change if it contains the gene responsible for this trait. I must say, from experience, that this is a characteristic that most marijuana strains possess. Bringing in fresh air from outside during colder months can also be very helpful in adding color to your grow, and it will also deter insects. A flowering tent can even withstand very low temperatures if you don’t rely on the temperature of the hydroponic tank.

Purple weed buds

Finally, proper nutrient utilization is very important. If you apply nitrogen (N) too late in flowering, you’ll never see this color change and may even affect the flavor. I’ve noticed that plants that are deadheaded too early have a sweeter flavor, but in this case , there’s a significant loss of yield .

Using good catalysts can also help you a lot, such as citric acid and carbohydrates (sugars) that seem to accelerate the ripening process. I currently use them in the 4th week of flowering, as well as in the 6th week.

The Querkle strain was created by crossing a Urkle clone with a Space Queen male. You can see in the photos of Querkle that it has purple traces, which it also transmits to its offspring. It has become one of our most sought-after creations.

Happy harvest!

The post Purple cannabis appeared first on Alchimia blog.

Choosing which strain to grow can sometimes be harder than deciding which TV show to start watching on a Sunday night. There are too many options, too many promises, and, of course, too many price differences. One seed costs €4, the one next to it €14. And of course, it’s normal to wonder: Is there that much of a difference? Am I paying for quality, marketing, or a cool English name tag? Spoiler alert: like most things, it depends.

Today, we want to explain why there’s such a difference in seed prices, whether it’s worth paying more for some genetics, and what you should consider before choosing your next seed to grow. Let’s get to it!

Elite genetics often excel in traits such as flavor, resin production, or THC content

The price of fame: Why are mainstream strains cheaper?

By now, we all know that growing Critical Mass or White Widow is like playing “Stayin’ Alive” at a party: it always works, there’s no room for error. These strains have been around for decades, have undergone countless selections, and have been thoroughly domesticated to deliver solid results, even in the most inexperienced hands.

The secret to their low price? Mass production, of course. These varieties are capable of producing a large number of seeds per square meter, so they’ve been manufactured and distributed in such volume that the cost per unit has been reduced to a minimum. There are no royalties or exclusivity: most are genetics that you can find in many different banks’ catalogs, as they know they can afford to lower margins because they’ll be selling a large quantity of them each season. It’s like buying rice: it’s not glamorous, but it does its job perfectly.

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And be careful, this isn’t an attack. Mainstream genetics have plenty of merits: they’re easy to grow, predictable, resilient, and in many cases surprisingly tasty and productive. Furthermore, many of them are the pillars on which modern breeding rests. But, as with everything popular, their value lies not so much in surprise as in security. You already know what you’re going to get. And that, while comforting, will rarely excite you.

Elite genetics: unnecessary luxury or premium experience?

Here we enter the realm of the collector, the gourmet, the bud connoisseur. Elite genetics aren’t for everyone…and that’s part of their appeal. They’re like natural wines, single-origin coffees, or limited-edition sneakers: you pay more, yes, but not just for the product. Also, for the history, the process, and the exclusivity. And, let’s not fool ourselves, in some cases, also for the personal statement: “I grow this, not everyone else’s.”

Behind an elite strain are often years of genetic work. Obsessive breeders crossbreed, select, test, and discard plants like jewelers cutting diamonds. Sometimes, there’s a rare genetic line rescued from oblivion. Other times, an unexpected combination results in a terpene profile that smells like freshly baked cookies with a gasoline base. Or a cross may result in plants with absolutely exceptional trichome production—the dream of every resin extraction enthusiast.

Cookies genetics has revolutionized the way it was created, thanks to its unique flavor (Image: Margo Amala)

Furthermore, many of these genetics come with the “Made in USA” label, which, in this sector, acts as a certificate of trend. From California dispensaries to European cannabis cups, the Yankee elite dominate the showcase with their potency, their exoticism, and yes, also their hype. The result: higher prices, limited stock, and much expectation. Logically, the fact that many American breeders work in batches, without repeating them and thus creating varieties with limited stock, causes their price to rise, and it can skyrocket if the variety itself is really good and gains some popularity. It’s a bit like luxury cars: it’s not just about the performance; they’re not mass-produced, and there’s no “infinite” stock; they’re products that are born with the label of exclusivity.

And in cultivation? Are they really worth it?

Good question. Because it’s all well and good to have a unique phenotype with a piña colada aroma and psychedelic effects… but if it then goes belly up in the third week of flowering, it’s bad business. Elite genetics can be more demanding to grow; some are stretch–prone, others are easily stressed, or their yields may not compare to the classic commercial hybrids produced decades ago in Europe.

Tips to avoid stretching cannabis plants

Of course, when you find one that fits your environment, your hands, and your tastes, the experience can be glorious. A well-cultivated elite doesn’t just give you a superior product; it changes the standard. Suddenly, the mainstream ones of the past seem “lacking.” Not because they’re bad, but because you’ve already tried them and have just discovered a whole new level.

The trick here is research. Not all elite varieties are capricious, nor are all mainstream varieties boring. The best thing you can do is look at grow reports or tastings, talk to fellow growers, and even try some premium seeds in your next round. Like someone who buys a designer garment on sale: for pleasure, curiosity, and enjoyment. You’ll likely discover the new queen of your garden in no time!

So, is it worth the jump?

Let’s cut to the chase: yes, in many cases, paying more for elite genetics is worth it. Not out of necessity, but out of enjoyment. Like someone who stops buying the same wine on sale to try a special bottle on a Saturday night, knowing that the pleasure it will give you is worth the extra money. If you’re one of those who have been smoking Criticals, Widows, or Dominas for years, you’ll probably be amazed by a Zkittlez, a Gelato, or a Cookies; they’re totally different flavors that will leave you speechless.

Growing elite varieties will allow you to discover a new world of flavors and effects

Growing elite genetics doesn’t make you a better grower, but it can make your growing experience richer, more fun, and more personal. It’s a way to explore, to play, to break away from routine, and to rekindle the excitement of discovering your beloved plant had more flavors than you imagined.

Of course, it’s not about abandoning the usual suspects. Mainstream strains are the foundation of this world, and many continue to offer spectacular results and can be an excellent choice for everyday use. But alternating them with elite genetics is like mixing classics with new releases on your playlist: it keeps you awake, curious, and wanting more.

So yes, it’s worth it. Even if it’s just once in a while, even if it’s just to treat yourself. Because you deserve a little high-end in your next grow, don’t you think?

Happy harvest!

The post Mainstream strains vs. elite genetics: Is it worth the plunge? appeared first on Alchimia blog.