Why Choose Outdoor Growing?
Outdoor cannabis growing offers several advantages over indoor cultivation:
- Natural sunlight: The sun provides full-spectrum light that is free and more powerful than most grow lights.
- Larger plants: Outdoor cannabis plants can grow much taller and produce more buds due to the lack of space constraints.
- Cost-efficiency: Outdoor growing saves on electricity and equipment costs.
- Eco-friendly: Outdoor growing reduces the environmental impact of energy consumption typically required for indoor setups.
That being said, outdoor growing also comes with challenges, including weather variability, pests, and environmental factors. Choosing the right cannabis seeds can help mitigate these challenges and set you up for success.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing Cannabis Seeds for Outdoor Growing
Before selecting your seeds, it’s important to evaluate several factors that will influence how well your cannabis plants grow outdoors. Here are some key considerations:
1.
Climate
The climate in which you plan to grow plays a significant role in seed selection. Cannabis thrives in warm, sunny conditions, but different strains are adapted to varying climates:
- Warm and sunny climates: Strains that originate from equatorial regions, such as sativas, typically do well in warmer climates. These plants tend to grow tall and require longer growing seasons.
- Cooler or shorter growing seasons: In cooler climates or areas with shorter summers, it’s best to choose indica or autoflowering strains, which tend to have shorter flowering periods and are more resilient to temperature fluctuations.
Always choose seeds that are well-suited to the weather conditions in your area to avoid problems with plant growth, flowering, and mold.
2. Genetics
Cannabis strains come in three main types: sativa, indica, and hybrids. Each has its own characteristics and suitability for outdoor growing:
- Sativa: Known for their tall height, long flowering times, and uplifting effects, sativas are ideal for warm, sunny climates with long growing seasons. They thrive in outdoor environments but require patience due to their longer maturation time.
- Indica: These plants are more compact, with shorter flowering times, making them better suited for cooler climates or regions with shorter summers. Indica strains tend to be more robust and resistant to harsh conditions.
- Hybrid: Hybrids offer a blend of sativa and indica traits, combining the best of both worlds. Depending on the strain, hybrids can offer varying flowering times and growth patterns, making them adaptable to different climates.
3. Flowering Time
Outdoor growers must pay attention to the strain's flowering time, as it will determine when the plants will be ready for harvest. Strains with shorter flowering periods are ideal for regions where summer ends earlier, while longer-flowering strains work best in regions with extended growing seasons.
- Early-harvest strains: Choose strains with a flowering time of 6-8 weeks if you live in a cooler climate or expect shorter summers.
- Longer flowering strains: For warm climates with plenty of sunlight, you can opt for strains with a flowering period of 8-12 weeks.
4. Resilience to Pests and Diseases
Outdoor plants are more exposed to pests and diseases than indoor plants, so selecting strains with natural resilience is essential. Some strains are bred to resist mold, mildew, and pests, making them ideal for outdoor growing.
- Mold-resistant strains: In humid or wet climates, mold can be a major issue. Strains like Durban Poison and Northern Lights are known for their mold resistance.
- Pest-resistant strains: Insects and other pests can damage plants. Strains with strong genetics, such as White Widow and Super Skunk, tend to fare better against pests.
Best Cannabis Seeds for Outdoor Growing
Here’s a list of popular and reliable strains for outdoor cultivation, each suited to different climates and growing conditions:
1. Durban Poison
- Type: Sativa
- Climate: Warm, sunny
- Flowering Time: 8-9 weeks
- Why it’s great: This pure sativa is well-suited to warm climates with long summers. It’s known for its uplifting effects and resistance to mold and pests, making it ideal for outdoor growing.
2. Northern Lights
- Type: Indica
- Climate: Cooler climates
- Flowering Time: 6-8 weeks
- Why it’s great: Northern Lights is a resilient indica strain with a short flowering time, making it perfect for growers in cooler climates. Its compact size and resistance to mold also make it an excellent outdoor choice.
3. Blue Dream
- Type: Hybrid (sativa-dominant)
- Climate: Mediterranean, sunny
- Flowering Time: 9-10 weeks
- Why it’s great: Blue Dream is a popular hybrid strain known for its balanced effects and high yields. It thrives in warm, sunny climates, making it perfect for outdoor growers in Mediterranean-like regions.
4. White Widow
- Type: Hybrid (balanced)
- Climate: Temperate, adaptable
- Flowering Time: 8-9 weeks
- Why it’s great: White Widow is a hardy, versatile strain that performs well in various climates. Its resistance to pests and mold, coupled with its robust genetics, makes it a favorite among outdoor growers.
5. Amnesia Haze
- Type: Sativa
- Climate: Warm, sunny
- Flowering Time: 10-12 weeks
- Why it’s great: Amnesia Haze is a high-yielding sativa that thrives in warm climates with long growing seasons. Its longer flowering time is compensated by its large, potent yields.
6. Super Skunk
- Type: Indica
- Climate: Cooler climates
- Flowering Time: 6-7 weeks
- Why it’s great: Super Skunk is another indica strain known for its short flowering time and high resistance to pests. It’s perfect for outdoor growers who want a quick turnaround and hardy plants.
7. Autoflowering Strains
- Type: Autoflower (Hybrid of indica/sativa/ruderalis)
- Climate: All climates
- Flowering Time: 8-10 weeks from seed
- Why they’re great: Autoflower strains are excellent for outdoor growers, regardless of climate. Their short flowering time and automatic transition to flowering make them an ideal choice for growers looking for a quick, hassle-free harvest.
Growing Tips for Outdoor Cannabis Cultivation
To ensure a successful outdoor grow, here are some tips to keep in mind:
1. Start at the Right Time
2.
Choose the Right Location
Pick a location with plenty of sunlight (at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily) and good drainage. Avoid areas with heavy foot traffic or where plants may be exposed to strong winds or heavy rainfall.
3. Watering and Nutrients
Outdoor plants will need plenty of water, especially during hot, dry periods. However, avoid overwatering, as cannabis plants prefer well-drained soil. Use high-quality organic nutrients, starting with nitrogen-rich formulas in the vegetative stage and switching to phosphorus and potassium-rich nutrients during flowering.
4. Pest Control
Outdoor cannabis plants are vulnerable to pests such as aphids, caterpillars, and spider mites. Consider using natural pest deterrents like neem oil or introducing beneficial insects like ladybugs to help control pest populations.
5. Harvest at the Right Time
The best time to harvest outdoor cannabis is when the trichomes (tiny resin glands) have turned milky white with a few amber heads, and the pistils are mostly brown or red. This usually happens in late summer to early fall, depending on the strain.
Conclusion
Growing cannabis outdoors can be incredibly rewarding, but selecting the right seeds is essential to success. By choosing strains that are well-suited to your climate and growing conditions, you’ll maximize your chances of producing healthy, high-yielding plants. Whether you opt for resilient indicas, tall-growing sativas, or convenient autoflower strains, outdoor growing offers a natural, eco-friendly way to cultivate cannabis.
Happy growing, and may your harvest be bountiful!
