Cannabis
Cannabis is a tall, erect, annual herb. Seeds are planted in the spring and usually germinate in 3 to 7 days. Provided with an open sunny environment, light well-drained composted soil, and ample irrigation, Cannabis can grow to a height of 6 meters (about 20 feet) in a 4-6 month growing season. Here at T.H.Seeds™ we are continuously fascinated by what could be nature's greatest miracle, the Cannabis plant. The world of extreme close – up photography presented itself as another, largely unexplored way to show its intricate details and mind blowing shapes and patterns. A long time in the making, inspired by close - up images of Bubblegum, Darkstar™, French Cookies, Heavy Duty Fruity and Strawberry Glue. With special thanks to Robert Connell Clarke, good friend of T.H.Seeds™ and author of "Marijuana Botany". A photographic study of five T.H.Seeds™ strains, Cannabis photographed like you have never seen it before!
SEED ANATOMY
SEED
The hard mature seed is partially surrounded by the calyx and is variously patterned in grey, brown or black. Elongated and slightly compressed, it measures 2 to 6 milimiters in lenght and 2 to 4 milimiters in maximum diameter.
SEED TEXTURE
Longitudinal section
A section that is cut along the long axis of a structure. Longitudinal section is the opposite of cross section.
- Root Cap
- Vascular Primordia
- Pericarp
- Cotyledons
- Shoot Apex
GERMINATION
Germination is the process in which the seeds sprout and the root appears. In cannabis it can take from 12 hours to 8 days. Warmth, darkness and moisture start metabolic processes that trigger the expansion of the embryo within the seed. Soon the seed outer coat cracks open and a small embryonic root emerges and begins growing downward.
DAY 1
DAY 3
seed shell
When the root cap emerges the seed outer coat cracks and it starts to grow. After 2-4 days the root is anchored and two circular embryonic leaves (cotyledons) emerge in search of light and the remains of the seed shell are pushed to the side. This is the beginning of the seedling stage.
Plant ANATOMY
SEEDLING
HEAVY DUTY FRUITY
A seedling is a young plant developing out of a plant embryo from a seed. Cotyledons are already present in the seed of the plant prior to germination and upon germination become the embryonic first leaves of a seedling. Above the cotyledons the first true leaves will arise, a pair of oppositely oriented single leaflets.
ROOTS
As the root initials divide, the groups of cells take on the appearance of a small root tip. A vascular system forms with the adjacent vascular bundles and the root continues to grow outward through the cortex until the tip emerges from the epidermis of the stem. Initination of root growth usually begins within a week and young roots appear within four weeks.
Roots Development
stem
leaves
The leaves are palmately compound with serrate leaflets. Sativa leaves are long and slender, can have up to thirteen leaflets and tend to be lighter green. Indica leaves are wider and usually have around seven to nine leaflets and are usually a dark olive green.
Cut leaf
Trichomes Development
Backside of a leaf
EARLY FLOWERING
In the early flowering phase the cannabis plant grows rapidly in size and height. This phase is also known as the stretch phase. In the second week of flowering the first white pistillate hairs (also called stigmas) will start appearing on the female cannabis plants. Later on, as the plant matures, the color of the pistillate hairs changes from white to yellow to orange to red and finally to brown. After about 3 weeks into the flowering phase, the stretching will slow down and soon stop completely as the plant starts to turn all its energy into developing flowers.
PISTILLATE HAIR
Tiny hair that grows from the pistil. Its purpose is to collect pollen from male plants so that seeds can form in an ovary contained in the pistil.
Floral maturation
UNDERDAWG™ KUSH
As the flower begins to age and mature, the pistillate hairs grow longer and the calyx enlarges slightly to its full length. Next, the calyx begins to swell as resin secretion increases, and the pistils reach their peak of reproductive ripeness. Without pollination the calyx begins to swell almost as if it had been fertilized and resin secretion reaches a peak. The pistillate hairs eventually wither and turn a reddish or orange brown. By this time, the swollen calyx has accumulated an incredible layer of resin, but secretion has slowed and few fresh terpenes and cannabinoids are being produced.
thrichomes with THC
fan leaf
Dry Flower
dry bud
A floral cluster is not dead after harvest any more than an apple is. Certain metabolic activities take place for some time, much like the ripening and eventual spoiling of an apple after it is picked. During this period, cannabinoid acids decarboxylate into the psychoactive cannabinoids and terpenes isomerize to create new polyterpenes with tastes and aromas different from fresh floral clusters.
stalk cross section
Cross section of the main stalk of a young cannabis plant showing fiber bundles.
- Epidermis
- Bast Fiber
- Hollow Core
- Hurd
- Resin Head
- Terpenes
- Cuticle
- Epidermis
- Hypodermis
glandular trichome
Manufacturing and storing Phytocannabinoids. Trichomes are resin glands of the plant which contain THC, CBD and other active medicinal Cannabinoids. Terpenes are the pungent oils that give the cannabis plant its distinct tastes and smells. Terpenes also create an entourage of health benefits and help fully expose and express the plant’s unique aromatic and euphoric character.
NON-GLANDULAR TRICHOMES
Are single-celled and occur on all plant parts except roots and root hairs. In appearance they are long, hollow and clear; they taper to a sharp point, with the cytoplasm and nucleus restricted to the base. Trichomes also act as a deterrent to attacks by insects.
Trichome Ripeness
Clear heads
Immature with mostly precursor cannabinoids
When the bulbous heads of the trichomes are fully developed but still translucent, plants will produce a “high” and stimulanting effect, less sedative. Up high, with very little body effect. THC needs to “mature” to be able to pass its psychoactive capabilities down to the smoker.
Cloudy heads
At their peak with fully realized THC
When these bulbous heads turn milky is probably the best moment to harvest most available hybrids.The milky trichomes have some “cerebral” qualities, as well as some of the more “physical” characteristics of the high.
Amber heads
Past their peak with degrading THC
When 70% of these trichome heads are milky and 30% amber, it is the perfect time to harvest mostly Sativa hybrids and long flowering strains (like Haze). It is also the best moment to harvest plants for making hashish. The decay of THC is accompanied by a change in the color of the resin from clear to amber.
