Maximum Yield Cannabis USA August / September 2017 | Page 71

CBD AND MEDICINAL
POTENTIAL OF RUDERALIS
Although ruderalis isn’t prized for its
cannabinoid content, it does contain a
higher amount of CDB than THC, which
makes it useful for breeding high-CBD
autoflowering strains. Some indica/
ruderalis hybrids are able to mature
more quickly, therefore producing
CBD more quickly than straight indica
strains. Strains that mature quickly
and also contain a high amount of
CBD will be the future of medicinal
cannabis production. Breeders are
getting better and better at stabilizing
the autoflowering trait in hybrids. The
typical flowering cycle of a sativa or
indica plant is somewhere around eight
weeks, so a ruderalis hybrid could
mature in about half that time. Some
modern hybrids can mature in as little
as 21-30 days. The ability to harvest
quickly and more often is invaluable to
both breeders and medicinal patients
who grow their own medicine.
At first sight, cannabis ruderalis
doesn’t look like much. In fact, most
myhydrolife.com
growers would scoff at its weak-looking
stature. However, ruderalis continues
to offer unique advantages which fill
particular niches within the canna-
bis industry. Autoflowering strains can
offer huge advantages to horticultur-
ists, including the possibility of multi-
ple outdoor harvests without the use of
light deprivation.
Short-statured ruderalis hybrids can
help indoor horticulturists maximize
their light energy and increase the
garden’s return on investment. There
is no doubt that ruderalis breeding
programs will continue to play
an important role in the future of
cannabis production.
As our society increases its acceptance
of cannabinoid-based medicines, we
will be able to explore the potential
of ruderalis hybrids even further. Who
knows? Maybe the least popular species
of cannabis will turn out to be the most
influential component in the future of
cannabis production.
"Breeders use
ruderalis to create
hybrids with the
autoflowering trait.
The naturally short
stature of ruderalis
is also extremely
attractive to indoor
horticulturists."
grow. heal. learn. enjoy.
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