Hybrid Cannabis Guide: Types, Trichomes, Effects, Development

Marijuana is the world’s most-consumed recreational drug. Along with Sativa, Indica, and Ruderalis, you can also (mostly) lay your hands on hybrid marijuana strains. Do you know, apart from smoking and making edibles, the plant is also useful for getting stem fiber, medical compounds, hemp, and paper? Well, to know some interesting facts (and make your learning fun), explore this all-inclusive guide to hybrid cannabis.

Are you excited? So let’s explore everything you need to know about crossbreed marijuana. But first, let’s glance at what makes landrace cannabis strains and how they can be useful to develop new hybrids.

Understanding Landrace Cannabis Plant

Wild cannabis strain is that landrace variety that grows in the wild that seems to be developed without human interference. Cannabis strains come in one of four categories:

Indica Strains

Indica strains will generally provide a physical effect, which you can feel throughout the body. Besides, these strains are regularly beneficial for reducing pain, diminishing muscle tension, increasing unwinding, and helping patients rest. Moreover, Indica strains are often suggested for evening use because numerous patients find them supportive of promoting sleep.

Sativa Strains

Cannabis Sativa is tall and has tree-like growth. Mostly, it delivers cerebral highs. Cannabis Sativa strains are often suggested for daytime use because numerous patients find them supportive of providing help in many diseases’ symptoms without interrupting daily activities.

Ruderalis Strains

They are low-THC varieties of cannabis that came from Central and Eastern Europe and Russia. Some cases are a subspecies of Cannabis Sativa, but most experts accept that Ruderalis is a distinct strain as it is autoflowering. Thus, it will flower regardless of the light cycle, dissimilar to the photoperiodic variety.

Hybrid Strains

As the name suggests, hybrid marijuana rises out of a crossbreeding of either pure Sativa or Indica strains or mixing any crossbreed with any Sativa or Indica strain. Besides, you will get an autoflowering strain by mixing any Ruderalis strain.

What is a Hybrid Marijuana Strain?

As the title implies, this marijuana depicts a crossbreed combination of Indica and Sativa strains. The hybrid is famous on the recreational front because it combines essential attributes of both primary strain types.

However, because of how distinct crossbreed marijuana can be, it isn’t easy to provide a singular description of what it resembles and how it interacts with the human mind.

Furthermore, hybridized cannabis is the product of crossbreeding two different weeds and genders. To simplify, you’d have one female plant of one strain and one male plant from another. Thus, the male pollinates the female plant, and the female plant produces the new strain.

Numerous factors determine how growers select their two different cannabis seeds to cultivate a new strain with ideal characteristics and traits, including THC, CBD, terpenes, taste, smell, and medicinal effects. However, THC and CBD levels depend on the parent’s genetics and cultivation technique.

Most marijuana pots you smoke today are crossbreed. You may also find hybrid marijuana that is Sativa-dominant or Indica-dominant. However, crossbreeding has limited the market’s quantity of pure Sativa or Indica strains.

Types of Hybrid Marijuana Strains

Generally, there are four types of crossbreed marijuana:

#1 – Sativa x Indica

It’s a composite strain made from Sativa cannabis and Indica. However, it has attributes of Indica strains as well. For example, it could grow a tall weed plant with green buds.

#2 – Indica x Sativa

This type (Indica-Sativa mix) of crossbreed will have qualities of both varieties but is an Indica-dominant hybrid strain.

#3 – Sativa x Sativa

You will get a new crossbreed strain by breeding two different Sativa cannabis together.

#4 – Indica x Indica

You will get a new crossbreed strain by breeding two different Indica varieties together.

Besides, autoflowering hybrids are cultivars that have been crossed somewhere down the line with Ruderalis strain genetics.

There is a wide range of denominations of crossbreed marijuana. Moreover, growers from all over the world come with new strains almost weekly. The possibilities for crossbreeding are endless!

Indica- and Sativa-dominant Hybrid Strains

Crossbreeds can be either Indica-or Sativa-dominant, meaning they will express the dominant parent’s characteristics with fewer secondary assortment characteristics.

For instance, an Indica-dominant crossbreed like Gorilla Glue will most probably influence the body and offer more enhanced sedating results. On the other hand, Sativa-dominant hybrid strains, such as Amnesia Haze, will lean toward desiring Sativa effects.

A crossbreed strain can be a “real” hybrid, meaning that it is an even mix (50% Sativa / 50% Indica) of the two varieties. Bubblegum Seeds and Gorilla Glue are a balanced combination, for instance, balancing the Indica’s sedation with the Sativa’s energy.

Cannabinoids and Terpenes

Indica and Sativa paint an incomplete image of a strain’s effects. It’s also essential to take a gander at THC levels and CBD content, lesser-referred to cannabinoids such as CBG, CBC, THCV, and unique terpenes in the plants.

Furthermore, these all assume a part in how a crossbreed strain (Sativa and Indica mix) works. Besides, knowing these factors can assist consumers with choosing an ideal strain. Even so, it can be challenging to realize what effects a crossbreed will produce before consuming it.

Mixing Oils to Create Hybrid Marijuana

A new extension to crossbreed strains is available that has essential oils in the crossbreed mixture. In conclusion, this experiment helped obtain fragrance and health benefits from hybrid marijuana.

A Brief History of Hybrid Strains

Individuals have been crossbreeding cannabis since the ancient Indians, Chinese, and Europeans puffed bongs even before 2,000 BC. Apart from that, bioengineering for cannabis for most crossbreed weed strains kicked into development in the last part of the 90s.

Humans started their transition from a hunting society to a farming culture 10,000 years. Thus, early farmers needed to deal with tough plants and didn’t yield a significant part of the required finished commodity.

After some time, farmers chose grain plants with kernels that clung to the plant because of a genetic transformation. Gradually, grain plants are grown to probably go to seed and are more prone to create fat kernels.

The same thing happened with weed! 

The wild cannabis plant holds many seeds and spends a ton of its energy growing them, as well as fibrous leaves and stalks. But, early weed enthusiasts discovered that they could raise together several plants that developed fatter buds.

Individuals then started to select plants with better smells, taste, and higher levels of cannabinoids (especially THC) that got them high.

From the mid-1960s to the 1970s, ganja lovers got obsessed with this insight. Well-known Neo-landrace strains like Maui Wowie and Acapulco Gold arrived after a couple of generations of being grown on local soil.

Then, individuals crossbred these weed plants to discover their capabilities. Finally, the blast in crossbreeding emerged in “godfather” legacy strains like Skunk, Northern Lights, Diesel, Haze, Blueberry, and OG Kush.

Another massive explosion in new strains arose in the 80s and gained full steam by the 2000s. Besides, breeders went super scientific about the growth stage and child plant labeling. We have created excellent Indica-Sativa crossbreeds with distinct effects by being inventive and bold with experimentation.

How Breeders Develop a New Hybrid Strain?

One fundamental quality possessed by a decent Indica-Sativa crossbreed strain is heterosis. It is more formally known as hybrid vigor or as ‘outbreeding enhancement’ by professional marijuana growers.

It is a property discovered when two sufficiently genetically different varieties of cannabis are crossed or hybridized. Developing a thriving crossbreed strain takes time and work. And not all Indica-Sativa hybrids are the same.

The quality of a crossbreed strain (Indica and Sativa cross) relies upon the type of seeds growers use to raise the weed. There are three primary types of seed strains: stable, unstable, and clone-only.

Stable Seed Strains

A grower who selects both male and female plants will breed them repeatedly to stabilize specific properties. The ultimate stable seed will have such qualities every time they grow it. However, there will always be some genetic diversity.

Unstable Seed Strains

The least reliable version is the unstable seed strain. Thus, most marijuana dispensaries won’t sell products grown from this sort of seed. Instead, growers can produce unstable strains more rapidly than stable seed strains. However, the plant will not have consistency in its characteristics.

Clone-only Strains

It is a strain grown into a plant with specific characteristics. The grower can make genetically indistinguishable clones of the plant and distribute them. A clone is the best way to ensure that the growers perpetuate this plant’s definite hereditary cosmetics. However, growing conditions will significantly influence the final product.

Growing Hybrid Marijuana Plant

Creating specific effects of cannabis for consumers is fun and alluring to different growers all over the world. Indica cannabis strains will generally have a shorter flowering time and higher yields.

In the interim, Sativa strains have longer flowering times and lower yields, but many are heat- and mold-resistant, making them more feasible for harvest.

Creating new hybridized cannabis strains (Sativa and Indica cross) takes time and effort. However, it isn’t as simple as breeding a new strain, as the results will shift until the strain is stable.

It involves backcrossing or inbreeding that crossbreed strain for generations until its characteristics become consistent.

Lesser-known Facts of Cannabis Strains

Along with variations in THC and CBD, cannabis strains are available with several developed varieties. We have referenced that cannabis has two subtypes: Indica strains and Sativa strains.

The addition of crossbreed strains makes it harder for some to distinguish the features that separate one strain from another. One approach to differentiate strains from one another is demonstrated based on genotype, phenotype, and chemotype.

Genotypes: They are the transporter of the genetic code of an organism.

Phenotype: It represents the stature of the plant, the different colors of the flowers, and even the fragrance produced by terpenes.

Chemotypes: They are the cannabinoids and terpenes found in cannabis plants.

What Are The Effects of Crossbreed Cannabis Strains?

THC is the cannabinoid that makes you high. Knowing the origin and growth technique of cannabis before purchasing can help you pick the best quality product. Knowing the terpenes and cannabinoid content of the crossbreed strain you want to purchase is also essential.

A strain can render distinct effects based on terpenes, THC, and CBD concentration. For example, if you are a newcomer to cannabis, you can try a few low-THC joints to see how the strain affects you.

Not everyone feels the same impacts from a single cannabis plant. Even though our bodies might be predominantly the same, our chemistry might differ. It can be because of our hereditary illness, medicines, or other factors.

A Sativa-dominant strain may make your companion exercise in the gym but make you sleepy. Hence, you can always try a sample marijuana strain before buying bulk.

Medical Benefits of Hybrid Marijuana Strains

Even though we perceive cannabis as a moderately new medical herb, records indicate that individuals have been using marijuana for thousands of years!

Numerous essential oils from Indica, Sativa or hybrid plants have the same healing benefits as cannabis. Both can be beneficial as lotions, topical creams, and massage oils. Moreover, you can also ingest it in teas, coffees, butter, cookies, or tinctures.

Furthermore, essential oils have the additional benefit of being ready to be used as an aromatherapy. The smell of numerous oils has healing qualities, such as Lemon demulcent, giving you an uplifted feeling, and Purple helps with relaxation and sleep.

We’ve just sprung to rediscover its healing qualities. But to be honest, this has to do with psychoactive properties and how most governments were unwilling to legitimize it.

Hybridized cannabis may treat many medical conditions. Today, cannabis experts perceive marijuana as perhaps the best treatment alternative for pain management. In other words, we often relate it to cancer, but there are other medical conditions where this plant can be useful.

Medical marijuana can treat the symptoms of many chronic medical conditions that include:

Crossbreed Marijuana Strains

Creating cross strains is all about conducting lots of experiments. While farmers develop new cross strains, users experiment with various cross weeds to find out what each one delivers.

You can also visit our seed information section, which indexes well-known strains and allows users to understand their effects. Furthermore, for a more inside-out analysis of specific crossbreed plants, we also like the seedfinder’s database of 18057 cannabis varieties, where growers can provide information on cannabis.

Above all, new hybrids are coming out almost every week globally, and it’s impossible to stay aware of all of the genetics at once.

Reference books are also loaded with information on classic and well-known cross strains. For instance, they introduce Cannabis Indica Guide and Cannabis Sativa Guide volumes by Green Candy Press, Green: A Field Guide to Marijuana by S. T. Oner, and The Big Book of Buds by Ed Rosenthal.

The Eventual Future of Hybrid Marijuana Genetics

As we already know that the history of cannabis Indica and Cannabis Sativa is great and prosperous, but the future seems even more promising. Two significant developments are coinciding to make this so.

From one perspective, cannabis acknowledgment is higher than it has ever been. Apart from that, every year, more and more states decriminalize or legitimize the use of the marijuana plant. Perhaps as an immediate result, the science surrounding marijuana has also drastically improved.

Furthermore, as marijuana science continues to progress and produce moves over to the private sector, it seems very likely that researchers will have the option to do exciting new experiments with this magical plant.

Unique Crossbreed Strains

One of the most significant progress will be the isolation of numerous cannabinoids and the chemical composition of cannabis plants such as THC, CBD, CBG, CBN, or CBC. All they need to ensure is that the new strain should not have side effects. For example, hybridizing Cannabis Indica and Cannabis Sativa can result in extraordinary crossbreed plants.

Selective thoughtfulness regarding specific terpenes or THC and CBD levels can radically shape the user experience. These new crossbreed strains obtain extreme changes in the colors, appearance, and smell.

Hemp and Cannabis Industry

The more those researchers learn about the plant, the better they can provide a tailored experience. Apart from the flower, hemp is also a necessary byproduct that we can obtain from cannabis plants. As a result, developments in the hemp industry have witnessed a rise in the number of products, with these products quality advancing over time.

On the other side of the business, firms may patent hyper-precise strains on custom marijuana products. In addition, it suggests numerous useful alternatives will be available with vendors worldwide for product manufacturing firms, medical patients, and recreational users.

CBD-rich Products

CBD cannabinoid in the marijuana plant is very beneficial in medical applications due to its healing qualities. Hybridized weed varieties rich in CBD further established medical marijuana research and usage platform.

Seed banks like ILGM and Dutch Passion are also looking into particular breeding to promote cannabis species with vital cannabinoids, which may open new medical opportunities.

Conclusion

Though hybridized cannabis could harm (or benefit) as a recreational plant, it holds the phenomenal advantage for making potential medicines, clothes, cosmetic jewelry, paper, plastic, ropes, fuel, hempcrete concrete, or even soil and water purifier!

However, misguided policies and strict laws have prevented much-needed research for a long time in this area. But this is a different time, and countries welcome the laws to make cannabis research easier. Days are not far when we witness an explosion of research on the drug’s societal impact, scientific diversity, industrial products, medicines, and the food and drinks industry.

As you make it this far, you must be curious to know the best cross cannabis strains to try at least once. So, visit this article to explore the top 10 best hybrid cannabis strains from reliable dispensaries.