6 Crucial Inputs for Optimal Sativa cannabis Cultivation

By Gillian May, AROYA Contributor

Although different strains of cannabis have similar basic cultivation requirements, each strain varies in their growth patterns and output.

The two biggest "categories" (and there's debate as to how real these categories are) in cannabis are Indica and Sativa. What distinguishes them?

Indica plants (in general) grow faster than Sativa plants, and they tend to produce more buds. Sativa also grows taller and more slender than Indica (again, in general), and tends to have slightly higher THC levels. They also take a bit longer to mature. For these reasons, Sativa cannabis cultivation requires a specific type of care that, while similar to general cannabis guidelines, contains some important differences.

Let’s break down six crucial components for cultivating robust, consistently high-quality Sativa cannabis plants:

1. Warmth

Sativa tends to need more warmth than Indica strains. You can more effectively monitor and control for temperature by growing indoors. It’s easier to customize the temperature in a controlled environment, unlike the outside where the weather and sun are unpredictable. Temperatures that are too high or low can shock the plant (although, in crop steering, this can be incredibly beneficial), decelerate growth, or decrease the THC content.

2. Soil

Soil conditions need to be well controlled for acidity (pH). Too much acidity can damage the plant and, as such, care needs to be taken in your fertigation solution, as it can change the acid level considerably. A pH that’s too basic will stunt growth. The ideal soil acidity or pH level would be between 5.8 and 6.5 or slightly alkaline. Sativa cannabis plants tend to grow taller with more nitrogen.