July 29, 2019

The Secrets of Colorful Cannabis: How To Grow Purple Cannabis Buds

July 29, 2019
purple cannabis buds

The marijuana plant is normally green. At least we are used to seeing it in that color. But believe it or not, cannabis strains can also be purple. Interestingly, purple marijuana strains are becoming increasingly popular lately.

While the color might be attractive, the reason for this popularity also lies in the high levels of THC found in purple marijuana buds, which means it’s stronger than the usual stuff. Here’s everything you need to know about the extraordinary purple cannabis buds.

Why Are Some Cannabis Buds Purple?

Most marijuana strains are green, but why are some of them purple? Cannabis buds can change their color naturally depending on the conditions they are grown in. This happens spontaneously when marijuana is grown outside in cold temperatures.

A pigment called anthocyanin is responsible for this color change. When chlorophyll, a pigment responsible for the green color of the plant, breaks down in cold temperatures, anthocyanin takes over. Anthocyanin is already present throughout the plant but since chlorophyll is stronger, the plant is green. It’s only when chlorophyll dies that we see the effects of anthocyanin.

Now, the exact color of the plant depends on the pH level of anthocyanin and can be red, purple or blue. Cannabis buds become purple when pH is neutral.

This natural phenomenon has sparked interest among users and growers of marijuana and people can now grow purple cannabis even in normal conditions. Different parts of the marijuana plant can become purple including buds, leaves, trichomes, and pistils. Sometimes, the leaves of the plant turn purple while the buds stay green and vice versa.

This often happens when the plant is exposed to freezing temperatures overnight. However, the leaves get trimmed off after harvest regardless of how beautiful the plant looks. Therefore, the goal is to grow marijuana with purple buds and green leaves.

Due to high levels of anthocyanin, purple marijuana buds are associated with some health benefits too. It is believed they have the ability to improve cardiovascular health and relieve pain. Besides, high levels of anthocyanin also mean that these buds have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

The Right and the Wrong Way to Grow Purple Cannabis

Whether you find the color purple to be very attractive or you want to grow a strong weed with high THC levels, you can do so by following these simple instructions. Note that there are many misleading instructions online for growing purple strains that we do not recommend. These methods include depriving the plant of oxygen and shocking the plant with freezing temperatures in order to get the color purple overnight. This will not work.

A wrong approach is to also use food coloring to get that sought-after purple color. You should really stay away from these methods because a wrong approach to growing purple cannabis buds can affect the quality of the plant and reduce your yields. You probably don’t want that.

This is the right way to grow purple cannabis strains. By following these instructions, not only will you achieve the desired results but will also get high-quality marijuana buds.

It All Starts with the Right Seeds

In order to successfully grow purple marijuana buds, you need the right seeds. You need seeds that have a genetic ability to turn purple otherwise all your effort will be in vain. The seeds need to contain high levels of anthocyanin (the pigment that also gives blueberries their wonderful purple color).

As for the timing, chlorophyll starts to break down in fall and winter when the days are much shorter. This is when anthocyanin takes over and imposes its color. So the second step is providing the perfect temperature for growing purple cannabis buds.

Basically, in order to become purple, the marijuana plant needs warm days and cool nights. You should make sure that the difference in temperature is about 30 degrees. During the flowering period, the night cycle temperature should be about 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius).

Marijuana buds will slowly turn purple about 15 days before the harvest. If you followed the instructions provided in this article and made sure that the temperature difference is correct, you will be harvesting quality purple marijuana buds soon.

Useful Tips to Know

It is generally recommended that you grow your marijuana buds outdoors because it is easier to control the conditions and set the right temperature. Purple cannabis buds can be grown outdoors, of course, but it is slightly more difficult due to external factors.

Make sure that the soil is suitable for growing the plant first. Many things can hinder the growth of your marijuana strains such as using the wrong fertilizers or growing in a soil that is not meant for that. Check the soil quality prior to growing the plant.

Guest post written by Bill Gordon: Bill is a freelance writer and cannabis enthusiast. He likes writing articles that cover green, eco-friendly and marijuana related topics. He has written numerous articles and contributed to several other blogs. When he is not writing, he spends his time with his family. 

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