Introduction
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As you may know, marijuana buds come in a variety of colors, but there’s something about purple weed that makes it seem so special. Purple weed has become very popular among cannabis connoisseurs; many users are also attracted to this cannabis strain because of its uniquely covered buds. Although green buds are still very popular, most users are curious about this strain and won’t mind seeing a splash of color in their weed stash.
What Gives Cannabis Its Purple Color
Generally, plants get their color because of a group of pigments in their morphology; these pigments are called anthocyanin. Anthocyanin are water-soluble pigments that give food and plants their color, including cannabis. Although anthocyanin is present in cannabis plants at a minimal level, it’s not certain that it plays a major part in altering the appearance of the plants.
Many years back, the purple color of cannabis bud was believed to be a result of environmental conditions. This is because plants tend to change color when exposed to cold temperatures for a long period. To achieve this purple color, growers would expose these plants to colder temperatures in the early stages of their growth. This cold temperature stimulates the production of anthocyanin, causing the leaves, stems, and buds to develop a purple color.
Today, growers don’t have to go through that much stress to achieve these radiant colored buds. Selective breeding and genetic augmentation have made this process much easier. You can now grow your purple strains in a controlled environment using LED grow lights. LED grow lights also stimulate anthocyanin production, allowing your cannabis plants to develop vibrant, natural hues.
Popular Purple Weed Strains
Just like green strains, purple weed strains have different degrees of purple strains. Some buds appear with a little bit of green color while some have no greed color. Some of the most popular purple weed strains are listed below.
Purple Haze
Purple Haze is a sativa strain that earned its name from its lineage. It’s a descent of parent strains Purple Thai and Haze and became widely popular because of Jimi Hendrix’s 1967 classic, Purple Haze. This strain produces a burst of blissful, euphoric feeling that leaves users with high energy and awakened senses; its cerebral effects awakens the user’s creativity and leaves them active through the rest of the day. It gives off earthy and sweet flavors with a strong berry taste. Purple Haze has medium to large-sized buds shaped like a spade.
Purple Kush
Purple Kush is a pure indica marijuana strain that results from crossing Purple Afghani with Hindu Kush. Emerging from Oakland area of California, this strain has a high cannabis content of about 22% making it potent for new users. It produces long-lasting euphoric effects that keep your body relaxed and glued to a chair. It’s the best strain if you feel sleepy, tired, or stressed; it also combats body pain leaving the user in a generally relaxing state. Purple Kush can be grown both indoors and outdoors, and it takes about 7 to 8 weeks to flower.
Granddaddy Purple (GDP)
Granddaddy Purple is one of the most popular strains in the cannabis community. It was created in 2003 by crossing two incredible strains; Purple Urkle and Big Bud. Granddaddy strain inherited great qualities from its parent strain; it gets its deep purple hue from Purple Urkle and its dense buds from Big Bud. It has many different names, including Grand Daddy Purp, Granddaddy Purps, Granddaddy Purple Kush, and GDP. GDP buds have radiant shades of deep purple, enveloped by a white resin that look like snow crystals. Its effect is felt in the mind and body a few minutes after hitting it, but it fades quickly, leaving the user with a dreamy buzz. Its heavy and sedative effect leaves you glued to a spot. It’s usually giving to consumers to help fight stress, insomnia, loss of appetite, pain, and muscle spasms. Granddaddy Purple produces massive yields that are ready for harvest after 60 days.
Purple Urkle
Purple Urkle is a famous indica strain with a mysterious origin. Often referred to as The Urkle, this strain delivers a blend of fresh grapes, berries, and skunk. With a THC content of 21%, it produces a tranquilizing effect that leaves the user deeply relaxed and sleepy. The fast-kicking effect makes perfect for a night-time smoke session, especially for individuals who have insomnia. It is used often as medical marijuana to ease symptoms of pain, stress, anxiety, and mood disorders. Purple Urkle is a great choice for novice and expert growers because it can be grown successfully both indoors and outdoors.
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The Genetic and Environmental Dance: The mesmerizing purple color of these strains is not just a random occurrence; it’s the result of a complex interplay between genetics and environment. Strains like Purple Kush and Granddaddy Purple have been carefully bred to increase the levels of anthocyanins, pigments responsible for the striking purple coloration. However, genetics is just half the story. Environmental factors, particularly cooler nighttime temperatures, play a pivotal role in bringing out the purple hues.
Growing Purple Strains Indoors: Indoor cultivation of purple weed strains has become increasingly popular, allowing growers to meticulously control factors critical to their development. By maintaining temperatures between 60-70°F at night and using full-spectrum LED grow lights, cultivators can enhance the anthocyanin production, ensuring the plants exhibit their signature purple coloration. The controlled indoor conditions also facilitate year-round cultivation, making these strains more accessible.
The Resilient Jamaican Lion: 2023 witnessed a remarkable breakthrough with the discovery of the ‘Jamaican Lion’ strain, showing partial resistance to the Hop Latent Viroid (HLVd). This resistance is noteworthy as HLVd typically hampers THC production in cannabis. Intriguingly, ‘Jamaican Lion’ not only fights off the viroid but also intensifies its purple color in the process, suggesting a potential immune response linked to anthocyanin production. This discovery opens new doors in understanding plant immunity and could prove vital in safeguarding cannabis crops.
Conclusion
There are a few misconceptions about purple weed strains. Some people believe the color is solely due to LED lighting or cold temperatures. Although these factors play a part in the color of these strains, their genetics and morphology is the major contributing factor.
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