The evolution of hemp

A few years ago, hemp flowers were hardly appreciated at all. However, the rise in popularity of CBD has led to its importance being recognised. In the past, the plant was used to produce fibres or seeds. For this reason, it didn’t have many flowers and they weren’t very aromatic.

In contrast, marijuana growers were concerned with producing highly aromatic flowers with a high cannabinoid content.

When the benefits of CBD became well known, the creation of new hemp plants with abundant, aromatic flowers and high cannabinoid content became a pressing issue.

Various breeders have been working on hemp strains that resemble traditional marijuana in aroma and appearance, but that have low THC levels.

Nowadays, we can find CBD versions of legendary strains such as Amnesia or Zkittlez. This type of flower has a terpene profile very similar to that of the original varieties, but with the benefit of containing no more than 0.2% of THC.

CBD buds can be classified according to whether they have been bred or not, or according to the background of the strain.

Indoor buds

Firstly, indoor buds are types of flowers that are obtained from plants grown indoors. This kind of cultivation isn’t carried out outdoors, but in industrial buildings. In these spaces, everything necessary for the plants to complete their life cycle is provided.

Artificial lighting and ventilation are installed to replicate natural conditions and it’s potted rather than planted in soil. At first sight it may sound a bit strange. As it’s an artificial environment, however, these technological advances make it possible to obtain better quality flowers.

As they aren’t grown outdoors, indoor crops are better protected from possible pests and/or fungi. They’re also safe from inclement weather such as storms or hail.

In fact, thanks to the ability to accurately control the environmental conditions, the plants are given what they need at all times. This allows the production of high-quality flowers, together with the highest CBD percentages.

Greenhouse Buds

Secondly, greenhouse buds, as the name suggests, are obtained from greenhouse plants. This type of cultivation combines the advantages of plants grown indoors with the benefits of outdoor growing.

These CBD buds are obtained in facilities that take advantage of natural light and often the soil as well. In other words, they have roofs made of glass or a transparent material that allows sunlight to pass through. They can also be grown in soil, where they’re planted directly after tilling and fertilising, although they can also be grown in pots.

This type of cultivation, not taking place outdoors, ensures good protection from possible pests and/or fungi. They also have natural light and soil, so they have less of an environmental impact than indoor plants.

As the environmental conditions can be controlled and natural resources are used in production, the plants have everything they need.  This makes it possible to obtain high-quality flowers, which stand out for their aroma and appearance.

Outdoor buds

Ultimately, outdoor buds are obtained from plants grown outdoors, in a traditional way. It’s therefore a completely natural type of cultivation.

To obtain these CBD buds, soil and sunlight are used, just as humans have been doing for thousands of years. Natural soil is treated and prepared to provide the crop with everything it needs to thrive.

These crops are at the mercy of the weather. This means that their quality can vary depending on how mild the conditions are.

Hemp flowers grown outdoors tend to contain less CBD than those grown in greenhouses or indoors. However, because they’re grown naturally, they have aromas and nuances that are impossible to achieve through other cultivation methods.

Cali weed buds

Cali weed, as its name suggests, has its roots in the Californian style of cultivation. California isn’t only home to the most cutting-edge technology companies, such as Google and Meta. This US state is also at the forefront when it comes to cannabis.

It’s one of the largest markets in the United States, which has allowed it to experiment with all kinds of growing and harvesting techniques. This has led to flowers that stand out for their aromas, with high quality levels and a high cannabinoid content.

At The Tree CBD, we offer the Californian CBD flowers that have been the most popular in recent years.

Quality and characteristics of CBD buds

The quality of hemp flowers is determined by two main factors: appearance and aroma.

Flowers with a lot of leaves or branches look worse. Also, the presence of seeds suggests that the growing process has been careless. Male plants should be removed in time to prevent pollination and the fertilisation of the buds. Seeds smell like burnt oil when burned and therefore give off a bad smell.

We can see the trichomes, if the buds are free of leaves, branches, and seeds. These are small shiny resin glands that form and contain the CBD. Therefore, the more trichomes, the better the quality of the flower. They’re also responsible for producing terpenes, so the more resin a bud has, the more fragrant it will be.

In short, hemp buds are rich in CBD and have no more than the legally permitted 0.2% THC. This means that they’re not psychoactive, although some may have the same smell and appearance as traditional marijuana.

Depending on how they’re grown, CBD buds can be classified as indoor, greenhouse, or outdoor. There’s also Cali weed, which has this name because of its Californian style.

The best quality hemp flowers are free of seeds, branches, and leaves. They’re also rich in trichomes, which give them a very intense aroma.