poglavlje 4 nastavak
Root growth seems accelerated at the time of the new
moon, possibly as a response to increased gravitational pull
from the alignment of sun and moon. It also seems that
floral cluster formation is slowed by the full moon. Strong,
full moonlight is on the borderline of being enough light
to cease floral induction entirely. Although this never hap-
pens, if a plant is just about to begin floral growth, it may
be delayed a week by a few nights of bright moonlight.
Conversely, plants begin floral growth during the dark
nights of the new moon. More research is needed to explain
the mysterious effects of moon cycles on Cannabis Floral Maturation
The individual pistillate calyxes and the composite
floral clusters change as they mature. External changes
indicate that internal biochemical metabolic changes are
also occurring. When the external changes can be con-
nected with the invisible internal metabolic changes, then
the cultivator is in a better position to decide when to har
vest floral clusters. With years of experience this becomes
intuition, but there are general correlations which can put
the process in more objective terms.
The calyxes first appear as single, thin, tubular, green
sheaths surrounding an ovule at the basal attached end with
a pair of thin white, yellowish green, or purple pistils at-
tached to the ovule and protruding from the tip fold of
the calyx. As the flower begins to age and mature, the
pistils grow longer and the calyx enlarges slightly to its
full length. Next, the calyx begins to swell as resin secre-
tion increases, and the pistils reach their peak of reproduc-
tive ripeness. From this point on, the pistils begin to swell
and darken slightly, and the tips may begin to curl and
turn reddish brown. At this stage the pistillate flower is
past its reproductive peak, and it is not likely that it will
produce a viable seed if pollinated. Without pollination the
calyx begins to swell almost as if it had been fertilized and
resin secretion reaches a peak. The pistils eventually wither
and turn a reddish or orange brown. By this time, the
swollen calyx has accumulated an incredible layer of resin,
but secretion has slowed and few fresh terpenes and canna-
binoids are being produced. Falling pistils mark the end of
the developmental cycle of the individual pistillate calyx.
The resins turn opaque and the calyx begins to die.
The biosynthesis of cannabinoids and terpenes paral-
lels the developmental stages of the calyx and associated
resin-producing glandular trichomes. Also, the average de-
velopmental stage of the accumulated individual calyxes
determines the maturational state of the entire floral clus-
ter. Thus, determination of maturational stage and timing
of the harvest is based on the average calyx and resin con-
dition, along with general trends in morphology and devel-
opment of the plant as a whole.
The basic morphological characteristics of floral
maturation are measured by calyx-to-leaf ratio and inter-
node length within floral clusters. Calyx-to-leaf ratios are
highest during the peak floral stage. Later stages are usually
characterized by decreased calyx growth and increased leaf
growth. Internode length is usually very short between
pairs of calyxes in tight dense clusters. At the end of the
maturation cycle, if there is still growth, the internode
length may increase in response to increased humidity and
lowered light conditions. This is most often a sign that the
floral clusters are past their reproductive peak; if so, they
are preparing for rejuvenation and the possibility of re-
growth the following season. At this time nearly all resin
secretion has ceased at temperate latitudes (due to low
temperatures), but may still continue in equatorial and
subtropical areas that have a longer and warmer growing
season. Greenhouses have been used in temperate latitudes
to simulate tropical environments and extend the period of
resin production. It should be remembered that green-
houses also tend to cause a stretched condition in the
floral clusters in response to high humidity, high tempera-
tures, lowered light intensity, and restricted air circulation.
Simulation of the native photoperiod of a certain strain is
achieved through the use of blackout curtains and supple-
mental lighting in a greenhouse or indoor environment. The
localized light cycle particular to a strain may be estimated
from the graph of maturation patterns at various latitudes
(p.124). In this way it is possible to reproduce exotic
foreign environments to more accurately study Cannabis,
Tight clusters of calyxes and leaves are characteristic
of ripe outdoor Cannabis. Some strains, however, such as
those from Thailand, tend to have longer internodes and
appear airy and stretched. This seems to be a genetically
controlled adaptation to their native environment. Im-
ported ~1 examples from Thailand also have long inter-
nodes in the pistillate floral clusters. Thai strains may not
develop tight floral clusters even in the most arid and ex-
posed conditions; however, this condition is furthered as
rejuvenation begins during autumn days of decreasing
photoperiod.
Cannabinoid Biosynthesis
Since resin secretion and associated terpenoid and
cannabinoid biosynthesis are at their peak just after the pis-
tils have begun to turn brown but before the calyx stops
growing, it seems obvious that floral clusters should be har-
vested during this time. More subtle variations in terpenoid
and cannabinoid levels also take place within this period of
maximum resin secretion, and these variations influence
the nature of the resin's psychoactive effect.
The cannabinoid ratios characteristic of a strain are
primarily determined by genes, but it must be remembered
that many environmental factors, such as light, tempera-
ture, and humidity, influence the path of a molecule along
the cannabinoid biosynthetic pathway. These environmen-
tal factors can cause an atypical final cannabinoid profile
(cannabinoid levels and ratios). Not all cannabinoid mole-
cules begin their journey through the pathway at the same
time, nor do all of them complete the cycle and turn into
THC molecules simultaneously. There is no magical way to
influence the cannabinoid biosynthesis to favor THC pro-
duction, but certain factors involved in the growth and
maturation of Cannabis do affect final cannabinoid levels,
These factors may be controlled to some extent by proper
selection of mature floral clusters for harvesting, agricul
tural technique, and local environment. In addition to
genetic and seasonal influences, the picture is further modi-
fied by the fact that each individual calyx goes through the
cannabinoid cycle fairly independently and that during
peak periods of resin secretion new flowers are produced
every day and begin their own cycle. This means that at
any given time the ratio of calyx-to-leaf, the average calyx
condition, the condition of the resins, and resultant canna-
binoid ratios indicate which stage the floral cluster has
reached. Since it is difficult for the amateur cultivator to
determine the cannabinoid profile of a floral cluster with-
out chromatographic analysis, this discussion will center
on the known and theoretical correlations between the ex-
ternal characteristics of calyx and resin and internal canna-
binoid profile. A better understanding of these subtle
changes in cannabinoid ratios may be gleaned by observing
the cannabinoid biosynthesis. Focus on the lower left-hand
corner of the chart. Next, follow the chain of reactions
until you find the four isomers of THC acid (tetrahydro-
cannabinolic acid), toward the right side of the page at the
crest of the reaction sequence, and realize that there are
several steps in a long series of reactions that precede and
follow the formation of THC acids, the major psycho-
active cannabinoids. Actually, THC acid and the other
necessary cannabinoid acids are not psychoactive until they
decarboxylate (lose an acidic carboxyl group [COOHI).
It is the cannabinoid acids which move along the biosyn-
thetic pathway, and these acids undergo the strategic reac-
tions that determine the position of any particular canna-
binoid molecule along the pathway. After the resins are
secreted by the glandular trichome they begin to harden
and the cannabinoid acids begin to decarboxylate. Any
remaining cannabinoid acids are decarboxylated by heat
within a few days after harvesting. Other THC acids with
shorter side-chains also occur in certain strains of Cannabis.
Several are known to be psychoactive and many more are
suspected of psychoactivity. The shorter propyl (three-
carb on) and methyl (one-carbon) side-chain homologs
(similarly shaped molecules) are shorter acting than pen tyl
(five-carbon) THCs and may account for some of the quick,
flashy effects noted by some marijuana users. We will
focus on the pentyl pathway but it should be noted that
the propyl and methyl pathways have homologs at nearly
every step along the pentyl pathway and their synthesis is
basically identical.
Root growth seems accelerated at the time of the new
moon, possibly as a response to increased gravitational pull
from the alignment of sun and moon. It also seems that
floral cluster formation is slowed by the full moon. Strong,
full moonlight is on the borderline of being enough light
to cease floral induction entirely. Although this never hap-
pens, if a plant is just about to begin floral growth, it may
be delayed a week by a few nights of bright moonlight.
Conversely, plants begin floral growth during the dark
nights of the new moon. More research is needed to explain
the mysterious effects of moon cycles on Cannabis Floral Maturation
The individual pistillate calyxes and the composite
floral clusters change as they mature. External changes
indicate that internal biochemical metabolic changes are
also occurring. When the external changes can be con-
nected with the invisible internal metabolic changes, then
the cultivator is in a better position to decide when to har
vest floral clusters. With years of experience this becomes
intuition, but there are general correlations which can put
the process in more objective terms.
The calyxes first appear as single, thin, tubular, green
sheaths surrounding an ovule at the basal attached end with
a pair of thin white, yellowish green, or purple pistils at-
tached to the ovule and protruding from the tip fold of
the calyx. As the flower begins to age and mature, the
pistils grow longer and the calyx enlarges slightly to its
full length. Next, the calyx begins to swell as resin secre-
tion increases, and the pistils reach their peak of reproduc-
tive ripeness. From this point on, the pistils begin to swell
and darken slightly, and the tips may begin to curl and
turn reddish brown. At this stage the pistillate flower is
past its reproductive peak, and it is not likely that it will
produce a viable seed if pollinated. Without pollination the
calyx begins to swell almost as if it had been fertilized and
resin secretion reaches a peak. The pistils eventually wither
and turn a reddish or orange brown. By this time, the
swollen calyx has accumulated an incredible layer of resin,
but secretion has slowed and few fresh terpenes and canna-
binoids are being produced. Falling pistils mark the end of
the developmental cycle of the individual pistillate calyx.
The resins turn opaque and the calyx begins to die.
The biosynthesis of cannabinoids and terpenes paral-
lels the developmental stages of the calyx and associated
resin-producing glandular trichomes. Also, the average de-
velopmental stage of the accumulated individual calyxes
determines the maturational state of the entire floral clus-
ter. Thus, determination of maturational stage and timing
of the harvest is based on the average calyx and resin con-
dition, along with general trends in morphology and devel-
opment of the plant as a whole.
The basic morphological characteristics of floral
maturation are measured by calyx-to-leaf ratio and inter-
node length within floral clusters. Calyx-to-leaf ratios are
highest during the peak floral stage. Later stages are usually
characterized by decreased calyx growth and increased leaf
growth. Internode length is usually very short between
pairs of calyxes in tight dense clusters. At the end of the
maturation cycle, if there is still growth, the internode
length may increase in response to increased humidity and
lowered light conditions. This is most often a sign that the
floral clusters are past their reproductive peak; if so, they
are preparing for rejuvenation and the possibility of re-
growth the following season. At this time nearly all resin
secretion has ceased at temperate latitudes (due to low
temperatures), but may still continue in equatorial and
subtropical areas that have a longer and warmer growing
season. Greenhouses have been used in temperate latitudes
to simulate tropical environments and extend the period of
resin production. It should be remembered that green-
houses also tend to cause a stretched condition in the
floral clusters in response to high humidity, high tempera-
tures, lowered light intensity, and restricted air circulation.
Simulation of the native photoperiod of a certain strain is
achieved through the use of blackout curtains and supple-
mental lighting in a greenhouse or indoor environment. The
localized light cycle particular to a strain may be estimated
from the graph of maturation patterns at various latitudes
(p.124). In this way it is possible to reproduce exotic
foreign environments to more accurately study Cannabis,
Tight clusters of calyxes and leaves are characteristic
of ripe outdoor Cannabis. Some strains, however, such as
those from Thailand, tend to have longer internodes and
appear airy and stretched. This seems to be a genetically
controlled adaptation to their native environment. Im-
ported ~1 examples from Thailand also have long inter-
nodes in the pistillate floral clusters. Thai strains may not
develop tight floral clusters even in the most arid and ex-
posed conditions; however, this condition is furthered as
rejuvenation begins during autumn days of decreasing
photoperiod.
Cannabinoid Biosynthesis
Since resin secretion and associated terpenoid and
cannabinoid biosynthesis are at their peak just after the pis-
tils have begun to turn brown but before the calyx stops
growing, it seems obvious that floral clusters should be har-
vested during this time. More subtle variations in terpenoid
and cannabinoid levels also take place within this period of
maximum resin secretion, and these variations influence
the nature of the resin's psychoactive effect.
The cannabinoid ratios characteristic of a strain are
primarily determined by genes, but it must be remembered
that many environmental factors, such as light, tempera-
ture, and humidity, influence the path of a molecule along
the cannabinoid biosynthetic pathway. These environmen-
tal factors can cause an atypical final cannabinoid profile
(cannabinoid levels and ratios). Not all cannabinoid mole-
cules begin their journey through the pathway at the same
time, nor do all of them complete the cycle and turn into
THC molecules simultaneously. There is no magical way to
influence the cannabinoid biosynthesis to favor THC pro-
duction, but certain factors involved in the growth and
maturation of Cannabis do affect final cannabinoid levels,
These factors may be controlled to some extent by proper
selection of mature floral clusters for harvesting, agricul
tural technique, and local environment. In addition to
genetic and seasonal influences, the picture is further modi-
fied by the fact that each individual calyx goes through the
cannabinoid cycle fairly independently and that during
peak periods of resin secretion new flowers are produced
every day and begin their own cycle. This means that at
any given time the ratio of calyx-to-leaf, the average calyx
condition, the condition of the resins, and resultant canna-
binoid ratios indicate which stage the floral cluster has
reached. Since it is difficult for the amateur cultivator to
determine the cannabinoid profile of a floral cluster with-
out chromatographic analysis, this discussion will center
on the known and theoretical correlations between the ex-
ternal characteristics of calyx and resin and internal canna-
binoid profile. A better understanding of these subtle
changes in cannabinoid ratios may be gleaned by observing
the cannabinoid biosynthesis. Focus on the lower left-hand
corner of the chart. Next, follow the chain of reactions
until you find the four isomers of THC acid (tetrahydro-
cannabinolic acid), toward the right side of the page at the
crest of the reaction sequence, and realize that there are
several steps in a long series of reactions that precede and
follow the formation of THC acids, the major psycho-
active cannabinoids. Actually, THC acid and the other
necessary cannabinoid acids are not psychoactive until they
decarboxylate (lose an acidic carboxyl group [COOHI).
It is the cannabinoid acids which move along the biosyn-
thetic pathway, and these acids undergo the strategic reac-
tions that determine the position of any particular canna-
binoid molecule along the pathway. After the resins are
secreted by the glandular trichome they begin to harden
and the cannabinoid acids begin to decarboxylate. Any
remaining cannabinoid acids are decarboxylated by heat
within a few days after harvesting. Other THC acids with
shorter side-chains also occur in certain strains of Cannabis.
Several are known to be psychoactive and many more are
suspected of psychoactivity. The shorter propyl (three-
carb on) and methyl (one-carbon) side-chain homologs
(similarly shaped molecules) are shorter acting than pen tyl
(five-carbon) THCs and may account for some of the quick,
flashy effects noted by some marijuana users. We will
focus on the pentyl pathway but it should be noted that
the propyl and methyl pathways have homologs at nearly
every step along the pentyl pathway and their synthesis is
basically identical.