Colourful Weed Strains

Many cannabis growers believe that adding colorful flecks to their buds makes them more appealing and, as a result, sell better. While potent green buds are great, most growers feel that Buds with flashes of purple, blue, red or orange are more visually stimulating.

Many people think that the most powerful cannabis is associated with the finest-looking buds. However, bud color or bag appeal are not linked to THC potency. Many individuals in the days before sophisticated cannabinoid chemical testing was available attempted to predict cannabis potency from bud appearance. So, what exactly happens when marijuana plants grow?

Cannabis buds colours

The leaves’ change in color from green to red, yellow, and orange during fall happens because chlorophyll starts breaking down. Chlorophyll is what gives leaves their green hue. The breakdown of chlorophyll occurs as days get shorter and temperatures begin to drop.

Other hues are created by pigment, also known as phytochemicals. The use of various pigments may give your grow room (or guerrilla grow) an incredibly stunning appearance.

However, pigments can’t reveal anything about strength (or potential potency). Instead, it’s the presence of natural chemicals called cannabinoids (and specifically THC) that give cannabis its euphoric psychoactive effects.

The color of the hairs or pistils that grow from your buds also has an impact on how you view your cannabis’s appearance. Typically, these are white, but as harvest draws near they can turn orange, brown, fiery red, or even pink/purple. The color of the pistils may also influence the color of your cannabis.

Purple and blue cannabis strains

If you’re looking for a colorful cannabis strain, blueberry is a great option. The buds have beautiful blue hues, contrasting nicely with the white frosted appearance caused by the heavy trichome coverage. You may also see hints of lilac and purple in the buds.

The Blueberry strain is world-famous for its tasty blueberry flavor and high THC levels. It’s also celebrated for reducing stress, making it a go-to choice when you want to relax. If you’re really into cannabis culture, then adding Blueberry seeds to your collection is a must — after all, they’ve won multiple cannabis cups!

Auto Blueberry’s autoflower seeds use the same high-quality cannabis genetics to provide speed and convenience.

The rich taste of Afghani genetics guarantees a top-quality cannabis strain that produces blooms with deep purple colors. The Purple #1 often appears in cool outdoor bloom conditions and is part of the Outdoor Cannabis Seed Collection.

Red and pink cannabis strains

The Frisian Dew is a lovely outdoor variety that has pink pistils on its buds. If you combine this with the right bloom conditions, you may occasionally notice lilac colors in the flowers. The entire package has some beautiful and delicate pink hues. It’s unusual to come across particularly pink cannabis, but Frisian Dew can display pink hues under the proper circumstances.

Auto Banana Blaze usually produces rich red colors when grown in cool conditions. The THC crystals stand out against the white trichome resin layer, making it very visually appealing to consumers. It also tastes sweet like bananas, which is a rarity among most strains.

Yellow and orange cannabis strains

The Orange Bud cannabis strain typically has very vibrant orange pistils on the buds, providing a splendid contrast against the sunny green leaves. This also makes for some pretty impressive-looking blooms when they finally open up. Best of all, these seeds usually produce plants with fabulous citrus taste and smell ― perfect for anyone looking to add a little zesty freshness to their next session!

Black and dark cannabis strains

The Cannabis Seeds named Blackberry Kush come from the Blue family. The genetics come from Blueberry x Dark Hash Plant, and they have a high THC content. These plants are known for their dark purple flowers, which are almost black in hue. It has an unusual look with a delectably sweet and fruity fragrance.

Bubba Island Kush is an indica strain that won the Cannabis Cup in the USA Special cannabis seed collection. It often turns dark grey or black during bloom.

Why does cannabis change colours?

Cannabis naturally contains a variety of color-producing compounds. The most prevalent pigment in cannabis is chlorophyll, which is generally the case.

The green variety of this pigment has a distinctive verdant hue and is present in such high amounts that the other color-producing chemicals and pigments seldom have a chance to display their own colors.

However, when the levels of chlorophyll are reduced (such as during a cool bloom), you can see the other pigments and phytochemicals display their true colors.

As chlorophyll content decreases, leaves and buds can take on vivid hues.

It’s possible to notice it if a cool bloom period exists. Chlorophyll production is reduced in these conditions, allowing other colors to be more apparent.

Cannabis phytochemicals, the chemistry of weed colours

Various colour pigments and chemicals, often referred to as phytochemicals, are found in cannabis plants. Some of the most frequent ones include:

Anthocyanins (From Yellow/Orange to Blue, Black or Even Red)

Anthocyanins are pigments found in many foods, including blueberries, raspberries, black rice, and black soybeans. The colour of a particular anthocyanin can vary depending on the pH. For example, purple cauliflower strains are rich in anthocyanins as are red radish and black plums. In cannabis plants, anthocyanins can produce some striking colours in the leaves and buds.

Chlorophyll (Green)

Chlorophyll is a natural pigment derived from plants that contains a magnesium atom at its centre. Photosynthesis requires chlorophyll. Light energy is collected by the plant and converted into chemical energy and growth fuels by this process. Chlorophyll allows the plant to absorb (principally) blue and red light. Because green light is not efficiently absorbed by the plant, it reflects, which is why many plants appear green. When chlorophyll levels are slightly lower than normal, other hues may take precedence in the color palette due to the presence of additional colorful phytochemicals.

Carotenoids (Orange, Yellow, and Red)

Carotenoids are organic pigments that come in the colors orange, yellow and red. They originate from plants, algae, bacteria and fungi.Carotenoids give canaries their coloration, as well as flamingos’, tomatoes’, carrots’, pumpkins’, salmon’s and lobster’s. When chlorophyll starts to fade near the end of bloom, carotenoids produce cannabis’ oranges hues , yellows ,and reds.

Flavonoids (Numerous Colours Including White and Cream)

Flavonoids are chemicals that occur naturally in cannabis, specific fruits, and veggies. The chemical structure for flavonoids always contains 15 Carbon atoms. These compounds dissolve in water and supposedly have health benefits like reducing inflammation or providing antioxidant effects. One sub-group of flavinoids called anthocyanidins is similar to (but not exactly the same as) anthocyanin pigments.

Cannabis growth stage and temperature levels

As cannabis harvest approaches, most growers search for color in their buds and plants. This might be a time when autumnal hues are at their greatest. Cannabis farmers will be familiar with the beginning of the colder seasons as fall/fall approaches. Chlorophyll production falls as temperatures drop. One reason why cannabis leaves and buds can acquire such vibrant colors as harvest draws near is because of this.

In addition, some indoor growers use the temperature-reducing effect to their advantage. They lower the temperatures during the ‘lights out’ phase of indoor cultivation. As a result, they get a more dramatic harvest that looks better (‘bag appeal’) and may be worth more money.

Lighting (type, cycle, intensity)

Near the end of the bloom cycle, using UV lighting can significantly affect a plant’s color and pigmentation. UVA/UVB rays can encourage a mostly ‘green’ plant to develop some different colors. For example, leaves may darken and show brown or warmer hues on the buds and leaves.

pH levels and nutrient feeding schedule

The pH surrounding certain chemicals, like anthocyanins, can determine its color. The pH of a cannabis plant isn’t always stable; it can change slightly, but that’s enough to result in different colors and shades across the plant.

The pH of nutrients is carefully controlled by growers, and it’s been suggested that altering the pH of your plant’s range may alter its colors.

However, many growers may swear by staying in the middle of your nutrient pH range rather than making significant adjustments to one side of it.

Some cannabis growers believe that a more acidic nutrient pH, around pH 5.5, will produce more red colours. On the other hand, those who think that a higher nutrient pH closer to 7 will create more blue/purple shades.

A scarcity of potassium is also believed to give the leaves a redder hue. However, many would consider it an excessively high risk growing technique to create a little mineral deficit intentionally to enhance the variety of marijuana colors.

Cannabis seeds genetic heritage

The color of cannabis is determined by many elements, including the kind of cannabis seeds you’re growing. If you grow strains with ideal cannabis DNA, you might notice that colorful marijuana is simple to produce. Strains like Bubba Island Kush and Auto Blackberry Kush are highly recommended for growers who prize colorful marijuana! It doesn’t matter whether you choose autoflowering cannabis seeds or photoperiod feminised seeds, as long as the cannabis genetics come from a reputable breeder, you’ll have a good chance of producing a colorful plant at harvest.

Weed buds colour and potency: myth & facts

A common misconception is that more colour in a weed bud means more THC. A few decades ago, before THC testing was frequent, people would estimate cannabis potency based on guessing.

Their impression that a particular strain was ‘better’ was frequently due to the strain’s unusual hue or fragrance. We now know that cannabinoids and THC levels determine potency. Weed color is affected by a variety of elements, including as well as the presence/absence of natural pigments in the plant cells.

How to enhance your weed bud colours

If your cannabis meets your recreational/medical needs, then its quality is probably more important to you than its colour. Some growers try to grow high-quality THC-rich cannabis that also looks appealing.

Introducing low temperatures during the final weeks of bloom can often produce vibrantly-colored cannabis strains. If you haven’t tried growing colorful weed/buds, then consider one of the strains suggested above–you might be pleasantly surprised with the results!