Category Archives: Strains

Have a look at some of the best cannabis strains Amsterdam has to offer.

2023 pillar page blogbanners Q3 Tasting with Purpose Cultivating Your Cannabis Taste and Scent Profile

Tasting With Purpose: Cultivating Your Cannabis Taste and Scent Profile

So, you want to be a connoisseur of cannabis. Growing your own buds is a start, but developing your sense of taste and smell will truly make you an expert. Deep diving into how cannabis gets flavours and scents introduces you to a world of science. However, actually perceiving these physical attributes of your plant requires being more conscious when consuming.

Recognizing cannabis scents and taste profiles can help identify strains, predict their effects, and is one of the best ways to test how successful your grow was. Growing cannabis is an art, and tasting with purpose gives you an upper hand at masting the cultivation.

If you’re ready to take your cannabis skills to the next level, here’s what you need to know.

The Science Behind Cannabis Scents and Flavours

For the average person, most weed smells and tastes the same. We’re all familiar with the dominating skunk smell, but that’s barely scratching the surface. Cultivating your senses for cannabis helps you appreciate the complex nature of the plant and the range of tastes and aromas for each plant. Just think—it gives something exciting to look forward to with each grow instead of just being another strain to get you high.

Cannabis gets its taste and scent from terpenes. We’ve found more than 200 of these genetic compounds that produce scent and flavour profiles. The most common terpenes are easy to spot. Strains with limonene will have a citrus aroma, pinene has a pine wood scent, and myrcene has a sweet taste likened to a mango.

Strains always contain more than one terpene. The unique blend of terpenes produces an entourage effect—when terpene compounds interact, creating distinct scents and tastes. The perfect levels of myrcene, humulene, and caryophyllene interact for a sweet chocolate flavour in the Chocolato strain. Alternatively, a different combination of fruity limonene, caryophyllene, and humulene creates the sweet, fruity taste and smell of Banana Slush.

ag Developing Your Cannabis Aroma Vocabulary kopie 4

Conscious Tasting and Smelling to Identify Terpenes

The good news is that you won’t need a lab coat and microscope to determine the mix of terpenes in your plant. Connoisseurs who cultivate their senses can detect terpenes by their smell and taste.

Cannabis plants start to omit their odour during the flowering stage—some strains before. While implementing your odour control for indoor grows, take time to appreciate the scent and begin detecting other familiar scents.

Terpenes are present in all plants, which is why particular cannabis scents remind you of other aromas. The Limonene terpene is why Lemon Haze smells and tastes like a lemon. And caryophyllene presence in both Critical Mass Regular and Black Pepper create a similar spicy aroma. Thank the terpinolene terpene for the pleasant floral fragrance that could either be the Strawberry Glue strain or a fresh bouquet of flowers.

Conscious tasting comes after your harvest. Your familiarity with the aroma of your plant will help you be more aware of its flavour. The better our sensation with aroma, the better the taste sensation it will have.

Practice to Improve Your Cannabis Tasting Skills

Developing your cannabis taste and scent profile is a skill. And like all skills, it takes some practice to improve. Every new seed you plant is a new opportunity to put your skills to the test. Knowing how to improve your senses for cannabis will fast-track you to enjoying the best of your grow.

Tasting cannabis involves many senses—the obvious, like your sense of taste and smell, but also less obvious, like sight plays a big role. Here’s how each of these senses affects how you experience weed.

Your sense of taste gives you the flavour of your weed when consuming it. Whether smoking or using as an ingredient in edibles, training your sense of taste will showcase the abundant flavours of cannabis. Your sense of smell is effective in all stages of your grow to let you know the flavour and quality. The aroma from your plant, even during the flowering stage, will hint at its flavour—sweet smells will taste sweet and piney notes will have an earthy taste.

Sense of sight is also essential to being a successful grower and connoisseur. Examining your plant for trichomes informs you how strong the aroma and flavour will be. The more crystals you see on your buds, the more potent the flavour.

q3 From Terpenes to Tones Discovering Cannabis Aromas 03

Testing Quality

As cannabis connoisseurs, we strive for more than just a healthy plant and a large harvest. The quality of your grow is as important as the quantity. Not everyone has access to a lab for testing their strains. However, developing your cannabis taste and scent profile will help you judge its quality without needing equipment—other than what you plan to smoke with!

Plants with a strong aroma are a sign of good quality. Also, as mentioned, seeing lots of trichome crystals. The drying and curing processes are crucial to maintaining a high level of trichomes after harvesting to lock in its flavour.

Better strain genetics will yield better terpene properties for scent and taste. Good genetics and a successful grow give the best results for experiencing the taste and aroma profiles. Our premium cannabis seeds provide a range of cannabis scents and flavours. Try different kinds, from sweet to fruity to woody and more, to cultivate your senses like a cannabis expert.

amsterdam genetics Developing Your Cannabis Aroma Vocabulary

From Earthy to Citrus: Developing Your Cannabis Aroma Vocabulary

Cannabis connoisseurs know that all weed doesn’t smell alike. From earthy and floral to fruity and gassy and everything in between. Growers from all over have created thousands of scent combinations with every new strain. Understanding aroma is a start to knowing which cannabis flavours come from a strain. Here’s some cannabis aroma vocabulary to get you a head start on developing your sense of smell.

Earthy

Most weed strains have an earthy aroma undertone, but some strains showcase the scent more than others. The right balance will create a musky sensation that makes you feel like the outdoors surrounds you. Earthy aromas are typically from strains with humulene and myrcene terpenes.

Some of our favourite earthy-scented strains are:

Woody

For a more defined smell out the outdoors, imagine yourself in dense woodlands. Woody is a common way to describe strains that smell like sniffing the bark of a tree. Much of this scent is attributed to the caryophyllene terpene.

Find some of the best woody scents from these strains:

Pine

One of the most easily recognized tree scents comes from pine trees. These trees produce lots of pinene (https://www.amsterdamgenetics.com/terpenes-in-cannabis-pinene/), which is also quite common in cannabis. As the name suggests, this aroma engulfs you with a fresh, piney scent. 

Heavy pine notes typically signal an Indica-dominant strain. Here are a few of our favourites:

amsterdam genetics Developing Your Cannabis Aroma Vocabulary kopie 2

Herbal

Open your kitchen cupboard and inhale the bouquet of herbs from your seasonings. Multiple terpenes cause a similar herbal aroma, such as strains with caryophyllene and linalool. Herbal scents cover a range of peppery to cloves to oregano to cinnamon.

Herbal is handy cannabis aroma vocabulary to define the following strains:

Spicy

Similar to how seasoning adds an extra ‘oomph’ to your food, spicy is a way to describe weed strains that have an extra kick! When you think spicy, think about a zesty, fiery scent to wake up your senses—like smelling pepper or cajun.

Here are a few strains to plant if you’re seeking a scent with an extra bite:

Sweet

The sweet smell of some cannabis strains gives us an uplifting sensation with their aroma alone. There are different ways of describing the sweet scent of weed–fruity sweet, sugary sweet, floral sweet, etc.

Sweeten the deal with your next grow with these seeds:

amsterdam genetics Developing Your Cannabis Aroma Vocabulary kopie 3

Sour

Pucker up because sour strains give you a tangy sensation. The same way smelling a lemon makes your nose twinge before tasting it is the same way you’ll feel smelling these strains—just not as overbearing. With cannabis, it’s a more refreshing, clean feel.

If you’re looking for which cannabis flavours deliver this unique scent, try these:

Fruity

Did you know that terpenes also exist in fruits? Fruit strains (https://www.amsterdamgenetics.com/the-best-cannabis-fruit-strains/) are always popular because they taste exactly like your favourite fruits! Cannabis and fruits share the same terpenes responsible for delivering the same aroma, like myrcene and humulene. The entourage effect (https://www.amsterdamgenetics.com/the-entourage-effect-how-cannabis-compounds-interact/) of these terpenes creates a full spectrum of fruit scents—and tastes just as good.

Some of our popular fruity scent strains are 

Citrus

While citrus strains typically fall under the fruit category. However, this flavour is so recognizable that it’s worthy of a class on its own! Limonene (https://www.amsterdamgenetics.com/terpenes-in-cannabis-limonene/) is a common terpene that renders a citrusy aroma. Various citrus scents include lemon, orange, and lime.

Notable strains with a loud citrus aroma include:

amsterdam genetics Developing Your Cannabis Aroma Vocabulary 02

Floral

The flowering stage is when floral scent weed strains start to smell like a big bouquet of flowers just blossomed. That fresh floral scent comes from the linalool terpene. Similar scents to compare with your plant’s aroma are that of a lavender field or a dozen roses. The flowery smell makes them a good choice for growing outdoors (https://www.amsterdamgenetics.com/growing-cannabis-outdoor/).

These strains are great examples of the floral scent:

Dairy/Cheese

Have you tried any ‘cake’ or ‘cookie’ family strains? One thing they all have in common is having a dairy aroma. It’s like smelling sweet baked goods fresh out of the oven. Alternatively, some strains have a cheesy aroma.

Add dairy to your cannabis aroma vocabulary and inhale the tasty scents of these strains:

Chocolate

You’ll be surprised to see that the unique compound blends from the entourage effect can produce smells like chocolate. These strains will make you even hungrier because it’s like taking a whiff of a tasty chocolate bar. 

If you’ve got a taste for cacao-inspired strains, check out these seeds:

amsterdam genetics Developing Your Cannabis Aroma Vocabulary kopie

Diesel/Fuel

Diesel and fuel are the sharper, punchier aromas for cannabis. These strains exhibit pungent scents that are unmistakable. Gassy is another term to describe this scent.

Here are some strains to check out for aromas that will fuel you up:

Cannabis taste is directly related to its aroma. It makes it easy to determine which cannabis flavours to expect based on its scents. Keep this cannabis aroma vocabulary list handy when browsing our premium cannabis seeds.

amsterdam genetics 5

Developing A Nose For Cannabis: Understanding Aroma Profiles

It takes a successful grow and harvest to achieve the maximum aroma potency from your strain based on its genetics. However, now, it’s time for you to do your part to develop your sense of smell to appreciate the vast cannabis aroma profiles. Awareness of its smell helps with categorizing different strains, providing details of its effect, determining its freshness, and more.

Let’s explore how you can use cannabis aromas to improve your consumption experience!

 

Indica vs. Sativa Aromas

Knowing what scents to look for can help significantly in identifying them in your strains. Indica and sativa strains differ in more than just the kind of high they give you—they also give off different aromas. This is due to the chemical properties called terpenes, which are responsible for each strain’s unique aromas (and taste). All cannabis strains have terpenes, with approximately 200 different kinds discovered so far in the plants. 

Common terpenes that you can find in Indica-dominant strains are myrcene, humulene, and caryophyllene. These strains are best characterized by heavier scents of earthy, woody, musk, and nature tones. The skunky bouquet of spicy aromas from the Blue Magic strain and the potent earthy profile in the AK-OG Kush are good examples that both deliver the intense body high noted in indica strains.

For the uplifting highs associated with sativa strains, the aromas you should be looking for are a more light, refreshing scent. Think fruity, sweet, and floral tones for the cannabis aroma profiles. These aromas come from seeds producing high amounts of limonene, terpinolene, and linalool terpenes. With these scents in mind, your nose can pick out strains with these dominating terpenes, such as with our sweet-scented Candyfloss and citrusy Lemon Haze strains.

As you develop your nose for smelling cannabis, noting these broad scent categories will provide a good starting point for determining whether a strain belongs to the sativa or indica family.

blog watering cannabis plant kopie

 

How Cannabis Aroma Profiles Can Indicate Their Effects

Not only do terpenes create different aromas in cannabis, but they also are associated with their effects. An entourage effect is a term used to describe how terpenes found in your plant interact with your body when consumed to create their unique highs. Every strain is different and can also affect each person differently. Therefore, understanding a strain’s aroma can give you an idea of the effects you’ll experience once consumed. 

We’ve covered how certain scents provide details of the family of strains your plant belongs to. Additionally, certain terpenes are known for producing specific kinds of effects. For example, a high presence of the pinene terpene can lead to an uplifting high while simultaneously improving memory and concentration. If you’re seeking these effects, you should be looking for a piney aroma—think pine trees!

Caryophyllene is a terpene great for consumers who don’t like to experience the couch-lock stoned feeling after a session. This terpene specifically counteracts some of the effects of THC. If you’re an infrequent consumer or want to mellow out your high, you can determine strains high in this terpene based on an herbal or peppery scent.

On the other end of the spectrum, those looking for more of a couchlock and laidback body high should look for strains with a more earthy scent. It’s a sure sign of high levels of myrcene. It’s one of the most common terpenes in almost all strains. However, the more dominant this scent is compared to other aromas, the more relaxed you can expect to feel with it.

Developing your nose for picking out specific cannabis aroma profiles is highly beneficial when examining your strain for its effects.

amsterdam genetics Cannabis Tasting 101 A Guide for Beginners 02

 

Using Aromas for Quality

The third pillar that weed aromas help determine is the freshness of your strain. From the growing process to examining your harvest, the potency of the scent is a good indication of the quality of your grow.

Your plant will start to produce the familiar weed smell within a few weeks of starting your grow. It’s a good sign to look for that your plant is developing correctly. It’s important to note that both male and female cannabis plants have a weed scent, so you won’t be able to tell the gender based on this trait. Also, as the smell becomes more potent from your plant, it’s a sign of the flowering stage.

Fresh buds will have their most potent smell once properly harvested, dried, and cured. Proper storage is recommended to preserve the aroma until you’re ready to consume them. Buds that begin to lose their smell potency are a sign that the quality is decreasing compared to when you first harvested them. This happens when the terpenes on your buds weaken—not only does the scent diminish, but also the effects caused by the terpenes.

If you find that your plant isn’t producing as potent of a smell, you can implement various techniques during and after a grow to boost the terpenes in your plant. This will improve the smell and taste of your buds.

Our premium seed genetics feature a wide variety of aromas. Experiment with different strains to train your nose to recognize different cannabis aroma profiles. A general rule of thumb is if it smells good to you, it will have favourable effects when consuming it.

View Our Best Selling Strains

 

amsterdam genetics The Art of Cannabis Tasting An Introduction to Aroma and Flavor Profiles

The Art of Cannabis Tasting: An Introduction to Aroma and Flavour Profiles

Being mindful of cannabis aroma and flavour is one of the best ways to get a complete experience from your plant during consumption. The complexity of the plant itself leads to its unique characteristics, displaying a range of scents and flavour profiles in every strain. There’s an art to training yourself to be more aware of these properties that starts with understanding what causes a strain’s aroma and flavour and knowing what to look for when consuming or tasting it. 

Approaching cannabis with these tips will awaken your senses even more to the robust genetics growing from your seeds.

 

Understanding Cannabis Aroma and Flavour

Two words every grower should know and understand are terpenes and cannabinoids. Both are part of all cannabis plants’ chemical structure, but are responsible for different characteristics.

Terpenes are the most sensory-perceptive feature of the two, which determines a plant’s aroma and flavour. On the other hand, cannabinoids impact the actual effects when consuming cannabis. THC and CBD fall under the cannabinoid umbrella, delivering uplifting, sedated, or counteractive effects to your high.

Terpenes and cannabinoids are both found in the trichomes of your plant, or the white crystals coating your buds. The more trichomes visible on your plant, the stronger the effects these chemical compounds will have.

When studying the art of cannabis smell and taste we’ll spotlight terpenes. Terpenes are features of all plants, fruits, flowers, and even some animals. More than 20,000 exist, but only a fraction of 200+ are found in cannabis strains. This common characteristic that cannabis has with the rest of the plant world is why you’ll discover similar scents and recognisable flavours when consuming it. The good news is that you can use your knowledge of terpenes to know what to look for when detecting what kind of smell and taste your plant has.

amsterdam genetics The Art of Cannabis Tasting An Introduction to Aroma and Flavour Profiles 02

 

Cannabis Aroma and Flavour From Different Terpenes

Cannabis plants have a combination of terpenes that work together in each strain. This phenomenon is referred to as the entourage effect. It’s when the blend of terpenes combined with the different cannabinoids interact with your body to produce the high sensation. As you know, every high is different, thanks to the range of compound combinations in each strain. While it’s difficult to single out every individual terpene in your strain, understanding the most common terpenes will give a better idea of the smell and tastes associated with them. With the right smell techniques, you’ll know what’s present in your strain.

These are the most common terpenes:

Aroma is one of the primary ways to tell which is dominant in your strain. Once you know how a strain smells, you can predict its taste. Each has distinctive features that make them instantly recognisable to the trained nose.

For example, growing strains like the Kosher Tangie Kush and Lemon Haze will give off heavy citrusy and fruity aromas. It’s evidence that both strains contain concentrations of limonene. You can expect a similar flavour of citrus and fruit when consuming them. Seeds containing pinene genetics will have a strong pine needle aroma when they begin flowering. Strains like the Dutch Duchess and Royal Choco are good examples and will leave a lasting taste similar to hops and basil when consumed that confirms the terpene presence.

Myrcene is one of the most common terpenes that gives most cannabis strains some level of an earthy scent. The more dominant this smell from your plant, the more indica-related body highs you can expect. It’s a terpene instrumental in the entourage effect that helps more of the cannabinoids of the plant interact with your body for a deeper, richer high. It’s a terpene also found in mangoes, which is why many people report feeling elevated highs after consuming cannabis while eating the fruit.

amsterdam genetics The Art of Cannabis Tasting An Introduction to Aroma and Flavour Profiles 03

 

Detecting Cannabis Aroma and Flavour

Now that you know common scents and flavours to look for in your cannabis plant, it’s time to develop your sense of smell and taste to detect them. It takes some practice to recognise their presence, but with practice, you can get past the obvious skunky scents to reveal the true bouquet of aromas.

Detecting aroma can be done while growing your plant or when examining your buds after harvest. Scents are most potent during the flowering stage, when you should get hints of aromas associated with your strain. It’s when knowing your strain genetics is beneficial. If you know you’re growing a strain with high levels of limonene, you should be looking for that citrusy scent compared to a floral lavender-related scent typical in strains with high linalool genetics.

Good ventilation helps isolate the scent of your plant and avoid interfering scents from other plants.

Detecting flavour is only done during the consumption stage. Aroma plays a major role in how we taste, and knowing the scent first will help give more flavour sensation when consuming. The way you consume is critical for maximising the flavours. Be sure to check our cannabis tasting beginners guide (https://www.amsterdamgenetics.com/cannabis-tasting-101-a-guide-for-beginners/) to learn steps for extracting the full flavour profile of your strain.

Starting your grow with premium cannabis seeds helps ensure strong genetics in your plant. With proper grow techniques, you’ll achieve a successful harvest and enjoy the full benefits of your cannabis aroma and flavour profile.

Browse Our Best-Selling Strains

Q3 From Terpenes to Tones Discovering Cannabis Aromas

From Terpenes to Tones: Discovering Cannabis Aromas

The pungent aroma coming from your cannabis plants is a sign that your grow is progressing successfully. But have you ever wondered how cannabis gets its distinctive smell? The dominant aroma that comes to mind when most think about weed is a pungent skunk odour. However, with a trained nose and awareness of the myriad aromas that cannabis can produce, you’ll discover the many rich scents coming from your plant.

Discovering cannabis aroma starts with the basics of what gives each strain its unique scents. Then, we’ll explore how different scents can affect your overall experience when consuming, from the taste to the kind of high it delivers.

Introduction to Terpenes

Aroma is a byproduct of chemical compounds in cannabis known as terpenes (or terps for short). These same properties giving weed its earthy or sweet aromas also contribute to its effects of euphoria or couch lock. Understanding terpenes, the effects they yield, and the aroma produced by them will help identify the unique characteristics that define each strain.

Terpenes exist in all plants and even some animals. They’re part of a plant’s chemical makeup that aids with attracting bugs, repelling bacteria and predators, and other uses. For cannabis plants, they’re more commonly known for creating different smells and, as a result, effects once consumed. There are hundreds of terpenes discovered in cannabis plants; however, we only need to examine a handful of the most common terps to help understand them better:

q3 From Terpenes to Tones Discovering Cannabis Aromas 03

 

Myrcene – although this terpene is found in most strains, the main difference is how dominant its presence is compared to other terps. It’s responsible for heavy, earthy notes, similar to what you’ll smell in cloves, thyme, and even beer. 

Strains with high concentrations of myrcene typically fall in the indica category with effects of relaxing and sedated effects. Our Green Magic strain is a good example, which has an herbal taste and intense body high.

Limone – one of the most common terpenes in sativa strains that has fresh lemon and citrusy notes. Strains like our Grapefruit Superstar are sativa-dominant with a heavy citrus fragrance and are known for delivering a euphoric high. 

Pinene – if the scent of your grow reminds you of walking through a forest, it may be high levels of pinene terps. This terp also has a beta-pinene version, similar in smell and taste to hops and basil. 

Strains like Critical Mass Regular make for excellent outdoor grows thanks to the scent blending in with nature. As with other heavy earthy-type scents, it’s an indica-dominant that helps with relaxation and a pleasant body buzz.

Linalool – the smell of lavender can also be found in cannabis thanks to this terpene. Plants with a flowery bouquet of aromas will likely have high percentages of linalool, such as our Amnesia Haze.

Caryophyllene – growers looking to produce strains with a dominating peppery and herbal scent should find plants with high levels of caryophyllene. When consumed, it gives a spice herb flavour, like you’d experience eating pepper and oregano.

AK-OG Kush is a prime example, with a spicy and earthy taste while delivering a heavy indica body effect.

You can learn more about the most popular terps on our terpene profile guide.

 

Floral vs. Fruity vs. Earthy

With some practice, you’ll soon be able to determine different terpenes in each strain by its scent alone. However, while you’re still developing your sense of smell for cannabis, A great way to categorize aromas is with three categories: floral, fruity, and earthy. Strains with these fragrances tend to have similar terpenes and effects.

Floral
Cannabis plants with fresh floral fragrance tones tend to contain a high percentage of linalool or terpinolene terpenes. These terps have a phenomenon of enhancing other cannabis effects. Therefore, the relaxing and pleasant head buzz effects of consuming our Blue Amnesia Haze will have its effects heightened by the linalool present in it. And the cheerful feeling after consuming the Strawberry Glue strain will also be escalated thanks to its terpinolene.

Fruity
Fruity scents are commonly found in sativa strains. Smelling this aroma signals a heavy presence of myrcene or limonene. These have great tastes and Pineapple Kush, Tangerine G13, and Banana Slush are just a few of our best cannabis fruit strains.

Earthy
Any strain delivering earthy tones that make you feel like you’re in nature will have concentrations of pinene or humulene. The heavier this aroma, the more Indica-dominant it will be. Popular strains like Chocolato and Dutch Duchess have strong natural scents, but combining them with other terpenes yield unique flavours like chocolate.

amsterdam genetics Cannabis Tasting 101 A Guide for Beginners 02

 

Influence of Growing Conditions on Cannabis Aroma

Growers can look forward to the undeniable weed smell during the budding stage, although it can arrive as soon as a few weeks before your plant begins to flower. It’s the first time you’ll be able to start examining your plant for different terpenes present based on the smell they give off.

How and where you grow your plant can significantly impact the smell. Similar to improving the taste, certain conditions can help bring out the full genetics of your seeds for maximum aroma and flavour. For example, implementing a low stress training technique during the flowering stage will help boost the amount of terpenes on your buds. Also, proper curing methods will enhance terpenes for a stronger aroma (and effects).

While you can’t smell a cannabis seed to determine the aroma once it begins producing buds, our genetic details and flavour/aroma provide excellent information on what to expect from each strain. Browse out premium cannabis seeds to find your perfect strain.

Have A Look At Our Best-Selling Strains

amsterdam genetics 1

Cannabis Tasting 101: A Guide for Beginners

You’ve been anticipating your grow for months, and now it’s time to finally consume your home-grown cannabis. We’ve come a long way from simply consuming cannabis for the high. True connoisseurs treat it like whiskey and wine tasting—incorporating all their senses to appreciate the full tasting experience. From the appearance to the scent to the final taste, there’s a true art to cannabis tasting. 

You’ll be amazed at the different flavour profiles present across the range of strains available at Amsterdam Genetics. This guide will help you get the most out of your cannabis consumption experience—exploring how strains achieve their unique flavours, choosing which strain to grow based on the flavour it will produce, and the best ways to consume it to taste them.

 

Understanding Cannabis Strains

Do you prefer uplifting sativa strains or sway more towards the relaxing indica strains? While these two pillars divide the weed community based on the high they give, they also vary significantly in their flavours when consumed. This is caused by the particular chemical compounds that categorize them as sativa or indica.

Cannabis tasting starts with the scientific makeup of each strain. You’re probably already familiar with the counter effects of THC and CBD on the type of high a strain produces. However, its flavour (and aroma) are attributed to the combination of terpenes and flavonoids found in them.

amsterdam genetics Cannabis Tasting 101 A Guide for Beginners 02

Terpenes and Flavor Profiles

All plants, from trees and flowers to vegetables and cannabis, have terpenes. Of the 30,000 different compounds, cannabis plants have approximately 100-200 found in their chemical makeup—some more dominant than others, depending on whether it’s an indica or sativa strain.

For example, our popular indica strains like Fatkid’s Cake and Royal Choco have a terpene called Myrcene, which creates their earthy/herbal scent and flavour. Also, the woody profiles of the AK-OG Kush thanks to the presence of the Caryophyllene terpene.

Sativa strains have a dominant presence of popular terpenes like Limonene. It produces the citrus flavour in strains like Super Silver Haze and Grapefruit Superstar, and Lemon Ice.

Cannabis plants contain these compounds to aid with attracting certain insects for reproduction while repelling others, fighting against bacteria, protecting against harmful UV rays, and more. However, when they interact with the human body, we get something known as the entourage effect that creates unique flavours that we can enjoy while consuming them. 

The Art of Cannabis Tasting

Now that you know ‘why’ and ‘how’ cannabis plants get their flavour, it’s time to learn the art of cannabis tasting. We provide a flavour profile for each of our cannabis seeds to select which to grow based on your preference. However, actually tasting these myriad flavours depend on how you consume them. Like ageing fine wine, there’s a lot that happens to your plants during those months of the growing process to get them ready to deliver their awesome taste once consumed.

Start with your nose! Not only is the scent an indication that your grow is almost ready for harvest, but it’s also a hint at the flavour your buds will have when you’re ready to consume them. Our sense of taste directly correlates with smell, which is why the way a plant smells is a good indication of how it will taste when consumed. Does it smell citrusy? Piney? Earthy? 

Some experts suggest involving your sense of touch to enhance the smell. Give the bud a slight squeeze to pump out a bit more of the rich aroma. Be delicate and leave in a bag if possible to avoid rubbing off the delicious flavours onto your hands.

The initial scent of the pure flower buds is typically our first sensory interaction with cannabis before consuming it for taste.

Next, take a moment to examine your buds in detail. The way it looks once harvested also hints at the flavours you’ll experience because you can easily differentiate these buds from other strains. Strains with a chemical compound called Anthocyanins create those unique purple or blue hues. Our strains, like the Blue Amnesia Haze and Blue Amnesia Autoflower, are excellent examples that have a sweet, berry-like taste. With the right grow techniques, you can even achieve a pinkish hue, like in our Candyfloss, which tastes as sweet as it sounds.

Finally, it’s time for the moment you’ve been highly anticipating—consuming for taste!

Consuming pure cannabis, instead of mixing it with tobacco, is the best way to get the full flavour effect from your plant. Using glass is also an effective way to maximize the amount of taste you’ll get with each hit. If you’re using rolling paper, give it a ‘dry hit’ and chew on the flavour a moment before lighting it.

You can use the same ‘chewing’ motion after exhaling to see how close your other senses were to guessing the exact flavours you experience.

Note that cannabis interacts with our bodies differently, and perceived flavours can vary as much as their effects.

amsterdam genetics Cannabis Tasting 101 A Guide for Beginners 04

Choosing Seeds Based on Flavour Preference

The beauty of cannabis is that each strain has its own unique flavour profile. You’ll be surprised at the flavours you’ll experience once you master the art of cannabis tasting. Chocolate lovers have a variety of seeds to choose from to obtain the taste, like when consuming our Milkshake Kush Autoflower and White Choco Autoflower. Our Banana Slush and Tangerine G13 are great for a fruity boutique of flavours. Or for a punchier fuel flavour, we recommend the Dynamighty Autoflower or Spicebomb.

The art of cannabis tasting is a delicate process that can enhance your overall consumption experience. Just like wine, true cannabis connoisseurs take time to enjoy the full sensory effect of their weed—it’s much more than just searching for the highest THC percentage to get high. Browse our different cannabis seeds to see which flavour you’d like to experience next!

wietzaadjes binnen kweken

Growing Cannabis Outdoors: Everything You Need to Know

If you’re considering growing cannabis outdoors, you might think it’s quite challenging and that you need to have a green thumb. However, virtually anyone can start cultivating weed outside. Cannabis is a sturdy plant that requires minimal care. In fact, you can follow a simple step-by-step plan, letting the cannabis plants do the heavy lifting and reward you with a generous harvest.

Introduction to Outdoor Cannabis Growing

Perhaps you’ve contemplated growing cannabis outdoors and would like to give it a try. Many believe it requires extensive knowledge about plants and demands a lot of time and effort. But the truth is, you can make outdoor cannabis growing as simple or as complex as you wish.

For beginners, it’s advisable to keep things straightforward. Weed is a resilient plant. All it needs are water, sunlight, and nutritious soil. It’s not hard to provide these essentials. The Dutch climate often supplies everything cannabis requires, whether you grow it on a balcony or in a garden.

Typically, there’s no need for additional nutrients, especially for novice growers. Opt for rich potting soil or garden soil, ensuring the plants receive all the necessary nutrients. Initially, pruning or training isn’t essential, but if desired, you can gently remove old leaves or trim the plants, ensuring they get adequate light and fresh air.

Growing cannabis outdoors can sometimes seem challenging because there’s a lot to monitor. Maintaining a cultivation diary can provide insights into the entire process. Should something go awry, you can review your notes and make improvements next time.

Want more insights on outdoor cannabis growing? Read on for a comprehensive list of helpful tips to get started.

amsterdam genetics 10 Tips To Keep In Mind When Growing Weed Outdoors 01

Basic Principles of Outdoor Cultivation for the Upcoming Season

If you’re planning to cultivate cannabis outside, you have some crucial decisions ahead. As previously mentioned, weed isn’t demanding. However, deciding on the best location for your plants and choosing between planting in the ground or pots is essential.

If you have a garden, you can sow your seeds directly into the ground or use pots. Both methods have pros and cons. Direct sowing benefits from a rich soil ecosystem and offers roots ample room to spread. However, once planted, they’re immobile.

Using pots offers flexibility, enabling relocation if needed (to shelter from wind or maximize sunlight). You’ll also have greater control over growth. Consider the space available in your garden or balcony, and decide if you value the mobility of pots or if your garden is perfect for direct sowing.

When you’ve decided, follow some basic steps to determine the best planting spot. Ideal locations for cannabis plants have ample sunlight, easy water access, and fertile soil. If you plant in your garden, choose a sunny spot. Make sure it’s easily accessible for watering, and assess the soil quality. If the soil isn’t ideal, you can enrich it with extra garden soil or nutrients.

Once the seeds are in the soil, it’s exciting to watch for the first green shoots. Cannabis plants undergo various growth stages, each having specific needs.

The first stage is the seedling phase (lasting 2-3 weeks), followed by the vegetative phase where plants grow vigorously. Lastly, there’s the flowering phase, which lasts 6-8 weeks, during which the buds form and can eventually be harvested. Proper harvesting timing is crucial. Monitor the trichomes and the color of the pistils.

q2 trichomes amsterdam genetics

Maintaining a Successful Growing Cannabis Outdoor

Before it’s time to harvest, naturally, you’ll want to take good care of your plants. When growing cannabis outdoors in Dutch conditions, rainfall might provide ample water. However, this isn’t always the case: it’s essential to administer the ideal amount of water, which can vary depending on the growth phase.

Seedlings require less water than plants in the growth phase, and during the flowering stage, they need the most. Both under-watering and over-watering can harm your plants. With a few helpful pointers, you’ll know what to watch out for when watering. For instance, only water when the top layer of soil is dry, and observe your plants for signs of thirst or excess water (like yellow or drooping leaves).

For beginners aiming to get a bit more from their outdoor grow, implementing pruning and training techniques can be beneficial. Such methods can aid cannabis plants in becoming larger, stronger, and yield a higher harvest.

Various methods are available. Some are tailored for experienced growers, so you might want to steer clear of those initially. You can start with basic pruning: removing wilted leaves so that more energy goes to healthy ones.

Low Stress Training involves directing growth by bending branches. Topping, another technique, entails cutting off the main stem. This encourages side branches to grow more vigorously. All pruning techniques aim to offer better control over the canopy, growth, and the distribution of light, air, and nutrients.

It’s also crucial, for successful growing cannabis outside, to keep a close eye on your plants. While cannabis is resilient, neglect can lead to issues, and you might realize too late that something’s amiss.

Regularly inspecting your garden or balcony helps in early detection and management of problems like diseases or pests. Examine the buds and leaves for signs of fungi, insects (such as mites or spider mites), or nutrient deficiencies.

If you spot an issue, intervention is key. Insects, for instance, can be combated with natural predators or organic pesticides. Plants affected by fungus should be pruned and isolated from healthy ones.

amsterdam genetics 10 Tips To Keep In Mind When Growing Weed Outdoors 02

The Impact of Weather on Your Cannabis Grow

Weather is notorious for its unpredictability. Even though cannabis is quite resilient, it’s important to protect your plants against excessive heat or cold.

In high temperatures, cannabis can suffer from heat stress. Leaves might curl up, and buds might not be as dense. Fortunately, there are measures you can take to support your plants during hot spells. Water them more frequently and occasionally mist the leaves for extra cooling. Guard the roots (especially for potted plants) and provide additional shade with a shade cloth.

If you frequently experience hot summers, it could be wise to base your choice of seeds on that fact. Choose seeds that are resilient to high temperatures; often, seeds from the Haze family are suitable.

Conversely, you might encounter cold weather during summer. When temperatures drop, your plants’ growth may be stunted. They might not uptake nutrients efficiently, which can adversely affect bud formation.

Try to shield your plants from drastic temperature changes. If it suddenly turns cold, using heat mats can keep the roots warm. Mulch can also serve as protection against the cold. Keep seedlings indoors if it’s too chilly for them. If your plants are potted, move them to a sunny spot or bring them indoors.

Of course, this isn’t an option for plants in the ground. If cold springs or summers are frequent where you live, considering greenhouse cultivation might be a good choice. While it’s a substantial investment, a greenhouse allows you to cultivate cannabis outdoors all year round.

Weather significantly influences outdoor cannabis cultivation. If you’re keen on learning how to grow cannabis outdoors, consider these 10 tips:

  1. Choose the right cannabis strain.
  2. Plan your growing season carefully.
  3. Pay attention to soil quality.
  4. Water and feed on time.
  5. Guard plants from wind and sun.
  6. Inspect plants for pests and diseases.
  7. Employ pruning and training techniques.
  8. Have an action plan for sudden weather shifts.
  9. Harvest at the right time.
  10. Develop a care schedule.

We’re here for you this coming season

If you’re contemplating growing cannabis outdoors, it all begins with the seeds. You’ll want high-quality seeds, of course. Amsterdam Genetics is renowned for its continuous development and for providing customers with reliable quality seeds. For years, the company has been pioneering autoflowering, feminized, and medicinal cannabis seeds.

They always strive to stay attuned to societal needs, including the impacts of climate change. Whether you’re in search of high-CBD seeds or seeds resistant to heat or cold, Amsterdam Genetics has you covered. Their expert, enthusiastic team consists of passionate cannabis aficionados.

When selecting the best seeds, it’s recommended to consider the changing climate. Given the cooler tendencies in the Netherlands, opting for an Indica strain might be best. These strains originate from mountainous regions and are better equipped to handle cold than Sativas. They also flower faster, allowing you to harvest before autumn’s chill sets in.

But climate change also makes weather more unpredictable. Autoflowering varieties are another excellent choice: they have a much shorter growth and flowering phase and bloom regardless of light patterns, enabling earlier yearly harvests.

Climate change necessitates proactive adaptation. Protect your plants from extreme weather, perhaps using shade cloths, strategically positioning pots, employing wind barriers, watering strategies, or practicing companion planting.

Fortunately, there are many ways to adapt and ensure a bountiful harvest despite the unpredictable weather. However, if you encounter issues or have queries about growing cannabis outdoor, you can always reach out to us. We have a wealth of knowledge and experience and are eager to assist. Let us know if you need guidance. You can always contact us.

Check Out Our Best Selling Strains

 

amsterdam genetics blog Q2 best seeds for growing outside

The Best Cannabis Seeds for Outdoor Growing by Amsterdam Genetics

When you’re planning to grow cannabis outdoors, it’s only natural that you’ll seek the best cannabis seeds, and that road leads straight to Amsterdam Genetics! At Amsterdam Genetics, true cannabis enthusiasts work who have been dedicated for years to developing the best genetics. In this blog, you’ll read about how to pick your seeds for outdoor cultivation from the wide range of options, and which ones we recommend.

Why Choose Seeds from Amsterdam Genetics?

Why pick for Amsterdam Genetics? This company has been busy with the development of high-quality cannabis seeds since 1985. The folks working here are passionate about plants and have made it their goal to develop the best, most reliable, and noteworthy seeds for you.

Over the years, Amsterdam Genetics has developed a long list of medicinal, feminized, and autoflowering seeds, from their own tradition but also making use of the latest top genetics from both domestic and foreign sources. This company has a big name in the cannabis world. They are known for the high quality of their seeds and their mission to continually innovate.

Whether you want to grow cannabis seeds outdoors or indoors, you have a wide selection of famous names like Royal Choco, Quicksilver, and Amnesia Haze to choose from.

q2 The Best Cannabis Seeds To Grow Outdoors From Amsterdam Genetics 02

How to Choose Cannabis Seeds for Outdoor Growing?

Are you planning to grow cannabis outdoors? It’s not difficult and can be quite rewarding. Many strains from Amsterdam Genetics are well-suited to the Dutch climate. Here are some factors to consider when choosing seeds for outdoor growing:

Climate Resilience

Choose strains that can withstand the Dutch weather. Indicas, originating from colder, mountainous regions, are generally more tolerant of cold than Sativas.

Flowering Time

Indicas also tend to flower more quickly than Sativas, allowing you to harvest before the cold and harsh weather sets in.

Yield

The average yield of a strain can influence your choice. Some strains produce more and denser buds than others.

THC or CBD Content

Each strain has its unique cannabinoid profile. You may want buds rich in THC or prefer a high percentage of CBD, or a combination of both. If you prefer more CBD, then look for CBD cannabis seeds.

Here, we give you a brief explanation of two popular strains suitable for outdoor cultivation.

Super Silver Haze

Super Silver Haze is a highly popular strain, for both indoor and outdoor growers. This strain has parent strains of Haze, Skunk #1, and Northern Lights. If you want to grow this cannabis type outdoors, it’s particularly well-suited for warm summers. But the Netherlands has not been lacking warm summers lately, and Silver Haze does well even at around 20 degrees Celsius.

It’s a Sativa-dominant strain, but the flowering time is reasonable, between 9 and 11 weeks, and it’s easy to grow. When you grow these cannabis seeds outdoors, you can count on big, dense buds that look silvery (hence the name) due to the large amount of trichomes.

These plants will yield buds with a high percentage of THC, at 19%. The scent of Super Silver Haze is also delightful: a mix of sweet fruit, fresh pine, and a hint of diesel.
Super Silver Haze seeds

White Choco

 

White Choco is also a popular strain, especially if you want to grow cannabis seeds outdoors. The parent strains are White Russian and Chocolope. This strain is balanced with as much Sativa as Indica and performs well in Dutch summers.

Be mindful of the height, as this sturdy grower can easily reach three meters. Of course, you can apply training techniques to control the growth if needed. What makes White Choco attractive for outdoor growers is its short flowering time, between 8 to 9 weeks. You’ll definitely harvest before the colder and wetter autumn weather arrives.

Generally, the yield is large, and you can also count on these buds having a high THC percentage (19%) and 1.8% CBN. If you’re looking for an easy-to-grow strain for outdoors, then White Choco is a good choice. Be enticed by the delicious, rich scent of chocolate with a spicy undertone.
White Choco best cannabis seeds 2023

Cannabis Seeds for Outdoor Cultivation

Hopefully, this information is sufficient for you to make your choice of cannabis seeds for outdoor cultivation. Now you know what to look out for when making your selection. And in the webshop, you’ll find a handy overview of the properties for each strain, like yield, height, medicinal use, and effects.

What is our favorite for outdoor cultivation? We end up picking White Choco, an absolute winner! With its nearly perfect mix of 50% Sativa and 50% Indica, this is a robust plant that can withstand the Dutch climate well. It’s also popular among outdoor growers, especially due to its shorter flowering time.

Moreover, its effects are not to be scoffed at. White Choco is known for its positive impact on mood and offers a wonderful, relaxed feeling, which can also come in handy if you have trouble sleeping. But whatever your choice, you’re always in good hands with cannabis seeds from Amsterdam Genetics.

Check Out Our Best-Selling Strains

questions about your outdoor grow

Ask Questions About Your Outdoor Cannabis Grow

When you are starting your first cannabis grow project, you are likely to have a million questions about your outdoor cannabis grow. Any grower just getting into the cannabis gardening hobby will recognise the feeling. Even though a humble cannabis seed contains everything it needs to germinate, grow, and flower into a full harvest of home-grown weed, you’ll still want to avoid making mistakes that could ruin your project. That’s why most new growers search for information online, but that’s where things can get complicated fast.

An Information Jungle

It is easy to be overwhelmed by all the information available on how to grow weed at home. There’s just so much out there; and to further complicate matters, every experienced grower seems to have their own individual tips, tricks, and best practices to share.

So how do you find out which tips, techniques, and hacks will work for you? You could of course use a trial-and-error approach and see where it takes you, but that would risk wasting your precious cannabis seeds. If you’re an outdoor grower, making mistakes could force you to wait for next year’s outdoor season. 

Fortunately, there is no need to take that risk. The best alternative to simply roughing it is asking questions about your cannabis grow and inviting the worldwide community to provide answers. If you know where to direct your questions, you are bound to receive useful answers that help you become a veteran home grower yourself.

buiten wiet kweken

Where To Look For Great Grow Solutions

Online information sharing has become one of the mainstays of the global cannabis grower community. And what a friendly community we’ve become! The (fading) atmosphere of taboo, criminalization, and even outright hostility ganja gardeners still face today has driven us into each other’s arms online. Turn to familiar platforms like Reddit or Instagram and you will soon discover a wealth of information provided willingly by growers from all over the world. Blogs, vlogs, and YouTube instruction videos are all over the web. Many growers will be happy to provide you with answers to the questions about your outdoor cannabis grow.

instagram logo
Follow us & ask us questions on Instagram @amsterdam.genetics

On top of that, we have our own Amsterdam Genetics customer service waiting to help you solve any grower issues. You can ask us all of your questions about growing weed, and we will do what we can to give you fitting answers. And that’s just for the rare occasions on which our extensive blog section doesn’t answer your queries straight away. Many novice growers struggle with their first germination process, for instance. Rest assured that we have expert info on popping those seeds waiting for you among dozens of useful Grow Blogs. Not sure on how and when to water your precious plants? No worries – we’ve got you covered. No matter what cannabis conundrum is on your mind, please feel free to ask us any questions about growing weed you may have!

Why You Should Ask Questions About Your Outdoor Cannabis Grow

When you start growing weed, you wil l soon realise that you are working with natural materials. That’s actually great news, because there is so much to learn as you watch the result of millions of years of evolution unfold before your eyes. On the other hand, nature can be fickle: there are many things that can go wrong before harvest time if you don’t recognise the first signs of trouble.

The best way to deal with these natural challenges is by asking your fellow gardeners for advice. Don’t be shy: ask the community to help you rule out possible causes of emerging problems. Solving problems through a process of elimination is usually the best way to proceed, and there are always growers who are happy to help you tackle your green issues.

Magic OG Kush
Don’t hesitate to ask question and create buds like this Magic OG Kush

Tips For Asking Helpful Questions About Your Outdoor Cannabis Grow

If you are new to growing cannabis, it can be hard to ask the right kind of questions that will get you adequate solutions fast. To help you get the right answers to your cannabis growing questions, provide the community with the following information to help them identify your problems:

  • What seeds are you using (feminized/ autoflower/ regular), and what is the strain name?
  • What is your grow location (tent/ grow room/ garden /greenhouse/ balcony)?
  • What is your grow medium (soil/ coco/ hydro)?
  • How often do you water your plants, and how much water do you use?
  • Are you using additional nutrients? Which kind (brand) and how much?
  • What kind of grow lights do you use (LED/ HPS/ other) and what is their intensity?
  • What is your current lighting cycle (12-12/ 16-8/ other)?
  • What is your grow environment (temperature/ humidity)?
  • Nutrient water supply: what is your pH, EC, and TDS?

GrowDiaries Is Perfect For Asking Cannabis Growing Questions

One community platform that deserves special mention here is GrowDiaries.com. Here, marijuana growers of all nationalities and experience levels keep and share their online diaries featuring detailed information about their past and current grows. You are welcome to create an account and log your own personal grow projects here, including your photos, strain names, pH values, lighting cycles, grow behaviour, and so on. 

The best part about GrowDiaries.com is its option to ask fellow growers for personal advice. It is probably the most accurate way to get tips that work for your unique situation, because anyone can access all the detailed grow info you choose to share. That enables expert growers to analyse your methods and visually inspect your plants from a distance. In a sense, this makes GrowDiaries the biggest online peer-to-peer weed helpdesk in the world.   

As you can see, there is no reason to wait any longer before you start to grow your own weed at home. You have the power of nature on your side; and if things do seem to south somehow, you can always ask your cannabis growing questions to the vast and awesome online gardening community that is always glad to lend a hand! 

growing new strains

Growing New Strains For The First Time

If you are considering growing new strains for the first time, you’re facing enough choices to make you lose sight of the forest for the ganja trees. That’s why we’re handing you a few simple guidelines to help you find the best cannabis seeds for beginner and veteran growers alike, no matter what your personal taste or grow purposes.

Growing New Strains For The First Time

No matter how many grows you’ve completed, and regardless of the superb strains you may have harvested, every one of us knows that familiar nagging sensation… It’s the small voice in the back of your head whispering: “but what if that next harvest would be even tastier, even more potent and even bigger than this last one?” It is the same familiar voice you can hear whenever a spectacular new strain catches your eye, and you can just smell those fresh buds simply by looking at them.

This voice is the curious, playful grower you carry deep down inside; even if you always pick the same cannabis seeds that happen to tick all you personal boxes. It’s whispering in your ear, encouraging you to try growing new strains and tasting them for the first time. Let’s face it: there’s still so much out there to sow, grow, and savour; and besides, the grass will always be greener on the other side…

But how do you go about choosing new strains and growing them for the first time?  How do you pick the best genetics to match your personal situation, grow setup, and taste? Which cannabis seeds are best for a beginner, and which are more suited for advanced growers? We’re handing you some quick guidelines to help you decide, letting you expand your palate and experience to make you an even more proficient ganja grower.

exotic purple autoflower
Our newest tropical Autoflower strain, a must-try!

Will You Plant Indica Or Sativa Seeds?

Choosing between growing new indica or sativa strains for the first time is a complicated affair even for experienced gardeners. Firstly, the respective sativa and indica labels don’t necessarily tell you much about a plant, its behaviour, or its effects. Moreover, the distinction between these two ‘subspecies’ is not as clear as you may think.

These days, you won’t find any ‘pure’ indica or sativa strains out there: all the current strains are hybrid crossbreeds. Strain descriptions often list percentages of both genetic lines to give you an impression of their origins.

Nonetheless, it can be helpful to know roughly what you’re getting when you order indica or sativa-dominant cannabis seeds. The following basic properties are important to consider when you’re considering growing new strains for the first time: 

Indica Cannabis Strains

  • Grow with great speed and vigour in the vegetative stage;
  • Usually have shorter flowering times than sativas;
  • Often have shorter stature (convenient for indoor growing);
  • Leaves are broader;
  • Effects: more physically oriented, body buzz, stoned, relaxing, sleep-inducing;
  • Medical: often used for pain, stress, aching muscles

Sativa Cannabis Strains

  • Tend to grow and flower more slowly; stretch may continue in flowering phase;
  • Can grow to huge sizes, especially outdoors;
  • Narrow leaf structure;
  • Effects: more mentally oriented, brain buzz, high, uplifting, creativity, activating;
  • Medical: often used for low moods, fatigue and inspiration

Try Autoflower Strains?

These days, many growers select feminized autoflower strains by default when growing new strains for the first time. These special plants are nearly always female and start flowering by themselves within about 3-5 weeks. That saves a lot of complications regarding lighting adjustments, and it prevents accidental pollination of females by undiscovered male specimens (making feminized autoflower seeds some of the best cannabis seeds for beginner growers). In addition, they usually grow and flower at record speed.

Such rapid growth is great for anyone interested in harvesting more often, but especially when growing new strains indoors for the first time, you’ll appreciate plants that stop growing taller early by switching to flowering mode. This trait makes them perfect for growing in small tents or cramped grow rooms. 

If you want to learn more about the benefits of growing fast feminized autoflower seeds indoors, check out this blog with inside information and the finest autoflower strains to try out for yourself.

Milkshake Kush Autoflower

Growing Strains With New Flavours For The First Time

You could also opt for growing new cannabis strains for the first time based on their flavour and scent. If you do, focus your attention on terpene profiles: the subtle interplay of aromatic compounds that determines the taste of weed. 

cannabis terpenen meer smaak
Find the perfect strain for you: use the smell of terpenes!

Over one hundred different cannabis terpenes have been identified so far. Depending on their complex profiles, terpenes make buds taste like anything from citrus fruit (limonene) to earthy tones (humulene), or add a spicy twist to your flower (caryophyllene).

There’s plenty of wonderful flavours to try out there. How about growing a cannabis strain for the first time that tastes like chocolate, sweet and creamy pastry, dazzling diesel fumes, or the wild aroma of berries, banana, pineapple, or other exotic fruits?  

Interestingly, each of these terpenes adds its own delicate touch to the high caused by its strain’s flower buds. You can learn more about this in our blogs on cannabinoid and terpene profiles, or in the specific background blogs on all the main cannabis terpenes.

Choosing Strains By Grow Properties

A final option is picking new strains to grow for the first time by considering specific grow properties. That means working from a true gardener’s perspective. If you do, these are your most important factors and characteristics to take into account:

  • Harvest yield: this is a rough indication of the amount of harvested weed to expect per plant or per square metre. Keep in mind, however, that a slow-flowering high-yield sativa plant may get you the same amount of bud you would harvest by growing two fast indica autoflowers consecutively over the same number of months. You’ll have fewer buds per plant, but that doesn’t matter if you can harvest after just half the flowering time;
  • Flowering time: this indicates how long plants take to produce mature buds from the first signs of flowering. Sativas tend to flower more slowly than indica dominant strains. This will impact your planning when growing new strains for the first time;
  • Stretch and size: ‘stretch’ indicates the extent to which (young) plants race up towards the light before they start to flower. Cannabis strains with high stretch properties tend to be impractical for growing in small grow tents, since they’ll soon reach your overhead grow lights, risking heat stress and failing to reach their full growth potential. Generally speaking, indica strains tend to have shorter, more compact stature than most sativa plants; 
  • Sensitivity: sativa strains, especially the non-autoflower photoperiod kind, tend to be more sensitive to temperature, humidity, and lighting fluctuations than indica plants. That is why we would recommend tougher indica cannabis strains when growing new variants for the first time without much prior experience;
  • Resistance to mould and disease: when growing new strains for the first time, it is wise to consider their resistance to mould, disease, and pests. High-resilience strains are often the best cannabis seeds for a beginner, even though many of the most interesting exotic strains tend to be more sensitive. If you prefer one of the latter kind, it helps to know what to look out for to prevent getting into trouble.

As you can see, there’s plenty of choice out there when growing new strains for the first time. Fortunately, you have already made the most important decision: only use top notch cannabis seeds – but you’re going to be fine on that account as long as you stick with Amsterdam genetics seeds!