Inside the Cannabis Plant: A Breakdown of Its Parts 🌿

So, what came first, the chicken or the egg? The plant or the seed? Either way, the seed is where the cannabis journey begins.

Female cannabis plants produce seeds after being pollinated, and those seeds carry the genetics of the male plant that fertilized them. Once planted, each seed sends out a taproot that anchors the plant and kicks off the growing process

The taproot is the main root that stabilizes the plant in the soil. From this central root, smaller roots spread out, absorbing water, oxygen, and nutrients. Think of the roots as the plant's life support system. Without healthy roots, the plant wouldn't survive.

From these roots, the stem begins to grow.

The stem is the big central structure that runs up the entire cannabis plant. It provides stability and structure, much like a human spine. It allows the plant to grow vertically while maintaining a strong hold in the ground. The stem also transports water, oxygen, and nutrients throughout the plant.

Hemp was used by sailors such as the time of the vikings in the 8th-11th century and explorers like Christopher Columbus in the 15th century. It was used for their sails & ropes as they roamed the earth, exploring undiscovered land.

So yea, hemp comes mainly from the stem of the cannabis plant, remember that x

Now, let's move up to where the branches start to form.

Nodes are the points where the stem and branches connect. They're like little junctions along the plant's main highway.

Cultivators can determine if a plant is male or female by cutting into the node. This is important because only female plants produce the flowers (buds) that we consume. So cultivators need to know what plant they are dealing with to ensure they have the correct sex to grow. Yes to emphasise, it's the female plants we rely on for our cannabis. Women got one up on us here lads. 1 - 0.

And the branch on the tree, and the tree in the hole, and the hole in the bog AND THE BOG DOWN IN THE VALLEY-O!

The branches. Branches extend out from the stem. Each branch can become a "bud site," where flowers form.

Cultivators aim to maximize the number of branches and bud sites. Why? More branches mean more bud sites. More bud sites means more buds. More buds means more produce to consume or sell. Cash dolla bills always squeezing it's arse in, isn't it.

It's not all about the money, but it certainly plays a part.

There are three main types of leaves on the cannabis plant:

The flower/bud, however you want to say it. The money maker. Why the cannabis plant is grown for medical/recreational purposes. Star of the show, it's your time to shine. It's where all the good stuff, THC, CBD, cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids are concentrated.

Here's the key point as mentioned above. Only female cannabis plants produce flowers that we use.

Basically, we sexually frustrated the female plant to get the best buds. ( 1 - 1, on the turn volley, top bins) Your mum's your dad etc etc.

The flowers are dried out when cut from the plant. This is what is then used by users of cannabis. Either the flower itself as a whole or some extracts from it.

At the very top of the plant, you'll find the cola, a cluster of buds growing closely together. The main cola is typically the largest and has the highest concentration of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids.

Think of it as the cherry on top of our cake.

Trichomes are those tiny, crystal-like structures that give cannabis its frosty appearance. When we look at the cannabis plant we notice it has a frosted like shine to it. They look like little snail eyes popping out from the plant. 🐌

These resin glands are packed with THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids and terpenes. They're also a defense mechanism, protecting the plant from predators and harsh environments.

If you've ever ground cannabis up you'll have noticed that at the bottom of your grinder "kief" forms. Kief are trichomes that fall on the bud itself and make their way to the bottom of your grinder. Kief is just a concentrated collection of trichomes.