Best sativa strains for desert climates

[OZZ_]

Happy Friday everyone! Hope you all are staying safe and sound.


In October we will be moving to Phoenix, AZ (USA) nd I’m curious which of ACEs strains would do the best in that type of climate. Obviously they have a very long growing season, plenty of strong intense sunlight... but the humidity is very low and I’m curious if this will be a problem for many strains?

If/when attempting an outdoor grow there, it would be in containers, and I can easily tend to them by moving them around or using shade cloths if need be to reduce temps ... as sometimes temps can hit 120F/50C in the height of summer. That usually only lasts a few weeks, but temps in the 105-115 during the three months of summer are common, combined with very low humidity.

On the upside, the rest of the year the temps are fantastic, freezes are very rare and if they do happen its only for a single night usually. Most commonly the coldest temps happen around January.

Any thoughts or suggestions on attempting these tropical sativas in a desert climate?

Keep in mind there’s probably a good 6 month period where temps are 70-95 degrees (again- with low humidity).

Looking forward to everyone’s suggestions. Would love to hear Dubi’s input on the topic as well. I’m assuming the Africans might have the best chance, possibly being from arid climates also.

TIA

 

[TakenByTheSky]

Just a guess but maybe Moroccan beldia hash?

 

[musigny23]

Well the dry desert climate at 33°N is very similar to conditions in Afghanistan. Afghan and probably some Pakistan landrace types would be well suited to the conditions you're heading to. Some others would be some of the mideast strains like Egyptian Sinai, Lebanese or Beldia Moroccan.

Those peak summer temps are pretty extreme for most any plants except cactus and other desert specific plants. But I think tropical types could grow fine there too as they are usually in hot climates, just more humid, although those places can have a hot dry season for part of the year. They may need extra care and some shade in !00+°F weather.

The thing with the milder October to April period is day length and sun strength. The days will be too short for most types to stay in veg. through November, December, January. The sun will be lower and less strong too.

 

[RED 1]

You need to move there first Ozz,and,work out from where the sun rises, and then sets.Temps in morning/evening(sunrise/sunset) lower than daytime temps.Any natural shading?Wind?
You can use those few hours for plants to get direct sunlight, and then, shade when daytime, sun temps max out
Watering important, and,with you prepared to move containers around,I think you can grow anything

 

[OZZ_]

So the low humidity shouldn’t be a problem with many of these strains?

Really that’s my primary question

 

[RED 1]

So the low humidity shouldn’t be a problem with many of these strains?

Really that’s my primary question

Spring at 42N and humidity 10/15% if I remember right, temps sunrise/sunset under direct sunlight 25/45C already
It's not something I take into consideration, humidity,so long as I water them ,and, move them under shade for quite a few hours during the day
Have sativas,sativa hybrids from Ace going, and I know 45/55C,extremely low humidity(tiles, balcony grow, walls warm up),will be the norm for the next 5? months
No problem,shade/watering
Direct sunlight is the killer for seedlings,for now

 

[BullDogDad]

In my experience the plants just adapt. As long as they’re kept watered they should be fine. In fact, there’s less mold risk during flower so it’s kind of a bonus. Just don’t start your seedlings in a high humidity environment like one of those starter domes. Expose them to the dry conditions from day one.

 

[OZZ_]

Thanks for all the input on this topic. Good news all the way around. I’ll have to look into how to time the growing season(s) there. I suspect I’ll simply veg the plants indoors, harden them off and put them outside. Phoenix is at 33N and I’ve head there is essentially 2 different growing seasons on either side of the summer and winter but as has been mentioned here shade cloths and moving them around during the peak of summer is easily accomplished. I just wasn’t sure if the extremely low humidity would be a problem.

Thanks to you all for chiming in on the matter

 

[rolandomota]

Lol as long as you water properly you'll be fine if anything low humidity allows huge buds to not mold definitely you can grow anything and no worries about mold.....low humidity ain't going to magically kill your plants some people just want to be perfect it's a weed man

 

[dubi]

Hi OZZ,

The sativa landraces we offer that will naturally perform better in a desert climate at that latitude will be Moroccan Beldia Kif and Lebanese, both grow in their native places in very dry environments and thrive in poor soils, with high temps, and lack of water and feeding. But these 2 are not the best choice if you are looking for best quality euphoric and psychodelic high THC sativa flowers. As musigny correctly pointed out, original landrace indicas from Afghanistan and Pakistan are also very suitable for such environment, conditions and latitude.

As long as they are planted directly in the ground and you provide them with enough water, all our pure sativas and sativa dom hybrids will grow like mad even under the most torrid summer days there. Overall, cannabis prefers humid ambient to grow, but if your goal is to harvest highest quality flowers with their cannabinoids, terpenes and resins expressed at their best potential then it is always recommended a slight dry environment with mild temps during flowering.

It's all about the balance, too much moisture brings molds to our precious cannabis flowers. A rather too dry and hot environment during flowering easily degrades resins, terpenes and cannabinoids, which are the reason why we cultivate and harvest the flowers.

At that latitude in the northern hemisphere, the day temps and radiation should be less aggressive from September equinox onwards, so i would recommend you to grow longer flowering pure sativas and sativa dom hybrids that produce most of their flowers from October onwards. Fast flowering indoor indica hybrids that flower from late July until end of September will be literally fried under such extreme dry and hot outdoor conditions.

Best wishes with the move

 

[YukonKronic]

Foliars of PotSil as well as healthy Mycorrhizal associations can increase tolerance to heat/drought conditions. So can stimulating SAR response iirc. If you stimulate SAR in conjunction with Chitosan (insect frass and/or crab shell meal and/or mushroom compost) in low humidity it can increase resin coverage as well.

I use Frass and prune/defol at onset of stretch as well as a little aspirin to try and get SAR going. Then PotSil and sometimes CalcNit Foliars halfway thru stretch and again at end. I continue pruning/lollipopping and defoliating as needed and also cut/mutilate cover crop at onset and mid stretch and again when stacking goes into higher gear. The mutilation is meant to stimulate Jasmonic acid release and trigger ISR alongside SAR.

It doesn’t always work for resin but when it does it’s pretty noticeable.
This can reduce yield a bit too but ime only when it boosts potency.
If I don’t see the resin boost it still seems to result in real healthy dense plants... I’ve given longer flowering (10+weeks) a second small dust of frass at mid stack with good results before as well.

It’s definitely not exactly a controlled scientific approach but I’ve seen results and the heat resistance factor is probably worth looking at imo..
Good Luck!

 

[OZZ_]

Hi OZZ,

The sativa landraces we offer that will naturally perform better in a desert climate at that latitude will be Moroccan Beldia Kif and Lebanese, both grow in their native places in very dry environments and thrive in poor soils, with high temps, and lack of water and feeding. But these 2 are not the best choice if you are looking for best quality euphoric and psychodelic high THC sativa flowers. As musigny correctly pointed out, original landrace indicas from Afghanistan and Pakistan are also very suitable for such environment, conditions and latitude.

As long as they are planted directly in the ground and you provide them with enough water, all our pure sativas and sativa dom hybrids will grow like mad even under the most torrid summer days there. Overall, cannabis prefers humid ambient to grow, but if your goal is to harvest highest quality flowers with their cannabinoids, terpenes and resins expressed at their best potential then it is always recommended a slight dry environment with mild temps during flowering.

It's all about the balance, too much moisture brings molds to our precious cannabis flowers. A rather too dry and hot environment during flowering easily degrades resins, terpenes and cannabinoids, which are the reason why we cultivate and harvest the flowers.

At that latitude in the northern hemisphere, the day temps and radiation should be less aggressive from September equinox onwards, so i would recommend you to grow longer flowering pure sativas and sativa dom hybrids that produce most of their flowers from October onwards. Fast flowering indoor indica hybrids that flower from late July until end of September will be literally fried under such extreme dry and hot outdoor conditions.

Best wishes with the move

Invaluable advice here and thanks to everyone. Dubi - what sativas from your catalog do you suggest? Those that produce most of their flowers from October onwards? Any specific recommendations?

I will probably be growing in containers, but outside. Which will allow me to move the plants as needed into and out of the shade during the worst of the summer months.

 

[OZZ_]

Foliars of PotSil as well as healthy Mycorrhizal associations can increase tolerance to heat/drought conditions. So can stimulating SAR response iirc. If you stimulate SAR in conjunction with Jasmonic acid (can be accomplished by mutilating a cover crop to stimulate their releases of JA)and in low humidity it can increase resin coverage as well.

I use Frass and prune/defol at onset of stretch as well as a little aspirin to try and get SAR going. Then PotSil and sometimes CalcNit Foliars halfway thru stretch and again at end. I continue pruning/lollipopping and defoliating as needed and also cut/mutilate cover crop at onset and mid stretch and again when stacking goes into higher gear.

It doesn’t always work for resin but when it does it’s pretty noticeable.
This can reduce yield a bit too but ime only when it boosts potency.
If I don’t see the resin boost it still seems to result in real healthy dense plants... I’ve given longer flowering (10+weeks) a second small dust of frass at mid stack with good results before as well.

It’s definitely not exactly a controlled scientific approach but I’ve seen results and the heat resistance factor is probably worth looking at imo..
Good Luck!

Thanks Yukon, I will keep these suggestions in mind and in fact I’m going to do a little reading on these topics. Some of these techniques I have never heard of so some research is definitely in order.

 

[RED 1]

Invaluable advice here and thanks to everyone. Dubi - what sativas from your catalog do you suggest? Those that produce most of their flowers from October onwards? Any specific recommendations?

I will probably be growing in containers, but outside. Which will allow me to move the plants as needed into and out of the shade during the worst of the summer months.

Was looking at Ace's site the other day
Flowering time for sativas,you are given the choice,long or short flowering period in weeks
It might help with you with your selection

 

[deepwaterdude]

Invaluable advice here and thanks to everyone. Dubi - what sativas from your catalog do you suggest? Those that produce most of their flowers from October onwards? Any specific recommendations?

I will probably be growing in containers, but outside. Which will allow me to move the plants as needed into and out of the shade during the worst of the summer months.

I think Dubi said enough, but it's worth noting that his purple haze x malawi does really well in sweltering Spain, in pots, like you want to do. I think the OTH crosses, panama haze etc, would be excellent for that heat. Maybe some of the thai leaning stuff too.

 

[OZZ_]

Was looking at Ace's site the other day
Flowering time for sativas,you are given the choice,long or short flowering period in weeks
It might help with you with your selection

Thanks Red, in the additional info section it states the flowering time of each strain, but I think that is the actual harvest window, not necessarily when they are in peak flowering. Being new to growing outdoors I’m just trying to make sure I understand everything correctly. Dubi mentions selecting a strain that is actively producing flowers past the September equinox/October so the heavy desert heat doesn’t burn out the terps .... not necessarily having a harvest period of October so I was just looking for clarification on that even if I am running the risk of stating the obvious lol!

Still I’m deducing any of the very long flowering Sativas with a harvest window of November or December would be in that category, and there’s several. I’m eying that purple haze x Honduras limited edition hard, I’m going to order a pack or two more but I want to see if there’s any issues with US shipments first due to covid.

That golden tiger Thai leaning third edition is whispering at me too lol. I have a pack of GT regs already but they are back from 2015 and I believe the breeding has changed for the better since then, I’ve always thought GT should be pulled toward the Thai influence since there are already so many Malawi crosses in their catalog already, then they go and do exactly that so I’m looking at it pretty close.

 

[OZZ_]

I think Dubi said enough, but it's worth noting that his purple haze x malawi does really well in sweltering Spain, in pots, like you want to do. I think the OTH crosses, panama haze etc, would be excellent for that heat. Maybe some of the thai leaning stuff too.

Hey DWD, thanks for that. I take in every response thoroughly and those are some great suggestions.

Thanks again to everyone, I think I have what I need to make some good selections adding to my already ACE heavy seedbank, you all are awesome

 

[MindEater]

How you going to grow outdoors in Phoenix? Even with a caregiver [loophole] permit the cops will be on your ass as soon as your neighbors get a whiff. Even if they smell your manure, something goes off in these people's heads that makes them call the police. I won't even mix soil outdoors.

Hopefully 12 plants per household will be legalized this year, I'll be building an electrified fence if it happens (too many disrespectful neighborhood kids at that [im]perfect age).

 

[YukonKronic]

Thanks Yukon, I will keep these suggestions in mind and in fact I’m going to do a little reading on these topics. Some of these techniques I have never heard of so some research is definitely in order.

Hehe I guess I should mention CalcNit is just to feed the stretch not anything to do with SAR or JA. PotSil is likewise unassociated and just for drought resistance (silica) and stronger stems (K)
Also upon review I surmise it’s likely an overuse of frass reducing my yield as it Chitosan that increases trich density in conjunction with SAR.. My attempts to stimulate JA release through pruning and mutilation were to try and trigger ISR alongside SAR.
I edited previous post to reflect this.
Some reading
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0031942209002453
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5148788/
https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=275670
https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1365-2435.2009.01625.x

 

[OZZ_]

How you going to grow outdoors in Phoenix? Even with a caregiver [loophole] permit the cops will be on your ass as soon as your neighbors get a whiff. Even if they smell your manure, something goes off in these people's heads that makes them call the police. I won't even mix soil outdoors.

Hopefully 12 plants per household will be legalized this year, I'll be building an electrified fence if it happens (too many disrespectful neighborhood kids at that [im]perfect age).

Hey Mindeater! How goes it!? Hope all is well in these crazy times.

I lived there previously for about 5 years both before and after medical became legal; I’m familiar with the existing medical and caregiver laws but not sure about the new rec bill that keeps getting close to passing. If the 12 plant recreational bill gets passed will it allow outdoor growing - officially??

If I remember correctly medical grows only need to be in “an enclosed locked facility “ so as to prevent outside access, there’s ways to do that while still using the big halide in the sky.

Lastly- Who said I’ll have neighbors? Lol