Hydrolife Magazine August/September 2017 [USA Edition]

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Indica and Sativa’s Lesser-Known Little Sister:
CANNABIS
RUDERALIS
Shorter, weaker, and with a low THC content, it’s
easy to see why many people don’t even know
that a species called cannabis ruderalis even
exists. Before you dismiss it, however, Lee G. Lyzit
explains how this lesser-known underdog has an
ace up her sleeve.
by Lee G. lyzit
Among cannabis cultivators and
enthusiasts, indica and sativa are
the most commonly known cannabis
species. However, unbeknownst to
many, a third species of cannabis
exists. This third species hasn’t
received nearly the same amount of
attention as indicas or sativas. The
third species is known as cannabis
ruderalis. Unlike indicas and sativas,
which have origins in south and central
Asia, ruderalis is native to Russia.
Ruderalis comes from the Latin
word rudera, which means rubbish
or debris. A fitting name considering
cannabis ruderalis prefers disturbed
soils and is generally found growing
in areas where humans have disrupted
ecological habitats.
Although cannabis ruderalis is one
of the three primary species of the
cannabis plant, it is far less popular
than indica or sativa. This is primarily
due to cannabis ruderalis’s very low
THC content. In fact, the THC content of
ruderalis is so low, it is rarely, if ever,
considered for recreational use. Its
low THC content isn’t the only reason
why ruderalis is widely ignored. The
naturally short stature of cannabis
ruderalis makes it unsuitable for use as
industrial hemp also. In fact, cannabis
ruderalis rarely grows more than two
feet in height. The combination of its
low THC content and unsuitability for
industrial use is why many people
don’t even know ruderalis exists. There
is, however, one unique quality of
cannabis ruderalis which makes this
species an invaluable asset to the future
of cannabis production. That trait is
ruderalis’s ability to autoflower.
AUTOFLOWERING
Ruderalis is truly unique because,
unlike indicas and sativas, ruderalis
is an autoflowering plant species.
Autoflowering plants are plants
that start their reproductive process
based on their age, rather than the
photoperiod. Unlike indicas and
sativas, whose flowering cycles are
triggered by the amount of light
they receive in a 24-hour period,
the ruderalis species will mature in
approximately seven weeks, regardless
of the photoperiod.
This unique characteristic is what
makes ruderalis a valuable asset to
breeders. Breeders use ruderalis to
create hybrids with the autoflowering
trait. The naturally short stature of
ruderalis is also extremely attractive to
indoor horticulturists.
Ruderalis can also be used to create
hybrids whose smaller statures
are easier to control in an indoor
environment. Not only are short and
compact plants easier to manage,
they also offer a grower a chance to
better utilize his or her garden’s light
energy. Ruderalis varieties were first
introduced into commercial breeding
programs in the 1980s and have since
been used to create a wide variety of
autoflowering hybrid strains.
By breeding ruderalis with sativa
or indica, breeders are able to create
autoflowering hybrids with reputable
THC content.
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