Meet Bout, one of California’s rapidly growing cannabis culture institutions. Creating as soon as 2006, they are one of the more recent additions to the cannabis community, having only recently begun to grow in size and prominence.
Bout is an Indigenous American word for “place of vine” or “vineyard.” It refers to a place where grapes are cultivated and produced, and where they are stored and consumed.
Today, their small but growing business operates out of a house in San Anselmo, with a small office in Pacifica. They cultivate all their plants in vitro (in glass) using petri dishes, and then grow them in open-top growth chambers. They also use hydroponics!
This technique allows them to control the distance the plants must travel during cultivation, as well as controlling humidity levels.
How does cannabis terroir exist?
This concept exists for very special plants, and rare animals. When a plant is deemed terroir, it is placed in a specific location and climate for years on end to achieve optimal conditions for growth.
Terroir is a concept that goes beyond just cannabis, where different regions of the plant have different flavors and fragrances. It also applies to animals, where different species prefer certain habitats to live in.
By looking at how plants respond to stress, how they communicate with one another, and how they mark their territory, we can determine if they are wild or if they arrived in our area through migration.
This type of terrain analysis has been applied to plants in places like Harvard University’s greenhouses.
Differences between outdoor and indoor grows
Indoor marijuana cultivation is no newcomer, having been present for nearly a decade. As the technology and growing systems have evolved, so has the art of indoor cultivation.
Many newer growers use private residences as their grow rooms, and vice versa. Some even share their supplies such as lighting, fans, water treatments, etc. to avoid expensive wasted resources.
As with any new technology, people are eager to share their tips and tricks. Once you get the hang of it, you will be ready for your next grow!
Some tips that people give you that do not work make people angry. People are tired of being tricked by just-for-givin’ tips.
Differences between sativa and indica strains
Indica strains are my favorite type of cannabis strain. There is a certain nostalgic look to them, either through the breed or what they are known for doing- making relaxation and stress management tools.
As the name would suggest, an indica strain is designed to induce sleep. However, because cannabis can be confusingly nonphotic, people have been known to use it as a painkiller. This is not a good thing!
Because of this, doctors and cannabis connoisseurs know that only the most healthy individuals should try an indica.
The ‘California Dream’ of cannabis cultivation
A burgeoning industry has formed around finding the ‘Terroir’ of cannabis cultivars, or ‘Boutique Grower’s worlds’ as they are called. These growers are examining and testing each others crops to find what style of cultivation works for them, what soil conditions are needed, and how to achieve that in a successful trial.
This industry has become so popular that there is even a book for growers called The Grower’s bible. It was written by several well-known cannabis growers to help new growers get started.
Many people join this industry through passion or money-making opportunities. They are looking to make a lot of money and join the ranks of ‘professional” growers.
Location is everything
When looking at a strain, its location is also important. There are two main factors that determine location: distance to the urban center and distance to the rural center.
Surprisingly, these two factors do not always correlate. For example, Snowblind at dispensaries in San Francisco is closer to the rural center than at a growers suburban community dispensary in Los Angeles.
However, when looking at institutional growth such as opening a restaurant or retail store, infrastructure such as a street address is needed. This can be important when traveling as it knows what building it is going to!
For instance, trying to find an Escape Hybrid from Boulevard of Dreams in California was crucial for me as I live about an hour away from both locations.
Personal preferences matter
When it comes to growing cannabis, there are several main “cones” or “trunks” that growers prefer in the realm of cultivation.
These include the terrain of the grow, the material they use to build up the growth area, the temperature at which the growth area operates, and which chemicals are preferred. There are many different preferences, and these do not represent a one-size-fits-all approach.
Some growers report preferring certain soil materials or certain brands of fertilizers and pesticides because they feel they provide better results than others do. Some report preferring certain drainage methods over others because they feel more satisfied with their grow results.
Potency is important
When it comes to growing, potency is a powerful thing. Some crops are better suited to higher levels of potentness than others.
When it comes to cultivating plants for potency, that level of potency is a consideration. For example, tall leaf plants with greater stature such as Sheldon Warriors and Egyptian Kingspines are more potent than shorter leafed ones such as English Cucumbers or Italian Watercresses.
In terms of growing cannabis, some cultivars are more robust in potency than others. This is due to the need for more strong plants to consume too much expensive cannabis-infused oils and waxes.
Smoothness is vital
When looking at a plant’s characteristics, there are four main ones that matter forioneing: strength, smoothness, refreshingness, and/or tannin/oxtonigrocannabinoid/stigma properties.
These characteristics can be seen on the leaves, branches, and flowers ofotheth. Each one has a different way of expressing themselves and standing out in the cannabis world.
While some do have mass-appealing strains like G13 or Jack Herer, most cultivate stuff on a small scale and in their own backyard. As such, they find their particular terroir and style is what they have to offer.
