
Some strains of cannabis change color as they flower. What’s the secret? Genetics. Anthocyanins are a group of around 400 water-soluble pigment molecules classified as flavonoids. They appear red, blue, or purple according to their pH. Interestingly, flavonoids are generally yellow, hence the latin root “flavus“, meaning yellow. They also have nothing to do with flavor, being extremely bitter. Think of the tree leaves in fall. As temperatures drop, they change from green to red, orange, yellow, or gold. Cannabis doesn’t produce the colors until the latter half of the flowering stage, with a few exceptions. Once the green fades, they can come forth and shine. [Herb.co]These effects are especially pronounced within the sophisticated microclimates indoor cultivators create. Seasonal changes that would ordinarily be spread throughout the year are simulated and sped-up to increase cannabinoid content and shorten the plant’s natural growth cycle. Dramatic changes in plant chemistry occur at a rapid pace, producing very visible and often beautiful results.
