Cannabis, also known as hemp, has been cultivated by humans for thousands of years. Today, cannabis is legally produced either for industrial use (hemp) or for its CBD.
CBD, also known as cannabidiol, is one of the many cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. Unlike its cousin THC, it is not psychoactive and has been shown to be very beneficial to our health.
CBD flowers are grown using a variety of cultivation methods. Here’s a quick guide to help you better understand where your CBD flowers come from.
Outdoor CBD cultivation: the most natural growing method
Outdoor cultivation is the oldest method, but also the most eco-friendly and natural. It involves growing cannabis plants outdoors. As a result, the plants are exposed to the elements, such as wind, hail, cold, and rain. There is, of course, a risk of losing part of the harvest, but the yield is very good and production is generally abundant.
CBD flowers take longer to grow outdoors than indoors: you’ll have to wait six months before you can harvest them for the first time.
Flowers grown outdoors are generally of lower quality than those grown using other methods. They tend to have fairly pronounced earthy notes and a more authentic aroma. Outdoor CBD flowers are recognizable by their fairly light green buds and the size of the flower heads.
Outdoors, Sativa-type varieties prefer relatively warm and humid environments. Indica-type varieties, on the other hand, thrive better in cooler, less humid climates.
Since outdoor CBD cultivation is the least expensive and the flowers are of average quality, they are sold at a lower price than CBD flowers grown using other cultivation methods.
Indoor CBD Cultivation: Controlled Growth
Indoor CBD cultivation takes place in large warehouses or sheds where cannabis plants grow in a fully controlled environment. This method emerged as a result of cannabis prohibition, which forced growers to cultivate cannabis plants out of public view.
Today, this cultivation method is highly valued because indoor CBD flowers are completely protected from the elements, temperature fluctuations, and pest infestations. The growth of the flowers is constantly monitored to ensure an optimal growing environment: light levels, humidity, CO2 levels, as well as temperature, nutrient supply, and soil pH.
This mastery explains why the resulting flowers are of such excellent quality. They are rich in aromas and cannabinoids such as CBD. The trimming process is more precise, and the terpenes (natural aromas) are more pronounced, resulting in flowers with a wide range of flavors.
This cultivation technique is the least economical, the least environmentally friendly, and remains the most expensive: to compensate for the lack of natural light, the cannabis plants are kept under artificial lighting for up to 18 hours a day. This represents a significant financial investment, in addition to the regular watering and specialized labor required for indoor CBD flower production.
Indoor CBD flower production yields less than outdoor production, but the flowers are high-end and sell for a higher price.
Greenhouse Farming: The Right Balance
Greenhouse cultivation is the perfect blend of indoor and outdoor growing. CBD flowers are grown in greenhouses, protected from pests, inclement weather, and unpredictable weather conditions, while still benefiting from natural sunlight. In the evening, artificial lights take over to ensure optimal growth and yield.
The greenhouse provides cannabis plants with a stable microclimate, as well as rich, natural soil that will give the CBD flowers all the nutrients they need to grow, just as they would when grown outdoors.
The plants will produce a good yield, even though it will be lower than that of an outdoor crop.
CBD flowers will have intense flavors, though less pronounced than those from indoor cultivation, and cannabinoid levels—such as CBD—will be high. This strikes the perfect balance between indoor- and outdoor-grown flowers.
Greenhouse cultivation is more cost-effective than indoor cultivation because it requires few resources.
This production method requires little investment and remains the most environmentally friendly.
And to wrap things up?
We would like to remind you that all High Society CBD products are certified and comply with French and European regulations, ensuring that you can use them legally. All of our products are 100% legal in France and Europe.
