White Widow Cannabis
Strain Type: hybrid
White Widow is one of the true giants in the cannabis cultivation world. It exploded onto the scene in the mid-1990s and won the coveted High Times Cannabis Cup in 1995. While there may be some dispute as to the true origins of the strain, this balanced sativa and indica hybrid remains one of the most popular and legendary cannabis strains with both growers and users.
White Widow is the result of breeding two landrace strains:
- Brazilian Sativa known for its uplifting effects
- South Indian Indica is enjoyed for its relaxing properties and resinous buds
The bud’s aroma and flavors are complex. It initially emits a pungent, skunky scent that gives way to citrusy undertones and suggestions of spice and tropical fruit. Its notes of fruit and spice produce a nice bouquet of tastes and leave a sweet fruity aftertaste. White Widow can have a THC content ranging from 20 percent to 25 percent and produces feelings of euphoria and creativity with a calming focus that makes it helpful for getting chores done and projects tackled.
Introduction to the White Widow
White Widow’s dense, light green, conically shaped buds develop a thick covering of sticky white trichomes with orange/gold pistils woven throughout. When dried, they take on a chunky appearance, which gives the strain terrific bag appeal. It’s favored by medical and recreational users and is not difficult for even inexperienced growers to cultivate.
Lineage of White Widow
There are conflicting claims to the true origin of White Widow.
Ingemar (De Sjamaan) is a pioneer in outdoor cannabis growing and an early activist in the cause of medicinal marijuana. He has stated that White Widow was bred from seeds collected from friends and fellow cannabis growers, cultivated over years of experimentation and selection and that the strain developed from the seeds of homemade charas or handmade hash.
Scott Blakely (Shantibaba) is a renowned cannabis geneticist who began cultivating cannabis seeds as a teenager in Melbourne, Australia. He travelled extensively through Asia and South America collecting seeds and pollen. He eventually settled in Amsterdam, the hub of European cannabis cultivation. He attests that he created White Widow by crossing a Brazilian sativa male with an Indian Indica mother.
Regardless of its own lineage, White Widow is considered the mother of the “White” family of cannabis strains that include White Russian, White Rhino, Great White Shark, White Domina, and White Amnesia.
Flavor and Aroma of White Widow
White Widow has a complex aroma and taste profile that reflects its lineage, with a blending of skunky and latent fruit scents and notes of pine, apple, and citrus in its flavor. The chemical compounds that provide plants with their unique aromas and flavors are called terpenes. In the case of White Widow, three terpenes are primarily responsible for its sweet scent and relaxing effects.
- Myrcene is an abundant terpene in White Widow cannabis strains, providing a berry-like scent and taste and producing a soothing, calming feeling.
- Caryophyllene is a terpene that’s also found in pepper and cloves and gives the White Widow flower a peppery taste.
- Limonene gives cannabis buds a bright, citrusy fragrance and is the second most abundant terpene found in White Widow. It provides uplifting effects and enhances moods.
THC and CBD Content in White Widow
The THC and CBD content of White Widow that ranges from 20 percent to 25 percent is responsible for the powerful high and energizing experience produced by the strain. It provides an uplifted sense of euphoria and bursts of vitality that are balanced with gentle relaxation and focus. Although White Widow is a hybrid, with near equal percentages of sativa and indica, it usually does not produce the same ‘couch lock’ sensation as many indica hybrid strains.
White Widow produces a powerful and potent high that enhances concentration and creative expression. Users often become more social and talkative. It improves mood and has relaxation properties to help people let go of tension and put their troubles behind them. Recreational users enjoy getting outdoors and experiencing nature during walks and hikes and working on creative tasks like writing, painting, or listening to music.
White Widow is a cannabis strain used by people who appreciate an energetic high and are looking to kick the start the day or night with a burst of vibrancy and clarity. It can bring creative inspiration and make social interaction more enjoyable. It does have some medicinal properties and has been shown to help individuals manage chronic pain. However, it is more valued for its ability to enhance mood and provide almost instantaneous relief from stress and anxiety, as well as treat depression and other mental health-related conditions.
As can be the case with any cannabis product there may be potential side effects from taking too large a dosage of White Widow. Fortunately, they are usually temporary and common side effects include dry mouth or cottonmouth, dry eyes, dizziness, and potential couch lock. Drinking lots of water and having eye drops handy can help with issues. Creating a safe, comfortable environment before consuming can make the episode more enjoyable. Always consume in moderation and be aware of THC limitations.
Growing White Widow
One of the things that first set White Widow apart from other strains being grown when it arrived on the scene was its suitability for indoor growing and overall ease of cultivation. Even when grown outdoors, the plant rarely exceeds 3 feet in height. It doesn’t require extensive nutrient management, training technique knowledge, or more than regular pruning to distribute light to the plants more completely. The plant has a flowering time of 8 to 10 weeks and produces a luscious white trichome coating. Both indoor and outdoor White Widow plants produce generous yields.
When growing White Widow indoors, lighting plays an important role. Use high-density discharge lights or full-spectrum LED lighting. Follow a light cycle during the vegetative stage of 18 hours on and 6 hours off and 12 hours on and 12 hours off during flowering. Ideal temperatures range from 70- and 80-degree Fahrenheit, and humidity levels should be 40-55% during flowering. For maximum space efficiency, the Sea of Green (SOG) cultivating technique allows for better control over environmental factors and management of plant height and density and creates faster harvest cycles for greater yields. Yields of indoor White Widow plants can be approximately 14-18 ounces.
Outdoor White Widow does best when grown in a warm, dry climate and planted in soil with good drainage where the plants will get plenty of sun. They’re sturdy and stand up well against pest and diseases, but it’s recommended to inspect the plants and use organic pest control methods regularly should a problem arise. Water regularly, but allow the soil to dry out between waterings to prevent root rot. To prevent theft, plant White Widow, which can’t be seen by neighbors or passersby. Expect a yield of around 21 ounces per plant.
Once the flowering stage begins, Blue Dream plants will form long and dense colas, covered in resinous trichomes. It is essential to monitor the plants closely during this period, as they may require support such as trellising or staking to prevent branches from bending or breaking under the weight of the buds.
When growing White Widow indoors, lighting plays an important role. Use high-density discharge lights or full-spectrum LED lighting. Follow a light cycle during the vegetative stage of 18 hours on and 6 hours off and 12 hours on and 12 hours off during flowering. Ideal temperatures range from 70- and 80-degree Fahrenheit, and humidity levels should be 40-55% during flowering. For maximum space efficiency, the Sea of Green (SOG) cultivating technique allows for better control over environmental factors and management of plant height and density and creates faster harvest cycles for greater yields. Yields of indoor White Widow plants can be approximately 14-18 ounces.
Whether growing indoors or out, plants do best with a balanced fertilizer mix during the vegetative stage and bloom nutrients added when they enter the flowering stage. To determine when it’s time to harvest, which typically takes around ten weeks from planting, growers should wait until the bud’s trichomes appear milky white and are extremely sticky to the touch.
