The production of resin glands acts as a natural defense mechanism, especially against caterpillars. Additionally, hydrophobic resins can protect plants from moisture and contribute to mold resistance.
In the Pablo Picasso strain, caterpillars are not an issue – the buds are extremely dense and heavily covered in resin. After drying, the flowers remain compact and are difficult to crumble.
The Violetta and Violetta Opalo strains, on the other hand, have airier buds with an almost oily, sticky resin. In these strains as well, caterpillars cannot feed on the flowers or seeds. After rainfall, water beads off the buds, leaving them dry again quickly. In the GPP strain, this effect was less pronounced.
A few years ago, we almost lost all our seeds due to caterpillars. The buds were eaten from the inside, at the axes of the flower shoots, causing the wind to blow them away completely – leaving only bare stems where large, thick buds had once grown.
The next generations developed greater resilience, forming resin glands at the base of the flowers, directly on the stem. This natural selection has resulted in various resistances, which we have integrated into our breeding process. The results show distinctive characteristics that would not have emerged in the same way under laboratory conditions, even with the best selection.
Interestingly, caterpillar damage stimulates resin production in the buds, improving their quality for hash extraction.
A common misconception is that cannabis resins are primarily produced as sun protection. This does not appear to be the main reason.
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**The Hope to graft**
Cuttings & Hop Grafting on Cannabis – from €20
On request, we offer hop grafting onto cannabis and special cuttings
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