What is PGR Weed & PGR Weed vs. Natural Weed & How to Spot
If you are a cannabis lover, or maybe if you are a beginner in the world of cannabis, the term PGR weed may have appeared in your field of view many times. Now it is time to understand what PGR means and how PGR weed is different from natural marijuana.
What is PGR Weed?
PGR is the short form of Plant Growth Regulator. These are chemicals sometimes employed by growers in a bid to alter the growth of plants in some ways. In the cannabis world, some PGRs are used to increase the size, density, and appearance of the buds. Sounds great, right? But there's a catch.
It should be noted that PGRs are not endogenous compounds. They are exogenous compounds introduced into the body's system.
These are artificial compounds, which change the normal development sequence of cannabis plants. The main idea behind using PGRs is to raise yields and improve bud appearance. This could encourage commercial growers seeking to boost their harvests.
PGRs Used in Growing Cannabis
Some growers use PGRs like Paclobutrazol, Daminozide, or Chlormequat Chloride. These chemicals can increase plant growth rates, leading to bigger buds. They can also make buds look more appealing.
- Paclobutrazol:
The method of action is to antagonize a plant hormone, gibberellin. It causes stem elongation. The chemical prevents gibberellin from acting in the plant. So, the plant grows shorter than usual and has denser buds.
- Daminozide:
This PGR is often employed for the sake of bud morphology since it will cause the buds to be denser. That said, many countries have banned daminozide for use on food crops.
- Chlormequat Chloride:
This PGR is employed as a growth regulator that will help in managing the height of the plant or how it grows. It is mostly applied in the growing of flowers, but its use has been extended to the growing of marijuana plants as well.
PGR Weed: Its Advantages and Disadvantages
Let us thus take a look at why some growers use PGRs in cannabis growing and the possible negatives.
Pros of PGR Weed:
Here are some pros, in detail:
- Increased Yield:
Using PGRs to optimize growing conditions can boost cannabis yields. This benefits growers by making the crop more commercially viable.
- Aesthetic Appeal:
The flowers that have undergone the PGR treatment are generally bigger, more compact, and better-looking than those not treated; hence, they draw the attention of the customer who is out in the market for attractive and well-developed weeds.
- Control Over Growth:
PGRs let growers control plant development. This leads to uniform plants and products.
Cons of PGR Weed:
Here are some cons, in detail:
- Potential Health Risks:
The application of synthetic chemicals such as PGRs also hurts consumers since they are harmful to health. Some PGRs can harm health, mainly at high concentrations.
- Altered Chemical Composition:
In this regard, the chemical composition of PGR-treated cannabis may not be like that of natural weed. For instance, the concentrations of cannabinoids and terpenes may change. These chemicals in the plant deliver their active components and their smells.
- Inferior Quality:
Buds that have been treated with PGR look bigger and might have a more beautiful structure than natural weed. PGR weed is said to have a relatively bitter taste, and it is often not as strong or as tasty as most of the stoners prefer.
Natural Weed: The Better Choice?
Natural weed is marijuana that has been cultivated without the application of synthetic chemicals such as PGRs. But natural weed is grown using organic or conventional methods of cultivation that preserve the life of the plant and the soil.
Here are some reasons why natural weed is often considered the better choice:
- Healthier for Consumers:
Natural weed has no synthetic chemicals. So, it is safer than commercial baled weed. This means one can get all the benefits of cannabinoids and terpenes. This excludes the harmful effects of PGRs on one's health.
- Better Flavor and Aroma:
The natural weed is mostly used because its quality is better than that of the enhanced weeds; this entails that it has a better flavor and smell. The effect of the natural terpenes remains intact, enabling the weed to have a rich taste that many users of the herb prefer.
- Higher Potency:
Still, as it has been pointed out, where PGRs are not at work, natural weed is likely to contain higher levels of potency. These are present in their natural state, giving the full effects that cannabis is well-known for.
- Environmentally Friendly:
Some weed species are grown with chemicals. Natural weed is grown using eco-friendly methods. This, of course, means environmentally friendly, or in other words, a reduced impact on the environment.
PGR Weed vs. Natural Weed: The Last Word
It is thus clear that for most consumers, natural weed is the option they would love to take. It is safer, better, and more conveniently provides a real marijuana effect. That is why, even though PGR weed may seem to be more beautiful and productive, one shouldn’t choose it due to possible negative effects on one’s health and rather low quality compared to primary marijuana.
When you wish to buy cannabis, it would be wise to also ask the growers how they grow theirs. Choose organic or natural products and, by all means, carefully avoid products that contain PGRs in their ingredient list. It is important to go the extra length to source the natural weed so that your health, as well as your joy derived from cannabis, is catered to.
So, for those wanting to grow 'quality weed,' the natural weed is best. It is better than the PGR weed. The latter may impress viewers more, though. Side note: select your cannabis product well and have the best high experience ever!