You may have heard the terms ‘bush’ and ‘hydro’ thrown around if you are a) an Australian and have b) spent any time hanging around stoners. Heck, you may even be *that* stoner throwing them around. But what’s the real difference between the two, other that one is grown outside and the other inside?
Well, we can explain. Whether you’re developing a green thumb, or developing your own botanical knowledge, this article will help you make an informed decision on where to stand in the timeless debate of BUSH vs HYDRO.
Out Bush
This is how human beings have been doing it for yonks.
Obviously, outdoor plants (see below at Fig: 4, 5, 6) utilise natural soil and sunlight. They interact with the given terrain and climate unique to a specific geographical location. Outdoor crops also utilise rainfall, but are usually supplemented by other irrigation methods.
Outdoor grows produce much larger, ‘bushier’, plants. They are generally more robust in nature, as they are bred to endure harsher conditions. The flavours of outdoor plants are usually more complex, due to an increased complexity in the terpenes and resin glands. As such, outdoor growing is a trusted method – though it does make you vulnerable to searches, by virtue of being outdoors.
Nevertheless, Australia is world famous for the quality of its bush. We can thank our ideal climate for cannabis, along with the zeal of the hybrid and sativa growers that scatter themselves across the hinterland.
If you’re interested on how to maximise your outdoor harvest this season, check out our article on how to grow bush in Australia.
Indoors and Hydroponics
Plants grown indoors, on the other hand, utilise artificial lighting in an enclosed environment. A system of fans, filters, pipes and ducts carefully control the water, soil, air and fertiliser conditions. This method produces stable strains with consistent phenotypes. High quality indoor buds are covered in precise crystals that yield a high level of potency.
Hydroponic systems that go without soil have become quite popular for the purposes of indoor growing – however, you can still do it the good ol’ fashioned way. For the most part, however, hydroponic irrigation and indoor cannabis cultivation go hand in hand, since larger yields are usually produced when the practice is employed correctly.
¿Porque no los dos?
To summarise: when it comes to cannabis cultivation, growing indoors is a much more scientific and clinical approach. As such, outdoors is recommended for the artisans and enthusiasts. Perhaps as you’ve read this article, one process has seemed more congenial to your own life circumstances; in that case, we’re glad you could find a method that works for you.
In the end, whether your bud is totally fire or not is all about the process that underlies it. Phenotypes can vary pretty significantly when you place an identical strain under varied conditions. It’s not just light and water, either. Equally integral to its development is where and when the plant was grown, along with the fertilisers and soil conditions. It’s a whole process… but if you provide them with the proper nurture and care, your seedlings will flower to produce a wonderful smoke – regardless of whether they live inside or outside.
Author: Joe Lagrasso
Joe is a dreamer, entrepreneur and an all-around good guy. He wants to connect the Australian Cannabis community from businesses to consumers.
