How Do They get Strains to Taste Different?

[SmokeyMacPot]

The different tastes of certain strains of cannabis are a product of controlled-breeding programs.
The flavour and smell of Cannabis comes from five substances: mono- and sesqui-terpenes, alpha- and beta-pinene, limonene, myrcene, and beta-phalandrene. The amount of each substance present in a given strain will determine the flavor and smell.

Author: MedMan

[Hightide805]

Originally Posted by marcopolo

so what can an average joe grower do to change the taste, smell, aroma, and or appearance?

get a different strain

or just the quality of the grow greatly changes everything

[Frog]

Breeding

Greenhouse Seed Company - Terpene Profiles of Strains (Pictorial)

[oks226]

botanicare's taste enhancers work pretty well, also you can use sodium free water. Like the sam's choice flavored sodium free water. I haven't used those in about 6 years, but they use to really make a difference.

[Labtech]

i had sister plants with same mother different fathers . the plants look identical but one was an early verity and had a different taste . dont know the fathers

[TorturedSoul]

Originally Posted by Labtech

i had sister plants with same mother different fathers . the plants look identical but one was an early verity and had a different taste . dont know the fathers

Sadly, a trend that is more and more common these days.

Oh wait, you were talking about plants?

[bigman151]

Don't no if this will help but here go I grew three pretty girls n the yard all n differnt spots all cloned from same plant but some how one suck up the essense from the old lady next doors mint plant so say what u want u can change the flavor cause that one out of three was minty fresh

[BWC BayArea]

Terpenes are supposed to be mainly responsible for smell and flavor. I found this thread interesting Terpenes in cannabis - the Green House Seed Co. approach.This info apparently comes from a breeder. Some info hear sounds similar to somethings learned in school and things I read that Ed Rosenthal wrote.

"Over 100 terpenes have been identified in marijauna. There are actually many more when one considers the multiple variations of each terpene. For instance, the characteristic citrus odor found in fruit rinds differs by type and even variety of fruit-- oranges and lemons have different odors, and their terpenes -- called limonenes -- are mirror version of each other. Even different varieties of orange differ in their distinct odor. This is due to slight differences in the amounts of or form if limonenes, as well as other compounds that have citrus elements....Terpenes are constantly being produced but they evaporate under pressure from sunlight and rising temperatures. Plants have more terpenes at the end of the dark period than after a full day of light. You can test this yourself. Check a plants odor early in the morning and at the end of a sunny day. You will find more pungency early in the morning." (Big Book of Buds 3 Ed Rosenthal 97,98). Interesting section of the book. He later goes on to speak about 10 specific terpenes and covers what affect they have on flavor and aroma.