Although Amnesia Blue Head Band is considered a 50/50 hybrid in terms of its effects, its growth pattern leans more towards the Indica side. Just by looking at the plant, you can tell that it will never become too tall like a Sativa. The foliage made up of broad, emerald-green greens is closely packed due to the small spaces between the nodes. There is one dominant cola on top, but plenty of side branches give it a bushy appearance. Those branches are thick and sturdy enough to carry the weight of the dense, orange-haired buds; additional support is not needed.
The foliage requires regular manicuring, though. Like some Indicas, it tends to grow shaggy and unruly if left on its own. Pruning the excess leaves and trimming the non-essential stems promotes better airflow and deters moisture-related diseases. In addition, grooming is one of the easiest ways to increase the yield. It allows the plant to focus its energy on what’s most important – namely, producing fatter trichome-coated buds.
This strain’s mature height is around 120 to 150 cm only (4 to 5 feet). Because of that small size and its compact shape, it can fit into an average grow room or tent without any problem. A standard ceiling height is sufficient for it to stretch, but don’t forget to keep the grow lamp a safe distance from the top of the plant to prevent leaf burn from the heat. Especially during the 8 to 10-week flowering period, you should monitor the ambient temperature to ensure that it falls within the 21 to 26-degrees Celsius range (70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit). Meanwhile, the RH (relative humidity) level should be maintained at 40 to 50% to boost the buds’ cannabinoid concentration.
Cannabis cultivators with previous experience will be glad to know that this strain adapts well to all sorts of training techniques. The most straightforward is the Sea of Green (SoG) method, which even novices will have no trouble implementing. By raising several plants simultaneously, the available space is maximized while reducing costs. Moreover, it shortens the vegetative phase so that the plants can be switched to the flowering period sooner.
More advanced growers can employ low-stress training (LST), topping, or fimming to encourage the plant to form more bud sites. It will grow more laterally than vertically, thus exposing the developing colas to adequate light and air. These techniques are typically combined with a Screen of Green (ScroG) configuration that uses a net or screen to secure and support the branches. Using either SoG or ScroG, a generous yield of 450 to 500 grams (16 to 18 ounces) can be expected.
Outdoor cultivation is also an excellent option if the climate is suitable since each plant can generate even more buds than indoors – up to 600 grams (21 ounces) in mid to late October. This strain flourishes in warm, balmy areas similar to the Mediterranean, and it especially favors lots of sunshine. Nonetheless, it can tolerate occasional drops in nighttime temperature during the budding period in October. The cold activates the blue pigments (anthocyanins) in the leaves and flowers to produce a lovely purple hue – a characteristic it inherited from Blueberry.