The legend of the Black Widow has captured our attention for centuries. Fueled by the belief that female spiders deliver a fatal bite to their male companions soon after copulation, this myth has since permeated the cinematic and literary worlds.
Marvel Comics’ Natasha Romanoff (the fictional character mostly portrayed by Scarlett Johansson) is perhaps the most popular cinematic depiction of Black Widow’s fatal attraction.
Now, the cannabis world has its fair share of widows, too. A notable mention is the highly famous White Widow.
White Widow is a marijuana hybrid strain that traces its origin to the Netherlands. Originally developed in the 1990s, this cultivar has garnered significant impressions across the global cannabis community for its powerful effects.
The White Widow strain is famous for its balanced euphoria. It delivers a cerebral boost high enough to uplift your spirits and spark creativity.
And unlike the legendary arachnid that it’s named after, White Widow is far from fatal. It typically doesn’t trigger sedation either, as its genome is predominantly sativa.
White Widow’s indica genetics may calm your nerves, too. The hybrid’s relaxing properties make it a welcome remedy for stress and insomnia.
Read on as we unpack White Widow strain information and why many cannabis connoisseurs consider this hybrid a classic.
White Widow Strain Genetics
White Widow is a cannabis hybrid. Hybrids are strains developed by crossing indica-based with sativa-based parents.
The White Widow lineage comprises a Brazilian sativa and a South Indian indica. While its parents’ true identity remains a well-guarded secret, the strain has garnered critical acclaim for its potent effects.
White Widow’s genome is 60% sativa and 40% indica. The strain’s unique genetic composition explains its near-balanced effects.
White Widow Developer
Scott Blakey is credited with developing the White Widow strain. Better known by his alias Shantibaba, Blakey is a famous cannabis breeder presently based in Switzerland.
Shantibaba has bred several marijuana cultivars. His most recognizable works include White Widow, White Rhino, El Niño, Super Silver Haze, and Critical Mass.
Shantibaba’s passion for marijuana is truly remarkable. He has reportedly traveled over 40,000 miles on a motorbike throughout Central and South Asia, gathering cannabis strains from small family-owned plantations and local breeders.
His quest to create novelty cultivars has not only earned him admiration. It has also landed him in trouble on a few occasions.
In 2003, Shantibaba had run-ins with law enforcement at the Italy-Switzerland border. He was subsequently charged with unlawful trafficking of huge amounts of marijuana and spent two months in detention before the charges were finally dropped.
But Shantibaba isn’t just a marijuana breeder. He has also invested prolifically in the industry.
Shantibaba is best known for owning the cannabis companies Greenhouse Seed Company, Mr. Nice Seedbank, CBD Crew and Sciva Corporation. He developed the White Widow strain while working at the Greenhouse Seed Company.
Why Is It Called White Widow?
The name ‘White Widow” is steeped in fear and admiration.
First, the color reference in the strain’s name is a tribute to the thick, white layer of trichomes that coat its buds. Virtually all cannabis strains are covered in resinous trichomes. However, White Widow stands out for its crystal-like appearance.
But perhaps it’s the “Widow” portion of this strain’s name that’s truly awe-inspiring. As mentioned, the term is a reference to the legend of the Black Widow. The name resonates with the strain’s powerful effects, which are somewhat comparable to a female spider’s potent venom.
But while White Widow’s euphoric high may transport you to a new dimension, the strain is unlikely to kill you.
White Widow Characteristics
· Bud Size and Layout
White Widow grows medium-sized, densely-packed conical buds.
The buds may appear in varying shades of green (from lime to spring green), depending on the variant and the growing conditions.
A thick, white layer of trichomes coats each White Widow bud, giving it a frosty or crystal-like appearance. The trichome layer may often appear silvery, especially at sunset or sunrise.
· Pistils
The White Widow strain blooms with brilliant orange or fiery amber pistils, which contrast magically with its greenish buds. White Widow’s warmer-toned pistils also combine with the strain’s white trichomes to maximize the glistening effects.
· Texture
White Widow buds are distinctively chunky, with a fluffy but sticky texture. Their stickiness is due to the heavy layer of resinous trichomes that coat each bud.
Cannabinoid Profile
White Widow is notably high in tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the marijuana chemical famous for its psychedelic properties.
At harvest, White Widow buds can contain 16% - 25% THC. That explains the strain’s popularity with recreational cannabis users.
Besides THC, White Widow produces varying concentrations of other useful cannabinoids. Those include cannabidiol (CBD), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabichromene (CBC), and tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA).
The first three are inherently non-psychoactive. CBD, in particular, is highly prized for its therapeutic properties.
Meanwhile, tetrahydrocannabinolic acid is essentially a precursor to tetrahydrocannabinol. Understanding the difference between THCA and THC is critical before choosing either cannabinoid.
Note that White Widow naturally produces non-psychoactive cannabinoids in moderate amounts. However, subsequent extraction methods can raise those quantities to the desired levels.
Besides, the actual THC composition in freshly harvested White Widow flowers varies by the strain’s phenotype and growing methods.
Terpene Profile
Terpenes are natural compounds that give cannabis extracts their distinct aroma and flavors.
White Widow contains several terpenes. The dominant ones are myrcene, caryophyllene, and pinene.
Myrcene delivers an herbal, musky, or earthy aroma. It also contains powerful analgesic, anxiolytic, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Caryophyllene has a distinct spicy or peppery scent. Like myrcene, the terpene can soothe stress and alleviate inflammation.
Finally, pinene has a crisp aroma reminiscent of freshly pierced pine leaves. This terpene may boost various cognitive functions, including elevating mental alertness and memory consolidation.
White Widow’s Effects
White Widow delivers an initial cerebral boost that presents as euphoria. The strain induces happiness, enabling it to lift your spirits and elevate your mood.
White Widow promotes mental focus and clarity, too. Thanks to the strain’s ability to spark creativity, you can consume it to unlock creative blocks.
Like most sativa-dominant hybrids, White Widow’s initial uplifting effects eventually give way to full-body relaxation. The strain soothes your nerves without inducing sedation. It mellows you down while keeping you conscious of your surroundings.
Note that White Widow is also biphasic. While generally energizing at lower doses, the strain is relaxing at medium-to-higher serving portions.
Therapeutic Applications
1. Fatigue Management
As a sativa-based hybrid, White Widow can help combat chronic lethargy.
Kick-start your day in style by integrating White Widow into your breakfast routine.
Or, add the strain to your workout routine to enhance your athletic endurance.
2. Relieving Mental Slump
White Widow doesn’t just stimulate physical energy. It can also boost mental clarity and creativity.
Struggling to draft the next chapter of your novel or create appropriate beats for your upcoming music?
A measured dose of White Widow might be all you need to unlock your creativity.
3. Mood Elevation
Mood swings are an inseparable part of our daily experiences. But that doesn’t make them any desirable.
If unmanaged, frequent mood oscillations can impair our social interactions and slow down our daytime productivity.
White Widow is incredibly uplifting. The strain can elevate your mood, creating a productive mindset while lubricating social conversations.
4. Appetite Stimulation
White Widow may treat inappetence too.
The strain is notably high in tetrahydrocannabinol, a cannabinoid associated with “the munchies.”
Whether your appetite loss is due to an acute or chronic illness, consuming White Widow can help rekindle your taste buds.
5. Pain Relief
Although White Widow is naturally higher in THC and lower in other cannabinoids, various extraction methods can yield a strain with a balanced cannabinoid profile.
Studies have shown that marijuana’s cannabinoids may soothe pain by binding to certain endocannabinoid receptors.
White Widow delivers a relaxing body high that alleviates muscle tension, abdominal cramps, and headaches.
6. Stress Management
White Widow comprises 40% indica. The strain’s indica genetics accounts for its anxiolytic properties.
Whether you’re undergoing stressful episodes at work or suffer from a full-blown anxiety disorder, you can trust White Widow to offer the much-needed relief.
Unlike some hybrids, this strain will calm your nerves without triggering sedation.
7. Insomnia Treatment
Insomnia and anxiety are correlated. Therefore, you can manage both conditions effectively using similar interventions.
White Widow’s relaxing properties make it a welcome treatment for sleep deprivation.
The strain will mellow you down when consumed at bedtime, helping you drift into restful sleep.
Flavor and Aroma
All cannabis strains have distinct scents and tastes. Understanding White Widow’s flavor profile is critical when shopping for this iconic hybrid.
Fresh White Widow flowers have a noticeable earthy smell, with peppery, pungent, and piney hints.
Similarly, the strain’s flavor profile is predominantly earthy, with woody or spicy undertones. You may also expect sweet and citrusy hints, which vary in intensity based on the phenotype.
White Widow’s flavor and aroma profile also depend on the formulation. Highly processed products, such as edibles, may have entirely different tastes based on the sweeteners used.
When Is The Best Time To Take White Widow?
As a predominantly sativa hybrid, White Widow is better suited for daytime use. The strain delivers an energetic lift, helping you ace physically strenuous workloads.
Note that White Widow’s effects ultimately depend on its dominant cannabinoids. While naturally high in THC, the strain may be processed to include other cannabinoids like CBD and THCA.
Each of these compounds has a different longevity of effects.
For instance, White Widow CBD flower may be ideal for evening use. That’s due to cannabidiol’s relaxing effects and longer-lasting benefits.
Growing White Widow
White Widow is quite easy to grow.
The plant is remarkably resistant to pests, diseases, and inclement weather. It also assimilates high nutrients, enabling it to grow faster than many hybrids.
But like any cannabis strain, you must implement certain conditions to ensure a bumper harvest.
Here are some things to keep in mind while cultivating White Widow;
1. Soil
White Widow prefers well-draining, organic soils with a pH range of 6.0 - 6.5. The soil can be slightly compacted to regulate nutrient uptake.
2. Feeding
Your White Widow plants will require a balanced formulation of the three major macronutrients - nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus - during the vegetative stage. However, lower nitrogen levels are required as the plant enters the flowering phase.
3. Watering
White Widow requires watering 2 - 3 times weekly during dry spells. Ensure the soil is constantly moist but not saturated.
4. Light
As one of the hardiest weed cultivars, White Widow can thrive in both natural and artificial lighting. If you’re cultivating the strain indoors, aim for at least 18 hours of continuous lighting per day during the vegetative growth stage. When the plant reaches the flowering stage, ensure it receives at least 12 hours of darkness every 24 hours.
5. Humidity
The White Widow plant flourishes in a Mediterranean climate characterized by moderate relative humidity. Keep the humidity levels between 45 and 55% throughout the strain’s growth cycle.
6. Temperature
White Widow thrives within a temperature range of 70-80°F (21-27°C). You can easily maintain these conditions indoors using grow fans and heaters.
White Widow Harvesting and Storage
Under ideal growing conditions, expect your White Widow to transition into the flowering phase within 8 - 9 weeks. Monitor the plants carefully throughout the flowering stage.
Once the buds are fully grown, trim away excess foliage. This minimizes nutrient wastage and helps develop cannabinoid-rich flowers.
When the buds are finally ready for harvesting, carefully trim them. Store the buds in dark, airtight glass bottles to prevent ultraviolet (UV) degradation.
Besides, keep the ambient temperature in the storage room around 65-70°F (18-21°C) and relative humidity at 45-55%.
The Bottom Line
White Widow is an iconic cannabis breed best known for the distinctive crystal-like layer of trichomes that coats its buds. The strain delivers powerful effects that many associate with the Black Widow’s potent and overpowering venom.
But unlike the deadly arachnid that inspired its name, the White Widow strain is far more likely to heal than kill you. This cultivar is notably uplifting due to its sativa genetics. Therefore, it can provide the energy bursts you need to get up and get going.
White Widow’s euphoric high may also lift your spirits. The strain can stimulate creativity, too, making it excellent for consuming right before undertaking a daunting art project.
Pain, stress, anxiety, and insomnia are other common medical ailments that White Widow may help with. However, research carefully while shopping for White Widow.
Insist on flowers cultivated using organic, pesticide-free methods. Besides, look out for a certificate of analysis (CoA). The CoA validates that a product has undergone industry-mandated testing to assess its purity, potency, and safety.
