i don't have time to read all the pages, so i'll give you guys my input..if it was already covered i'm sorry..from what i saw most of you guys don't seem to know left from right when it comes to cannabis..
a strain is a strain, bottom line. the "name" a grower gives to a strain doesn't mean anything. i could take a white russian plant cross it with a california orange and take that plant and cross it with chronic (Serious seeds) and call it "Orange Krash" or something off the wall. then comes the interesting stuff...where the differences come in is in the phenotype. if a grower grows out 10 california orange beans, and let's say all 10 sprout. let's even go as far as to say all 10 are female (male cannabis plants don't produce buds). knowing this, there could be 10 different phenotypes depending on the stability of the genetics. stability depends on backcrossing genetics (growing, reproducing with the same plant, etc. - should have learned about this in highschool biology).
there are 2 MAIN types of cannabis. cannabis sativa and cannabis indica. the INDICA variety are the most commercial...short compared to sativas, dense, compact, rock hard buds..normally gives you a body high (couchlock) and makes you tired...short, fat leaves...etc. they're the easiest for indoor grows. sativa's tend to be very lanky and tall, have fluffy buds and an "up" high. these 'rules' aren't set in stone as every plant has different genetics and some indicas may actually have the effects of a sativa.
this can go SO in depth...i know a ton more on cannabis, cannabis types and growing, but i do not grow.
www.overgrow.com
read the FAQ there; so much information your mind will go nuts.
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but it's best to say never trust a dealer when he/she says they have "purple haze" or "super silver haze"...because it's more than likely not true and they themselves know nothing about the origin of the buds...if you want to KNOW what you smoke, buy seeds and grow them yourselves.
hope this helped.