How to grow California Orange Regular
What’s up, cultivator! Are you ready to grow a strain that’s like pure California sunshine in a plant? Let’s talk about a true legend: California Orange. This classic 50/50 hybrid has been a favorite in our community since the 80s for a reason. It delivers a perfectly balanced high, uplifting and happy, yet relaxing, and an unmistakable, zesty orange aroma that will fill your garden with good vibes.
This is more than just a plant; it’s a piece of cannabis heritage. Growing California Orange Regular is your chance to cultivate a timeless classic. I’m here to educate you and help you nurture this beautiful plant from a tiny seed into a massive harvest of top-shelf, homegrown buds. Let’s get to it!
Recommended Strains
California Orange Regular
THC: 8% - 10%
Type of seed: Regular
Phenotype: Mostly Hybrid
Day to flower: 8 - 10 weeks
California Orange x Skunk
- THC: 10% - 16%
- Type of seed: Feminized
- Phenotype: Mostly Indica
- Day to flower: 8 - 10 weeks
From Seed to a Sun-Kissed Harvest: The Full Grow-Along
California Orange is famously resilient and adaptable, making it a fantastic choice for growers of all experience levels. Here’s everything you need to know.
Germination: The First Ray of Sunshine
Every great story has a beginning. For this plant, it starts with a single taproot. The paper towel method is my foolproof technique.
- Soak: Give your seeds a 12 to 24-hour soak in a glass of room-temperature water to get them started.
- Wrap: Place the hydrated seeds between two paper towels that are damp, but not sopping wet.
- Keep it Warm & Dark: Put your paper towel setup inside a Ziploc bag or between two plates.
- Sprout!: In 24-72 hours, a tiny white root will emerge. Game on! Carefully plant it about a half-inch deep in your starter pot, with the root pointing down.
A Quick Word on “Regular” Seeds
Regular seeds are cannabis in its most natural form. This means you’ll get a mix of both male and female plants.
- For Bud-Only Growers: Your mission is to identify the male plants as soon as they show their sex (usually a week or two into flowering) and remove them. This prevents them from pollinating your females, which would cause the females to produce seeds instead of potent, seedless buds.
- For the Breeders & Innovators: This is where the fun begins! The male plants produce the pollen you need to cross with your best female plants. This is how you create your own unique hybrids and innovate within the cannabis world!
The Vegetative Stage: Building a Strong Frame
During the veg stage, your California Orange is building its structure. It will grow into a strong, bushy, medium-sized plant.
- Light Cycle: Long “days” are key. An 18/6 light cycle (18 hours of light, 6 of darkness) will give it all the energy it needs for this growth phase.
- Nutrient Needs: Your plant needs a balanced “grow” fertilizer with plenty of Nitrogen (N) during this stage to fuel all that leafy development.
- Train for Bigger Yields: This plant responds incredibly well to training. Techniques like Topping or Low-Stress Training (LST) will open up the canopy, allow more light to reach the lower branches, and dramatically increase your final yield.
The Flowering Stage: An Explosion of Orange Hairs
This is where the magic really happens. To trigger flowering, you MUST switch your lights to a strict 12/12 cycle (12 hours of light, 12 hours of absolute darkness).
The flowering time for California Orange is typically 8-10 weeks. During this time, the plant will stretch a bit and then focus on producing dense, resinous buds that are famous for their vibrant orange hairs (pistils). The zesty, sweet orange aroma will become incredibly powerful.
When you flip your lights, switch to a “bloom” fertilizer that is higher in Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K) to support this amazing flower production.
Common Mistake to Avoid: High Humidity. Those dense buds are fantastic, but they can be a target for mold if the air in your grow room is stagnant. Ensure you have a fan gently moving the air around to keep things fresh.
Promos & Deals
Indoor vs. Outdoor: Choosing Your Grow Environment
This hybrid is a champion in any setting, but here’s how to get the most out of it.
Growing Indoors This is where you can create the perfect, controlled environment to produce connoisseur-quality buds.
- Height: This is a very manageable plant for indoor grows. Expect a final height between 3 to 5 feet (around 100-150 cm). It’s a great size for most grow tents, especially with a bit of training.
- Odor Control: This strain has a beautiful, strong aroma. A good carbon filter is absolutely essential for any discreet indoor grow.
Growing Outdoors If you have a warm and sunny climate, you can cultivate a massive California Orange outdoors.
- Height Potential: Unrestrained outdoors, this plant can stretch up to 5 to 6 feet (150-180 cm) tall.
Best U.S. Cities and Climates: This strain loves its namesake’s climate—warm, sunny, and temperate.
- California (Los Angeles, San Diego): This is the ideal environment. The long, sunny season is exactly what this strain craves to thrive.
- Oregon (Portland): The temperate climate and long summer days will fuel massive growth.
- The Southeast (Asheville, NC): The warm climate is great, but you’ll need to be mindful of humidity during the late summer and fall.
Pro-Level Playbook: Cloning and Epic Extractions
Cloning: Keep the California Dream Alive
Find a specific female plant with that perfect orange flavor and balanced high? Clone her!
- Select & Snip: Take a healthy 4-6 inch cutting from a lower branch of a mother plant in her vegetative stage. Use a sterile razor for a clean cut.
- Hormone Dip: Immediately dip the cut end in a rooting hormone to inspire vigorous root growth.
- Plant It: Place the cutting into a moist starter cube like Rockwool.
- Keep It Humid: Cover your new clones with a humidity dome to keep them from wilting.
- A New Generation: In about two weeks, you’ll have a new plant that is a perfect genetic copy of your prized mother!
What to Do With Your Trim? Make a Flavorful Treat!
A sustainable grower uses every part of the plant. The frosty trim from your California Orange is a flavor goldmine.
Given its incredible citrus flavor, this is THE strain for making delicious edibles. Imagine orange-infused cookies or brownies! Infusing your trim into butter or coconut oil is a simple and effective way to use your trim. You can also make top-tier extracts like live resin to capture that fresh, zesty orange terpene profile in its purest form.
The Grand Finale: Harvest, Dry & Cure
You’ve made it! Get a jeweler’s loupe and look at the trichomes. When they have changed from clear to mostly milky-white, with just a few starting to turn amber, you’ve hit the sweet spot for a perfectly balanced high.
- The Chop: Cut your plants and trim away the large fan leaves.
- The Slow Dry: Hang the branches in a dark room with good airflow, a temperature around 60-70°F (15-21°C), and humidity around 50-55%. This usually takes 7-14 days.
- The Cure: This is the most important step for flavor! Trim the buds and place them in airtight glass jars. “Burp” the jars daily for the first couple of weeks. A proper cure of at least two to three weeks will make your buds incredibly smooth and bring out that amazing sweet orange flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the effects of California Orange really like?
It’s a beautifully balanced 50/50 hybrid. You’ll feel an initial happy, euphoric, and uplifting cerebral buzz that’s great for creativity and socializing. This is perfectly matched with a gentle, relaxing body sensation that melts away stress without making you tired.
Is this a good strain for beginners?
Yes! Its resilience and forgiving nature make it a great choice for a first-time grower. The only extra step is identifying and removing the male plants, which is a great learning experience for any new member of our growing community.
Does it actually smell like oranges?
It absolutely does! It has a very distinct, sweet, and zesty citrus aroma that is very reminiscent of fresh oranges. It’s one of the most famously pleasant-smelling strains you can grow.
What’s the biggest benefit of growing “Regular” seeds?
Regular seeds give you both male and female plants. If you’re interested in breeding, you need the males for their pollen. Growing regular seeds is the most natural way to cultivate cannabis and gives you the power to create your own new strains.
How big will my yield be?
California Orange is known for producing very generous yields. It grows into a solid, bushy plant with plenty of bud sites. With some simple training, you can expect a very bountiful harvest of top-quality, delicious buds.
