Color Chasing: How We Boosted Purple Buds Without Changing Genetic

Let’s be honest—there’s something extra satisfying about cracking open a jar and seeing rich, velvety purple buds staring back at us. That deep royal hue doesn’t just turn heads—it turns growers into artists. But here’s the twist: we didn’t grow Granddaddy Purp. We didn’t order special purple genetics. We took a strain we already had—green as a summer lawn—and turned it into a violet showstopper.

No gene swaps. No gimmicks. Just some cool tricks, good timing, and a little grower magic. If we can do it, so can you.

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Why Go Purple? (Besides Looking Awesome)

Purple buds are the visual equivalent of a mic drop. They shout "look at me" before the first toke. But it’s not all about vanity—colorful cannabis can hint at complex terpenes like berry, grape, and floral notes. Still, don’t confuse purple with potency; it's the cherry on top, not the whole sundae.

For us, chasing purple was just another way to take our grow to the next level—and man, was it worth it.

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Understanding the Science of Color

Before we started tweaking things, we did our homework. The magic of purple comes from anthocyanins, plant pigments that can show up as purple, blue, or red depending on pH and environment. These pigments compete with chlorophyll, the green machine, especially late in the flowering stage.

Here’s the breakdown:

• Anthocyanins = Purple/Blue/Red

• Chlorophyll = Green

• Cool temps & pH = Trigger zone

Our goal was to make those anthocyanins win the fight.

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Step 1: Picking the Right Strain (Even If It Wasn't Born Purple)

We weren’t working with a strain known for being purple—but it had promise. A hybrid with Gelato and Cookies lineage, it already had hints of lavender on the sugar leaves if we squinted. That’s all we needed.

Look for strains with:

• A hint of purple in the family tree

• Berry, grape, or floral terpenes

• Reports of purpling under stress

Even if you’re starting with a mostly green strain, it might surprise you once you turn up the environmental pressure.

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Step 2: Dropping the Temps (Just Enough)

As harvest approached, we slowly dropped the nighttime temps in our grow space. Not enough to shock the plants, but just enough to make them think fall had arrived.

Our schedule looked like this:

• Week 6: 68°F nights

• Week 7: 64°F

• Week 8: 60°F

Day temps stayed around 75°F for contrast, and that temperature swing really brought out the color. The fan leaves started turning first, followed by streaks of purple in the buds.

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Step 3: pH Tweaks with Care

Anthocyanins are also pH-sensitive, so we gently nudged our pH down during the last couple weeks of flower.

What we did:

• Lowered water pH from 6.5 to 6.1

• Kept an eye on runoff

• Stayed consistent to avoid lockout

That minor shift, paired with cooler temps, helped shift the chemical balance toward color development without stressing the plant.

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Step 4: Adjusting Light for Maximum Hue

We didn’t go out and buy new UVB lights—but we did play with spectrum. During the final couple of weeks, we cut down a bit on the red spectrum and bumped up the blues and purples (think twilight vibes). The theory is that increased blue and UV light can encourage color expression—and in our case, it worked.

Reminder: UV can stress your plants fast. Go slow, and monitor the results.

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Step 5: Flush & Wait for the Drama

Once we started our flush, the real color parade began. With fewer nutrients in the mix, chlorophyll started to break down, and our buds began to glow with deep purples, wine tones, and even some electric lilac highlights.

The contrast against frosty trichomes was next-level.

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Results We’re Still Bragging About

• Color: From green to grape, with full-body flair

• Aroma: Notes of blueberry, citrus, and gas

• Potency: Just as punchy as ever—color didn’t dull the buzz

• Bragging Rights: Off the charts

Every jar we cracked open looked like it belonged in a boutique dispensary.

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What Not to Do (We Learned the Hard Way)

• Don’t freeze your grow room. Plants still need warmth to thrive.

• Don’t use food dye or other nonsense. Nature’s already got this.

• Don’t expect miracles from every strain. Some will purple easily, some won’t budge.

The key is to enhance potential, not force it.

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Our Color-Chasing Takeaway

Chasing purple buds taught us more than just how to manipulate temperature and pH—it taught us patience, observation, and a deeper connection with our plants. It wasn’t about creating something fake; it was about uncovering beauty that was already there, waiting to be teased out.

So if you’re looking to elevate your grow and wow your friends (or just yourself), try color chasing. With a few subtle shifts and a little attention to detail, your next harvest might just leave you seeing purple—in the best way.

We’re growers, dreamers, and dirt-under-the-nails kind of people who love helping others unlock the full potential of their homegrown cannabis. Whether you're chasing color, flavor, or yield—we’ve got your back. Let’s grow something beautiful, together. Check out our website for more tips.