Seeds in marijuana plants come from the interaction of pollen grains from male cannabis plants with the ovules of female marijuana plants. This creates a sperm-like substance that triggers the pistils to fall off and seed production to begin.
Choosing the right cannabis seed is essential to getting the best results. In this article, we look at the different types of seeds available and explain how to choose the right one for your needs.
Feminized Seeds
When you grow cannabis, it is essential to separate male and female plants. This is because females produce greater concentrations of the much-loved cannabinoid THC.
Feminized seeds were created to make this process easier and more economical. Rather than having to worry about the potential presence of male plants, growers can focus on what matters most: creating quality buds!
Moreover, feminized seeds are also useful for breeding purposes. They can be used to create new strains and eliminate the need for pollen chucking – a costly process that wastes time and space.
While some growers may not like the idea of feminized seeds in their breeding programs, others are able to get great results. This is due to their high germination rates, low risk of intersexuality, and ease of use.
Autoflowering Seeds
Autoflowering seeds are feminized cannabis seeds that grow in a slightly different life cycle compared to traditional photoperiod varieties. They don’t require a change in light schedule to initiate flowering and are suited for both indoor and outdoor cultivation.
The best part is that they can be grown by anyone from a beginner to an experienced master grower. They don’t have the stress of changing the light cycle and are a great alternative for those who have limited space or time to cultivate cannabis.
They’re also easier to breed, since they don’t need to be cloned or vegged for long periods. Some autoflower strains can produce huge yields, especially under optimal conditions with high intensity LED lights.
The main disadvantage of growing autoflowering cannabis is that they tend to produce lower THC concentrations than feminized strains, which means you won’t get as high from them. However, many autoflower strains contain higher levels of CBD, which is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid that has a calming effect.
Seedbanks
Seed banks are institutions that store seeds in order to preserve genetic diversity. They are especially helpful for endangered plant varieties and those prone to extinction due to natural disasters or climate change.
The largest seed bank in the world is located on Svalbard, an island off the coast of Norway. This vault is built under permafrost, which means it has a constant temperature and moisture level to ensure the stored seeds are protected against damage from war or natural disasters.
Seed banks are important to the conservation of biodiversity because they contain a valuable resource of information about evolved strategies that plants have used to fight stress. This information can be useful to scientists who want to create new genetically modified crops that are better suited to specific conditions.
Germination
Germination is the process by which cannabis seeds become plants. It occurs when the seed shell cracks open and a tap root emerges from the inside of the seed.
To germinate, seeds need heat and moisture. Warm temperatures encourage the seed to grow and start developing a taproot, while moisture helps the seed to absorb water to initiate respiration.
When a seed is ready to be planted, it should show the first white root. Once these roots reach 2-3mm in length, it is time to plant them into pre-prepared soil pots.
Some seeds take longer to germinate than others, depending on the type of seeds and the conditions they are placed in. However, if they are of good quality and the temperature is right, most seeds will sprout in as little as 12 hours.
