Regular seeds are one of the most sought-after cannabis varieties for growers and breeders. They provide the most reliable and stable plants that can produce both male and female offspring.
The reason why breeders prefer regular seeds is because they offer a clearer picture of plant genetics. They are viewed as “the real deal” compared to knockoff seeds that may or may not have the desired phenotypes.
Breeding
Regular seeds are a standard type of cannabis seed, containing both male and female genetics. They are known for producing vigorous, hardy, and stress-resistant plants and are a great choice for breeding purposes.
Breeding is the process of crossing two strains together to make a new strain with desired characteristics. It can be done for a number of reasons: to increase the size, yield, stability or flower quality of a strain.
Before starting any type of breeding project, a cultivator should have an understanding of what they want to achieve. They should also consider the potential problems and pests that might be involved.
The first step is to collect and test clones from the original mother and father. This will provide a first generation lineage or F1 and will help determine germination rates, plant stability and how well they perform when grown together.
Cloning
Cloning is the process of producing individual organisms that have identical or virtually identical DNA. It is a natural process and has been used by many organisms for hundreds of millions of years.
A clone is an exact genetic copy of the mother plant. It is an excellent propagation method, especially for plants that cannot be grown from seeds or for seedlings for commercial sale.
Getting a clone of regular seed can be difficult, however. Most seeds are not viable and don’t always germinate.
Another issue is that they have a tendency to be genetically variable. This is one reason why many home growers have a tough time achieving consistent quality from their seedlings.
Taking cuttings is an alternative method of propagation and you can do this yourself using your mother plant’s stems. Trim the stem to a short length (no more than 2 nodes) and make sure it has at least one leaf or shoot on it.
Soil Preparation
Soil preparation is a crucial component of successful seeding. It optimizes germination and survival by optimizing soil-to-seed contact, and minimizing tillage during the seeding process.
To ensure proper germination, the soil should be loosely packed and well aerated. This will keep the soil from being waterlogged and sticky, which can impede root growth.
In addition, the soil should be rich in nutrient-rich organic matter such as compost or peat moss. This will provide the nutrients that seeds need to germinate and grow.
The best seed mixes are based on a mixture of cespitose, sheet earth, humus and peat in equal proportions. You can adjust the amounts of these ingredients to suit your climate and soil type.
The best seed-starting mix is one that has a uniform consistency with no big clumps or clay particles. You should be able to take a handful of soil and squeeze it into a ball that holds its shape when tapped with your finger.
Germination
Regular seed requires a specific amount of water, oxygen, and temperature in order to germinate. Once these conditions are met, the seed’s coat breaks open and a root or radicle emerges from the bottom of the seed, followed by a small plant shoot.
Soil composition and aeration are also critical. For good germination, the soil should have a medium texture that is neither too packed nor too light. It should have adequate air space so that roots can expand without suffocating and it must have some essential nutrients, like phosphorous and nitrogen, to encourage growth.
Soil should have the proper pH for a particular seed and be free of any disease-causing organisms that could rot seeds. It should also be sterile, which is why you should use a potting mix instead of garden soil when germinating seeds. A sterile mix is a blend of equal amounts of peat moss, vermiculite and perlite. It is available at home centers and building supply companies.
