Month: May 2023

Shut your eyes and picture a seed. Whether it’s the tiny black dot in the center of your watermelon or a bean kernel, each seed contains an embryo that will give rise to a new plant when given the right conditions.

Unlike ferns and liverworts, seeds allow plants to reproduce. The utility and beauty of seeds make them remarkable.

Definition

Seed is the smallest unit of a plant that can give rise to a new plant. It contains a developing embryo and food reserve in a protective outer covering called the seed coat.

Seeds are extremely versatile, capable of surviving extreme conditions that would kill any other plant, such as dryness or heat. Their ability to survive is an evolutionary adaptation that enables them to continue the propagation of plants and ensure the survival of species.

The embryo inside the seed consists of the precursor tissues for different parts of a plant. It grows to a certain size and then growth is halted by the mother plant. The seed has a hilum at the center of its integument and a micropyle at the top of it.

The seed may have one (Monocotyledonous seeds) or two cotyledons, the leaf-like structures that supply reserves of food for the embryo. The cotyledons are connected to the embryonic axis by the epicotyl, which can be smooth or feathery.

Structure

Seeds are surrounded by food reserves called endosperm and enclosed in an outer protective covering called the testa. They are the characteristic reproductive organ of flowering plants (angiosperms) and gymnosperms like conifers and cycads. Seeds perform a wide range of functions including multiplication, dormancy, germination, dispersal and survival.

Seed structure varies between dicots and monocots. Generally, the embryo is linear with one or two seed leaves or cotyledons and an axis below the cotyledons that gives rise to the root and a miniature shoot known as plumule or epicotyl.

The cotyledons contain the embryonal food material (endosperm) in some seeds and the pericarp or fruit wall contains it in others. When the hard seed coat opens to allow water to imbibe, the cotyledons swell and the embryo elongates to initiate growth. In some cases, the embryo may use all of the stored food and the cotyledons disappear from the seed. This is known as polyembryony and distinguishes monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous angiosperms.

Function

Seeds are the source of food for humans and other animals, including most cereals and legumes. They contain protein, starch and oil.

A seed’s ability to survive in harsh environments makes it the ultimate means of plant reproduction. Researchers are interested in the protective mechanisms that allow seeds to tolerate extremes of heat, cold, dryness and pressure.

During the period of physiological dormancy, the seed experiences repeated cycles of warm and cool temperatures which can cause physical damage to seeds. The activity of DNA repair enzymes (poly ADP ribose polymerases) is important for determining seed viability. In addition, stratification — the process of placing seeds in a cooler environment to break down dormancy — is critical for enabling germination. Seeds are also useful for storing the genetic material of plants. This function is important for crop diversity and the sustainable production of food. It is also critical for resumption of agricultural production after disasters. Effective seed systems provide farmers with timely access to quality seeds of preferred crop varieties.

Dispersal

Plants rely on seed dispersal to get their offspring to locations where they can germinate. Seeds are moved away from the parent plant by wind, animal, or water. The seeds of some plants, such as Witch Hazel and the oxalis, explode from their pods or fruits to launch themselves into the air as projectiles. Others, like the nutmeg tree (Myristica fragrans) seeds, are carried along by water.

Many trees enclose their seeds inside fleshy fruits that are attractive to hungry animals. When the animal eats the fruit, the seeds are ejected from the digestive tract or drop from the animal’s fur or feathers.

The seeds of some trees, such as the tucum palm, are released into the water where they are carried downstream by the current. This type of seed dispersal is called aquatic or hydrochory. The fossilized feces of the American black bear and the moa (“Coprosma”) from New Zealand show that these animals also help with dispersal by transporting seeds in their stomachs.

Regular seeds are not feminized and operate as nature intended. They have an equal chance of becoming male or female plants. This can be beneficial for breeders and provides superior clones.

However, it can also be a nuisance for growers. Having too many male plants can ruin your harvest.

They are feminized

Whether you want to produce a new cultivar, or simply duplicate a specific specimen, regular seeds are essential. They allow you to work with the genetics of your favourite plants and create offspring that display the best traits, such as morphology, colour, flavour profile, and potency. Regular seeds also allow you to explore a strain’s full potential through cloning.

Feminized seeds, on the other hand, are bred to only produce female plants. This can be a big advantage for growers as it eliminates the need to sex their plants. This saves time, and reduces the amount of water, nutrients, and growing medium that is wasted.

It also makes it easier to manage a large crop, as you won’t have to worry about male plants interfering with the females. In addition, you can harvest your buds at a flexible schedule and improve the overall quality of your crops. This is especially important for growers looking to produce high-quality, consistent yields.

They are not feminized

Regular seeds do not produce hermaphrodite plants. This is a good thing for growers who like to make their own seed stock, since hermaphrodite plants tend to go ‘herma’ when stressed by techniques such as topping, fimming, lollypopping and defoliation. This can cause a huge headache and may even ruin an entire crop of weed!

However, it does mean that more of a grower’s growing space can be used without having to cull male plants. This can save on growing substrate, fertilisers and light.

Many experienced growers also prefer regular seeds because they can be used to create hybrids and new strains. Hybrids are created by crossing two different cannabis strains and retaining the potency and yield of the originals. This can help increase yields and boost the quality of the resulting buds. However, feminized seeds are becoming more popular as they provide an easier, more reliable way to produce high-quality weed. They also require less care and attention.

They are not organic

When buying seeds, it’s important to consider whether or not they are organic. Non-organic seeds have been treated with chemical fertilizers and pesticides. While this may make them grow faster and bigger, these chemicals can have negative long-term effects on the soil. Organic seeds, on the other hand, are grown using sustainable practices from start to finish.

Organically grown plants are healthier and more resilient. This makes them better able to resist natural enemies and harsh weather conditions. This inherent strength makes them a good choice for gardeners who want to avoid synthetic pesticides.

Some seed, like peas and beans, have a tendency to rot in wet ground. In these cases, the seed is treated with fungicides to prevent this. The labeling law in most countries requires that companies identify treated seed right on the packet. If you don’t want to use treated seed, check the packaging of Burpee or Stokes to see if they sell untreated seeds.

They are a good choice for beginners

If you’re a beginner, regular seeds are a good choice. They are easy to grow and can withstand mistakes that beginners often make. They are also hardy and resistant to environmental factors. They may even be able to tolerate extreme conditions.

Another benefit of regular seeds is that they are able to breed. This is important for many growers because it allows them to produce their own cultivars. This is especially important for those who prefer a specific type of cannabis.

Although breeding is a complicated process, it doesn’t require an expert to do. In fact, hobbyist growers with a little experience can do it too. Feminized marijuana seeds, on the other hand, are ideal for novices and growers with a moderate level of cultivation skill. Feminized plants can be bred without the need for male plants, which saves time and effort. For example, Gorilla Glue #4 (GG4) is a sativa strain with high THC levels that provide anxiety relief.

Finding a seed in your bag of weed is not ideal. But it doesn’t necessarily mean your cannabis is bad. Seeds in bud are the result of pollination, which happens when pollen from male flowers gets on female buds as they form.

This is common in hermaphrodite plants or those stressed by environmental factors.

Seeds

Like all angiosperms, cannabis seeds contain genetic information that determines the unique physical characteristics of a mature plant. These physical characteristics include potency, aroma, flavor and vigor. Breeders select and cultivate the best seeds to produce the best plants.

Seeds are small and oval-shaped, with a subtle membrane that protects the embryo inside. In the center of the seed is a radicle, hypocotyl and two small embryonic leaves called cotyledons.

To encourage germination, place your seeds in a napkin, jiffy or plug and put it in water. Keep the napkin moist but not soaked, and keep it in a dark, warm place. Check the napkin frequently for signs of germination. Then transfer it to your growing medium. This video shows 9 white and dark Think Different seeds in a time lapse.

Germination

Cannabis seeds are tiny, ovular in shape with a ridge that opens during germination. They are brown in color and have a small, white taproot. The taproot is fragile, and touching or breaking it stunts growth and slows germination.

Seeds germinate best in warm temperatures. They also sprout more quickly if they are kept moist. Using a humidifier to maintain a perfect environment for germination is a great option.

Home growers can minimize headaches and expense by starting with a feminized seed starter kit. These kits contain a specialized growing medium that helps seeds to sprout and grow, and they’re easy to use for transplanting into soil or hydroponic systems. These seed kits are available at brick-and-mortar stores and online. Alternatively, some growers prefer to clone plants instead of buying seeds to start their grows.

Soil

The soil that cannabis seeds grow in plays a huge role in how well your plants flourish. A good mix will provide your plants with all the nutrients they need from seed to harvest without needing to add extra fertilizers or growth boosters.

The ideal soil for cannabis grows is loamy, which is a mixture of sand, silt, and clay. This kind of soil holds water, but also drains quickly and is rich in nutrient.

For example, Fox Farm’s Ocean Forest soil is a “hot” soil mix that has all the organic matter and nutrient sources cannabis plants love, including earthworm castings, bat guano, fish meal, and crab meal. This mix is perfect for starting seeds or transplanting seedlings, though young seedlings may show signs of nutrient burn at first until they adjust.

Water

The seed needs water to trigger germination, but too much can rot it or cause it not to sprout. Warmth is also essential for germination; if the soil becomes too cold or dry, it may not break down and absorb moisture.

Cultivators often soak seeds in a solution of 1% hydrogen peroxide or compost tea to increase their chances of success, while careful handling and warm spring temperatures help to ensure that a seedling doesn’t get damaged during transplanting.

If a seed successfully germinates, it will begin growing and develop into a young cannabis plant. This is the stage that can determine the outcome of your harvest. Fortunately, this process is easy to master when you follow these simple steps. Whether you’re growing indoors or outdoors, this guide will give your premium genetic cannabis seeds the best possible start.

Light

When a seed germinates, it is ready to begin its journey into becoming a mature marijuana plant. The seed contains the embryo, which houses all of the cells that will eventually differentiate into leaves, roots, and stems.

The embryo is protected by an outer covering called the pericarp. This protects the cotyledons, which appear as the first leaves on the young plant, and the radicle, which develops into the primary root.

Once a grower has a collection of fertile seeds, they can be planted and cultivated. However, growing marijuana from seeds can take longer than using clones, which are harvested from mature plants. Cannabis clones also produce higher yields than a seed-based crop. They are also more consistent than a harvest from a batch of seeds.