Month: June 2023

Seeds offer a powerhouse of nutrients. They are rich in protein, vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber.

On windy days, you might see dandelion seeds spinning around like helicopters. That is because seed dispersal is important to help plants reproduce. Seeds need to be scattered in places where they can get adequate sunlight, water and space for growth.

What is a seed?

Seeds are reproductive structures that disperse and can survive for long periods of time. They have three main parts: an embryo, endosperm and a seed coat.

The embryo is the result of a fertilization of an egg cell by two sperm cells. The endosperm is the nutritive tissue that is stored within the cotyledons of the embryo. The seed coat is made of maternal tissues and it protects the embryo.

In flowering plants, the ovaries of some flowers produce hard or fleshy fruits that enclose seeds. Other structures that enclose seeds include the fruit-like drupes of some shrubs and berries of some trees. Nuts are also a type of seed. Some gymnosperms do not form ovaries and therefore their seeds are exposed. These are often called “naked-seeded” plants.

Some seeds, such as those of the coco de mer palm tree, float in the ocean and help them disperse. Other seeds are attached to animal fur or feathers for dispersal by animals.

What is a seed’s function?

Seeds provide food to an embryo and a means for dispersal to a new location. They may be eaten by birds or rodents; carried away by water, wind or other currents; swept from a parent plant by mammals; or dispersed by their own mechanisms such as hooks and barbs that cling to fur or feathers or sticky hairs that stick to surfaces.

Many seeds have a hard seed coat that must be broken before they can imbibe (soak in) water. This is accomplished by scarification, which includes mechanical methods such as soaking in hot water or poking holes in the seed with a pin; and chemical methods such as treating seeds with chemicals that break down the coating.

A mature seed has a network of void spaces that allow for gas exchange between the outside air and its internal endosperm or embryo. This network is fine-tuned at the genetic and metabolic levels. Seeds come in a wide variety of shapes, from bean-shaped (reniform) to kidney-shaped — either square or oblong, all sides equal or longer than wider — and egg-shaped (ovate or obovate, broader below the middle). The embryo has one or two cotyledons or seed leaves (depending on whether it is a monocot or dicot) and a prospective shoot called the plumule.

What is a seed’s purpose?

Seeds serve to keep a species in existence until it is able to reproduce and form a new plant. Different mechanisms in seeds keep the embryo inside the seed alive until conditions are right for it to grow into an individual plant and replace the parent plant.

An outer covering called a seed coat protects the embryo inside. It also stores food, which is supplied by a substance called endosperm. This supply of food supports the embryo until it can sprout and start to make its own food.

Seeds come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. They can be discoid (flat and elongated), ellipsoid, globose or subglobose (inflated but not fully round), lenticular or ovoid (inflated but not rounded), and reniform. They may be striped with parallel or longitudinal lines or ridges, oily like coconuts or yews, and have other appendages such as wings, a raphe, or caruncles (soft spongy outgrowths of the funiculus, as in corydalis). The surface of the seed coat may be smooth or roughened, wavy or retticular.

What is a seed’s role in nature?

Seeds are an important development in plant evolution. They allowed flowering plants (angiosperms) to spread and dominate biological niches on land, unlike mosses, ferns, and liverworts that reproduce using other means.

All fully developed seeds contain an embryo with stored food and a protective seed coat. When the embryo is alive and environmental conditions are right, the seed will “wake up” and grow into a full-sized plant (radicle, plumule, and leaves). This process is called germination.

Cecilia Zumajo, a graduate student in the New York Botanical Garden’s Pfizer Plant Research Laboratory, is studying how genes regulate seed development. In particular, she is interested in how seeds develop their pericarps, or seed coatings. Her work suggests that some of these structures evolved in response to environmental stresses, such as cold and drought. Other structures are adaptations for specific modes of dispersal. For example, hairs on some seeds help them travel by wind. Others have barbs or hooks that latch on to animal fur and feathers, or are carried away by water.

Before Dutch Passion brought the world feminized seeds, regular seeds were the only option. These are the natural offspring of pollinated cannabis plants.

They grow into both male and female plants in a 50% ratio. Male plants can be discarded or used to breed. They are genetically more stable and do not turn hermaphrodite under stress as feminized seeds can.

They are cheaper

Regular seeds are cheaper than feminized seeds, and they allow growers to create their own unique strains. They can also be crossed to create new hybrids with specific characteristics. This is a popular option for cultivators who want to produce a high-quality product.

Feminized seeds have a greater chance of producing female plants, but this can be problematic for growers. This is because male plants will pollinate the females and cause them to produce seeds. This can affect the yield and overall quality of the cannabis produced.

Regular seeds, on the other hand, have a 50/50 chance of producing male and female plants. This can be a huge advantage for commercial growers who require a specific ratio of female to male plants. The male plants can also be used to fertilize the females and improve their yields.

They are easier to grow

Regular seeds are more stable than feminized varieties, which makes them easier to breed and create new strains. They also have a higher germination rate, making them an excellent choice for growers who want to cultivate multiple harvests. They are also useful for preserving old-school strains that have never been made into feminized form.

Regular cannabis seeds produce a mixture of male and female plants, which is ideal for commercial growers who want a certain ratio of each plant type. Feminized seeds, on the other hand, only produce female plants, and will not produce any male or hermaphrodite plants.

Compared to feminized seeds, regular seeds are less expensive and easier to manage. They also produce a larger yield and better quality buds. Additionally, they produce more vigorous plants that are more resistant to stress.

They are more resistant

Regular cannabis seeds produce plants that are more resistant to diseases and insects than feminized seeds. These plants also yield a heavier crop. This makes them a better option for veteran cultivators. One example of a high-quality regular seed is Bruce Banner, which has THC levels up to 29% and produces heavy crops. Another strain that is ideal for veteran growers is Tropic Thunder, a tropical indica with fruity tones and a harvest of up to 21 ounces.

Like other photoperiod marijuana strains, feminized and regular seeds will produce both male and female plants. To get the highest yield possible, you must remove all male plants before they pollinate. Otherwise, you will end up with a low-yielding crop. Alternatively, you can use your male plants to create new strains by cross-breeding them with your desired specimens.

They are more stable

Regular seeds are a popular choice for growers who want to breed and create new strains. Since they don’t undergo any special treatment, they are more stable than feminized seeds and can produce both male and female plants. This means that you will get a high yield for your first harvest and plenty of seeds to grow the next crop.

Feminized seeds are a great option for commercial growers who want to harvest buds at a specific time of year. They also make cultivation easier, as you won’t have to worry about male plants. However, they can be less predictable and may produce male plants on occasion. This can be a problem for some growers, who choose to plant a few regular seeds with their feminized ones or purchase single-sex seeds to prevent the production of male plants.

They are easier to breed

Regular seeds allow growers to breed cannabis plants that meet their specific growing needs. They can be crossed with other strains to create new hybrids that offer unique terpene profiles and potency. The resulting plants are usually more durable and can endure stress and harsh conditions. They also tend to have a more stable genetics, making them easier to work with.

Feminized seeds are ideal for commercial growers who want a certain ratio of female to male plants. However, they can still produce hermaphrodites that may contaminate the crop. This is why some growers choose to plant a few regular seeds with their feminized seeds to prevent the accidental production of hermaphrodites.

Additionally, experimenting with regular seeds is an excellent way to learn the differences between the sexes of a plant and how to create unique crossbreeds. This will help you become a more confident breeder in the future.

For growers who enjoy crossing plants and creating their own cultivars regular seed are an essential product. Unlike feminized seeds which produce only female plants, regular seeds have a 50/50 chance of producing either male or female plants.

This gives the grower the option of culling out male plants and concentrating on their desired results.

Breeding

Breeding is a popular pastime for cannabis enthusiasts and can be used to create strains with specific flavour profiles, colours or potency levels. Growers and breeders use regular seeds to cross male and female plants to produce offspring with desirable characteristics.

The process of breeding a plant involves growing a selection of male and female plants and selecting the best specimens for the job. This can be done through a number of methods, such as looking for plants that have good resin production on their stems or for the strongest terpene odour.

Unlike feminized seeds, regular cannabis seeds operate as nature intended. They have a 50% chance of emerging as either a male or female plant, which is important for breeders who want to create new cultivars and produce better-quality clones. Growers also benefit from a predominately female crop by not having to deal with unwanted male plants. This allows them to focus on achieving high yields and improved quality from their crop.

Cloning

Clones are a great option for growers who want to keep a genetic lineage alive, but they can also bring in new pests and pathogens that could affect the entire garden. They’re also not immune to the same issues that plague seeds: genetic variation can lead to a range of plant sizes and yields, as well as different effects and flavors.

Seeds, on the other hand, offer more variety. You can find many strains in stores, dispensaries and on the Internet. Many experienced growers claim that growing from seed results in stronger, more pest resistant plants that grow faster and produce larger buds than clones.

It takes a bit more skill to germinate seeds, but it’s not insurmountable by a novice. Just be sure to have the right growing medium, and a way of keeping them constantly moist. Seeds also tend to grow sturdier tap roots than clones, which can result in a faster harvest.

Storage

As with all seed, storage conditions have a significant impact on their viability. A seed’s shelf life is defined by three factors: temperature, moisture, and oxygen. Seeds that are stored in moist, warm, or light conditions will deteriorate more quickly than those kept in dry, dark, or cool storage.

It is always a good idea to store your seeds in an airtight, light-proof container. The packaging they come in is ideal, but a glass jar or plastic container will work too. Make sure it is not too large and that it has a tight lid.

For extra security, add silica gel sachets to your storage containers. This will reduce moisture and prevent mold from growing on the seeds. Many growers have a fridge or freezer that they use exclusively for storing their seed, as this will help to stabilise the temperature and prevent rapid fluctuations. This can also prevent the seeds from feeling shock when they are withdrawn for germination.

Harvesting

Regular seeds are a popular choice for growers who wish to produce their own seed stock. They also tend to have more potency than feminized seeds when used for rooting cuttings.

Growing regular seed allows you to choose which plants are male and which are female, a process known as sexing. Male plants are discarded while pollen is collected from the females to create new seed stock.

Depending on the genetics of your plant, you may need to reduce the light hours in order to initiate flowering. Some strains may even be autoflowering and require no change in light hours as they move into the flowering phase.

The seeds can be collected from the flimsy material around the flower head when it has burst open (indehiscent). A fan is useful for winnowing small seeds while a strainer with holes of a suitable size for the larger seeds can be used to sift them out. These can then be stored and replanted in future grows.