Month: June 2023

Regular seed is a good choice for intermediate growers. It is less prone to stress throughout the growing process, and it produces both male and female plants.

This means that you will have to spend more time and effort weeding out the male plants. However, this extra work is well worth the investment.

They are cheaper than feminized seeds

Regular cannabis seeds don’t have a guaranteed male-to-female ratio, so they are cheaper than feminized ones. In addition, they don’t require any chemical or genetic modification. For many growers, this is a good thing because it allows them to preserve the original plant’s genetics.

In contrast, feminized plants are bred to produce female flowers 99% of the time, eliminating the need to identify and remove males in the early vegetative stage. However, this process is not without its drawbacks. It can be stressful and wasteful, especially for new growers who have to deal with germinating and vegging a lot of seeds.

Moreover, the process of breeding feminized plants can result in unstable progeny. For this reason, some growers prefer regular seeds. They want to be able to create their own strains, and the genetics of these seeds are more stable. Besides, they offer better stress tolerance and can be grown in a variety of climates.

They are easier to grow

Regular seeds are genetically different from feminized ones in that they contain male (XY) chromosomes as well. This means they can produce both male and female plants, whereas feminized seeds will only produce female specimens. This is a good thing for some growers, who prefer to use their regular strains as mother plants for clones and backcrossing.

A predominately female crop also makes the growing process easier, as you won’t have to worry about sexing your plants and waste time and space on removing male flowers. This can be especially useful for small-scale indoor operations or those who are legally capped at a certain number of plants. It also leads to better yields and overall plant quality. Regular seeds are also less likely to become hermaphrodites under stress, unlike feminized varieties. This is particularly useful when it comes to breeding new strains. This stability also makes them a great choice for keeping as mother plants.

They are more stable

Regular seeds operate the way nature intended and produce male and female plants at an equal rate. They are photoperiod and will need to experience transitions in their light schedule to grow, while feminized seeds do not. These differences can be a big deal for growers who value stability and the vigour that comes with growing regular cannabis.

Feminized seeds undergo a lot of genetic tampering, which makes them more unstable than their natural counterparts. This instability makes feminized seeds less able to produce robust descendants.

In addition, feminized plants have a greater chance of becoming hermaphrodites, producing both male and female flowers at the same time. This happens because of stressors like topping, fimming, lollypopping and defoliation. This can be a big problem for breeders, because hermaphrodite plants will not produce sexy buds. This is why growers should always plant a few more seeds than they want to use for their breeding program, just in case they need to cull some males.

They are easier to breed

Regular seed produces male and female plants, which means you’ll have a greater variety of phenotypes to choose from. This makes it easier to breed new strains and maintain a stable crop. It’s also great for beginners because it’s less expensive than feminized seeds.

Feminized seeds are ideal for commercial growers who want a consistent crop of female plants. However, sexing plants can be time-consuming and difficult. This is especially true when using feminized seeds that don’t produce any male plants by themselves.

Growing a predominately female crop also makes it easier to manage, since there’s no need to worry about male plants pollinating your buds. Moreover, you can enjoy higher yields and better quality buds with a feminized crop. Nevertheless, brewers who are looking to create novel strains must use regular seeds. This is because they provide the flexibility to breed a wide range of phenotypes that exhibit unique and desirable traits. Whether you’re after extreme potency or a specific flavor profile, breeding regular seeds can be an incredibly rewarding experience.

Cannabis seeds have an incredible amount of potential once they’re ready for germination. During this period, the seed will start to develop roots and two small embryonic leaves called cotyledons.

These first leaves are a telltale sign that the seed is good to go. There are several boxes that growers can tick to ensure premium seeds, from visual assessment to simple DIY tests.

Male or Female?

Many growers prefer to work with female plants, as they produce buds. Some seed companies offer both male and female seeds, while others focus solely on producing only females, which are referred to as feminized seeds.

Feminized seeds are produced through a process known as feminizing, which removes the plant’s male chromosomes. This allows for a greater percentage of females in a crop and reduces the risk of cross-pollination, which can drastically reduce yields.

However, it’s important to know that there is no way to tell a seeds sex simply by looking at it. There are no other indicators, such as weight or coloration, that can help determine the sex of a seed.

Size or Shape?

Cannabis seeds are oval-shaped and can vary in size. They have a delicate outer shell that protects the immature embryo inside. Some strains have a heavier or lighter shell, but this is not an indicator of their quality.

It’s also possible for a seed to show minor differences in shape, such as one of the extremities being rounded while the other is pointed. This is natural and has nothing to do with its germination potential.

A good way to test a seed is to squeeze it. Quality seeds are firm, and they should not crumble or bend under pressure. Any that are pliable or squishy should not be planted as they may not survive the process of germination.

Do I Need a Male Plant?

Feminized cannabis seeds are best for beginner growers because they eliminate the need to determine a plant’s gender. This process involves selecting the best female plants and using them as’mothers’ to produce clones, which are exact genetic copies of their mother.

Male plants merely produce pollen, which is needed for the females to naturally reproduce and create seeds. The male weed plants will develop ‘balls’ that open up and release pollen, making it easy to tell them apart from the females, which have flowering buds full of seeds.

The simplest way to determine a plant’s sex is to examine the calyx. A matured flower will appear a different color than an immature calyx, as well as have two white hairs sticking out from the buds that are known as stigma.

Can I Test Seeds?

Due to cannabis’ criminalisation, the industry lags far behind other mainstream agricultural sectors in terms of quality control. Thankfully, seed companies are working hard to close the gap and offer seeds of the same high vigour and quality found in commercial crops.

One cost-effective and simple trick is to test a batch of seeds by placing them in a glass of lukewarm water. Good-quality seeds should sink to the bottom of the glass while low-grade seeds will float on the surface. This method can take a few hours to give results, so be patient! This also applies to stored seeds. Make sure they’re stored in a dark place to avoid light and heat degradation.

Do I Need to Germinate Seeds?

Cannabis seeds are quite fragile and require a lot of care. It is recommended that you germinate your seeds before planting them. Germinating seeds is simple and can be done in a number of ways. Most online seed sellers have guides on their websites, and there are also plenty of grower communities that you can join for more tips and advice.

Germination involves allowing your seeds to soak in water for 24 to 72 hours. The process triggers hormones that encourage the embryonic plant to sprout and begin growing. The sprouted seed will develop a stem and the first set of tiny leaves (cotyledons). You can then transplant it into its desired growing medium.

How to Test Seeds

If you are a hobby home grower, it might be worth your while to invest the time in testing each seed. If you are cultivating for profit, you might not have the time to take on such a risky project.

One simple way to test seeds is to simply float them in water. A healthy seed should sink to the bottom of the glass or jar while seeds that float are likely not viable. The float test takes patience, however, as you will have to wait a few hours before you can confirm results. A quick alternative to this test is to crush the seeds between your index finger and thumb. If the seeds crack, they are likely not viable.

When growing marijuana, choosing the type of seed is crucial. There are several options, including regular and feminized seeds. Both types have advantages and disadvantages.

Feminized seeds are ideal for growers seeking a crop of cannabinoid-rich buds. However, growing feminized seeds requires more work and expense. This is because you must remove male plants, which reduces the yield.

They are cheaper

If you’re new to growing cannabis, it might feel like an expensive undertaking. However, high-quality weed doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. Regular seeds are cheaper than other types of seed, and they’re often more stable.

Regular marijuana seeds are a good choice for hobbyist growers who want to experiment with different strains. They can also be used to create hybrids. The resulting plants will produce smokable buds and seeds. Regular seeds are also better for cloning than their feminized counterparts, which can become hermaphrodites.

For example, Amnesia Lemon regular combines sativa traits with citrus notes to deliver a refreshing and stimulating smoke. Similarly, Harlequin x Bubba Kush regular delivers an uplifting indica experience with therapeutic effects. Both are available from Amsterdam Seed Center, which offers excellent customer service. They offer helpful advice to novice and experienced growers before, during, and after the buying process. Their team is always ready to answer questions via email or phone.

They are more stable

Cannabis is a dioecious plant, meaning that it has male and female reproductive organs. Regular seeds produce both types of plants, with a ratio of roughly equal numbers of male and female plants. While sexing regular seedlings can be a challenge and require some time, the process is much easier than with feminized seeds. The process of sexing can save growers valuable growing space and reduce the amount of nutrients, water and light wasted on unnecessary male plants.

Regular seed is also ideal for breeders. By brushing pollen from a male plant against a female one, fertilisation is achieved and offspring are produced. This is why many growers prefer to work with regular sexed seeds.

Aside from their ability to provide fertile offspring, regular seeds are generally more stable than feminized ones. They are also cheaper, making them an excellent choice for growers on a budget. However, if you’re looking for high-yielding plants that are easy to grow and mature quickly, consider purchasing feminized seeds instead.

They are easier to breed

Regular seed is easier to breed than feminized seed, as growers can control the proportion of male and female plants. This allows them to create unique strains that are not available commercially. This is a great option for new or experienced growers who want to practice their growing skills and try new varieties of marijuana.

However, breeding with regular seed is not for the inexperienced. It requires careful observation and sexing of the plants to produce the right ratio of male and female plants. This can be time-consuming and inconvenient, but it’s worth it for those who enjoy creating their own cultivars.

Additionally, it’s important to note that feminized seeds may produce male plants as well, which can significantly reduce the yield of your crop. For this reason, feminized seeds are more popular among commercial growers who need to guarantee a specific percentage of female plants in their harvest. However, there are many reasons why some growers prefer to plant regular seeds and focus on genetics rather than yield.

They are easier to grow

Many growers find regular seeds easier to grow than feminized ones. This is due to the fact that you don’t have to worry about the problem of male plants with regular seed. Regular seeds are also more stable and produce a higher yield than their feminized counterparts.

Another advantage of regular seeds is that they produce both male and female plants. This is great for creating new strains and preserving phenotypes. You can use the pollen from male plants to fertilize female plants and create new strains with unique qualities.

However, if you are growing in a greenhouse, it is better to plant feminized seeds. This way, you can avoid the hassle of weeding out male plants and save on time and energy. Additionally, feminized seeds can be bred to have high THC levels and unique flavor profiles. Feminized seeds are more expensive than regular seeds, but they are worth the extra money for growers who want a reliable harvest.