Month: August 2023

Seeds are tiny capsules with an embryonic plant and stored food, surrounded by a hard shell or husk. They are the result of sexual reproduction in gymnosperm and angiosperm plants that involves pollen from one flower mixing with an ovule in another flower.

The best seeds for your garden are the ones that germinate quickly. Read the packets carefully to learn what conditions are required for each type of seed to sprout.

What is a seed?

Seeds contain genetic information that, in the right conditions, could give rise to a new plant. They are also the source of many important medicines including castor oil, tea tree oil and the quack cancer drug laetrile.

Seeds come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. They can be tiny such as a poppy seed or enormous like a coco de mer coconut. They can be disc-like, globose, ellipsoid or lenticular and they can be striped with parallel lines or ridges.

The three basic parts of a seed are the embryo, food reserve and the protective coat. A seed contains food that it needs to grow and it is stored within the embryo until a trigger event stimulates growth. This can be a disturbance such as rodents chewing on the seed, water currents, freezing and thawing or passing through an animal’s digestive system. Seeds are the distinguishing feature of flowering plants that are classified as gymnosperms (naked-seeded) or angiosperms (with seeds enclosed in ovaries). All other plants are known as pteridophytes, which include ferns and mosses.

How do seeds grow?

Seeds contain a miniature plant embryo and stored food in a hard shell, plus DNA (a set of instructions for how an organism should look, work, and grow). Seed plants have an advantage over other plants that reproduce with spores because seeds provide them with a much bigger head start.

The hard seed coat protects the embryo and stored food until the right conditions arrive. Then a process called germination begins.

As water seeps through a small opening in the seed coat, it hydrates enzymes and activates cells inside the seed. The seed then absorbs its food supply through its seed leaves, or cotyledons. This nourishes the embryonic plant until it can make its own food through photosynthesis.

Seeds can travel great distances thanks to birds, mammals, and other animals that carry them or disperse them by dropping them. The dustlike seeds of some orchids attach to animals’ fur, while berries and fruits with wings help them travel by air.

How do seeds travel?

Students examine seeds from a variety of plants and try to figure out how their structure helps them travel. They also investigate how seed dispersal methods differ.

Some seeds can float and move long distances on water, like the seeds of coconut trees or sea beans. For this to happen a seed needs a waterproof or water-resistant shell and some way to stay afloat, such as fluff attached.

Wind can carry seeds long distances, too. Plants like dandelions and cottonwood trees make seeds with tufts of hairs called pappi that catch the wind like little parachutes, helping their seeds sail far away from the parent plant.

Other seeds hitch rides on animals, including people, whose fur or clothing they can stick to. This can work even for large animals, like birds like the Clark’s nutcracker, which carries seeds in its mouth for miles before dropping them in a place where they can grow. Some seeds are also hidden in tasty fruit, like tomatoes or blackberries.

How do seeds germinate?

Seeds must have a few conditions to germinate. These include a proper temperature (germination is fastest at the optimum growing temperature), water, oxygen, and a seed coat that has been broken open. During germination, enzymes break down stored energy within the seed to start growing.

When seeds are introduced to water under the right conditions, they absorb it and swell. This is called imbibition. As a result of this, their cells grow rapidly and the outer seed coat breaks apart. A root, known as a radicle, and a shoot, known as a plumule emerge from the seed.

The radicle goes down into the soil looking for water, while the plumule grows up toward sunlight to begin photosynthesis. Interestingly, researchers are starting to understand how gene networks play an important role in seed development. This includes the genes that control a seed’s ovule and embryonic growth. Cecilia and her colleagues are studying this. This work could lead to new ways of planting seeds that have the potential to be more successful.

Regular seeds are non-feminized cannabis seeds. They produce both male and female plants, requiring growers to spend time weeding out the males. However, the plants produced by regular seeds are more resilient to stress throughout the growing process.

Feminized seeds contain only female chromosomes, while regular seeds can produce male, female or hermaphrodite specimens depending on a number of factors. This is why regular seeds are ideal for breeding.

Breeding

Regular seeds can produce male plants, but they do so very rarely – usually only after the plant has experienced extreme stress. This means that the cultivator will need to take extra care throughout the growing process to eliminate all males (or actively pollinate them).

Feminized seeds can be easier to manage, because they won’t produce any hermaphrodite plants unless a grower deliberately crosses them. This is important because hermaphrodites are prone to produce pollen, which can ruin an entire crop of cannabis.

Feminized seeds are often the preferred choice of experienced growers. This is because they can be crossed to create new phenotypes with specific characteristics. This allows a breeder to improve and stabilize the genetics of their strains. This can lead to increased yields, potency, flavor and other desirable traits.

Cloning

The process of cloning allows a grower to create a new marijuana plant that is genetically identical to the original. This can be useful for commercial cultivation, as it will eliminate the need to grow new seeds. However, some private breeders still prefer the variation that is inherent to seed-grown plants.

To take a clone, a grower must have a mother plant that is healthy and free of diseases and insects. It is also important to check the cuttings for pests, as they may inherit undesirable traits.

When selecting a mother plant, look for branches that are sturdy and long enough to be cloned. Then, use a sharp razor to cut the branch at a 45-degree angle. Once the clone has been cut, place it in water immediately to prevent it from drying out.

Old-school genetics

Old school cannabis strains use established and fully proven genetics that have stood the test of time. They can be grown by new and experienced growers alike, providing good yields in most types of grow medium. These classics include White Widow, The Ultimate and Power Plant.

Old School Genetics are a European cannabis seed company founded by a collective of leading breeders. They have a huge library of rare and exclusive cannabis cuts from iconic seedbanks, including the famous Peach Slush 90’s that won many ICMAG awards and remains in their strain catalogue to this day.

The latest addition to their collection is Petrol Skunk, a beautifully bred hybrid strain that combines two special Old School genetics: Critical Mass Bilbo Cut x Road Dawg (Karma Genetics). This cup-winning Indica will transport you back in time with its aromas.

Organic

Organic seeds are cultivated without the use of synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, and other chemicals. Instead, they are nurtured according to USDA-approved organic standards that encourage cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity. These organic standards also prohibit the use of genetically modified plants or seeds, irradiation, and the disposal of sewage sludge on the land where crops are grown.

Seed companies like Territorial and High Mowing offer a variety of organic regular seeds. They are small businesses that are attempting to fill a hole in the market that is being created as larger companies consolidate their seed offerings. They also take a strong education-based approach with their customers and strive to help them understand the difference between regular and organic seeds so they can make informed decisions about which ones are right for them.

Easy to grow

Regular seeds operate exactly as nature intended. They have a 50% chance of generating male plants, which are very valuable for breeders as they produce pollen that can be used to create new cultivars and superior clones.

These seeds are easy to grow, even for beginners who may have a limited amount of space or a small home garden. They don’t require soil and germinate easily in a damp paper towel or bowl. They also sprout quickly and can be grown without any light.

The plants produced from these seeds are usually sturdy and highly stress-resistant. They can withstand sudden photoperiod changes, insufficient water, and excessive fertilization. Moreover, these plants can be sexed before they flower and harvested at the right time for maximum yield.

Regular seeds produce male and female cannabis plants in a natural ratio. This is great for breeders who want to create new strains of marijuana. However, it can be challenging for first-time growers to separate the male plants from the females.

The best way to eliminate male plants is to remove them early in the flowering stage. This will allow your female plants to spend all of their energy producing buds.

They are a cross between a male and a female plant

Many cannabis growers aren’t aware that regular seeds exist, especially since most autoflowering varieties come feminized. However, this group of non-feminized seeds can offer a great deal of genetic diversity for your garden, and they’re often cheaper than feminized varieties.

Regular seeds contain male and female chromosomes and can produce either male or female plants. This means that growers must be vigilant to ensure they remove male plants from their crop. This process is called sexing.

Feminized seeds are a more predictable option for commercial growers who want a certain ratio of female to male plants in their crop. This will allow them to harvest at a specific time of year and increase their yields.

However, for hobbyists and breeders who are looking to create their own strains, a mix of regular and feminized seeds is ideal. This will allow them to explore a wider range of genetics and make new phenotypes. Additionally, it’s an excellent way to discover some of the old-school heritage strains that never made it into feminized seeds.

They are cheaper

Regular seeds offer a number of benefits for growers. They are cheaper and produce more plants, making them a great choice for budget-conscious cultivators. They also tend to be more vigorous than feminized seeds and are less susceptible to stress. They are also a great choice for breeders who want to create their own strains.

The best thing about regular seeds is that they operate exactly how nature intended. They have a 50% chance of emerging as either male or female, which is useful for breeding new strains. Male plants produce pollen that breeders can use to create female flowers.

Jilly Bean regular seeds are a delicious treat for your whole system. These near-perfect sativa hybrids stimulate your mind and calm your body, with hints of mangoes and tangerines tickling the taste buds. The smoke refreshes your senses and gets you giggling all night long. With proper care, these seeds will produce a bountiful harvest of high-quality cannabis.

They are easier to grow

Regular seeds preserve the genetic stability of cannabis plants, which is beneficial for breeders who wish to develop new strains. They also allow for the emergence of different phenotypes, or variations of the same genetic strain that vary in appearance, aroma, and effects. These variations are referred to as “varieties” and can add variety and excitement to your cultivation experience.

Feminized seeds, on the other hand, are ideal for commercial growers who want a specific ratio of female to male plants. However, feminized seeds are less predictable and may produce hermaphrodite plants that have both male and female reproductive organs. These hermaphrodite plants can produce pollen and can cause unwanted pollination in your crop.

While feminized seeds are easier to grow, regular seed offers many advantages for experienced cultivators. The biggest advantage is that they don’t require the stress of sexing, which can save time and money while also improving the quality of your harvest.

They are easier to breed

Regular seeds are a better choice for growers who want to create their own strains. They don’t have the same genetic stability as feminized seeds, but they provide the potential for greater variation in phenotypes.

They also allow the grower to create a natural proportion of male and female plants. This allows the grower to harvest a higher yield, while still maintaining a high level of quality. Regular seeds are also an excellent option for breeders who want to preserve the original genetics of a particular cultivar.

Another advantage of a predominately female crop is that it’s easier to manage. There are no male plants to remove, which can waste growing space and nutrients. This can be particularly useful for growers who need to prepare large crops for a specific event, such as harvest time. This can save time and money. Also, a more female crop can lead to higher quality buds. This is particularly important for growers who want to create a specific strain.