Month: September 2023

Regular seed requires a bit more work from the grower, especially when it comes time to induce flowering. This is because growing regular seeds means having to identify and remove male plants so they don’t pollinate your desired females.

However, this can be an incredibly rewarding experience for the experienced grower. This is because regular seed allows for more genetic variation than feminized seed.

Stable Genetics

Unlike feminized seeds, which are bred to produce only female plants, regular cannabis seeds will have a 50/50 chance of producing male or female plants. This makes them the recommended seed choice for beginners, who can avoid males pollinating their plants (which cuts their harvest by 80-90%).

Like humans, each plant has two distinct parents and can display different characteristics called alleles. These are variations of a gene that can code for traits such as eye color, leaf size, disease resistance, and biochemical profiles.

For this reason, it can be difficult to create stable genetics, which are the foundation of consistent product from each harvest. To achieve this, breeders need to pass desired traits down through multiple generations of cannabis cultivars. This process takes a lot of time, patience, and capital. It may take up to twelve generations before a breeder has created stable seeds they can sell. This is why specialized companies that develop and patent stabilized genetics are so important for the industry.

Variety of Genetics

Regular seeds operate just how nature intended. When germinated, each seed has a 50% chance of producing either male or female plants, making them ideal for breeding new cultivars and providing superior-quality clones.

Among the eight QTL for seed size observed, four were located on chromosome 1 and two on chromosome 5 (Table 4). These results are consistent with life-history theory in that selection for optimal seed size should be balanced by genetic and environmental factors.

Regular seeds also offer a greater level of variation in phenotypes such as sugar content and kernel thickness. Varieties characterized by the se gene have increased sugar levels (16 to 18 percent) and have a tougher kernel (pericarp) that makes them better for storage and shipping. In addition, this genotype has a slower rate of sugar conversion to starch and thus has a longer shelf life. These traits are often desirable in commercial production. However, these genotypes can be difficult to grow as they require a specific environment and a long flowering period.

Stability in Genetics

As a result of a long process of back-crossing, desirable traits are stabilised over several generations. This results in a strain with consistent expression of desired genetics. For example, a stable mother and father will produce offspring with predictable Mendelian ratios. This stability allows for a greater degree of predictability and consistency in the offspring, with desirable traits becoming dominant and undesirable traits disappearing.

This process is also responsible for creating sexually stable genetics, meaning that the seeds produced will not exhibit intersex phenotypes. This is an important feature for growers, since it prevents the loss of valuable phenotypes and eliminates the need to reseed or use feminized seed. However, it is important to note that despite genetic stability, the plant may still be prone to showing intersex traits due to environmental conditions. This is true for both regular and feminized seeds. In addition, it should be noted that not all genetics are created equal, and that some genetics naturally show intersex traits due to the way they are bred and grown.

Stability in Phenotypes

When you grow a regular seed crop, it’s essential to carefully monitor the progress of the plants. This includes sexing them to identify males and females and culling the latter to avoid unwanted pollination that will reduce yield and overall flower quality.

This requires a lot of work for the grower but is a necessary step in creating a quality crop. This is especially important for the grower who produces their own seeds.

Using regular seeds is a great way to create your own unique hybrids and cultivate a new strain with desired characteristics that would not be possible with feminized seeds. This type of seeds is also more stable than feminized seeds, as they are not bred through a process that involves stressing out female plants. However, it’s essential to maintain proper cultivation conditions to ensure healthy growth. This includes temperature, humidity, light cycles, and airflow. This will maximize your chances of getting a successful harvest.

The seed is the core of the cannabis plant, and contains the genetic code of a new seedling. It also contains four other parts; a radicle, hypocotyl and cotyledons.

The best way to germinate seeds is in a glass of water. This is simple to do, and prevents the seeds from being exposed to temperature fluctuations that can cause them to die.

Regular seeds

Regular seeds are a popular choice for breeders because they offer a 50/50 chance of producing male and female plants. They can also be used to produce clones. Breeders like to use these clones as mother plants to create new strains with desirable characteristics. These clones can then be grown to produce more seeds and the cycle continues.

Although the cannabis seeds market experienced a short-term decline due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is now back on track. The industry is expected to grow at a rate of 18.4% from 2022 to 2031.

Aside from being a source of delicious, nutritious food, hemp seeds are also great for digestive health. They provide soluble and insoluble fibre, which helps to prevent constipation. Whole cannabis seeds are also a good source of vitamins and minerals. They are rich in potassium, which is important for regulating blood pressure and maintaining healthy heartbeats. They are also a good source of protein, which is essential for building muscle tissue.

Feminized seeds

When you buy feminized seeds, you can expect to get a higher yield than when buying regular seeds. This is because feminized plants are almost guaranteed to produce smokable buds. However, you must keep in mind that feminized seeds are more expensive than regular seeds, due to the additional effort required to make them.

Feminized seeds are treated to ensure that every plant will be female. This is done by spritzing young flowers with gibberellic acid or colloidal silver to reduce their sensitivity to the phytohormone ethylene, which controls sexual development. This method also has the added advantage of reducing hermaphrodite tendencies in future generations.

While most regular seeds require a photoperiod shift from vegetative to flowering, feminized seeds do not need this. This means that they will continue to grow at the same rate as a regular plant and can be kept in the same conditions, such as a cool, dark place like a seed bank’s refrigerator.

Autoflowering seeds

Autoflowering seeds have gained popularity in the cannabis industry because of their ease of cultivation and high-potency buds. They are also resistant to pests and fungus, making them an ideal choice for indoor cultivation. However, it is important to choose a reliable supplier of autoflowering seeds and check their track record. Look for a seed bank that has a team of experienced cultivators who manually select the seeds and avoid using machines.

i49 offers an extensive selection of autoflowering seeds. Their collection includes both feminized and regular varieties. Their strains have been tested in competitions and have won awards, proving their quality. They also offer a variety of strains for beginners and experienced cultivators.

Bruce Banner is a great strain for beginner growers, and it offers a high 25% THC content and big yields. This marijuana plant can be harvested in as little as 10 weeks from seed and produces a euphoric and giggly effect.

Growing mediums

Cannabis seeds require access to oxygen, water and nutrients for healthy growth. However, too much or too little of these elements can damage your plants. Growing mediums help regulate these essential elements for out-of-this world performance.

Silt is a dense soil that’s packed with organic material and minerals, making it one of the best options for growers who aren’t using any chemicals. It’s easy to work with and has excellent drainage. Clay is another popular choice, but it can be hard to work with and can lead to overwatering.

Another popular growing medium is coco coir, which is made from the husks of coconuts. It works a lot like soil, but has better drainage and aeration. It also has a neutral pH and is free of pathogens, making it an ideal choice for organic growers. Another option is expanded clay pellets, also known as hydroton, which is a lightweight growing medium. These small marble-shaped balls are also used in hydroponics.

Before feminized seeds were available, growers planted regular cannabis seeds. These seeds have a 50% chance of producing male or female plants. Growers must manually cull the males to ensure that only females are grown in their gardens.

However, regular seeds have their own unique qualities that can work to your advantage. For example, they can be used to create strains with specific traits such as terpenes and colours.

They’re cheaper

If you’re a home grower who’s looking to save money on seeds, regular cannabis seeds may be the way to go. They’re also a better choice for breeders who need to create new strains as they can produce male plants.

Feminized seeds, on the other hand, will only produce female plants and can be much more expensive than regular seeds. However, they’re a good option for small-scale indoor operations or those who are legally capped at a set number of plants.

Unlike feminized seeds, regular seeds can produce male and female plants, so it’s important to plant more than the number of plants you intend to harvest. This will account for the male plants that may need to be sexed and removed. This can save you time and money by avoiding the waste of space, growing medium, nutrients, and light. Regular seeds are also more affordable than feminized and autoflowering seeds. They’re also easier to cultivate than feminized seeds, and the yields are typically higher than feminized varieties.

They’re easier to grow

Despite the fact that regular seeds are more difficult to grow, experienced growers prefer them because of their superior genetics. They offer a wider range of phenotypes to explore and have a lower chance of producing hermaphroditic plants. Hermaphroditic plants have both male and female reproductive organs, which can lead to unwanted pollination, reducing overall flower quality. However, hermaphroditic plants can be prevented by sexing them early into flowering and isolating them when necessary.

Another benefit of regular seeds is that they don’t require any chemical treatments, unlike feminized ones. These chemicals are usually used to stress out a plant and induce the production of female flowers, resulting in inferior-quality clones. Moreover, some old-school varieties never made it to the feminized market and are only available as regular seeds. They are often cheaper than feminized seeds and can help you save money in the long run. These advantages make them ideal for beginners. However, be sure to learn more about the growing process before making a purchase.

They’re more stable

With a huge commercial focus on feminized seeds, it can be easy to forget that regular cannabis seeds are still essential for creating and maintaining the wide range of marijuana strains we enjoy today. In terms of vigour, regular plants tend to be much stronger and more stress-resistant, especially as they mature into flowering.

The reason for this is that a feminized seed contains only female chromosomes (XX) but a regular cannabis plant can produce male or hermaphrodite plants, despite having both the XX and XY chromosomes. As a result, hermaphrodites are not very common in regular plants but they can occur as a result of stress factors like topping, fimming or lollypopping.

Some growers prefer the process of cultivating regular seeds because it allows them to experience and learn more about the entire growing cycle and plant care, while also discovering different phenotypes that produce terpenes they love, high THC content or other characteristics. It can be gratifying to find a plant that you want to keep in cultivation and that produces excellent buds.

They’re easier to breed

Despite their disadvantages, regular seeds are still the preferred option for many growers. They provide a more natural cultivation experience and offer more genetic diversity. In addition to that, they are less expensive than feminized varieties.

However, growing regular seeds requires a lot of attention and knowledge. Growers must identify and remove male plants in order to prevent pollination. In the long run, this can be time-consuming and frustrating.

Feminized seeds eliminate this problem by guaranteeing female plants. This makes them the more convenient choice for commercial growers. They also produce higher yields and better quality buds.

In addition, feminized seeds can be crossbred with regular strains to produce new cultivars. This is important for breeders who want to develop a new variety of marijuana. However, it is also essential to maintain the integrity of existing strains. That is why it is important to choose a seed bank that offers both regular and feminized seeds.