Regular seeds are the traditional method for cannabis seed production. Before feminized seeds became available, regular seeds were the only way to breed marijuana plants.
Theoretically, regular seeds should give a proportion of about 50% female and 50% male plants. This percentage can vary, however, depending on luck and environmental conditions.
Breeding
Breeding is the process of crossing two distinctly different cannabis strains and then using that hybrid to create a new variety. This can be done by experienced growers or home breeders with some basic cultivation experience and a desire to develop their own seed lineage.
The first step in breeding is to choose a female and male plant with the desired traits. These traits include potency, taste, yield, smell, resistance to pests, color, growth stature, and more.
A breeder can choose a female by looking at the buds and the leaf pattern. They can also find a male by rubbing their fingers on the stem and smelling the resinous odor.
Feminized seeds are a special type of regular seed that is bred to produce only female plants. This is desirable for both beginner and commercial growers, as they will not be exposed to the risk of accidentally pollinating their crop with undetected male plants.
Cloning
Clones are a great option for medical cannabis growers, since they enable you to always have access to the strains you need. However, they are not without their limitations.
A cloned plant tends to be weaker than one grown from seed, and its root system is not as deep and strong. Moreover, it may not have bug and pest resistance genes.
It is also possible that a cloned plant can introduce pests or disease into the grow room. This is why it is important to check clones before planting them in your garden.
When preparing a cutting for cloning, select a branch that is lower down on the mother plant and has at least three or more additional nodes (smaller stems) above it. This will make it more likely to develop roots and become sturdy enough to support its own weight.
Growing
Despite the rise of feminized seeds, some growers still prefer to grow regular seeds. They do so for a variety of reasons, including the fact that they allow growers to create new strains.
They also make it possible to take cuttings and clones from their mother plants. This helps to preserve a genetically intact phenotype and keep it in your garden.
Some growers also believe that regular seeds produce a more stable plant than feminized varieties. They’re more likely to survive heat and stress, which is important for those growing indoors.
However, they can also come with some drawbacks. For example, they may not produce as many THC-rich buds as female plants, and males can pollinate their flowers and cause them to produce seedy, low-quality buds.
Harvesting
When growing regular seeds, it is important to harvest them at the right time. This is important for crop quality and market value, as well as to avoid losses due to field animals, plant diseases or insect pests.
In general, a plant’s harvest is when it reaches its physiological maturity and is ready to be consumed. This can happen at a variety of times, depending on the type of seed and the cultivation method.
Whether you choose to grow regular or feminized cannabis, harvesting is essential for getting the most out of your seeds. A good harvest will result in buds that are nutrient-rich, full of THC and packed with aroma.
However, it’s important to note that not all seeds are created equal. For example, many growers believe that regular seeds produce plants that are more sexually stable than feminized seeds.
