Cannabis seeds come in both male and female varieties, but most growers choose to grow only feminized strains. Feminized seeds are a safer way to go since they’re free from diseases and pests.
Seeds are a great way to start a cannabis garden, but they do require germination before you can plant them. This can be a frustrating process, but there are ways to make it easier on yourself.
Benefits
Cannabis seed contains a range of nutrients that are essential for healthy living. These include protein, vitamins and minerals, and fatty acids.
Hemp seeds are also a good source of omega-3 and 6 fatty acids, which can help reduce the risk of heart disease. This is thanks to the arginine and nitric oxide they contain, which widen blood vessels and improve blood flow.
They also provide the body with essential amino acids, such as lysine and methionine. This means that they help in repairing damaged cells and rebuilding muscles.
They also contain a high level of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. These can help combat acne, dry skin, and wrinkles.
Origins
The origins of cannabis seed are a mystery. However, it appears that the plant first came to Europe around 2000 BC. The spread of this herb across the world has resulted in many different varieties and hybrids, with the most popular being the sativa strain.
In botany, the study of plants, botanists use taxonomy and palaeobotany to explore their genetic makeup and establish their origins. This helps them identify the species that they are working with and determine their place in the evolutionary tree of life.
Botanists also research the genetic makeup of different plant seeds, which they do through random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) studies. This helps scientists develop a detailed map of the Cannabis species family and discover what parts make up the different varieties of this plant.
Genetics
Cannabis seeds are unique in that they carry a collection of genetics from their parents, each with their own traits. These traits are passed down from generation to generation, giving rise to each strain’s distinctive appearance, scent, flavor and other attributes.
The ability to breed cannabis plants that display a consistent phenotype is critical to the success of cultivators. This requires specialized breeding programs to develop inbred and stable lines that produce seeds that look, grow, and yield consistently.
To do this, breeders use backcrossing to reduce alleles from one parent and stabilise specific traits in the other. This is a process that is well established in other crops and is a great tool for cannabis breeders to use to accelerate their seed development programs.
Packaging
Cannabis seeds are a big investment, so it’s important to store them safely. The best way to do that is with quality seed packaging.
Glass containers are the industry standard for long-term storage, but plastic is also a good option for short-term storage. However, plastic seed containers are not air-tight and allow moisture to sneak in through the pores of the container.
In addition, plastic cannabis seed containers allow light to penetrate the interior of the box. This can lead to mold or mildew growth, which isn’t good for your product.
Regardless of the type of container you choose for your seeds, it’s important to package them in dry, non-permeable containers that can be stored at a low temperature and away from sunlight. This will keep the seeds safe and protected until you’re ready to plant them.