Cannabis seeds contain all the information needed for a plant to grow and reproduce. The same genetic material can be transferred from seed to seed, enabling breeders to select for desired traits, such as potency or smell.
There are three main seed types for growing cannabis: regular, feminized and autoflowering. All of them have their own unique advantages and disadvantages.
Feminized seeds
Unlike regular cannabis seeds, which have a 50% chance of growing male plants, feminized seeds are bred to produce female only cannabis plants. These are a popular choice for commercial growers and home cultivators who want to ensure their plants produce only flowers that contain edible cannabinoids.
Feminized seeds are also known as ‘seedless’ because they don’t have the pollen sacs or flowers that a regular plant develops. This allows growers to eliminate male plants from the crop, which can ruin their harvest.
There are two main ways that reputable seed banks and breeders create feminized seeds: chemically or manually. The professional method involves drenching bud sites of a female cannabis plant with substances that interact with the process of pollination, such as colloidal silver or gibberellic acid.
Regular seeds
Regular cannabis seeds are an excellent option for breeders who want to explore the full range of phenotypes that a strain can display. Because they’re not modified, regular seeds allow breeders to work with the natural traits of a particular cannabis cultivar.
As a result, you’ll be able to discover new phenotypes, which can lead to some exciting breeding projects. These are great for both novice and experienced growers alike, but it’s important to follow germination guidelines to ensure healthy results.
Another advantage of regular seeds is that they’re available from seed banks across the world, making them a more accessible alternative to feminized seed varieties. However, it’s important to be sure you’re purchasing from a reputable source to avoid the risk of faulty seeds or contaminated products.
Like feminized seeds, regular cannabis seeds have an equal chance of producing female or male plants. However, the ratio is up to luck and can fluctuate over time. Usually, about 50% of a batch of seeds will produce either female buds or male pollen sacs.
Autoflowering seeds
Autoflowering seeds are cannabis plants that begin flowering automatically according to their age, regardless of the photoperiod (hours of light). These plants also produce higher amounts of CBD than photoperiod strains and can be harvested in less time.
They can be grown indoors or outdoors and are generally easy to grow, making them the ideal seed choice for beginners. They come in a range of strains, including high THC and fast flowering varieties.
If you’re unsure where to start, a reputable seed bank can help you find the right strains for your growing needs. Some of these companies offer germination and delivery guarantees. They also accept a variety of payment methods, including bank transfers, credit/debit cards, cash, Bitcoin, and checks. You can also check reputable seed bank customer reviews on sites like Trustpilot.
Hybrid seeds
A hybrid cannabis strain is created by crossing two or more different weed strains to combine the best qualities from each parent. For example, a hybrid sativa-dominant strain can produce a powerful cerebral high with an uplifting euphoria that will last for hours on end.
Hybrid seeds have also been bred to be more resistant to fungi and diseases. This makes them ideal for indoor growers.
These seeds can be grown in soil, coco coir, or hydroponics. However, many hybrid strains prefer a warmer and less humid environment than traditional cannabis strains, so make sure you choose the right one for your climate.
Hybrid marijuana plants are a great option for commercial growers, especially those who need high yields and short flowering times. This is because they have been engineered to grow more efficiently than pure indica and sativa strains.
