In the age of feminized seeds and autoflowering, you may wonder why a seedbank would carry regular cannabis seeds at all.
The answer lies in the history of marijuana cultivation.
Professional weed breeders regularly produce crops with a high percentage of female plants and select the best to become ‘mothers’, producing further batches of 100% female clones.
F1 Hybrid Seeds
F1 hybrid seeds are a great choice for commercial growers and provide the genetics that larger growing operations need to optimise terpene levels, yields and other plant characteristics. For home growers, however, the higher price point often isn’t worth it.
Creating F1s takes years and requires two parent plants with the exact same traits. These plants are then crossed each year to produce the next generation of F1 seed (also known as ‘F2’).
This process can be extremely time-consuming, particularly when the breeder is trying to achieve a specific result, such as high THC content or convenient size for stealthy indoor growing. As a result, F1 seeds are typically more expensive than open pollinated or heirloom varieties. This is despite the fact that they can be competitive in providing certain traits such as resistance to diseases and pests and high trichome density. However, they tend to be less robust than their heirloom counterparts due to the limited and forced gene pool they’re created from.
Female Seeds
A feminized cannabis strain produces only female plants due to special breeding techniques. They produce a higher yield than standard photoperiod cannabis plants and require less space to grow.
Feminized seeds are a great choice for first-time growers and experienced growers alike. They are easy to manage, and the predominance of female plants helps prevent problems like male plant pollination that ruin an entire crop.
The feminization process is simple: Breeders cross regular cannabis seeds with Ruderalis or another species that has similar characteristics to the parent plant. Then they select only the female seeds for the next generation.
The resulting feminized seeds will produce all female plants and have a lower chance of turning hermaphrodites. This allows growers to harvest their buds at any time of the year, and also means there are no male plants in the crop that could attract pests or spread diseases. This makes the use of feminized cannabis seeds very beneficial for commercial marijuana producers.
Autoflowering Seeds
With the right knowledge, experience, and space, growers can achieve bountiful harvests from photoperiod and autoflowering strains. However, there are some differences between the two, and deciding which type of seed to choose depends on your specific needs.
One of the most significant differences is that autoflower seeds do not need to be kept in a 12/12 light cycle to trigger flowering. This allows growers to grow them in places where the summer days are short and can often be interrupted by rain or frost.
Additionally, since they have the robust genetics from ruderalis, autoflowering seeds are more resilient and can withstand a variety of climate conditions. These factors make them ideal for growers with limited time, space, and knowledge. A great example of an autoflowering strain is Gorilla Glue, which has high THC levels and delivers a powerful cerebral buzz that’s best for seasoned users (beware – it may cause couch-lock). This strain has a punchy coffee flavor with notes of earth and fruit and can deliver up to 15oz per plant.
Seed Banks
Seed banks are designed to preserve the genetic diversity of wild or cultivated plants for future use. They can be useful in a number of ways, including providing crop varieties that are resistant to pests or drought. They can also help in the development of crops that are tolerant to harsh environments, and they can contribute to the global food supply.
The storage environment for seed samples consists of low temperatures and minimal moisture levels. This helps prevent metabolic activity, allowing the seeds to remain dormant for long periods of time. Seed samples are stored in airtight vials to reduce the risk of contamination.
The best place to purchase cannabis seeds is at a reputable marijuana seed bank. Many of these companies offer a variety of strains, including Animal Cookies seeds. They also offer fast shipping and great customer service. Their selection of high quality seeds and customer service make them a top choice for marijuana growers.
