Since the arrival of feminized seeds, growers have mostly forgotten about regular seed. Regular seeds contain both male and female chromosomes, so they can produce both hermaphrodite plants and females.
This makes them perfect for breeders who want to create new cultivars or genetically sturdy clones. Let’s take a closer look at some of the benefits of working with regular seeds.
They Are Natural
In a time when feminized seeds have become so popular, it is easy to forget that regular seed is vital for the preservation of cannabis’s genetic heritage. These seeds produce both male and female plants and can be bred to create more specific phenotypes of cannabis. For expert growers, this is an important feature as it allows them to create cultivars with very specific characteristics – for example height, structure, internodal spacing, aroma and yield.
Growing regular seeds also allows for a more controlled harvest, as growers can choose to keep either the male or the female plant. This is particularly useful if growers are planning on breeding their plants to create new strains, as feminized seeds cannot produce the male plants that are required for the process. These benefits are why many serious growers still prefer to stock regular seed. Our collection of regular cannabis seeds includes legendary strains such as White Widow, Mazar, Power Plant and Granddaddy Purple.
They Are Cheaper
The most obvious benefit to choosing regular seeds is that they are considerably cheaper than feminized. This is because feminized seeds are much more expensive to produce since the plant has to be sexed to remove all male plants. This process uses up a significant amount of growing space, nutrients, and energy that could be better spent on your crop.
Another reason that regular seed is cheaper than feminized is because growers do not have to pay for the male plants that are discarded. Although weed breeders will often sex the plants to make sure that only females are used for breeding, this is still an extra step and expense that not all growers want or need. As such, most breeders prefer to use regular seeds because they are the most cost-effective way to produce high quality cultivars that are guaranteed to be female plants. The same is true for medical cannabis users who are looking for the best value for their money when purchasing seeds.
They Are More Stable
For the gardener that enjoys making his own seed stock, regular seeds are the better choice. The reason being, they are more stable as to what you get in your crop. From feminized seeds only female specimens will come out, but from a regular seed it can produce either a female or male plant or even hermaphrodite depending on the strain and environmental conditions.
Growing regular plants requires a bit more work as it is necessary to identify and remove any hermaphrodites, however the practice of removing hermaphrodites can improve with time, especially when a grower is working with an established strain that they know will develop hermaphrodites.
Lastly, the genetic stability of regular seed allows breeders to create new strains as well as maintain consistency in existing ones. This is an important factor in creating cannabis that is as close to its natural form as possible. This is also an advantage for the consumer as they will be getting what they expect from a specific cultivar.
They Are More Versatile
One of the main reasons people choose to grow regular seed is because they are more versatile than feminized seeds. This is because if you have enough space in your grow room you can plant a mix of male and female plants, allowing for a larger harvest of seeds. This is not possible with feminized seeds, which only produce female plants.
The other reason is that it is easier to breed with regular seed than feminized seeds. This is a huge benefit for people who like to create their own strains or hybrids. It is also a great way to revive old school genetics, many of which never made it to the feminized market.
Although sexing plants may take some time and effort, it is well worth it for those who want to create their own cannabis strains. With the right amount of time and experimentation, you can create a strain that produces your favourite terpenes, gives you the high you are looking for, and has beautiful flowers.
