Regular seeds allow growers to discover new phenotypes and cultivars that are not available with feminized seeds. They also offer greater genetic stability.
Many experienced growers prefer to work with regular seeds because they are cheaper and allow them to breed their own strains. In addition, they are easier to germinate and keep as mother plants for making cuttings/clones.
They are cheaper
The cost of regular seeds is significantly lower than the price of feminized and autoflowering strains. This is because the grower has to plant twice as many regular seeds to get enough female plants for their needs. This reduces the amount of growing space used and saves on substrate, fertilizers, and products such as insecticides.
However, the extra work needed to weed out males can be costly for the grower. Despite this, the lower price of regular seeds makes them an affordable option for experienced growers who want to produce their own strains.
For breeders, regular seeds are a better choice than feminized seeds because they are genetically stable. This is because feminized seeds are bred by stressing the female plants, which can lead to instability. Regular seeds, on the other hand, are the result of natural selection and are more consistent. This is important when breeding marijuana because it ensures that the breeder will get a high-quality crop of smokable buds.
They are more genetically stable
Regular seeds are ideal for breeders as they provide the opportunity to discover new strains and phenotypes. This is because a phenotype is a unique expression of a specific strain’s genetic lineage, which can result in a variety of attributes, including appearance, aroma, potency, resistance to pests, and yield. This is one reason that many experienced growers prefer to work with regular seeds rather than feminized ones.
Feminized seeds are more prone to hermaphroditism, which can lead to a reduced yield and lowered quality of the final product. This can be avoided by using regular seeds and carefully monitoring the plants throughout the cultivation process to identify and remove any hermaphrodites.
In addition, growing regular seeds allows you to keep mother plants for taking cuttings and clones. This is an essential part of the breeding process and helps you create your own bespoke strains. It also means you can experiment with different terpenes, aromas, and effects that you love.
They are easier to breed
While feminized seeds are easier to grow, regular seeds offer more genetic stability and allow for a greater variety of cultivars. This can be a major benefit for growers who want to create new strains or maintain a consistent supply of a certain variety. Regular seeds also require more attention to environmental conditions, such as temperature, humidity and light cycles, to ensure that the plants are healthy and able to produce high-quality buds.
Growing regular seeds necessitates identifying and removing male plants to prevent pollination, which can cause the female plants to become hermaphroditic. This can be a difficult task, but with careful monitoring and the right knowledge, it becomes easier over time. Additionally, sexing the plants can improve flower quality and yields. Growers can also choose to collect and cold-store the pollen from the male plants for breeding purposes, which can produce a wide range of new phenotypes. This process allows for more diversity and offers the grower a chance to preserve desirable traits for future generations of marijuana plants.
They are more resistant to pests
Regular seeds allow growers to explore the full genetic lineage of their cultivars. This means they can cross different varieties to produce new strains with unique characteristics. Unlike feminized seeds, regular seeds will produce male plants as well. This is important because male plants can pollinate female plants and fertilize their budding colas. This will lower the quality of the bud and may even cause them to produce fewer flowers.
Regular weed seeds are also more resistant to pests, as they are not bred through a stressful process that causes them to become feminized. This makes them a great choice for beginner and experienced growers alike.
Another advantage of growing with regular seeds is their ease of cultivation. Unlike feminized seeds, these seeds will produce both male and female plants, which is important for breeding and creating new strains. In addition, these seeds will germinate quickly and are cheaper than feminized seeds. This makes them a great option for growers on a budget.
