There are a wide variety of cannabis seed available, but only the best seeds will produce quality harvests. Seed banks work hard to stabilize and offer premium genetics for growers to enjoy.
Germinating cannabis seeds can be difficult, but it is possible to increase the chances of success with proper storage and germinating methods. The process is simple, but it does require unique equipment.
Protein
Hemp seeds, also known as hemp hearts, are a great source of protein. They have a low calorie count and contain no trans fats. They are also a good source of fiber. Three tablespoons of hemp seeds contains about 1.2 g of fiber.
Hemp seed can be eaten raw, toasted or ground into a flour. It has a rich nutrition profile and is used in many recipes including bread, cakes, granola bars and hummus. It is also a popular ingredient in vegan diets.
Hemp plants are grown for the fibers, oil and seeds. They can be grown as sativas, indicas or hybrids. Feminized seeds are an excellent choice for rookie growers. These seeds are programmed to change from the vegetative to the flowering stage and will produce buds with minimal effort. They are resistant to light pollution and do not require specific hours of darkness to thrive. They can be sown in a greenhouse or outdoors.
Fiber
Hemp seeds, also known as hemp hearts, are rich in dietary fiber and are a healthy addition to your diet. Hemp seed also contains a high amount of essential fatty acids, which help regulate your metabolism and keep your body in balance.
In most natural settings, male and female flowers produce millions of pollen grains that are carried by the breezes and land on receptive ovule-containing flowers on other plants. This fertilizes them and produces seeds that mature a few weeks later.
In the cannabis industry, growers and breeders rely on sowing seeds to explore novel traits. However, seed companies must carefully control stray pollen in sinsemilla-only areas to produce consistent offspring. Regulatory allowances for this are needed.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
The seeds of the Cannabis sativa plant are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids help your body better process and metabolize the cannabinoids in cannabis, as well as your own endocannabinoids.
Researchers have found that your ECS feeds on these fatty acids to create and activate endocannabinoids, and that when you don’t get enough omega-3 fatty acids, your endocannabinoid system can become unbalanced.
Hemp seeds are also high in the monounsaturated fatty acid cis-11-eicosenoic acid (C20:1). This fatty acid is the precursor to erucic acid, and its content has been shown to increase with temperature. Other protein bands identified in spots 54 and 55 are a 7S vicilin-like protein and a 60S ribosomal protein. The latter is more evident in samples from experimental fields than in certified Finola seeds. The ratio of carotenoid to chlorophyll in both experimental and certified seeds increased with temperature. This ratio is a good indicator of seed tolerance to stress conditions.
THC
THC is a psychoactive component of cannabis, responsible for the high associated with marijuana. Higher THC content strains produce a stronger, more intense cerebral high. Many seed companies specialize in breeding plants with high THC, making them ideal for recreational smokers and growers.
Sunwest Genetics is a fairly new company that stocks both regular and feminized seeds. Their Lavender feminized offers a moderate THC concentration and an aroma that’s more relaxed than most, making it ideal for beginners.
Other popular options include the sativa-dominant Bruce Banner, which can reach THC levels up to 27% and produces an open-minded high. For something sweeter, try the Banana Kush autoflowering feminized, which has a tropical scent and offers euphoric effects. All of these strains are easy to grow and offer a high yield. Most seed banks also carry hybrids, which are crosses between sativa and indica strains to improve their characteristics. These hybrids can shorten sativas’ flowering periods, promote dense and hard buds or add exotic flavors and aromas to indicas.