Categories
Best Regular Seeds

What is a Seed?

A seed is an embryonic plant enclosed in a protective outer covering. It is the primary means by which flowering plants disseminate their offspring.

Seeds come in many shapes and sizes. Some seeds have fleshy appendages that entice animal dispersers; others have hooks, barbs, or sticky hairs that attach to fur or feathers.

Definition

Seeds are the primary means by which plants (especially angiosperms) disseminate their offspring and are the starting point for new plant growth. They consist of an embryonic plant embryo and food reserve enclosed in a protective outer covering or husk. The nutritive tissue inside the seed is called endosperm. The embryo is either monocotyledon or dicotyledon; in the latter, there may be one or two cotyledon leaves attached to the embryonic axis.

Seeds usually give a seedling a better start than a sporeling because of the larger food reserves in them and their multicellularity. They also have a more durable outer cover and are much easier to transport than spores. Many important foods come from seeds, including wheat, rice and corn (maize); beans, peas, peanuts and other legumes; and vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers and broccoli. Seeds are also a major source of cooking oils, lubricants and paints, and stimulants like juniper “berries” used in gin manufacture.

Functions

Seeds provide several functions for the plants that produce them. They protect and nourish the embryo or young plant, disperse a plant to new locations and help it start growing in the right conditions.

The first page on this seed worksheet is a beautiful illustration of a dandelion seed with an area for students to label the parts. The second page is a more independent activity that requires the kids to do some research on their own.

Have them work on this page in small groups. Have them look up what the cotyledons and endosperm are (these are storage tissue, like starch and protein, found in seeds). Then have them compare this to cotton and soybean seeds which are non-endospermic dicots. These use the cotyledons to perform the function of the endosperm in other seeds.

Germination

Germination is the resumption of growth in a seed or spore to transform it into a growing plant. It is the result of a sequence of events that includes water uptake, enzyme activation and metabolic changes.

In the first stage, a germinating seed absorbs water through an area of its shell or coating called the micropyle. This absorption hydrates the embryo and triggers enzyme activity to break down storage compounds that have been locked in the seed for years.

After enzymes break down accumulated DNA damage, the cells of a seed become active and begin dividing. Then a root emerges, followed by a shoot with pale green leaflike structures (cotyledons). This cotyledon enlarges and absorbs light energy to perform photosynthesis, generating the oxygen needed for cellular respiration.

Dormancy

Seed dormancy declares to seeds that it is time for them to stop growing, conserve energy and prepare themselves for freezing temperatures, dry weather, or water and nutrient shortages. This allows them to survive and thrive when conditions are more favorable.

Most seeds require a certain number of hours of “chilling” at temperatures below 0 degrees Celsius to break dormancy. This is a process that ensures the seeds have been sufficiently chilled and that the embryo in the seed has finished developing.

Genetic evidence suggests that a chemical called abscisic acid (ABA) is involved in the induction of dormancy during seed development. Experiments using seed pods from legumes and sections of corn cobs containing kernels have demonstrated that ABA is required at a particular point during embryogenesis to induce dormancy.

Dispersal

As plants are unable to select where their seeds land, they need to rely on seed dispersal for the spread of their offspring. This is typically passive, facilitated by wind, animals and gravity.

Many plants enclose their seeds in fleshy fruits that are attractive to animal dispersers, a process known as endozoochory. Others, such as the nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) tree, use bur and barb structures that catch on fur or feathers. Fossils such as those of a black bear scat or New Zealand moa coprolite demonstrate this type of hitchhiking.

Other seeds can be launched into the air by building up tension inside them, similar to how a catapult stores energy in a taut rope. These are called ballistic seeds. Try dropping a variety of seeds in front of a fan to see which travel the farthest.

Categories
Best Regular Seeds

Regular Seeds – Why They’re Better Than Feminized Seeds

If you’re interested in breeding your own strains or prefer the natural proportion of male and female plants, regular seeds are the way to go. Unlike feminized seeds, which guarantee a certain ratio of female specimens, regular seeds contain both male and female DNA.

Growing regular seed requires the grower to identify and remove any male plants to prevent pollination of the females. This can be a difficult task for the first-time grower.

Genetic Stability

The process of obtaining viral seed requires extensive characterization to ensure its genetic stability. This includes assessing growth characteristics on the production cell substrate, tissue tropism, genetic markers and viability during storage. It also involves determining the number of passages it has gone through and attenuation properties, if applicable.

Stability is important because it affects the variability and predictability of the phenotypes produced when crossing stable parents. If a strain has been genetically unstable, its offspring may exhibit more phenotypes closer to one parent than the other, leading to inbreeding depression.

In contrast, feminized seeds produce female plants every time, so you don’t have to worry about getting rid of male plants in the short time before pollination. This makes them easier to grow. However, the higher cost of feminized seeds means you’ll have to spend more money to get the same harvest from them as regular ones. This difference in price comes down to the work required to create feminized seeds.

Availability

If sexing isn’t an issue and you prefer the traditional method of cultivating marijuana then regular seeds are the way to go. They are also ideal for seasoned growers who enjoy doing their own breeding. The seed collection here at SeedSupreme features many great regular strains and you can use them to create your own custom cultivar.

When grown to full maturity, the plants bred from regular seeds will produce both male and female cannabis plants. The males will then produce pollen sacs that will fertilize the female colas and cause them to grow into new seeds. This is how all cannabis plants reproduce naturally in nature.

A self-sufficient grower can avoid this by waiting until the male plants have matured and removing them before they pollinate their feminized counterparts. This will then leave you with a nice harvest of smokable buds and plenty of seeds for the next crop. This is a good method for experienced growers to explore the full potential of their favorite strains.

Aesthetics

Despite all the recent hype surrounding feminized and autoflowering seeds, many growers still prefer regular cannabis seeds. They work pretty much the same way as feminized seeds, but without a light schedule change, so growers get consistent results throughout a growing cycle.

For instance, a normal seed may send players to an extremely diverse setting that includes a desert, badlands, jungle and birch forest biomes right at spawn. This one, in particular, also features a huge lake.

Another cool aesthetic seed is the Jungle Oasis, which features a natural pool and a variety of plants. It’s perfect for those looking to start a new game with plenty of natural scenery.

This one is the first of our honorable mentions, and it showcases an oddly generated savanna village with houses on cliff ledges, colossal underwater caves, and more. It’s a cool seed that’s sure to make for some interesting stories in Minecraft! It is also a great seed for those who love to explore the weird and wonderful world of Minecraft.

Organic

Many organic growers struggle to find and use organic seed. This is due to a lack of awareness about the values and benefits that organic seed offers. To address this issue the National Organic Program has worked with organic certifiers to create the Organic Seed Finder, an online resource that helps farmers find vendors and supplies.

When it comes to home gardening, deciding whether or not to choose organic seeds is a personal decision. If you do decide to buy organic seed, it is important to look for labels that indicate that the seeds have not been treated with synthetic chemicals or genetically modified (GMO) organisms. Look for the USDA Organic label and non-GMO Project Verified labels to ensure that you are purchasing organic seeds. Avoid buying any seeds that have been treated with fungicides or other chemicals as these will likely have negative side effects for your garden. Choosing to purchase organic seeds is an excellent way to help protect biodiversity and reduce the need for external inputs, which can contribute to pollution in soil, water, and air.

Categories
Best Regular Seeds

How to Germinate Cannabis Seeds

Germinating seeds is one of the first steps in cultivating cannabis. It’s best to germinate seeds indoors, where you can control several factors like temperature and humidity.

Feminized cannabis seeds are ideal for novice growers because they eliminate the need to identify and remove male plants to prevent pollination. However, regular seeds also contain male chromosomes, and they can produce either male or female plants.

White Widow

White Widow is a potent THC strain that can induce a next-level high. Artists and musicians say that a few puffs help them tap into their creative inspiration while insomniacs find restful sleep.

Feminized White Widow seeds produce cultivars with a 99% female-to-male ratio, which eliminates the need to identify and remove male plants during cultivation. This saves time and effort and results in a faster harvest.

Whether you’re looking for feminized or regular seeds, Herbies offers a variety of options to meet your cultivation needs. Browse a wide selection of cannabis seeds for sale online and at our physical locations across the U.S.

Northern Lights

Northern Lights is one of the most well-known cannabis strains on the market, offering a relaxing high with a sweet flavor that’s nuanced by notes of honey and wild juniper. This Indica is known for its potent effects, and feminized Northern Lights seeds deliver a high-yielding harvest of buds that are easy to manage and care for.

Feminized Northern Lights seeds eliminate the possibility of male plants pollinating your crop, providing a hassle-free cultivation experience for novice and expert growers alike. The feminized variety also offers a shorter flowering time than regular Northern Lights seeds, making it an ideal choice for indoor gardens.

Originally grown in the US, Neville Schoenmakers, the “King of Cannabis,” brought Northern Lights to Holland where it became a best-seller. Today, the strain continues to be propagated by Sensi Seeds, which carries on the legacy of this cherished cannabis variety.

Sour Diesel

The predominant terpene in Sour Diesel is Caryophyllene, which gives it its distinct fuel and citrus flavor. It also promotes creativity and motivation, while alleviating stress and fatigue.

This sativa provides an uplifting and energetic high that is great for daytime activities. It can be a bit paranoia-inducing in large quantities, so beginners should start with only a small dose.

This seed bank offers a variety of Sour Diesel strains, including feminized and autoflowering options. They also offer a germination guarantee and free shipping on all orders. They also offer frequent deals, such as 4 seeds for every 10 you purchase. This is a great one-stop shop for growers of all levels of experience.

Blue Dream

Blue Dream is a versatile cultivar with a unique flavor profile. It has a high THC content and provides users with a euphoric high. This strain is great for enhancing creativity and relieving stress. It can also stimulate the appetite, making it an excellent choice for those who suffer from loss of appetite.

This cultivar is easy to grow and requires little maintenance. It is suitable for both indoor and outdoor cultivation. Outdoors, it prefers a warm climate. It does well when trained using the Sea of Green or Screen of Green technique. It is resistant to mildew and mold. Soaking seeds in a glass of water for 12-24 hours can help to speed up germination.

OG Kush

OG Kush has high THC levels that deliver a strong psychoactive experience. The plant provides a mood boost and euphoria while changing the way you perceive colors, smells and sounds.

Its dominant terpenes are beta-myrcene and beta-caryophyllene. These terpenes bring a spicy palette to the strain with earthy notes and hints of citrus.

OG Kush is a difficult plant to cultivate because it has the tendency to stretch and lose structure during flowering. It is a highly sought-after strain because of its flavor, look and high. Royal Queen Seeds offers a feminized version of this legendary variety. The strain produces a dense crop of lime green buds covered in crystal resin.

Haze

Haze is the classic sativa strain, known for its uplifting and motivational effects. Its sudden burst of energy can help you power through chores and push yourself in the gym, and it’s also perfect for social situations, where its euphoric effect can enhance your mood and open your mind to new ideas.

The exact origins of Haze are a bit mysterious, but they may have come from California during the 1960s and 1970s. One theory is that they were brought by hippies and surfers who visited far-flung places during their travels, according to an article published in the alternative medicinal journal Treating Yourself.

Haze plants have a distinctive appearance, with deep green leaves that appear almost too perfect to be real. This is because the leaves lack the characteristic textural pattern of other cannabis plants, which gives them a plastic look.