Published on: 01/11/2024
Why choose one type of seed over another? What are the implications in terms of cultivation, yield, and quality?
In this article, we will explain in detail the characteristics, advantages, and challenges of both types of cannabis seeds, providing you with all the necessary information to make an informed decision.
The Biology of Cannabis: A Dioecious Plant
Before delving into the difference between feminized and regular seeds, it’s important to understand the biological basis of the cannabis plant. Cannabis is a dioecious plant, meaning there are male and female plants. This sexual distinction is crucial for the cultivation and production of cannabis.
Female plants are the most desired by growers as they produce flowers rich in cannabinoids, including THC and CBD, which are the compounds responsible for the psychoactive and therapeutic effects of cannabis. On the other hand, male plants produce pollen and do not generate flowers rich in cannabinoids. Their main role in cultivation is to fertilize female plants, thereby producing marijuana seeds.
However, the presence of male plants can be problematic for growers focusing on flower production, as fertilizing female plants leads to seed production within the flowers, reducing the quality and potency of the harvest. For this reason, many growers prefer to avoid male plants in their gardens or greenhouses.
Read also: 3 reasons to choose Lemon Haze seeds
What Are Regular Cannabis Seeds?
When planted, regular cannabis seeds can develop into either male or female plants. Typically, the probability that a regular seed will become a male or female plant is about 50%. This means that growers using regular seeds must face some degree of uncertainty regarding the sex of the plants until they begin to display their sexual characteristics during the flowering phase.
Advantages of Regular Seeds
One of the main advantages of using regular seeds is the genetic diversity they offer. These seeds maintain the genetic heritage of both the mother and father plants intact, allowing growers to experiment and select specific desired traits, such as pest resistance, flowering time, or cannabinoid content. For this reason, regular seeds are often the preferred choice of breeders (those who cross different cannabis strains to create new ones).
Moreover, for those intending to reproduce cannabis plants, regular seeds are essential, as they allow access to male plants. Without male plants, reproduction and the creation of new seeds would be impossible.
Disadvantages of Regular Seeds
Despite their advantages, regular seeds present some challenges. The main difficulty is the need to identify and separate male plants from female ones once the sex of the plants becomes apparent. This requires time, experience, and, above all, space. Male plants must be removed quickly to prevent them from pollinating female plants, which would result in unwanted seeds in the flowers.
Additionally, since only 50% of the plants grown from regular seeds will be female, this presents a certain inefficiency for those looking to maximize flower production. Growing plants that will later be discarded once identified as male can be a waste of resources.
What Are Feminized Cannabis Seeds?
Feminized cannabis seeds have been developed to produce exclusively female plants. This is achieved by manipulating the plant’s life cycle to induce female plants to produce pollen (normally a trait exclusive to male plants), which is then used to fertilize other female plants. The result is that the seeds obtained from this process are genetically predisposed to be all female.
Advantages of Feminized Seeds
The most obvious advantage of feminized seeds is that they eliminate the need to identify and remove male plants. For growers seeking to produce seedless flowers, feminized seeds offer greater efficiency, reducing the work required during the cultivation cycle.
Furthermore, since almost 100% of the plants will be female, growers can maximize the use of space and resources. There’s no need to grow plants that will later be discarded, and each plant will have the potential to produce flowers rich in cannabinoids.
Another important advantage is that feminized seeds are ideal for beginner growers, as they significantly simplify the cultivation process. Without the need to worry about separating male plants, even beginners can achieve good results.
Disadvantages of Feminized Seeds
Despite their numerous advantages, feminized seeds also have some drawbacks. One is that, since they come from female plants that have been manipulated to produce pollen, some growers believe there may be compromises in genetic quality. This manipulation could, in theory, lead to reduced genetic diversity and greater vulnerability to diseases or environmental stress.
Additionally, marijuana feminized seeds are not ideal for those interested in reproduction. Since they do not produce male plants, it is not possible to create new seeds using only feminized seeds. For breeders and those who want to experiment with new crosses, regular seeds remain the best option.
Read also: How are feminised cannabis seeds produced?
Which to Choose: Feminized or Regular?
The choice between feminized and regular seeds depends on your specific needs as a grower. If your primary goal is to produce high-quality seedless flowers and you want to maximize the efficiency of your growing space, feminized seeds are probably the right choice for you. They offer a simplified cultivation process and ensure that every plant is useful for production.
On the other hand, if you’re interested in reproduction or want to maintain greater genetic diversity in your crops, regular seeds offer more flexibility. Although they require more work in terms of separating male plants, they offer the opportunity to create new varieties and select specific traits.
Conclusion
Choosing between feminized and regular cannabis seeds is an important decision that will influence the success of your cultivation. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages, and the best choice will depend on your priorities as a grower.
If your main concern is achieving efficient production of seedless flowers, feminized seeds offer the simplest solution. However, if you’re interested in experimenting, selecting new varieties, or simply maintaining greater genetic diversity in your plants, regular seeds offer greater flexibility and growth opportunities.
Regardless of your choice, it’s essential to approach cultivation with knowledge, understanding the characteristics of the strains you intend to grow, and adapting your growing techniques to the needs of your plants.
Buy the best feminized seeds and more in our online store Sensoryseeds, we’re waiting for you!
