Picking the Right Seeds to Grow:
A Guide to Cannabis Seeds And Types
Starting a cannabis grow can be an exciting and rewarding experience, but the first step to success is choosing the right seeds. With so many different types of cannabis seeds available, it can be overwhelming for beginners to know where to start. In this post, we’ll explore the various types of cannabis seeds and answer some common questions to help you make an informed decision
Types of Cannabis Seeds:
1. Regular Seeds:
Regular seeds are the most natural and traditional type of cannabis seeds available. They are produced by crossing a male and female cannabis plant, resulting in a mix of both male and female seeds, typically in a 50/50 ratio. While this may seem less convenient than feminised seeds, regular seeds offer several unique advantages that make them appealing to certain growers.
Why choose regular seeds?
One of the main reasons growers choose regular seeds is for their genetic diversity and resilience. Because regular seeds are produced through natural pollination, they tend to have a wider range of genetic traits compared to feminised seeds, which are created through a more selective breeding process. This genetic diversity may or may not result in plants that are more adaptable and resilient to environmental stressors, such as temperature fluctuations, pests, and diseases.
Another advantage of planting regular seeds is their potential for variety searching aka phenohunting. Pheno Hunting is the process of growing out a large number of seeds from a particular strain to find the best possible phenotypes (variety), or expressions of the genetic potential. With regular seeds, growers have a larger pool of genetic variation to work with, increasing the chances of finding a unique and desirable phenotype to breed.
2. Feminised Seeds:
Feminised seeds are engineered to produce only female plants. They are created by stressing and inducing a female plant to produce pollen, which is then used to pollinate another female plant. This results in seeds that are nearly guaranteed to be 100% female, eliminating the need to identify and remove male plants.
Why choose feminised seeds?
Feminised seeds are ideal for home growers who want to streamline their growing process and ensure a crop of bud-producing female plants without having to stress about possible male plants. By eliminating the time wasted to identify and remove male plants, feminised seeds save a home grower time, space, and resources.Â
3. Autoflowering Seeds:
Autoflowering seeds are a relatively modern development in the cannabis world. These seeds are created by crossing and re-breeding a sativa or indica strain with a ruderalis variety, which are known for their ability to flower automatically based on age rather than light cycle. Autoflowering plants grow faster and have shorter flowering times, but tend to be smaller compared to photoperiod strains with a much longer growing cycle.
Why choose autoflowering seeds?
Autoflowering seeds are perfect for growers who want a fast, easy, and discreet growing experience. Because they flower based on age rather than light cycle, autoflowering plants can be grown year-round, indoors or outdoors, without the need to manipulate the light schedule. They also have a shorter growing cycle, typically going from seed to harvest in just 10 weeks, making them ideal for growers who want multiple harvests per year or those with limited space.
4. Photoperiodic Seeds:
Photoperiodic seeds are the traditional type of cannabis seeds that rely on light cycles to flower. They can be regular or feminsed. Unlike autoflowering cannabis they require a change in the light cycle (12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness) to trigger the flowering phase. These seeds allow growers more control over the overall size and yield of their plants, as they can extend the vegetative stage by keeping the plants under a longer light cycle artificially.
Why choose photoperiodic seeds?
Photoperiodic seeds are ideal for growers who want complete control over their plants’ growth and development. By manipulating the light cycle, growers can keep their plants in the vegetative stage for as long as they want, allowing them to grow larger and potentially produce huge yields.
Sativa
Indica
Hybrid
5. Bag Seeds:
Bag seeds are the random seeds found in buds that you have purchased or been given as a gift. While these seeds may germinate, they can be extremely unreliable as the genetic mix remains a mystery.
Why choose bag seeds?
While bag seeds are not recommended for serious growers, they can be a fun experiment for those who are curious about growing cannabis and want to try their hand at it without investing money in high-quality seeds. Keep in mind that the results may be unpredictable, and the quality of the final product may not be as high as what you would get from seeds purchased from a reputable breeder or seed bank, but it’s legal and weed is weed so why not?
6. Breeder Seeds:
Breeder seeds are produced by professional cannabis breeders who have carefully selected and crossed specific strains to create new varieties with desirable and stable traits. They can be regular seeds, feminised seeds or autoflowering seeds. These seeds are typically more expensive but offer better genetics, stability, and predictability. It takes many generations of crossing and breeding to stabalise the traits and growth consistency of strains – this is why breeder seeds come at a higher price.
Why choose breeder seeds?
Breeder seeds are the best choice for growers who want top-quality or modern genetics with predictable results. These seeds are the product of careful breeding selection over the course of many generations, to create strains with specific traits, such as higher potency, unique flavors or bigger yields. While they may be more expensive than other types of seeds, breeder seeds offer the peace of mind backed by the expertise of professional breeders.
Common Questions:
- Are all autoflowers feminised? Since autoflowers are a fairly modern breed or hybrid species of cannabis, most autoflowering seeds on the market are feminised because they are produced by breeders and not mother nature, but not all. Some breeders may offer regular autoflowering seeds, so it’s essential to check the product description before purchasing any seeds.
- Why should I buy feminised seeds? Feminised seeds are popular among home growers because they eliminate the need to identify and remove male plants. This saves time and resources and ensures you stick to your legal growing quota more easily.
- Where can I get good seeds? The best place to get high-quality cannabis seeds is from reputable seed distributors or breeders like Seed and Soil SA (*). Look for companies with positive reviews and a track record of producing good genetics. At Seed and Soil, we offer a carefully curated selection of premium feminised autoflowering seeds to meet the needs of every South African home grower.
- How do I know seeds are feminised? Feminised seeds will be clearly labeled as such by the breeder or seed bank. If you are unsure, contact the seller for clarification before making a purchase.
- Can you tell the sex of a seed by looking at it? No, it is not possible to determine the sex of a cannabis seed by appearance alone. The only way to know if a seed is male or female is to grow it out and observe the plant as it matures or transitions into its flowering stage.
- Old Seeds vs. New Seeds: What’s the difference? Old seeds may have a lower germination rate compared to fresh seeds. However, if stored properly in a cool, dark, and dry place, cannabis seeds can remain viable for several years. When in doubt, always opt for newer seeds from a reputable source to ensure the best possible germination rates and genetic quality.
Seed and Soil SA:
At Seed and Soil, we understand the importance of high-quality seeds that are well-suited to the diverse climates and growing conditions found throughout South Africa. That’s why we have carefully curated a selection of premium feminised autoflowering seeds, sourced from the world’s top breeders, with a specific focus on strains that are ideal for growing in the various regions of our country.
We know that choosing the right seeds can be overwhelming, especially for new growers. With thousands of strains available online, it can be nearly impossible to research all of them and make an educated decision about which seeds will perform best in your specific environment. That’s where Seed and Soil comes in – Our team of experts has done the heavy lifting for you, carefully selecting a range of strains that are well-adapted to the unique challenges and opportunities of growing cannabis in South Africa. (Click here)
Our curated collection includes a diverse range of indica, sativa, and hybrid strains, each chosen for their resilience, potency, and ease of growing in specific regions of the country. Whether you’re growing in the hot, humid climates of KwaZulu-Natal or the cool, dry highlands of the Free State, we have the perfect seeds for you.
At Seed and Soil, we’re more than just a seed shop. We’re a community of passionate cannabis enthusiasts dedicated to helping our customers achieve success in their growing endeavors. When you purchase seeds from us, you’re not just getting premium genetics – you’re also getting access to our extensive knowledge base, expert growing advice, and unparalleled customer support.
Whether you’re a first-time grower or a seasoned pro, we have the seeds, knowledge, and support you need to take your cannabis garden to the next level. Browse our curated collection of premium seeds today and discover the difference that Seed and Soil can make in your life. We’re confident that you won’t find a better selection of seeds specifically tailored to the needs of South African growers anywhere else online.
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