The cannabis plant is famous for its medicinal value and is widely used to treat different health ailments. It’s also useful for recreational purposes, and the ease of stringent rules in most states allows users to grow cannabis at home. However, there are many aspects to consider, and choosing high-quality seeds is a crucial requirement for healthy growth.
Good seeds with superior genetics improve your chances of better yields, and you can now get them from leading seed banks worldwide. Also, understand the different seed types and their favorable growth conditions.
What are the different cannabis seeds available?
Your choices are limitless when it comes to growing cannabis. The wide variety of seeds allows you to choose what fit your needs and available space. The common types of seeds to consider are;
- Regular
- Feminize
- Autoflowers
Regular seeds: Regular seeds are male or female and are generated by crossing male with female plants. With regular seeds, you expect male and female plants, and won’t tell the ratio until the flowering phase.
Feminized seeds: These are also common; they will grow into female plants and will produce the desired flower or bud. These seeds are produced when female plants undergo a chemical change to form male flowers with pollen. These are used to pollinate the male plants, resulting in all-female plants. Can I tell you more? Feminized seeds offer excellent yields and grow into big plants. They have a minimal risk of producing male plants and produce high-quality buds.
Autoflowering seeds: Autoflowers are easy to grow and are ideal for beginners. They usually take ten weeks to reach maturity and don’t require strict light schedules as with other weed seeds. You’ll get them in different strains, and you can grow them in small spaces since the plants don’t grow too big. Again, autoflowers thrive well in all seasons, which ensures a steady supply of the product. These plants require minimal nutrients and are favorite among many growers.
Where can I get quality marijuana seeds?
Nowadays, there are many cannabis seed banks, and you’ll get most of them online. You can order your supplies online and have them delivered to your doorstep. Also, you can buy the seeds from an accredited marijuana dispensary. The prices and strains vary depending on the outlet, and it’s best to compare different stores before making purchases. Most importantly, be keen on the quality and buy mature and well-dried seeds.
How can I choose high-quality cannabis seeds?
Renowned seed banks like the United Strains of America will tell you there multiple features of quality and mature seeds. The key considerations to make when shopping are;
- Appearance& feel
This is presumably the easiest way to gauge the quality of the seed. The shells are dark in color, which can be black, grey or dark brown. Similarly, the coating resembles a lustrous wax coating and is glossy when exposed to light. The size varies, and most Sativa seeds are smaller with a uniform color; for the Indicas, the seeds are large and may be stripped.
What’s more, quality seeds are firm to touch and don’t crumble or bend when squeezed. But, they may crack or crumble easily if old. Therefore, press the seeds between your thumb and index finger to determine their quality and avoid seeds past their prime. On the other hand, immature seeds are soft, greenish or whitish, and will unlikely germinate.
- Float test
After determining the seed quality through appearance, you may also want to perform a float test. Fill a glass or glass jar with water and place the seeds inside. Healthy seeds will sink to the bottom of the container, while poor quality seeds will float on the surface. Give the seeds some time to absorb the water, the seeds may take time to sink to the bottom, and you should confirm the results after about an hour.
- Germination potential
The best way to determine the genetic potential of your seeds is to put them in the soil. This will give quick results, but the method is best suited for home growers with a lot of time or space to spare. Sourcing the seeds also matters, and you can only be sure of quality seeds when shopping from legitimate seed banks.
Will my plants produce seeds?
Your plants will generate seeds when a male plant pollinates a female. It’s improbable that your weed plants with produce seeds if growing cannabis from a clone. Female plants produce significant amounts of resin than their male counterparts. The resin in the form of trichomes plays a vital role in the plant’s reproductivity cycle.
The trichome-rich female buds capture more pollen spores to develop seeds and reproduction. While female plants can produce seeds, pollination is critical for healthy development. It’s then important to ensure that there are no male plants or hermaphrodites in your garden.
How can I germinate my seeds?
Nowadays, growing weed from seeds has never been easier. With the many feminized seeds available, you can grow your plants and never worry about male plants. Once you get your seeds from a reputed seed bank, germinate them in a dark place. You can grow them directly in the soil or a paper towel. Ensure that the environment is moist; otherwise, your seeds won’t grow. Once the seeds produce visible tap roots, transplant them into containers and avoid damaging the roots.
Have the taproot facing downwards and tease the roots apart to ensure outward growth. Moreover, pack the growing medium around the roots to ensure optimal support. This shouldn’t be too tight, for it can limit the outward growth of the roots. For healthy growth, water your plants and avoid overwatering and too many nutrients.
The bottom line
It’s easy to find the perfect marijuana seeds when you know what to look out for. Examine the seeds and go for dark and lustrous beans that are hard to crack or crumble. Also, consider the strains and the yields, and seek more information from the seed bank. The THC percentage is usually indicated on the package. Check this to determine the expected THC levels in your plant and produce.
