Growing cannabis is a fun experience for many. However, this involves different processes, and choosing the right seeds can be daunting. These come in different varieties, and you can go for feminized, autoflowers, or regular seeds.
Luckily, there are many seed banks available, and you can get high-quality seeds for your needs. The team will also guide you in selecting seeds to suit your growth environment. If you’re a first-timer, having some information on the strains goes a long way. This will help you determine your choices and avoid mistakes that can lead to lower yields.
- There are different seed types.
Cannabis seeds come in various varieties; these are feminized, regular, and autoflowering seeds. All require different growth conditions, light, nutrients and will offer varying yields.
- Feminized seeds
Feminized seeds are created by treating female plants with a special hormone. This forces the female plants to produce flowers of the male species from its pollen. These seeds grow all-female plants and save a lot of space and time.
- Autoflowering seeds
Autoflowering seeds resemble their feminized counterparts. They grow very fast and produce quality cannabis products. However, they require different light cycles compared to the photoperiod varieties.
These seeds are based on the Ruderalis species and will flower once the plant reaches a certain age, no matter the light conditions. However, the plants still require light to thrive and yield optimally. With autoflowers, most growers prefer the 18/4 light cycle. Also, autoflowers make ideal choices for beginner cannabis growers with minimal experience.
- Regular seeds
These are generated by crossing male and female plants and come in either male or female. With regular seeds, you won’t determine the sex of your plants until they reach the flowering stage. However, the seeds offer you the opportunity to enjoy the strain’s genetic lineage.
- You can buy quality seeds from leading seed banks.
There are different seed banks in most parts of the world. In states that have legalized cannabis use, it’s easy to buy the seeds since the laws are lenient. An example of a reputed seed bank is i49, where you can get different seed varieties and strains. You’ll also get information about indoor and outdoor marijuana growth from their website.
- There are various ways to determine high-quality seeds.
The quality of your seeds determines the health of your plants as well as the yield. To get the best yields, go for superior seed quality and only buy from leading seed banks. The seed traits to look out for are;
Maturity: Mature seeds are hard to touch and won’t crack or disintegrate when pressed. What’s more, they feature a shiny coat and are dark brown in color. On the other hand, immature seeds are greenish or whitish and should be avoided. Similarly, aged seeds may not be fit for growth and won’t produce the desired yields.
Feel&Color: This is perhaps the easiest way to examine your seeds. The outer shells of healthy cannabis seeds are dark in color; they can be brownish, black, grey, or stripped. The seeds will also display a wax coating on the surface, particularly when exposed to light.
After analyzing the appearance and toughness, you may want to perform a float test to avoid doubts about the quality of the seeds. How can I do this? Fill a glass jar with water and put the seeds inside the water. Quality seeds will sink to the bottom, while poor-quality ones will remain floating on the surface.
- Your available space determines the strains.
You’ll get marijuana seeds in different strains. Some are best suited for outdoor, while others thrive better indoors. Also, the strains determine the plant size, and bigger plants are ideal for outdoor growth. Therefore, your available space should define your choices.
If you have limited space, avoid strains that grow into tall and bushy plants. A small space doesn’t mean low yields, though; you can still get maximum produce as long as you have adequate space and ventilation. Examples of the best strains for space-constrained areas are; Amnesia haze, Royal dwarf, White Dwarf, and more.
- There are scammers!
Most seed banks operate online, and it’s difficult to determine a legit store. As such, scammers are common, and it’s best to research about the seed bank before making a purchase. Only buy from sites with good reviews and ratings from previous customers. This way, it’ll be easy to return the products if dissatisfied.
Also, you can be sure to get superior quality seeds from accredited seed banks. Remember, the strains vary from one seller to another, and confirm whether the seller ships to your location.
Are autoflowers the best seed choices for beginner growers?
Autoflowering seeds come with many benefits; most growers are shifting from the conventional regular seeds to autoflowers, and for apparent reasons. These seeds originate from the Cannabis Ruderalis species and flower faster than other marijuana strains. Their main benefits include;
- Faster growth cycles
Autoflowers grow very fast; they take 8-10 weeks to mature, allowing multiple harvests in a year.
- Discreet growing
This is yet another benefit that many cannabis growers admire. These plants are short, with an approximate height of about 60-100 cms. These plants are dwarfs, and you can grow them on the balcony, garden, and many other locations without drawing the attention of neighbors.
- Minimal light requirements
Autoflowers have fewer light requirements and can flourish on different light cycles. They grow normally no matter the amount of light and will thrive no matter the season.
- Higher CBD levels
Autoflowers offer a high CBD percentage compared to their photoperiod counterparts. Although some users prefer high THC strains, high CBD plants offer numerous health benefits. Also, medical cannabis users can enjoy the non-psychoactive effects of CBD without getting high.
Final thoughts
Marijuana is a beautiful plant and is widely used, thanks to its medicinal and recreational value. You’ll get the seeds in different strains, and all suit specific growth conditions. To get the most out of your plants, purchase quality seeds from reputed seed banks and understand the best growth conditions and light cycles. Growing poor-quality seeds translates to unhealthy plants and low yields.
