With a 50/50 chance of producing male or female plants, regular seed offers growers a more natural and unpredictable growing experience. They also cost less than feminized seeds.
With a citrusy blend of lemons, oranges, and tangerines, Amnesia Lemon regular is sure to tickle your taste buds with its uplifting citrus aromas.
Breeding
Achieving a desirable phenotype requires years of evaluation of “sister” lines to find a few specimens that express the desired trait with the least amount of inherited errors and a high level of vigor. It’s not uncommon for breeders to evaluate 2,000 sister plants before producing one new variety. Unexpected and unintended effects are a natural part of the breeding process; such off-types are carefully evaluated by breeders and eliminated during the developmental stage before preparation for commercial release.
With feminized seeds, there is no need to worry about male plants ruining your harvest with pollen sacs. This makes it easier to manage your crops and ensures a high yield of quality buds. Additionally, a predominately female crop will have fewer pests and diseases, and you can harvest at any time of the year.
Cloning
Because they are rooted cuttings from your favourite mother plant, clones offer the best guarantee of a stable, consistent crop. Clones also tend to produce higher yields than seed-grown plants.
However, clones can be affected by hidden flaws in their DNA inherited from their mother plant. This means they may not grow as large or flower as quickly as their mother or carry genes that make them susceptible to certain diseases or fungi.
Clones are also more time-consuming to grow than seeds. They need to be placed into a rooting medium right after they are cut and then given water and nutrients until they are ready to grow out in your garden. This is why most growers only choose to work with clones that they have worked with before. This allows them to skip the lengthy process of growing out regular seeds. It also avoids the possibility that feminized seeds might produce male plants (although even feminized seeds still have a small risk of producing hermies). It is a good idea to use clones from reputable breeders, however, to minimise this risk.
Preserving Old School Genetics
A lot of cannabis growers rely on external sources for their seeds and pollen. By saving seeds and pollen yourself, you can save a lot of money in the long run. This will also allow you to hang onto those special genetics that aren’t available anywhere else.
Traditional breeders use regular seed to preserve classic strains that have stood the test of time and are known for their quality. They can be grown in a range of different environments and provide excellent results.
For example, Sensi Seeds has a wide selection of regular versions of their award-winning strains. Their Pineapple Haze is a powerful hybrid that yields large crops and delivers an intense effect. They also have a number of new releases with old school genetics such as Mokum’s Tulip which provides balanced cannabis with high THC levels and delicious fruit flavors. Also check out their Blue D #5 – a triple threat fusion of Josh D #1, Karma Genetics’ Blueberry 80s and Northern Lights #5. This unique strain has an extended flowering period and produces high yields.
Saving Money
A lot of the seeds used in feminized plants are not saved, which means that the next time you want to grow that strain, you’ll need to buy more seeds. This can become costly over time.
Growing regular seed will result in a natural proportion of male and female plants, which is ideal for those looking to save money. It’s also a great option for anyone who wants to breed their own unique strains.
If you have a favorite flower, herb or vegetable that performs well each year, why not let it go to seed and collect the seeds? This way you can use those same seeds in future seasons. The same is true for crops like wheat and oats that are grown from hybrid seeds. In the event of a catastrophe, these rare seeds could be invaluable in filling the gaps left by natural disasters or a pest infestation. This type of crop diversity is important for sustainable agriculture and helps to preserve old-school genetics that are no longer available in commercial seed form.
