Before feminized seeds became popular, regular seed was the go-to for growers. However, feminized seeds are now the majority of seed packs sold.
Feminized seeds are guaranteed to produce only female plants. This means that the crop will be free of male plants and will produce a higher yield.
But why do some seedbanks still stock regular seeds?
Stable Genetics
A breeder’s work doesn’t stop when they find a phenotype that displays the desired traits. They must stabilize the genetics so that these properties consistently appear in offspring.
To do this, they grow a large number of regular plants and select the best females (only the females produce buds that have psychoactive effects). The breeder can then take cuttings from the best female plant and grow them as clones.
The clones will then be crossed with stable males to produce the seeds that you purchase. Unlike feminized seeds, these are produced naturally without the use of chemicals.
Feminized seeds, on the other hand, require the use of an unpleasant-sounding chemical called colloidal silver to prevent a female plant’s pollen sacs from producing male flora. This results in fewer male plants (up to 50% less) and reduces your overall yields. Moreover, identifying and safely removing these males from your crops requires experience and knowledge that most novice growers don’t have.
Better Yields
For some growers, this is a major selling point. Regular seed produces a better yield than its feminized counterparts, especially if the plants are managed properly. This includes proper lighting and the correct use of nutrients.
While feminized seeds offer a lot of advantages, they can also be tricky to work with. Some growers may produce too many male plants, which can reduce their yield. This is why some choose to plant a few regular seeds alongside their feminized seeds, just to ensure that they’re producing the right ratio of female-to-male plants.
Feminized seeds can also be more expensive than regular ones, due to the breeding process that goes into making them. This can be an issue for some growers, as it can add to the overall cost of their crop. However, there are ways that you can cut the costs of your feminized seeds. For example, you can plant your seeds in a smaller pot or make sure that you’re using the best growing techniques.
Less Expensive
The amount of time and money that goes into producing feminized or autoflowering seeds plays a huge role in their price. Thankfully, high-quality cannabis seeds don’t have to cost an arm and a leg.
Regular seeds produce both male and female plants, but on average about half become female. This means there is no need for growers to identify and remove the male plants, which can often be a time-consuming process.
As a result, growing with regular seed is much easier and less stressful for growers than with other types of seed. However, it’s still important for growers to consider their unique needs and goals before making a buying decision. This includes taking into account factors like growing environment, desired bud qualities, and THC levels. Also, remember that purchasing in bulk can often get you free shipping and a discount or two from many online seed banks. That way, you can be sure you’re getting the best value for your grow money.
Less Predictable
Many growers find the process of working with regular seed to be more exciting and rewarding. They know that the seeds may not always produce hermaphrodite plants but they will instead show a range of phenotypes, including male and female plants. This can be an advantage in some situations, especially for growers who are preparing to perform a large pheno hunt to select for new strains.
It’s important to remember that when growing regular cannabis seeds, you will be dealing with natural pollination. This will mean that you will need to remove the male plants before they start producing seeds. This can be a difficult task, particularly in a larger crop.
In general, the decision of whether to use feminized or regular seed comes down to cultivation experience and your primary goals for the harvest. If you are growing a limited number of plants or want to manage your crop using an automatic light schedule, then feminized seeds will be a better option for you.
