Before feminized seeds came on the market, regular cannabis seeds gave rise to around 50% male and female offspring. The theorical percentage may vary, depending on environmental conditions.
Without regular seeds, you wouldn’t be able to breed a strain with your favourite terpenes, aromas, and colours. This is why they are indispensable for the most serious growers.
They are non-feminized
Although feminized seeds have become increasingly popular among growers, some companies still sell regular seeds. This allows growers to experiment with hybridization and create their own unique strains. Feminized cannabis plants guarantee that all the flowers will be female, but regular seeds offer more opportunities for growers to discover and enjoy.
With regular seeds, there is a 50/50 chance that the plant will be male or female. This ratio can be influenced by environmental conditions and may vary depending on the strain of cannabis being grown. When growing regular seeds, it is important to keep male plants separate from female plants to prevent them from pollinating each other.
Feminized seeds are created by using a process called “brushing.” This involves brushing the pollen from one male plant against the stigma of another female plant, which fertilizes it and produces new seedlings. This is a time-consuming and expensive process, but it results in high quality seeds that produce 99% female plants.
They are a good choice for first-time growers
When first-time growers browse seed catalogs or discuss growing with other cannabis breeders, they will often come across seeds that are known as regular. While these seeds are less expensive than feminized or autoflower seeds, they do not necessarily provide the same quality of buds as their feminized counterparts. Regular seeds are produced when male plants are brushed with pollen from the female plant, resulting in fertilisation and the formation of seeds.
Regular seeds are also good for experienced growers, as they can be used to create hybrids. Hybrids are a great option for those who want to experience the unique flavours and effects of a particular strain. Some examples of sativa and indica hybrids include Tropic Thunder, which is perfect for relaxing in the sun with fruity notes; and Granddaddy Purple, which provides deep purple hues and berry flavors.
Regular seeds are also a good choice for breeding purposes, as they produce the highest percentage of male plants. Some breeders collect male plants, cold-store them, and use them to fertilize female plants for backcrossing or producing a new cultivar.
They are a good choice for breeding
When it comes to breeding, regular seeds are the preferred choice of experienced growers. They produce a 50/50 chance of male and female plants, which allows breeders to select the best traits and create unique, high-quality strains. They also have a lower initial cost than feminized seeds.
Feminized seeds are designed to produce only female plants, but they can occasionally produce hermaphrodites as well. This can be a problem when growing cannabis, because hermaphrodites tend to be weaker and less resilient than female plants.
However, there are a number of ways to prevent hermaphrodite plants from occurring in your grow. One way is to use fresh pollen, which can be collected from a male plant and cold-stored for later use. Another option is to surround the plants with fans, which will disperse the pollen evenly. This method can be difficult to implement in large grow operations. However, if you’re an experienced cultivator, it may be worth the effort for the rewards.
They are less expensive
For growers who are looking to save money, regular seeds are less expensive than feminized ones. Feminized seeds tend to be more expensive, as they require extra steps to guarantee the growth of female plants. Regular seeds, on the other hand, do not require any special steps to ensure a harvest of high-quality buds.
Aside from their cheaper price, regular cannabis seeds are also a better choice for breeders because they preserve genetic stability and offer the potential for phenotype variation. This allows them to explore new strains and develop unique cultivars.
When shopping for seeds, look for a retailer that provides a wide variety of products, including a selection of regular and feminized varieties. You should also consider the retailer’s return policy and customer service. The best retailers will allow you to return unused seeds within 90 days with the original receipt. Some retailers, such as Lowe’s and ILGM, even offer free shipping over $200.
