Regular seeds work how nature intended, they produce both male and female plants. This means that growers will have to work through the crop, removing all male plants as they come up, and keeping the best females for breeding.
This can be a time-consuming process, but the increased yield is worth it. It also allows for greater genetic diversity.
They are cheaper
Many growers assume that regular seeds are more expensive than feminized ones, but this is not necessarily the case. The price difference is often a result of the amount of time and money required to create feminized seeds. Despite this, it is possible to buy high-quality regular seed at a competitive price, especially if you shop around.
In addition, regular cannabis seeds are cheaper to breed than feminized ones. This makes them a great choice for new growers who want to get started breeding strains. Growing a mix of male and female plants can help you create your own unique strains and improve the quality of your buds.
In addition, growing regular seeds can be a more sustainable and environmentally friendly option. Feminized seeds require more energy and resources to produce, but they can easily be discarded if they do not turn out to be female (hermaphroditism). Regular seeds, on the other hand, can be used to re-introduce wild cannabis to the natural environment.
They are easier to grow
Regular seeds offer more genetic variety and allow breeders to create unique strains. However, they do require more effort and care than feminized seeds. This is especially true if you are growing them outdoors, where the seeds are susceptible to wind and rain.
With regular seeds, growers must identify and remove male plants to prevent pollination. This requires time and expertise, but can be more effective than sexing feminized plants. This allows the grower to focus on the female plants and achieve higher yields.
With a predominately female crop, you won’t have to worry about male plants ruining your harvest. This can also save you money on fertilizer and other gardening supplies. In addition, a predominately female crop can increase the quality of your buds. In the end, a well-managed female plant can produce larger and more potent buds than male plants. This makes them ideal for recreational and medicinal use. This is why most experienced growers prefer regular seed over feminized.
They are more resistant to pests and diseases
Regular seeds preserve genetic stability, which makes them more resistant to pests and diseases. They also offer the potential for phenotype exploration, which is important to breeders. These benefits are often overlooked due to the commercial focus on feminized cannabis seeds.
Growing regular seed requires a process called sexing, which involves identifying and removing male plants to prevent pollination of the females. This is a difficult task for beginner growers and requires careful observation. However, it becomes easier with experience.
Non-feminized seeds are less likely to turn hermaphrodite when stressed, which is one of the reasons many growers choose them. This can be a result of techniques like topping, fimming, lollypopping, and defoliation, which all cause stress on plants. Feminized plants, on the other hand, have a higher chance of becoming hermaphrodites when exposed to these stresses. This means that they need to be sexed more frequently. This increases the labor and nutrient cost of cultivation.
They are easier to breed
With regular seeds, you run a 50/50 chance of producing a male or female plant. This means that you will have to grow a large number of plants in order to find the one you want to keep. This is especially difficult if you’re using a high-quality strain that’s worth the extra money.
Feminized seeds are a better option for breeders, as they produce only female plants. They’re also a good choice for growers who are looking to conserve the genetics of their favorite strain. Lastly, they’re ideal for growers who need to take cuttings (clones) from their plants.
Feminized seeds have a higher probability of producing a pure female plant, which can be helpful for commercial growers who need to harvest their crop at specific times of year. They’re also less expensive than regular seeds, but they can have some drawbacks when it comes to growing conditions and yields. Moreover, they can also produce hermaphrodites or intersex plants.
