One of the earliest and most important decisions that you will make as a beginner grower is choosing which cannabis seeds to use. Although it might seem like a small step, a good seed contains the essential ingredients for a healthy, potent plant in the future.
The tricky part is that there is a lot of information out there and things might get complicated and/or daunting for you, especially if you’re still starting out as a grower. We’re here to help you learn the basic facts on choosing the right cannabis seeds for you.
First things first…buy or grow?
It’s good to note that cannabis seeds are only produced by female cannabis plants after a male plant pollinates them. In order for you to grow your own cannabis seeds, you will need the female plants that produce the seeds, as well as a male plant to fertilise the female plants.
Although this might sound complicated, it really is not. It’s as simple as placing the male plant near the female one that you want to fertilise. Seeds will start to appear in about 4 to 6 weeks.
If you’re just starting out, you might want to purchase feminised instead to fasten the process until you get used to growing them yourself.
Does gender matter?
While cannabis seeds can be both male and female, people mostly want to grow female seeds. This is because only female plants produce buds. Female seeds are referred to as feminised seeds. It’s worth spending extra money on these seeds so you do not waste your resources on growing male plants that will not produce the results that you want or need.
Outline your benefits
Think about the effects that you are looking for when you consume cannabis. The two main cannabis categories are indica and sativa. Sativa produces an energetic, creative feeling while indica reduces anxiety and inflammation but will often leave you feeling tired after consumption.
How to pick out a healthy seed
Healthy cannabis seeds are dark brown, black, or a combination of both. Our recommendation is to avoid using green seeds as these are usually not mature enough to sprout. Bigger and smaller seeds will both work. Indica seeds tend to be bigger than sativa seeds. Another way to spot indica from sativa is by their patterns. Brown and black seeds will most likely be indica while seeds that contain a single colour will be sativa.
Sativa? Indica? Hybrid?
So, what’s the difference between sativa, indica, or hybrid seeds? Sativa plants tend to grow tall and thin, and they will take longer to mature than indica plants. They will also produce bigger yields than indica. On the other hand, indica are shorter and bush-shaped and will produce fewer buds than sativa.
While for many years, people had to choose between the two, hybrid plants came in to solve all of our problems and make our cannabis dreams come true. If you fancy the best of both worlds, then hybrid plants are for you. They tend to blend the qualities of sativa and indicia into one plant. Hybrids are usually dominant one way or the other – indica or sativa – but will produce both sides of the coin when it comes to effects.
If you’re a beginner grower, it is good to note that indica plants take less time to mature than sativa. They are considered a more durable plant that can withstand more stress so you can afford a mistake or two with these ones.
Seed preservation
Whether you grow your own seeds or purchase them, you need to take a few measures to safeguard them and keep them safe. If done correctly, you can preserve your cannabis seeds for years and they will still grow into healthy plants.
Seeds should be kept in a cool, dark, and dry place, not exposed to sunlight or they might take the initiative to start sprouting. This also applies to moisture. Seeds need to be stored at room temperature as exposure to extreme elements could damage the seed.
Conclusion
There are a lot of options when it comes to choosing cannabis seeds but the best way to learn is to get started on your own. There’s no better way to learn than by practising!
If you choose to purchase your seeds, start with a cheaper strain so that you can try and test before going into the more expensive seeds. Choose a strain that people have been growing abundantly for years so your first growing experience will be as hassle-free as possible.
Do you want to know more about cannabis and choosing seeds? Check out our blog to find out more!
Also, get started on buying your first seeds here!