Have you ever dreamed of buying marijuana seeds and growing your own cannabis? It is definitely a rewarding experience that every enthusiast should try at least once. The first step? The first step is to understand the different types of seeds to make sure you choose the right ones for you so that the process goes as smoothly as possible.
Fortunately, we’ve created the ultimate guide to buying marijuana seeds to keep you on the road to success. In this beginner’s guide to buying marijuana seeds, we’re going to cover the types of seeds and strains so you can make an informed decision.
Buying marijuana seeds is the first step in growing a healthy, high-yielding plant. There are hundreds of varieties and how you choose the right seeds will depend on a number of factors.
- The type of grow.
- Personal preferences.
- Smell of the plant.
- Resilience of the plant.
- Flowering cycle time.
- Effects of high cannabinoid concentrations.
- Size of the plant at full size.
- Whether it is a regular, feminized, or autoflowering variety.
What are Cannabis seeds?
Cannabis seeds are of course the seeds of the cannabis plant or hemp plant, but can you get a flowering, high-yielding cannabis plant from any old seed?
To grow cannabis successfully, it is important to only grow female plants. With the right seeds and grown properly, female plants can provide you with high-quality buds. However, the same female plants should be without seeds.
So where do the weed seeds come from?
Weed seeds are produced when a male plant fertilizes a female plant. You don’t want this to happen when you are growing the female cannabis plants for the flowers, as these will be infused with seeds. This is why breeders will, and you should isolate their female plants from the males once they have identified the sex.
Of course, if seeds for reproduction or hemp seed oil are desired, this process is allowed to take place.
Types of Cannabis Seeds for sale to consider when Buying
You can buy marijuana seeds online from the seed banks, but it can be confusing with the different available weed seed varieties available. The first thing you should do is decide which strain you want to grow.
Most seed banks have a selection, sometimes organized by Indica, Sativa, Hybrid strains. With many, you can also sort the selection according to the degree of difficulty, size, yield, THC or CBD values and indoor or outdoor varieties.
What are regular cannabis seeds?
Regular cannabis seeds are standard cannabis seeds and produce both female and male plants because they have not been genetically or chemically modified.
As a rough guide, you should get around 50% female and male plants.
Although these seeds are easy to grow, their gender must be identified early on as male plants must be prevented from ruining the harvest by pollinating the female plants.
Note that even if you remove all of the male plants, the females can still become hermaphrodites if too much stress is placed on them.
What are feminized cannabis seeds?
The second category of cannabis seeds that you are likely to come across is ” feminized cannabis seeds “. As you have probably guessed, this is related to the gender of the plant.
While female plants are desirable for the production of smokable flowers, there are advantages and disadvantages to planting feminized seeds.
The most obvious benefit to growing cannabis from feminized seeds is obtaining female cannabis plants.
In fact, many breeders advertise their feminized cannabis seeds with a “100 percent” success rate. This saves growers the time to identify male and female plants and to separate them.
However, experienced growers know that feminized seeds carry the risk of developing into hermaphrodites (hermaphrodites). Female cannabis plants can form a hermaphroditic state for a variety of reasons, with male flowers growing next to female flowers on the same plant.
The greatest danger, however, is that the male flowers will pollinate the female flowers themselves. All the resulting flowers are then sown with seeds and are not ideal for smoking.
At the same time, feminized seeds are an easy way for beginners and medicinal cannabis patients to easily get good cannabis. Just make sure to keep an eye on these plants and keep an eye out for the development of male flowers.
What are autoflowering cannabis seeds?
The next term you come across when buying marijuana seeds is ” autoflowering or automatic seeds “.
If you are familiar with the basics of growing cannabis, you will know that cannabis plants go through a vegetative phase of growth and then move on to the “flowering stage, ” where the buds that we love to consume develop and grow.
What triggers this change is the change in light from long days to shorter ones, as would of course happen when the seasons change from summer to autumn. In spring, the wavelengths of blue light predominate.
Plants rely on this blue light to thrive during vegetative growth. In late summer and early autumn, more red wavelengths of sunlight appear. This red light is full of the energy the plant needs to develop complex flowers.
To allow photoperiod plants to bloom earlier, most indoor growers put the plants on a strict 12/12 light schedule. That means 12 hours under the light, followed by 12 hours of complete darkness.
However, plants from autoflowering cannabis seeds are different. Autoflowering strains do not require any light changes to transition into the flowering phase in their life cycle. Instead, they will begin to bloom naturally after a period of time, regardless of exposure to light.
As a result, most autoflowering cannabis plants are ready for harvest in less than 10 weeks from germination. Flowering often begins after two to four weeks.
Breeders developed these seeds by breeding Cannabis Sativa or Indica strains with the very close relative Cannabis Ruderalis. Cannabis Ruderalis is one of the basic species of cannabis that grows in the wild. It is usually smaller than Cannabis Sativa or Indica and has a much lower THC content. However, when crossed with high-THC strains, breeders have developed high-THC autoflowering plants that are very easy to grow.
Although there are differences from strain to strain, autoflowering strains are usually much smaller than their original strains. As a result, the yields from autoflowering plants tend to be slightly lower. With optimum growing conditions, some autoflowering weed seed varieties can yield up to 200 grams per plant, although the average is lower.
Outdoor advantages of Autoflowers
Autoflowering cannabis seeds are particularly useful for growing in northern climates that have extremely long summer days. But as soon as the nights are long enough to trigger flowering, rain and frost soon follow. This means that many of the “normal” cannabis plants in these colder climates will not be able to develop full buds until the cold hits.
Indoor advantages of Autoflowers
Autoflowering cannabis seeds also have some advantages when growing indoors, especially for those who love Sativas. Autoflowering plants are typically smaller, more compact, and can survive more harsh environmental conditions.
Sativas, on the other hand, are tall plants with a long flowering time. So if you are growing a Sativa strain indoors using autoflowering seeds, it will be a lot easier for you.
However, most indica plants are also smaller compact plants and do well for indoor growing, whether or not you are starting out with autoflowering seeds.
Critics of autoflowering seeds often criticize the plant’s low yields. A photoperiod Indica plant will produce shorter plants with an increased yield than its autoflowering equivalent.
However, autoflowering strains offer growers the ability to grow extremely quick and easy-to-grow plants with excellent adaptability to the cold.
How to choose the right cannabis seeds
Choosing the right cannabis seeds for you depends on your goals, your level of experience and your space requirements.
If you are growing outdoors, you can start with either regular, feminized, or autoflowering cannabis seeds.
When you first grow indoors, the choice of autoflowering or feminized varieties is definitely the simpler entry.
If you try growing some seeds that you found, it is important to check that the seeds are ripe. When the colouring of the seeds is a dark brown colour with a slight mackerel pattern, you are good to go. If it is white, the seed will not be able to germinate.
Can I buy seeds legally? Buying weed seeds Amazon, eBay, etc.
Buying marijuana seeds is safe when you shop with a reputable seed bank. Before website security was further developed, it was risky in the past to provide your personal information for something in such a gray area, which is legal in a few countries.
Thanks to safer online stores and more relaxed cannabis laws, you probably won’t have any more problems ordering seeds online.
Make sure that the website from which you plan on buying marijuana seeds has a valid security certificate.
This ensures that your data is transmitted in encrypted form so that it cannot be read by third parties.
This security certificate is also known as SSL (Secure Socket Layer) and is specified in the address bar in your browser as HTTPS: //.
On the other hand, there is HTTP: //, which points to unencrypted websites.
Avoid weed seeds sold on Amazon, eBay and similar websites as they are usually hemp seeds or regular seeds being sold as feminized seeds. The pictures almost never match what the seed will grow into and there is no guarantee they will grow at all.
Did you know that weed seeds are also sold as collectibles and food?
Weed(hemp) seeds are not illegal in the United States and it is possible to buy seeds from another country like Canada. When a product is imported into another country, it is generally subject to the laws of that country.
The 1962 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, a draft for dealing with cannabis, is an international treaty signed by 180 countries. The treaty classifies marijuana as an illegal substance, but marijuana seeds are not illegal. Since international law takes precedence over the laws of any country, hemp seeds are technically legal in all 180 countries.
How are the plants grown?
The first thing to consider when choosing a strain is the way you plan to grow the plants. Some plants grow better than others in different conditions.
Autoflowering strains are very easy to grow using the Scrog (Screen of Green) technique. This is because they have a tendency to stay small and bloom quickly regardless of lighting conditions.
Outdoor growing may require plants that are more resistant to mould and pests, such as B. a Skunk variety. A Skunk variety with a little Ruderalis would be the toughest plant and is great for beginners.
Using a Low-Stress Training (LST) method is a simple way to make effective use of the available space and not to stress a plant too much. If you bend the plant down, almost like a tomato vine, you will have an even canopy, so that even the lower shoots will produce large quantities of flowers. To do this, tie all of the main and secondary shoots down with a cord so that all stems and trunks are horizontal.
How much space is available?
Indoor plants that are too large can create a problem. Autoflowering strains would be more suitable in a small space. Also, you can change the light cycles early if the growing height is restricted.
Depending on how patient the grower is, a plant can be pruned so that it grows very bushy but not that tall and produces more flowers per plant.
This is especially important when space is limited or in areas where the number of plants that can be grown by an individual or company is limited. Hence, knowing the local laws is also a must. Some types of growing are better at making the most of space than others.
Consider the smell of the plants when buying marijuana seeds
The smell of a plant is also important. Just because it is legal to grow cannabis in some areas doesn’t mean you want everyone in your area to know that you are growing. Pungent strains such as Skunk #1 might not be a good choice if the odour is a concern. Other fruity varieties might fit well in your garden and are a little more discreet.
This is especially true for indoor growing, but odours can also be eliminated with a Carbon filter.
Indoor cultivation works best with good ventilation in a grow box or in the grow room in order to eliminate the odours. And at the same time bring an appropriate amount of CO2 into the room.
Knowing when the flowers are ready to be harvested is also a huge benefit. A lack of knowledge of the flowering time can lead to a plant being harvested too early. This means that the cannabinoid content in the flower cannot develop to its maximum and also that the plant does not come to a maximum production of flowers. Most varieties are listed on the packaging or on the seed bank’s website with the length of their flowering period.
If the buds are left on the plant for too long, they will start to rot. Cannabinoids like THC & CBD & terpenes will also decay, transform and decay, reducing the potency and deteriorating medicinal properties. Harvesting the flower when it is ripe is critical.
Expected THC, CBD and CBN levels
Cannabinoid concentrations are really important to many consumers. Some people like high levels of THC with relatively high levels of cannabinol (CBD), while others prefer less THC and more CBN and CBD.
Everyone has personal preferences when it comes to effects and this is a direct reflection of the complex content structure of the various cannabis strains.
The cannabinoids CBD & CBN seem to mitigate the high by reducing the psychoactive effects of THC. This can also help reduce the anxiety that people sometimes get when smoking, and can also help with people who are experiencing stress.
These numbers are important to consumers and will only gain importance as the cannabis industry imposes more standards. The buds must be tested before it comes onto the market and the content of the various ingredients (cannabinoids, terpenes, etc.) determined. This helps consumers to select the varieties of products they want or need and to be more scientific when choosing the varieties.
What terpenes does the strain contain?
A look at the terpenes of each strain shows how the cannabis plant smells, tastes and how it smokes.
Plants with more myrcene tend to result in faster highs.
Borneol has traditionally been used as a stress reliever and is also found in some varieties.
Cineol, also known as eucalyptol, is considered to be one of the main differences between Indica and Sativa strains. It is one of the chemicals responsible for the uplifting feeling caused by certain strains of cannabis.
In order to preserve these terpenes, the flowers must be properly dried. The terpenes generally vaporize at lower temperatures than the cannabinoids and the delicate aromatic chemicals give the various cannabis strains that specific aroma, which makes them smell of fruits, skunk and other aromas that make the plant so diverse. Because of the variety of breeding, almost any combination of smells can be grown with cannabis plants.
The different main seed types & hybrids
When growing your own cannabis plants, you should not only think about the type of seeds to use, but also the type of dominant genus that you are going to cultivate.
There are four main types under the strains. – Sativa, Indica, Ruderalis, and hybrids, which can be found purebred or in various combinations or dominances. In addition to the effect, the main genus also influences the growth pattern and in which region they grow best.
Indica
An indica plant is broad, short and strong and highly aromatic. With a height of 1 to 2 meters, they are compact and ideal for indoor cultivation. Her flowering time is only 8 to 12 weeks.
Because this strain contains more resin, they are ideal for making hashish. Indica has a sleepy, calming effect and is often used for pain and insomnia due to its relaxing properties.
Sativa
Thin and tall, Sativa plants can grow up to 6 feet tall, making them ideal for outdoor growing. They have a longer flowering time of around 9 to 16 weeks, and their flowers are loose and airy.
Sativa strains tend to make you feel energetic, happy and uplifted. They are popular with artists because they encourage creativity and act as an antidepressant.
People who use cannabis for medicinal purposes also report that Sativa strains are great for neuropathic pain, headaches, and bad moods.
Ruderalis
These strains are not that well known and are sometimes considered a Sativa subspecies, although they have their own characteristics that set them apart from the other two.
Ruderalis strains are small and thin, have higher levels of CBD, but low levels of THC, and grow quickly. These plants thrive in colder climates. They are widely used by breeders to create tough and strong hybrids and autoflower strains.
Hybrid
Hybrids arise when breeders cross different cannabis strains to produce a strain that incorporates the different or specific characteristics of the parents and also to obtain more intense, faster-to-breed or higher-yielding strains.
A hybrid carries the characteristics of its parents and the idea of creating hybrids also consists of creating a perfect plant by combining the characteristics of its parents.
There is a tremendous variety of hybrids to choose from today. Some of which are Sativa-dominant and others Indica-dominant and some contain an even mix of both.
Land races – cannabis landraces
Hemp is traditionally grown for its fibres, as a food, and for medicinal and religious purposes. Originally native to Asia, cannabis spread around the world thanks to human effort.
It is believed that humans spread the seeds in Eurasia around 10,000 years ago.
500 to 2000 years ago, cannabis was common in Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
It was also widespread in America and Australia between the 16th and 18th centuries. The term “landrace varieties” refers to the varieties in which they are native or have been grown over generations.
Usually, landraces get their name from their home region. Hawaiians, Thais or Afghans, these names are often found in the name of the variety of plants that were created by crossing the landraces.
Phenotypes and stability in cannabis strains
There are two key elements that affect the structural formation of a cannabis plant. The environment in which it grows and its genetics. The genome of the plant or its genotype provides it with the blueprint for its growth and allows a spectrum of possibilities with regard to its physicality.
The physical expression of the genotype is known as a phenotype. The characteristics that caused the environment were taken from the genetic code of the plant.
Aspects such as shape, colour, resin production, and smell are examples of phenotypic traits that have been influenced by the plant’s growing environment. This means that the quality of a plant made from the same seed can vary widely depending on the environment in which it is grown.
Some seeds are much more stable and produce more uniform phenotypes so less care is required to replicate an identical growing environment each time to ensure consistency.
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