Types of cannabis seeds: do you know the differences between them and how outdoor and indoor cultivation differ?
- What are the types of cannabis seeds?
- What are the differences in genetic types: sativa, indica and hybrid?
- Why is it important to distinguish the sex of cannabis plants?
- What is the difference between photoperiodic and autoflowering seeds?
- What is the difference between regular and feminized cannabis seeds?
- What is fast flowering?
- What is CBD rich seeds?
- Indoor and outdoor growing: what are the differences?
- Table summary: What are the pros and cons of each type of cannabis seed?
What are the types of cannabis seeds?
The basic classification of cannabis seeds is based on several important factors such as genetic characteristics and plant growth patterns. What are the types of cannabis seeds?
The main category of seeds includes:
- Photoperiodic seeds - plants responding to natural seasonal changes in light conditions fall into this category:
- Feminized cannabis seeds - produce only female plants
- Regular cannabis seeds (regular) - produce both female and male plants
- Fast flowering - produce plants that complete the flowering stage in less time, and mature in a few weeks
- Autoflowering - blooms automatically after a certain number of weeks of growth regardless of light conditions
- CBD-rich hemp seeds - produce plants with high CBD and low THC content, in hemp seed variants: feminised, regular, fast flowering and autoflowering
Another division is based on genetic types such as:
Each of these categories requires different growingconditions.
What are the differences in genetic types: sativa, indica and hybrid?
Sativas are characterised by a height of up to about 2 metres and a prolonged flowering period, whereas indica are characterised by their short stature and shorter development cycle. Hybrid varieties mix the characteristics of sativas and indicas and can be bred in different proportions, such as 70% indica and 30% sativa or 60% sativa and 40% indica, etc.
|
Sativa |
Indika |
Hybrid |
|
|
Characteristics |
Less productive, suitable for outdoor cultivation |
More productive, shorter development cycle, suitable for indoor growing |
Combination of sativa and indica genetics, aiming to improve the characteristics of both types |
|
Minimum plant height |
Tall, about 2 metres |
Low |
Miscellaneous |
|
Growth shape |
Naturally grows vertically, buds are more spongy and/or airy |
Smaller, sturdier plant, shaped like a spruce and resembling a Christmas tree |
It depends on the dominant genetics |
|
Appearance of sticks and leaves |
Oblong canes, light green leaf colour, narrow and distant leaves |
Round stamens, dark green, broad and shorter leaves |
Miscellaneous |
|
Known varieties |
|
Why is it important to distinguish the sex of cannabis plants?
Cannabis Sativa L. or the cannabis plant reproduces sexually by pollination of the female plant by the male, and they have quite an interesting division.
The males produce pollen, which is necessary to pollinate the female flowers so that they can start producing seeds. This pollen is released from the small flowers on the male plants.
What about the female plants? These boast flowers (buds) that are full of cannabinoids such as CBD, CBG, CBN and THC. The buds form where the branches meet the main stem, called nodes. When the female happens to be unpollinated by the male, she produces seedless flowers, called sensimilla, which are high in cannabinoids and terpenes.
This is why growers often "throw" the male plants out of the bunch to make sure that the females will only produce the best quality seedless flowers.
What is the difference between photoperiodic and autoflowering seeds?
Photoperiodic seeds need a change in the length of daylight and darkness to start flowering. This is because plants respond to natural seasonal changes in light conditions.
When the days are long and the nights are short, the plants devote themselves to growing bigger and stronger (vegetative phase). But as soon as the days start getting shorter and the nights longer, the plants say, "Yeah, now it's time for me to flower." This usually happens when it's dark for at least 12 hours straight.
By contrast, autoflowering cannabis seeds only need a few weeks of growth and whoops - they will flower regardless of how much light they get.
For growers, this means that they get plants that take about 25 days to finish growing and then start flowering without requiring a specific photoperiod, which is a significant difference from photoperiodic types. Many autoflowering plants are already feminised, so there is no risk of an uninvited male getting mixed in.
Autoflowering seeds can be bred by growers in several ways, such as crossing autoflowering plants with other autoflowering plants, autoflowering strains with photoperiodic strains, or photoperiodic strains with Ruderalis plants.
Growers use this type of seed for both indoor and outdoor growing. They are a good choice especially for those who have limited space or want to grow cannabis in an area where the climate is not constant.
What is the difference between regular and feminized cannabis seeds?
Regular photoperiodic seeds are natural and without genetic modifications. Let's say they are classics, the first type of seed historically used for growing cannabis. The seeds are produced by pollinating female flowers with pollen from male plants.
These seeds can produce both male and female plants, so they are suitable for growers who want to experiment and breed new varieties. If this is not the case, they must be removed from the growing space to avoid unwanted pollination, which adversely affects flower quality and overall yield.
On the other hand, feminised seeds are exclusively female plants, because they are modified so that they do not produce male chromosomes, so growers do not have to worry about eliminating males.
Both feminised and regular plants grow and flower according to how much light they get.
The lifecycle of feminised seeds depends on the variety and growing conditions, taking approximately 10-14 weeks from sowing to harvest. For regular seeds, the life cycle also depends on the variety and growing conditions, typically 12-32 weeks from planting to harvest.
Feminised plants will reach maturity in about 30 days if conditions are ideal. If they are grown outdoors, growers must choose the right season, whereas indoors, the light regime can be precisely regulated, so they can flower at any time.
What is fast flowering?
What is a fast flowering seed? It is a sprinter among others, as it is bred to reach the flowering and ripening stage in a short time. From planting to harvesting takes about 6-8 weeks, making these plants ideal for those who want to harvest as quickly as possible.
Plants from fast flowering seeds are more compact and suitable for outdoor and indoor growing.
What is CBD rich seeds?
As the name suggests, CBD-rich hemp seeds produce plants with a high cannabidiol (CBD) content and a minimal amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). CBD seeds are available in hemp seed varieties: feminized, regular, fast flowering and autoflowering.
Most of them come from technical (industrial) hemp. Industrial hemp differs from marijuana, which remains illegal in many countries, in that it has a high CBD content and a very low THC content, usually less than 0.2-0.3%, which is the maximum allowed in many countries in Europe and the USA. In the Czech Republic, the limit is 1% THC on dry weight basis.
Indoor and outdoor growing: what are the differences?
Every grower has a decision to make: to grow outdoors, in a greenhouse or indoors where everything is under control? Of course, each of these options has its pros and cons, which affects the overall efficiency and success of the harvest. Let's take a look.
|
Air Conditioning |
Controlled climate (temperature, humidity) |
Depends on local weather and seasonal changes |
|
Light |
Artificial lighting that can be controlled |
Subject to natural sunlight |
|
Growth cycle |
Plants can grow all year round |
Only at certain times of the year |
|
Suitable seed types |
|
|
Table summary: What are the pros and cons of each type of cannabis seed?
Finally, we will show you the pros and cons of each type of seed.
|
Type of seed |
Pros |
Cons |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Author: Buds for Buddies
Photo: Shutterstock
The content of this article is intended for informational purposes only. The information provided should not be construed as legal or medical advice. Readers are advised that the cultivation, possession, and use of cannabis may be subject to legal restrictions and regulations in various jurisdictions. Specifically, the cultivation of cannabis plants that contain 0.2% or more of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or other psychoactive substances may be considered illegal and subject to criminal penalties, depending on the country and its specific laws.
This article is intended for those interested in the ethnobotanical and collecting aspects of cannabis seeds. Any mention of cultivation or usage is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as encouragement or endorsement to engage in illegal activities.
It is the reader's responsibility to understand and comply with the laws and regulations governing cannabis in their respective country or region. The authors and publishers of these articles do not assume any responsibility for the actions of readers who choose to cultivate, possess, or use cannabis in violation of local laws. Furthermore, while we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we do not guarantee the germination or any other characteristics of cannabis seeds discussed in these articles. The sale of cannabis seeds and related products is intended for adults over 18 years of age.
By accessing and reading these articles, you acknowledge and agree to this Disclaimer.
Recommended products4
Fast Buds Cannabis Seeds Ztrawberriez Auto
Fast Buds Cannabis Seeds Northern Lights Auto
Fast Buds Cannabis Seeds Purple Lemonade FF
