Why feminized seeds
Experienced growers already know, but for beginners, this decision can be crucial. What makes feminized cannabis seeds different from standard ones? What is the principle of feminization? In today's article, you will learn everything...
Controversial Plant on Nine - Marijuana
Cannabis is still accompanied by many myths, superstitions, and misinformation in today's world. Its controversy cannot be denied. And the same applies to its cultivation. Even though some cannabis varieties can currently be grown completely legally. For personal use, you can grow, for example, CBD cannabis varieties with THC content up to max. 1%.
The reason for partial legalization is certainly the therapeutic effects of cannabis, which one study after another proves. You can read about many of them on our blog. Today, however, we will introduce a special type of seeds, namely feminized seeds, which are a "gift from heaven" especially for novice growers.
Pure Mountains Cannapio can be found in our feminized seeds offer.
The Beginnings of Cannabis Seed Feminization
During the years 1960 and 1970, the first growers began experimenting with growth-promoting substances and genetic plant modification. Colchicine was used for this purpose. Colchicine is a powerful mutagen that modifies cellular structure and cell division. This alkaloid was at the origin of feminized seeds.
In the seed, both male and female hormones - chromosomes - are present. Colchicine increases the number of plant sex chromosomes in favor of female ones. This also strengthens a number of desired properties. During the application of the substance, increased THC content was also observed, and the plant's overall immunity improved. However, the use of this alkaloid did not lead to 100% success.
Complete success was achieved in 1998 by the cannabis seed brand Dutch Passion. The arduous journey full of anticipation for the first feminized seed took 40 long years. The aggressive Colchicine did not work correctly, so they switched to colloidal silver and finally to gibberellic acid.
Champions of cannabis seed feminization, that's Dutch Passion.
The Principle of Seed Feminization
Seed formation goes through a simple process. At the beginning is the pollen of a male plant, which, when combined with female flowers, initiates the entire epoch of creation. Feminized seeds are obtained by pollinating a male plant carrying the X chromosome with a female. This pollen is obtained from female plants that are actually forced to create male sexual organs.
Feminization may seem like a tough nut to crack for some, but at its core, it's a very clear procedure. Female plants are endowed with X-type chromosomes. When induced to form male flowers, it is guaranteed that their pollen will contain X chromosomes.
In the first two weeks of flowering, the male plant is sprayed with gibberellic acid every day for 7 days, with the last spray falling on the 14th day of flowering at most. Both male and female flowers will bloom.
Subsequently, another female plant is pollinated with the male flower. The appropriate time is between 3-6 weeks of flowering. This pollinated plant is the mother of feminized seeds.
Plants are sprayed with gibberellic acid in the first 2 weeks of flowering to ensure plant feminization.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Feminization
What are the advantages and disadvantages of feminized cannabis seeds? See for yourself...
Advantages:
-
Plants from feminized seeds are very resistant to various diseases and reverse mutations. When selecting, it pays to spend a little more on seeds to ensure true quality. Some e-shops offering cheap feminized seeds are actually selling seeds in the standard category.
-
You ensure truly only female cannabis plants
-
Feminization simplifies work and eliminates unnecessary hassles with gender differentiation
Disadvantages:
-
Seeds bred this way cannot be used for mother plants
-
Plants from feminized seeds cannot be cloned, as they were created by mutation, and there is a risk of unpleasant growth effects.
Standard Cannabis Seeds
Regular, non-feminized seeds contain X and Y chromosomes. It is therefore a question of which chromosome will be dominant in the growth phase and whether a male or female plant will grow.
Feminized seeds have an increased content of female chromosomes. These chromosomes significantly predominate in the seed, making it easier to predict whether a flowering female will grow.