What Are Regular Cannabis Seeds?

If you’re a cannabis grower—or thinking about starting out—you’ve probably come across different types of seeds, from feminized to autoflowering. But what exactly are regular cannabis seeds? Regular seeds are your classic, old-school option, and they produce both male and female plants, giving you that 50/50 mix. While they might seem less popular these days compared to feminized seeds, they are essential for breeders looking to develop new cannabis strains and are a favorite among experienced growers. Plus, they maintain the natural balance of genetics.

Overview of Regular Cannabis Seeds

What are regular cannabis seeds?

Regular cannabis seeds are natural, unmodified seeds that grow into either male or female plants. These seeds contain both male (XY) and female (XX) chromosomes, which means you’ll get about an even split between the two. So, half your plants will produce flowers (female), and the other half will produce pollen (male). This makes regular seeds a go-to for breeders who need both sexes to create new marijuana strains.

How regular seeds differ from feminized and autoflowering seeds

While feminized seeds are designed to produce only female plants and autoflowering seeds flower automatically regardless of light, regular seeds are, well, regular. You’ve got to work with nature here—no guaranteed females, and you’ll need to manage your light cycles to control flowering. It’s a bit more effort, but if you’re looking to breed or take clones, regular seeds are perfect.

Benefits of Using Regular Cannabis Seeds

Stability and resilience in genetics

One of the biggest perks of using regular cannabis seeds is their genetic stability. Since they haven’t been tampered with, they’re more resilient and stable. These plants grow with vigor and are ideal for producing strong mother plants—plants from which you can take clones. If you’re after plants with hardy genetics that can withstand stress, regular seeds are your best bet.

Importance for breeding new cannabis strains

Breeders love regular seeds because they are the only option when it comes to creating new marijuana strains. You need male plants to collect pollen and female plants to produce seeds. With regular seeds, you can cross different plants to mix up their traits—whether you’re after more potency, a particular flavor, or a unique appearance. It’s like being an artist with your own cannabis canvas!

Producing male and female plants: The pros and cons

The main advantage of regular seeds is you get both male and female plants, which is essential for breeding. However, if you’re only after smokable buds, the males can be a bit of a headache. You’ll have to pull them out before they pollinate the females, or you risk ending up with seedy buds. The 50/50 split means more effort is needed, but for the pros, this is a small price to pay for quality plants.

Ideal for cloning and creating strong mother plants

Regular seeds are perfect if you’re into cloning. The female plants grown from regular seeds tend to be more stable and less prone to issues like hermaphroditism compared to feminized seeds. This makes them the go-to for creating strong, healthy clones. If you’ve got a plant you love, cloning from a regular seed plant means you can keep that exact strain going for as long as you want.

Challenges of Growing Regular Cannabis Seeds

Managing the 50/50 male-to-female ratio

The challenge with regular seeds is the gamble—you won’t know if you’ve got a male or female until the plants start to show their sex. Usually, this happens in the pre-flowering stage. For breeders, this is a goldmine. But if you’re growing marijuana for personal use, it can be a bit of extra work since you’ll need to discard the males unless you want seeds instead of buds.

Removing male plants to avoid pollination

Unless you’re specifically trying to breed, you’ll want to remove male plants early before they release pollen. If you don’t, they’ll pollinate the females, leading to lower-quality buds full of seeds. Keep a close eye on your plants as they grow and be ready to pull the males. It’s an essential step for anyone growing regular seeds for flower production.

Difficulty for beginners compared to feminized seeds

If you’re just starting out, regular seeds might not be the best choice for your first grow. Feminized seeds take a lot of the guesswork out of the equation, while regular seeds require more attention—especially when it comes to identifying and removing males. But if you’re up for the challenge and want to learn the full lifecycle of cannabis plants, regular seeds are a great way to get hands-on experience.

The extra effort required in identifying plant gender early

To maximize your crop of smokable flowers, you’ll need to identify male plants early—ideally before they start pollinating. This means you need to be vigilant and know what to look for. Male plants usually show their sex a little earlier than females, so keep an eye out for tiny pollen sacs. The effort is worth it if you’re serious about controlling your grow and maintaining pure female plants.

How to Grow Regular Cannabis Seeds

Germination techniques for regular seeds

Starting regular cannabis seeds is similar to any other type of seed. You can germinate them by placing them in damp paper towels or planting them directly in soil. Just keep them warm and moist, and you’ll usually see sprouts within a few days. Once they sprout, be sure to keep them in a controlled environment to ensure they thrive.

Best environments: Indoor vs outdoor growing

Regular seeds can be grown indoors or outdoors, and both have their perks. Indoors, you control every aspect—light, humidity, temperature—which is a major advantage. Outdoors, plants have more room to grow and access to natural sunlight, but you’ll have to deal with unpredictable weather and pests. Choose the environment that works best for your setup.

Nutrient and water needs during the growth cycle

Cannabis plants grown from regular seeds need a steady supply of nutrients, especially during the vegetative and flowering stages. Start with nitrogen-rich nutrients during the early stages, then switch to phosphorus and potassium-heavy fertilizers once they start to flower. Keep an eye on watering too—too much or too little can stress your plants and stunt their growth.

Transplanting and managing root development

As your plants grow, you’ll need to transplant them into larger pots to give their roots room to spread out. Start with smaller pots and gradually increase the size as the plant gets bigger. This ensures your plants grow strong and healthy, with plenty of space for the roots to develop properly.

When to Choose Regular Seeds Over Other Types

Regular seeds for breeders and experienced growers

If you’re a breeder or an experienced grower, regular seeds are a no-brainer. They allow you to create your own unique strains by crossing different plants. Whether you’re after a specific cannabinoid profile or just want to experiment with flavors, regular seeds give you the flexibility to do so.

Regular seeds for genetic diversity and creating unique strains

For those who want to keep the cannabis gene pool diverse, regular seeds are crucial. They allow for the creation of new strains and the preservation of traditional landrace varieties. If you’re all about variety and creating something new, regular seeds are the way to go.

Suitability of regular seeds for producing high-quality clones

Because of their strong and stable genetics, regular seeds are ideal for producing high-quality clones. If you find a plant you love, you can clone it over and over without losing its vigor or potency. This is a big advantage over feminized seeds, which don’t produce as stable clones.

 FAQ

What are regular cannabis seeds?

Regular cannabis seeds produce both male and female plants, with a 50/50 chance of either. They are natural and unmodified, making them ideal for breeding and cloning.

Are regular cannabis seeds better for breeding?

Yes, regular seeds are essential for breeding as they produce both male and female plants, allowing for cross-pollination and the creation of new strains.

How do you identify male and female cannabis plants from regular seeds?

Male plants develop small pollen sacs, while female plants form pistils. You can usually identify the sex in the pre-flowering stage, around 4-6 weeks into growth.

Are regular cannabis seeds more potent than feminized seeds?

No, regular seeds aren’t inherently more potent. Potency depends on the strain, not the seed type. Both regular and feminized seeds can produce equally potent cannabis plants.

Can regular cannabis seeds be used for cloning?

Yes, regular seeds are ideal for cloning because they produce genetically stable plants, making them perfect for creating strong, healthy clones.

Regular cannabis seeds might take a bit more effort, but they’re well worth it for breeders, experienced growers, and anyone who’s serious about creating unique strains or producing high-quality clones. With the right care and attention, you can use regular seeds to grow plants that are just as potent, flavorful, and rewarding as their feminized counterparts. If you’re ready for a hands-on, rewarding experience, regular seeds are the way to go. Happy growing!