Learning the difference between feminized and regular seeds is important for gardeners, growers, and farmers alike. Whether you are growing outdoors or indoors, understanding the characteristics of each seed type can help you to achieve the desired outcome for your crop.
Feminized seeds are bred and cultivated in a way that ensures all offspring will be female plants. This is done by combining a female plant with the pollen from a hermaphrodite – a both female and male plant – and producing seeds which will then grow into female plants. This creates convenience for growers, as the time and stress of determining the sex of plants is eliminated. Moreover, due to their feminized nature, the crop produced can be expected to produce an abundance of flowers, boosting the grower’s yield.
The main downside of feminized seeds is they are more expensive, as more work and effort is required to produce them. And, because it is hard to tell from the appearance of the seed whether it is feminized or not, buying from a trusted source is key to make sure you get the seed you wanted.
Regular seeds, on the other hand, produce a mix of female and male offspring at a ratio of approximately 50/50. As a result, growers must be prepared to identify and remove male plants that appear in their crop, as they may cause the female plants’ buds to rot. Male plants lack the substance found in female flowers that makes smoking and other forms of consumption desirable. Due to the careful selection of feminized seeds, they are more likely to enable the grower to come closer to the desired smells and tastes.
The main advantage of regular seeds is their cost, as they are generally much cheaper. Established growers who have the knowledge to tell the sex of the plants can also benefit from regular seeds because of the regular effort required to identify and remove male plants.
In conclusion, understanding the difference between feminized and regular seeds can help you make the right decision for your crop, as no two grow operations are the same. Not all feminized seeds are created equal either, so be sure to pick one from a reputable source to get the best out of them.