What are Feminized Cannabis Seeds, and Do I Need Them?

Few terms seem to confuse new cultivators like feminized weed seeds. Are they something you need, or can you get by without them?

In short, feminized plants guarantee that you will grow female plants and see buds that you can smoke. However, not everyone seems convinced to purchase them at first. Sometimes, it isn’t until growers get experience under their belts that they see the advantages. You may discover that you create more work for yourself by not buying them. Learn why so many at-home cultivators prefer these strains over others.

What is a Feminized Cannabis Seed?

Feminized cannabis seeds are seeds produced in such a way that they only grow female plants. And you need female plants to grow sinsemilla – smokeable buds without seeds in it, which could develop if a female plant is pollinated by a male. 

It wasn’t long ago that cultivators had their work cut out each season. Every single regular plant had a 50/50 shot of being male or female. While that doesn’t sound unusual, the male kind can ruin a harvest by pollinating your garden. The result of that would be no smokeable buds, and lots of seeds instead come harvest time. Instead, feminized seeds emerged to prevent this problem from happening. Using genetic engineering, seed banks started producing feminized seeds that grow into exclusively female plants. Today, unless you don’t know where your seeds came from, you don’t need to guess. Not needing to sex your plants saves time, space, and resources. 

What Happens if a Seed is Male Instead?

Although male plants are needed to propagate the species, growers usually don’t want them. At-home cultivators know that even one male could ruin their entire operation.

Similar to female cannabis plants, male ones also change as they mature. However, rather than produce flowers, they create pollen sacs instead, disappointing consumers.

While you may want a source for seeds, naturally occurring ones are a crapshoot. You won’t know which are male or female for several weeks or even months of growing.

Male plants “mate” with females, which then produce seeds instead of potent buds. Don’t risk ruining your plants, and ensure you purchase feminized seeds.

For cannabis users who do not want to grow cannabis seeds, simply buy them from an online dispensary (eg// online-dispensary.co). These marijauna shops usually have many strain options for you to choose from.

How Difficult are Feminized Cannabis Seeds to Grow?

Feminized seeds have quietly replaced most others as companies gained more control over their production. It’s become exceedingly rare to purchase seeds from a retailer that aren’t feminized already.

Occasionally, cultivators find a hermaphrodite cannabis plant which has both male and female features. Hermaphrodite plants can threaten the rest of the operation as males would. However, if pollen sacks are removed early enough, you can still yield harvest from hermies as well.

Unless you purchase feminized seeds, you can anticipate half your yield getting removed. Buying these seeds allows you to maintain lower costs and larger harvests. 

What are the Advantages of Feminized Seeds?

When you use feminized seeds, you always know what to expect. You won’t anxiously watch your plants for weeks worried about finding males.

Feminized seeds will only come from genuine seed banks and retailers. Their quality will seem consistent from one harvest to the next.

You can even find autoflowering feminized seeds, which can prove even easier to manage. While they aren’t without their disadvantages, many cultivators swear by them.

Are There Any Disadvantages to Feminized Cannabis Seeds?

Those hoping to produce their own seeds will need both male and female plants. Feminized seeds will only produce flowers, eliminating males from the rest of the crop.

Because feminized seeds are often photoperiod strains, you’ll need proper lighting. That can prove expensive for many amateur at-home growers or limited budgets.

Purchasing feminized seeds from unreliable retailers can increase the risks hermaphrodite plants. Make sure you only buy from experienced seed banks or online stores.

How Long Does It Take to Sex a Plant?

Unfortunately, you won’t see much difference in plants at the beginning. Like people, your plants go through a “puberty” stage before making pollen sacks or flowers. Yet, pollen will fertilize the females quickly, preventing buds from forming as expected.

When you are unsure of which seed you have, you must observe your plants as soon as you switch them to 12/12. As soon as male traits present themselves, you must immediately remove these plants.

Will You Grow Feminized Cannabis Plants Next?

With cannabis, the level of difficulty depends primarily on their specific strains. As such, even beginner cultivators can find seeds that suit their skills.

Although they aren’t required, many consumers find feminized seeds their best choice. It’s no wonder why most of the community seems to prefer them. Next time, whether you’re new or experienced, give feminized seeds a chance.

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