The HERB Blog

It doesn't matter where you smoke your stash--whether it's on a lonely mountain ridge or at a party but have you ever wondered which marijuana plant gives that cannabinoid-rich buds you enjoy?

Feminization is Widely Practiced

Even though feminized cannabis seeds started gaining popularity in the 1980s, this practice has been done in agriculture for centuries. Farmers have been feminizing their plants in order to make sure that they are able to harvest the maximum amount of crop possible.

This is especially true in species of plants where the female plants produce the majority of the usable or profitable crop. For example, in the coffee industry, it is very common for farmers to only grow female plants because they produce the beans that are used to make coffee. 

No Genetic Compromises

Originally growers were concerned that growing cannabis from feminized seeds would lead to genetic compromises in the offspring. However, this has been found not to be the case. Feminized seeds are created by forcing a female plant to produce male pollen. This process is done by spraying the plant with a solution that contains gibberellic acid. 

This hormone will cause the plant to start producing pollen sacs. Once the pollen is collected, it can be used to fertilize female plants. The resulting seeds will be 100% female and will not have any of the genetic compromises that were originally feared. 

There Are Several Methods for Feminization

There are lots of different methods growers have used in order to feminize their cannabis seeds. The most common method is to use gibberellic acid, as we mentioned before. However, some growers also use silver thiosulfate or colloidal silver. 

Each of these methods is effective and will produce high-quality feminized seeds. Another method is to expose the female plant to light and stress it out causing it to produce male pollen. This method is a little bit more difficult to do and can be stressful for the plant, so it is not as common.

Feminized Seeds Aren't Female Seeds

Even though feminized cannabis seeds are always called female seeds, this is not technically true. The seeds that are produced by a feminized plant will be female, but the plants themselves can still produce male flowers. This means that you need to keep an eye on your plants if you’re growing cannabis from feminized seeds and make sure to remove any male flowers as soon as they appear.

Feminized Cannabis Seeds Were More Expensive

When the practice of feminized seeds started there weren't as many in the market so the price  was a lot higher. Now that there are more feminized cannabis seeds available, the price has come down to a more reasonable level. Now that the practice of using feminized seeds is in constant use, there's a large range to choose from if you’re interested in growing cannabis from seeds.

Storage and Growing Conditions Are Similar

Don't let anyone fool you, growing cannabis from feminized and regular seeds have nearly identical storage and growing conditions. 

The only thing you need to be aware of is that your plants may be more sensitive to stress. This means that you need to take extra care of them during the vegetative stage and make sure they are getting all the nutrients they need. As long as you're keeping your seeds in a cool and dry place they will grow just like any other regular cannabis seed without needing extra care.

Feminization Does Not Mean Genetically Engineered

Many people may think that feminizing seeds (of any kind) is a form of genetic engineering, but this is not the case. 

Genetic engineering is when scientists take genes from one organism and insert them into another in order to change its characteristics. This process is done in a laboratory setting and it is extremely expensive. Feminization is a completely natural process that can be done by any grower. It is a process that has been used for centuries to create plants with specific characteristics. 

This process is called genetic modification and involves selecting plants with the desired characteristics and then breeding them together. Growing cannabis from feminized seeds does not mean you are growing a genetically engineered plant, it’s just the result of good old-fashioned plant breeding.

The Importance of Feminized Cannabis Seeds

Learning about the feminization of cannabis seeds is an important part of cultivation for any grower. When you understand the process, you can make sure that you choose the best quality seeds and that your plants will be female. Remember to keep an eye on your plants if you choose to grow with feminized cannabis seeds and make sure to remove any male flowers as soon as they appear. Get growing!