Growing your own marijuana is appealing to many people. But, when they first go online to purchase cannabis seeds, many people are shocked at all the options that are out there.
There are more than 1,000 different strains of marijuana on the market today. Each strain offers users its own unique taste, smell, and effects. Deciding which strain, or strains, you want to grow yourself can be an overwhelming decision.
But, even if you have an idea of the type of cannabis seed you want to grow, there are other factors to consider to ensure that you not only successfully grow a plant but that it also offers a good yield.
3 Types of Cannabis Seeds
Before buying marijuana seeds, it is important to know the three different types that are available. Each seed offers pros and cons but choosing the wrong seed can leave you with less-than-desirable results.
The three types of seed that are available include:
- Autoflowering seeds: These seeds are the easiest to grow, making them an excellent choice for beginner growers. These seeds are unique because they produce plants that flower on their own, and they generally need less time to grow than other varieties. Though they offer many convenient features, autoflowering cannabis seeds also tend to have smaller yields and lower potency levels.
- Feminized seeds: A good middle-of-the-road seed, feminized seeds strike a nice balance between convenience and quality results. These seeds produce only female plants, eliminating the need for growers to separate out male plants. They also offer good yield results and potency.
- Regular seeds: Though these seeds are often the cheapest, they are not a good option for those who are new to growing cannabis. Regular seeds have a 50/50 chance of being either male or female. Because of this, they are a good option for breeders who want to produce quality clones of plants. But, they require a lot of work for those who are simply looking to grow their own marijuana.
Choosing a Good Seed Strain
Once you know the type of cannabis seed you want to use for growing your own marijuana, you’ll want to make sure you choose a seed strain that is of good quality. Here’s what you’ll want to look for when selecting a cannabis seed:
- Potency: Weak weed is no good for anyone. It can be especially disheartening to go to the work of growing a flower just to end up with weak weed. When reviewing strains you may want to grow, make sure they are potent.
- Yield: Whether you are just growing for yourself or for others, you don’t want to put in all the work to grow it, just to end up with a few plants. Review the yields that different seed strains offer to make sure you get the most out of your growing effort.
- Popularity: You don’t want to grow a cannabis strain that nobody, including you, likes. Make sure you choose a strain that is popular and appealing to many. Our list later in this article will help you find some good options to start with.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Seed Strain
Just like regular plants, different cannabis plants grow best in different environments. A succulent, for example, would not do well growing in a bowl full of water. When it comes to cannabis, different strains grow better inside than outside, while others do great wherever they are.
Before purchasing a cannabis seed, take some time to think about these things:
- Are you new to growing or an experienced grower? Some strains require more care than others. This will also help you determine if you want an autoflowering seed, feminized seed, or regular seed.
- Where are you planning to grow your marijuana? Indoors? Outside? Both places? Make sure the seed strain you choose is compatible with the growing location you have picked out.
- How much space do you have? Some strains may be larger than others, taking up more room than you may have anticipated. For example, Sativa strains are typically bushier, with fatter leaves, meaning they will need more room to grow.
Seed Strains to Try in 2021
Though there are many different seed options out there, consider these popular options as a place to start:
- Wonder Woman: Not only is the character more popular than ever, so is her namesake cannabis strain. These plants are easy to grow and capable of thriving both indoors and outside, making them a good choice for new growers. This strain also has a pretty high THC content, coming in between 16 and 20 percent, and is known for offering a powerful high when taken.
- Hay-Z: This weed strain would likely do better with an experienced grower. With a THC content of around 23 percent, Hay-Z offers an intense mental high, topped off with increased focus and a positive mood. This plant also produces a beautiful blue flower, making it appealing to the eye as well as the senses.
- Jock Horror: This plant can be a little more challenging to grow, so it is not the best option for newbies. It is capable of growing to very tall heights and flowers in about nine weeks. Its THC levels average between 18 and 24 percent, and it offers users relaxed, euphoric feelings, as well as bursts of energy.
- White Widow: This strain is easy to grow, making it a good option for beginner growers. However, it has a very high THC level (26 percent). Because it is so potent, it is not a good option for people who are new to using marijuana. It flowers quickly, in about eight weeks, and is known for increasing creativity and energy in users.
- Blueberry Widow: This weed strain offers fast growth and does best when grown indoors. It is pretty easy to grow and flowers in about eight to 10 weeks. With an average THC content of 19 to 22 percent, Blueberry Widow leaves users feeling happy, relaxed, and drowsy.
- Purple Kush: This cannabis strain is relatively easy to grow as well, with a flowering time of eight to 10 weeks. It has pretty high THC levels, coming in around 25 percent. IT offers users full-body effects that will leave them feeling sedated.
Testing the Quality of Your Seeds
Having a good crop of cannabis starts with having a good seed to start them. When your seeds arrive from the online retailer you ordered them from, check to make sure they are of good quality before planting them. There are a few ways to check their quality.
First, do a visual inspection of the seed. It should have a solid, dark colour (often dark brown, grey, or black). They should also have a glossy, waxy sheen to them and no visible cracks. Holding the seed up to the light can help you detect if it has that quality sheen to it.
If you have a seed that is either green or white, cracked, or dented, your seed is likely not of the best quality. It may not have been given time to fully mature before it was shipped to you.
Next, get a feel for the seed. Try to squish it between your fingers. The seed should be firm. If it holds up well, that is a good sign. If the seed ends up crumbling or cracking, it is likely a low-quality seed.
Finally, you can do “the float test.” To do this, drop the seeds into a glass of lukewarm water. If they sink, they are likely of a higher quality. Seeds that float are of lower quality. Be sure that this test is done before germinating the seeds. If done too far before that step, the moisture from the water can and will damage your marijuana seeds.
If you suspect your seeds are of low quality, reach out to the place you purchased them from. See if they offer replacements so that you don’t waste your time growing low-quality seeds.
Marijuana Growing Mistakes to Avoid
Growing cannabis seeds can be a rewarding experience. But, making a mistake can leave your plants in distress and leave you with a yield you are not happy with. As you nurture and grow your cannabis seeds, make sure to avoid these common mistakes:
- Don’t overwater your seeds. Though many people think the more water you give a plant, the better it grows, that is not always the case. In fact, too much water can prevent the roots from getting the oxygen they need and even kill the plant. Keep an eye out for plants that start to droop. Help them recover by adopting proper watering practices going forward.
- Don’t block the light. Many cannabis buds require strong, intense light to flourish. Plants that are given a single bulb or placed on a windowsill will likely not have enough light to really grow. If your plant doesn’t get a large bud during the flowering stage, it probably needs more light. Invest in quality lighting for your plants to help them achieve their full potential.
- Don’t harvest them too early. Cannabis, like all plants, takes time to grow and mature. That is why gardening of any kind takes patience. Harvesting your plant too early will cause it to have reduced potency. If patience isn’t your thing, consider using autoflowering seeds. Otherwise, take time to research how long your plant will need before you buy so that you are prepared for the wait.
Finding a Reputable Cannabis Seed Seller
Whether you are purchasing cannabis seeds or other marijuana products like weed edibles or CBD products, it is important you buy from a reputable seller so you can get high-quality marijuana seeds. Here are some things to look for before making your purchase:
- Explore their product offerings to make sure they sell the seed type you want to buy.
- Read online reviews from other customers. This will give you a feel for the quality of their products and the type of customer service they offer.
- Look to see if there is a simple way for you to get in touch with them. Do they offer chat functions? Can you find an email address or phone number to contact should you have problems?
- See if they offer any type of product guarantee. This includes a guarantee of the quality of the cannabis product you are buying as well as a guarantee on shipping.
- Check their shipping information. Do they ship to your area? How will the product be packaged? If you want to keep your purchase discreet, make sure the product is packaged as such.
- Search to see if they offer any type of reward or loyalty program for their customers. This could end up saving you money in the long run.
By doing your research before purchasing from a company, you can have peace of mind that you will get the product you want, at a fair price and with good quality.
Popular Cannabis Seed Strains for 2021
Is 2021 the year you start growing your own marijuana? You have a lot of options and factors to consider before purchasing your first cannabis seeds.
In addition to deciding which cannabis strain you want to grow, you’ll also need to decide what type of seed you want to grow. Take some time to think about the space you will have available for growing your plants, where you plan to grow, and how difficult (or easy) the specific plant is to grow.
As with starting any new project, do your research before committing to growing your own cannabis. Getting a quality seed is just the first step. Growers will also need to know what to do with the seed to produce a quality yield and harvest cannabis properly.
When done correctly, growing your own cannabis can be a rewarding experience, but if leaving the growing up to professionals is the more appealing option for you, don’t hesitate to buy your favourite cannabis strain for an online retailer.
Nirvana has treated me fairly and I have had nice results more than once.