Marijuana is reaching his peak popularity these days since people start learning about his health and nutritional benefits. Besides helping for a braod range of conditions and symptoms, ranging from anxiety, insomnia, chronic pain, and nausea, cannabis seeds have found a new niche in the healthy nutrition vertical. Thanks to the recent legalization of medical marijuana in 37 states, the demand is spiking. On top of all that, the 2018 farm bill is helping boost marijuana production dramatically in the United States.
A lot of people are looking for simple ways to grow their own plants, sometimes to enjoy the health and nutrition benefits of cannabis, and sometimes just as a hobby. Whatever, the reason may be, knowing what seeds you need to buy and where is extremely important. So here’s a quick guide on what you should look for before ordering your newest cannabis seeds, and start producing your very own plants.
Look For Quality Seeds Only
While this seems to be a banal consideration, the high popularity of cannabis has led to the exponential growth of countless online seed banks ready to sell you all kind of seeds. However, not all of them sell quality products, and this can severely impair your chances to harvest optimal crops. Bad seeds can hamper your chancer of successful germination and lead to poor and stunted plants. Only look for serious companies with a high-standing reputation, and make sure they offer discreet shipping and satisfaction guarantee.
Choosing The Right Seeds: Regular, Feminized, or Autoflower?
Not all seeds are equal, and will grow into different plant types. Each type of seed has his benefits and drawbacks, and it’s not always easy to make the right choice. First thing first, you need to know the difference between regular, feminized, and autoflower seeds.
- Regular seeds: These seeds will grow into male and female plants. The main drawback is that once the reproductive organs of the plant are visible during the flowering stage, you will need to discard males to avoid seeded buds. The benefit, however, is that these seeds are more pure, and there’s no risk of inbreeding (backcrossing).
- Feminized seeds: These seeds will produce only female plants, saving you the time and efforts needed to discard the males by sexing the plants out. They’re often chosen because a single mistake in not identifying a male plant can lead to widespread pollination of dozens of female plants.
- Autoflowering seeds: Autoflower plants do not change into flowering stage with light cycles. Instead, they start their flowering phase within 2-4 weeks. They’re quick to be harvested, and are good for people who don’t want to waste too much time into growing.
Which Strain Should You Grow?
Different marijuana strains have different effects when consumed, but that’s not all. Some strains are significantly easier to grow because they have a higher resistance to pests and mold, and are generally recommended to beginners. Some strains grow quickly, while others take a lot more time to reach the flowering stage. Some strains grow well outdoors, but if the wheather is not ideal, they may have difficulties growing indoor. Here’s a quick recap of the two most common strains of cannabis to start:
Indica
Indica plants are short and resistant, and have broad and stocky leaves. They are quick to grow, and produce plenty of buds, with full-body effects that are quite strong. Their levels of CBD are on the high side, even if the THC levels are not so low either.
Sativa
Sativa plants are tall and thin, with long, finger-shaped leaves. They take a good amount of time to grow and tend to be more delicate than Indica plants. However, they have much higher concentrations of THC, while their CBD concentration tends to stay on the lower ranges. The effects are mostly psychotropic, re-energizing, and calming on the mind.
Check Legality In Your State
You don’t want to end up in a jail because growing marijuana was illegal in your state, don’t you? Well, the first thing to check then, is whether in your state it is legal to buy, produce, and sell seeds. In the United States, even if your state has legalized adult use, seeds cannot be shipped between states. Also, in some states, buying seeds is legal only if you possess a medical card.