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Weed growing, like several other practices, combines science and the art of farming to bring about the desired yield. In understanding the science behind cannabis plants, taking a step back and starting from the genetic perspective is helpful.
Similar to human beings, plants have their unique DNA. DNA determines the physical attributes of a plant in this case. This occurrence of individual DNAs means that no single plant is the same as the others. Despite this, farmers report similar growth whenever they plant the same strain a couple of times. What do genetics and feminized seeds have to do with this phenomenon?
What Do We Mean by the Best Feminized Seeds Genetics?
Most marijuana growers are not as interested in the science behind their yields. They are primarily interested in the highest-yielding strain or the cheapest. Many flood sites without looking back to think about how these seeds came to be in the first place. Fully comprehending your seeds’ origin will help ease the growing process.
Feminized seed genetics is a matter that continues to raise confusion among several growers. The progression of years has resulted in changes in people’s knowledge about cannabis. Three or four decades ago, marijuana seeds had no unique distinguishing attributes. Today we have feminized seeds, auto-flowering seeds, hybrids, and more.
Scientifically the marijuana we have today results from decades and centuries of evolution. Their evolutionary path confounded the products that we see today. It is also essential to consider that technology has, in a way, propelled the advancement of studies into weed genetics.
Feminized seeds, when they first came out, were an absolute novelty. Before then, people would rely on regular seeds that would utilize male and female plants to produce flowers and seeds. The introduction of feminized varieties meant that yields could be improved, and male plants were no longer necessary.
The source of feminized seeds is hermaphrodite cannabis plants. Farmers spray their hermaphrodite plants with colloidal silver during the first stages of flowering to harvest feminized seeds. This process continues to get advance through the use of technology. The genetics of feminized seeds has them producing female parts and containing fewer amounts of male chromosomes. Comparatively, feminized variants produce more THC and CBD than male plants and other varieties.
Cannabis Seeds Phenotypes and Genotypes
To fully comprehend the genetics of feminized cannabis seeds, it is helpful also to have some understanding of the genotypes and phenotypes. Phenotypes refer to how the genetic properties of a given plant get expressed. These phenotypes characterize the behavior and outward appearance of a particular plant.
These plants are basically of the same strain but have some unique distinctions in growing into other plants. The phenotypes could influence the length of the marijuana plants, the color of the leaves, the number of leaves, etc. Differences in phenotypes do not mean they are starkly different from the mother plant. They retain some basic genetics, as can be explained with genotype knowledge.
Genotypes are the sum of all the genes that make up a specific strain’s DNA. Understanding this genotype knowledge implies that all plants of a similar strain have the same DNA. In analyzing the plants, they could have about the exact THC and CBD contents and the flavors and terpenes.
The interaction between genotypes and phenotypes occurs because genotypes can be expressed as different phenotypes in plants from the same strain. This interaction results from environmental conditions, including soil richness, temperature levels, and the nutrients fed to the plants. Variations in these environmental conditions result in slightly different aspects in plants of the same strains.
Regarding feminized seeds, it is plausible to state that plants from the same feminized seed strains have the same genotype but varying phenotypes. The genotype determines the plants’ general characteristics, including the range of cannabinoid content, flavors, and the like. Exposure to different conditions makes the plants different in one way or another. Regardless, it is encouraging to note that feminized seeds cannot change their DNA into auto-flowering seeds. Their DNA genotype will remain feminized even after exposure to varying conditions.
Why Do You Need to Understand Cannabis Genetics?
For those uninterested in the science of cannabis, you may be wondering why you should learn marijuana genetics. There are several benefits to understanding weed genetics for farmers and even weed users. As mentioned, cannabis plants rely on the fertilization of the female plants by the male ones in regular seeds. This aspect has since been outshone by artificial cloning and hermaphrodite plants. The latter proves effective in developing feminized seeds, as explained before.
With feminized seeds, the traits and DNA of the mother plant automatically pass on to the child plant. The seeds grow into crops that highly mimic the properties of the mother plant. As a grower, this is helpful information because you get to determine what your plants will look and behave like from the parent plant. If the mother plant is low-yielding, then the seeds will result in plants that are also low-yielding. The vice versa is also true.
As a farmer understanding genetics will help you determine appropriate environmental conditions, nutrient requirements, lighting needs, etc. This information can be crucial to producing a batch of healthy crops. Additionally, if you’re looking for the best feminized seeds, consider buying the jealousy strain that is suitable for indoor, outdoor, and hydroponic setups.
Though phenotypes play a vital role in plants’ general appearance and behavior, genetics controls the most part. With maintained environmental conditions, it is possible to get plants that are very similar to the parent stock. The science behind genotypes and phenotypes can facilitate increased yields and healthier crops adaptable to given climates.
The Best Feminized Strains in the Market
Now that you have a grasp on some basic information on feminized seed genotypes and phenotypes, the next step is to give a review of some suitable strains. Feminized seeds come in huge numbers, especially with recent technological genetic improvements. They have specific attributes that place them above auto-flowering varieties. One of the most common advantages of feminized plants is that they are high yielding. This aspect benefits commercial growers who intend to produce as much marijuana as possible.
The following are the top feminized strains you can plant with moderate to high growing experience,
Amnesia Haze
Amnesia Haze is one of the on-demand feminized seeds in the current market. They contain sufficient THC and medium CBD levels. The THC can be as high as 22%. They can be grown indoors and outdoors. Indoor grows are shorter than outdoor ones and are less yielding. A well-maintained indoor grow can give you between 500-600g per square meter, while an outdoor one averages 700g per square meter.
White Widow
White Widow is a unique strain that adapts to whichever environment they get planted in. They are suitable for indoor and outdoor growth alike. Indoors they grow to be compact and short, while outdoors, they tower to up to 190cm. Their THC content is at about 19%. It is a balanced hybrid with equal parts Indica and Sativa. On matters of productivity, they do better indoors, with a yield of 500g per square meter. The outdoor harvest is around the same but approximated at 450g per square meter.
SkyWalker
Combining Blueberry and Mazar strains results in this highly potent feminized seed marijuana variety. The THC content stands at about 25% with proper maintenance. The seeds can be planted both indoors and outdoors. Outdoor and indoor yields are almost the same, with an approximate harvest of 600g per square meter. The maturity period takes anywhere between 9 and 10 weeks.
Cookies Gelato
Cookies Gelato is the result of the combination o Girl Scout Cookies and Gelato 33. Its flavor profile is extensive, from fruity ad earthy tones to sweet ones. It has a high THC content, with the highest-producing plant giving about 28% THC. The strain is a balanced Indica and sativa hybrid, bringing the best of both worlds.
Blue Dream
Blue Dream is the child stock of Blueberry and Super Silver Haze. It is a high THC content cannabis plant with levels of about 20% compared to the 0.4% CBD. Blue Dream is a Sativa-dominant hybrid with a flowering period between 8 and 10 weeks. It grows best in temperate and continental or sunny and Mediterranean climates. It is a high-yielder.
Conclusion
Marijuana growing and smoking, for most people, is more of a recreational sport than a knowledgeable one. For these people, the science behind marijuana production is not so important. Knowledgeable farmer employs better farming techniques when they know the genetics and phenotypes of their seeds. Feminized seeds result from advancements in plant genetics aided by improving technology. With that in mind, knowing how genotypes and phenotypes can result in high yields and quality from feminized seeds is helpful.
Lana Braslavska of Ask Growers is the author of this article. Her content is usually relevant to the given conditions and motivates people’s interest. With more such articles, she hopes to dispense her knowledge of the marijuana sector to people who need the information.
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