Now that cannabis farming is slowly gaining legalization in many increasing numbers of states, the number of cannabis farmers is naturally growing as well. If you find yourself fantasizing about cultivating your own weed, then you’re at the right place. After all, no matter what, you’ll have to start with a seed. Not only is choosing seeds the first step of this whole process, but it is also the most crucial and confusing one, crucial because choosing the wrong seed will lead to a disappointing yield even if you follow the rest of the steps religiously, and confusing because there is a huge variety of cannabis seed banks out there and a beginner will surely get confused in this market. Here we have listed a few things you need to consider to choose the seed that is best for you.
Male or female seeds
Most shops sell regular seed banks that give rise to female and male plants in somewhat equal numbers. Male plants are unnecessary when it comes to producing buds, in fact, they come in the way of female plants by pollinating them and preventing them from producing a good yield. So it is better to not get tempted by the low prices of regular seeds and opt for feminized seeds. Purchasing only feminized seeds will keep any potential problems caused by male pollination at bay, and all you have to do for it is to pay a little extra amount for the peace of mind knowing that all your plants are female and will yield optimal buds.
Auto flowering or Photoperiod Seeds
As the name suggests auto-flowering seeds are in a way relatively automatic than photoperiod seeds. Photoperiod seed plants require certain fixed durations of light and darkness to go through their phases, in the vegetative state, you grow them under 18-24 hours of light and in order to initiate flowering, you need to switch to 12 hours light and 12 hours dark without any interruptions. Auto flowering plants on the other hand start blooming on their own after 4 weeks. They flower according to time and not light exposure. If you’re a beginner, auto-flowering strains might be easier for you to grow as you do not need to deal with the burden of setting the light every day through its various phases.
Indica/Sativa or Hybrid
Each strain comes with its own set of effects, the above are the main three strains. Indica is primarily enjoyed at night and their plants tend to produce fewer buds than Sativa plants, but they are more forgiving to mistakes than the latter.
Sativa plants are known to produce bigger yields than Indica, and it is recommended for beginners to opt for Sativa as they flower within a relatively shorter span. In terms of mind-altering effects, they produce more of an energetic buzz which is better before jumping on any creative endeavor.
Then there are hybrids, they mostly lean towards either of the ones mentioned above but still offer effects of the lesser dominant type providing a balanced experience. Some hybrids may be small while some tall, but rarely do they exceed the 2-meter mark.
Indoor or Outdoor Farming
This depends on your location, if you live in a region that is generally warm, outdoor is a considerable option, there you will have the advantage of natural sunlight and there are certain strains that are much suited to outdoor growing. This will reduce your investment in equipment and thus outdoor farming can be beneficial for your pocket. Although when it comes down to choosing the easier option, indoors it is. Here you will have complete control of the environment in which your cannabis grows. It comes with the drawback of being heavy on your wallet with its investment in setup and lighting.
Price
For beginners, going for cheaper strains might be better, because in that case even if you mess up the yield a bit, you won’t have many regrets regarding the high expense of the seed. Also in the case of cannabis seeds, expensive doesn’t always mean better. And after you get the hang of cannabis cultivation using cheap batches, then you can work your way up. So the safest option would be to choose a strain that has been most used for many years to ensure hassle-free cultivation.