Regular cannabis seeds grow into either male or female plants, for decades this created a problem for cannabis farmers that could only be solved by carefully looking out for signs of male plants among their crop. This took lots of time and resources and even still, many a male cannabis plant was overlooked only to ruin an entire crop of bud. However, in the 1990’s this all changed with the creation of feminized cannabis seeds.
Producing female plants 99.9% of the time feminized cannabis seeds revolutionized the cannabis industry for farmers and home growers. But have you ever stopped to think, how feminized cannabis seeds are made?
In this article, we’ll explore the science and techniques behind creating them. We’ll also look at their advantages and potential drawbacks of feminized seeds, and touch on some controversies surrounding their use.
What are female cannabis seeds?
Female cannabis plants are the ones that produce smokeable flower, and it is the flower that contains all of the THC and other cannabinoids, which we associate with cannabis.
On the other hand, male plants produce pollen and are often unwanted in a grow space as they can lead to pollination, turning those potent buds into seed-filled disappointments.
When we talk about ‘female cannabis seeds,’ we’re referring to seeds that are genetically predisposed to develop into only female plants. By using these seeds, growers can avoid the need for sexing plants and reduce the risk of accidental pollination.
Why do we feminize seeds?
Cannabis plants can be male, female, or hermaphrodites, but only the female plants produce the flowers. The cannabis flowers on female plants are covered in trichomes which contain all of the plants cannabinoids and terpenes. Terpenes give a cannabis plant its unique taste and smell, and cannabinoids such as THC create the psychoactive high when it is consumed. The purpose of feminizing seeds is to ensure almost all seeds germinate into female plants, thus maximizing the yield of consumable flowers.
What are the benefits of growing feminized seeds?
Growing feminized seeds presents several advantages, which is why nowadays they are so popular among cultivators. Here are the key benefits:
- Predictable Harvests: With feminized seeds, growers can be assured of a near-100% female population. This certainty helps in planning the layout and size of the growing area and predicting the yield.
- Maximized Yield: As female plants are the ones producing cannabis buds, using feminized seeds ensures that practically every plant contributes to the final yield.
- Efficiency in Resource Usage: Feminized seeds ensure that resources such as water, nutrients, and light aren’t wasted on male plants that will eventually be discarded.
- No Risk of Pollination: With no male plants around, the risk of accidental pollination (which would result in seedy buds) is eliminated.
- Simplified Cultivation Process: Feminized seeds almost completely removed the need to identify and remove male plants, simplifying the cultivation process, especially for novice growers.
The different ways of creating female seeds
When it comes to creating female seeds, there are two common methods of feminization, they are rodelization, also known as selfing, and the use of colloidal silver.
How rodelization or selfing works
Rodelization is a natural method that involves stressing a female plant into producing male flowers, which then self-pollinate the plant. Essentially, when a female cannabis plant is left in the flowering stage without being pollinated for longer than usual, it starts to produce its own male pollen sacs as a last-ditch effort to reproduce. This pollen is used to fertilize the female flowers, resulting in seeds that are almost exclusively female due to their genetic origin.
How weeds are feminized using colloidal silver
The colloidal silver method is a more scientific approach to creating feminized seeds. It involves spraying a cannabis plant with a solution called colloidal silver during the early flowering stage. This solution inhibits the production of ethylene, a hormone essential for female flowering, and triggers the development of male pollen sacs. The pollen from these sacs is used to fertilize other female plants, resulting in female seeds.
The pros and cons of colloidal silver and rodelisation for making feminized seeds
Rodelization
Pros: Rodelization is an all natural method that doesn’t require any special substances or equipment. It’s relatively easy and inexpensive.
Cons: The main drawback is the unpredictability of the results. The stress-induced pollen can sometimes lead to a higher rate of hermaphroditic plants. Plus, it requires a longer flowering time, which might not be ideal for all growers.
Colloidal Silver
Pros: This method produces reliable results with almost 100% female seeds. It offers more control over the process than rodelization.
Cons: It’s more complex and requires the purchase of colloidal silver or the equipment to produce it. Also, plants treated with colloidal silver are not safe for consumption, so growers must be careful to avoid cross-contamination.
When choosing the best method, consider your level of expertise, resources, and the specific needs of your cultivation setup. While rodelization is simpler and more natural, colloidal silver offers reliability and control, making it the preferred method for most professional growers.
How you can make your own colloidal silver
Creating your own colloidal silver for the purpose of feminizing cannabis seeds can be a cost-effective solution for long-term cultivation. Although it might sound complicated, with the right materials and careful attention to the process, even a beginner can successfully produce colloidal silver at home.
Firstly, gather the necessary supplies:
- A power source: A nine-volt battery is a popular choice, but power supplies that can provide constant current also work well.
- Silver wires: Pure (99.99%) silver wire is crucial for producing high-quality colloidal silver. You’ll need two pieces.
- Alligator clips: To connect your silver wires to the power source.
- A glass container: This holds the distilled water where the silver will be suspended.
- Distilled water: It’s important to use distilled water and not tap water, to ensure purity.
Follow these steps to create your own colloidal silver:
- Preparation: Clean the silver wires and attach each one to an alligator clip. Connect the other ends of the clips to your power source.
- Placement: Place the glass container filled with distilled water on a stable surface. Then, put the silver wires into the water, ensuring they don’t touch each other or the sides of the glass.
- Generation: Turn on the power source. Small bubbles should appear on the wires, signaling the start of the electrolysis process. Leave the setup undisturbed for about eight hours.
- Storage: After the generation process, the liquid will appear slightly yellowish, indicating the presence of colloidal silver. Store this solution in a dark glass container away from light to maintain its potency.
Remember to take safety precautions when using colloidal silver. Never consume the solution or apply it to plants you intend to consume, as it’s not safe for ingestion. Always mark and store it properly to avoid accidents.
In conclusion, creating feminized seeds through rodelization or colloidal silver offers a reliable way to maximize your cannabis yield. We’ve delved into both methods, offering insights that will empower your next grow.
You now have the know-how to even create your own colloidal silver at home! With this knowledge, expect a garden full of budding female plants ready to deliver. If you found this guide valuable, don’t forget to like and share this article with other aspiring cannabis growers!
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