How to Choose Cannabis Seeds the Right Way

Growing cannabis plants from seeds purchased at a grow shop or seed bank is something you can do yourself, which offers numerous advantages, including establishing your own system of quality control and reducing costs, not to mention the sense of involvement and pride in the work you do. We suggest using our guide to select cannabis seeds that match your preferences and needs.

Choosing Wisely

Today, most growers, whether amateurs or professionals, can easily find high-quality cannabis seeds with the best stable genetics. The modern seed market caters to a wide range of consumers, from those using cannabis for medical purposes to recreational smokers. On the flip side, the incredibly wide range of marijuana strains on offer can be overwhelming for some. If you've decided to grow cannabis, you'll undoubtedly ask yourself, "How do I find cannabis seeds that are right for me?" Our article offers detailed recommendations on the subject.

How and Where Will You Grow?

When choosing the seeds that are right for you, you need to consider several contributing factors. It all depends on what you need, why you need it, and what resources you have (space, electricity, available materials, etc.). Before buying seeds, it's essential to carefully plan the growing process and develop the most optimal approach to implementing it. Start by thinking about how and where you'll be cultivating the plant.

What does this mean:

Will you grow indoors or outdoors? If outdoors, what are the climatic conditions in your region? Do you prefer hydroponic cultivation or the old-fashioned soil method? Do you have any experience training cannabis plants or growing them at all? 

All these questions will help you choose your ideal strain. Of course, you should also consider the fact that the space you have, whether you're growing indoors or outdoors, will significantly influence your choice of strain. We all love the idea of giant cannabis bushes, but often the available space and accompanying conditions do not allow for such luxury.

Make a Wishlist

Approach this point with a bit of imagination. What does your dream cannabis look like? Do you want the strain you choose to help alleviate specific symptoms, inspire, uplift, or calm you? Do you prefer an invigorating burst of energy or the relaxing nirvana-like effects? Also, take into account flavor profile: do fruity strains appeal to you, or do you prefer something more robust and spicy? We think you get the gist. Create your "wishlist" to know what to look for when choosing seeds.

Study the Seed Descriptions!

A reputable seller of cannabis seeds will always provide the most complete and exhaustive information about the product, ensuring you know exactly what you're buying. This way, you'll have the most complete picture, including:

• The effects and flavors of the strain.
• Whether it's easy to grow or requires care from seasoned professional growers.
• Expected yield.
• The time required before harvesting.

Here's a checklist to help you when choosing cannabis seeds:

Below is a list of aspects to pay attention to when buying seeds.

Sativa, Indica, Hybrid: What Sensations Do You Expect from Consumption?

The first thing you'll likely want to consider when choosing a strain is the type of effects it produces. For this, you need to have an understanding of the three main types of cannabis seeds: indica, sativa, or hybrid. Let's take a brief look at their different effects and cultivation characteristics.

Indica

Indica strains are particularly suitable for evening use. They have a pleasant, relaxing effect often described as a combination of "bliss and tranquility." Powerful Indica strains can be so relaxing that they can lead to the so-called "couch-lock" effect – an inability to move a muscle due to the physical relaxation.

Sativa

Just as day invariably follows night, there is always a room for sativa, whether before or after indica. It depends on personal preference. Cerebral and energetic in their effects, sativa strains provide a pronounced uplifting and euphoric experience. Some sativa strains are even described as "psychedelic" because of their impact on consciousness. Sativa is not ideal if you're seeking relaxation or a good night's sleep, but it's an excellent companion for hikes, creative projects, and social activities. Pure sativa plants can reach heights of up to three meters and look like beautiful and majestic trees.

Hybrids

As most modern commercial cannabis strains on the seed market are hybrids, it's essential to pay attention to their indica/sativa ratios. For instance, you can find strains that are 70% indica and 30% sativa, known as indica-dominant hybrids. These strains typically promote deep physical relaxation due to the dominance of indica, but the effects of the sativa part can add a unique touch to the overall experience. The same rule applies to other genetic combinations.

Hybrids come in various sizes: some are compact, while others are more sprawling, but they rarely exceed two meters in height when grown indoors. Of course, genotype (genetics) is just one of the determining factors when choosing a strain. You should also consider their chemotype, or chemical composition. The content of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), not to mention other cannabinoids and terpenes, will ultimately be the main factors defining the profile of a strain and whether it suits you.

Medical or Recreational Cannabis: What Does It Mean to You?

Modern growers aim to achieve outstanding results not only for recreational but also for medical purposes. Some use cannabis to alleviate pain, while others consume it to ease anxiety or enjoy a good night's sleep. A deliberate approach to strain selection is crucial for the success of symptom relief in various conditions. Ultimately, some medical strains with a high CBD content and only trace amounts of THC don't induce altered states of consciousness but are purely therapeutic. Some medical strains have high THC content to treat symptoms of specific disorders, such as appetite loss.

The decision about what constitutes "medical" cannabis is entirely up to you. Just learn to listen to your body, how it responds to the "medicine" you give it.

Regular, Feminized, Autoflowering, Photoperiodic Strains: What are Those?

Cannabis cultivation starts with the selection of specific types of seeds. There are generally three types: regular seeds, feminized photoperiodic seeds (often just called feminized or fems), and autoflowering seeds (autos).

Regular Seeds

Regular cannabis seeds can grow into plants with both male and female characteristics. They are not as popular now as they were in the past. However, some experienced growers claim impressive results with them. The downside of regular seeds is that during the vegetative stage, growers need to identify male plants and remove them to prevent pollination of female plants. On the other hand, if you are involved in cannabis breeding, you will obviously need male plants.

Feminized Photoperiodic Seeds

Feminized photoperiodic cannabis seeds (fems) allow you to forget about the hassles associated with male plants because only female plants grow from them. Since it's the female plants that produce dense, resinous buds with trichomes, most growers prefer this type of seeds. If you are growing indoors, you can control the growth cycles of feminized photoperiodic cannabis plants using a lighting timer. During the vegetative stage, you can grow photoperiods under 18/6 or even 24/0 lighting conditions, and then switch the timer to 12/12 to initiate the flowering stage. Photoperiodic seeds mean that the plants will only flower when the light duration is reduced to simulate natural seasonal changes (the arrival of fall). This means that photoperiodic plants grown indoors can technically remain in the vegetative stage as long as the grower desires, provided there are sufficient light hours.

Autoflowering Seeds

Unlike photoperiodic cannabis strains, autoflowering strains end the vegetative stage entirely on their own, approximately after four weeks of growth. The exact timing may vary from strain to strain and be influenced by external factors, but true autos always (!) transition to the flowering stage based on age, not lighting schedules. Growers only need to provide proper care for autoflowers, with 18/20 hours of light throughout the growth cycle. Thanks to this trait, autos are an excellent choice for beginner growers who have yet to master all the intricacies of cannabis cultivation. Furthermore, autoflowers typically have a significantly shorter growth cycle, maturing about twice as fast as some photoperiodic strains. Many autoflowers have very compact sizes, making them ideal for cultivation even in very modest spaces like small grow tents or even PC-cases (micro-growing). However, one drawback of autos is their high sensitivity to stress and lower yield potential due to their smaller size.

The type of seeds you prefer is a decision only you can make, but our professional consultants are always ready to help. Are you growing indoors? Feminized cannabis seeds, whether photoperiodic or autoflowering, will likely suite you. If you are limited in space or want to grow plants without worrying about changing lighting schedules, autoflowering seeds may be the better choice. And, of course, breeders aiming to develop new cannabis strains should stock up on regular seeds for their genetic experiments.

Climate: Be Realistic in Your Expectations

Not all cannabis strains are equally suited for all climate zones. For example, if you live in Northern Europe and are growing cannabis outdoors, you should choose strains that are resistant to cold and rainy weather and can complete their full cycle relatively quickly. Fortunately, many strains developed for temperate climates are naturally fast-growing and fast-flowering. With the right skills, you can harvest a decent crop of buds even before conditions conducive to mold and bud rot development set in.

If you are cultivating in an area with a sunny and fairly long summer, you won't have to worry about how long it takes for the plants to reach maturity. Nature will take care of the right climate conditions for you. Your job will be to react adequately and in a timely manner to changing circumstances. Some breeders categorize seeds by climate zones, but generally, it’s as easy as looking at such strain characteristics as flowering time and natural resilience.

Cannabis Seeds for Beginners or Advanced Growers

Cannabis strains can vary in terms of ease or difficulty of cultivation depending on several factors. We've already mentioned the division into photoperiodic and autoflowering strains, but there are other aspects to consider. Some strains have been bred to be hardier, with better natural resistance to common pests, mold, and diseases. They may be less finicky about external factors like nutrient input and watering and may tolerate beginner mistakes better. So, if you're new to cannabis cultivation, it's better to choose a strain known for its low-maintenance.

The Price of Cannabis Seeds

Price is a determining factor when choosing seeds. Never let an enticingly low price deceive you and your expectations, especially if you get such offers from unknown or not very reliable seed sellers. Remember, good cannabis seeds from well-known breeders and seed banks are never cheap! Cheap cannabis seeds often have low quality, poor germination rates, and overall weak genetics. Remember the saying? "Penny-wise but pound-foolish!" Typically, by saving a few bucks, you sacrifice significant resources, yield, and the quality of your harvest.

If you've already decided to dedicate a lot of time and effort to growing, not to mention expenses on equipment and fertilizers, there's no point in cutting corners when quality is your main goal. Purchase seeds from trusted and time-tested seed suppliers, and you'll have full confidence that you're growing top-notch cannabis from day one.

KADAMA Seed Shop wishes you successful and enjoyable growing!