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An Overview of Marijuana Seeds

Last Updated: February 28, 2023By Jason Levin

So, you are ready to start your growing journey, and it’s time for the first step: deciding which cannabis seeds to purchase. There are tons to choose from, but a Pot for Pot does some of the work for you by hand selecting the best seeds and strains for easy growing.

This article will review the seed options available to you such as autoflowering and photoperiod seeds, plus the strains that are best for newbies. Let’s dive in!

 

photoperiod vs autoflower

Intro to seeds - photoperiod vs. autoflower

It’s not easy trying to pick the right marijuana if you don’t understand the different types. Photoperiod seeds are generally the go-to option for more experienced growers since they are quite inexpensive. However, you should also understand the difference between photoperiod and autoflower seeds because there are some advantages to both.

Photoperiod seeds

The primary difference between the two seeds is how, and when, they enter the cannabis flowering stage. This is when plants grow flowers that eventually turn into weed. Photoperiod plants shift into the flowering stage when the light cycle changes. Outside, this would indicate a seasonal change, so you growers would want to mimic this change with their lights.

Photoperiod seeds, unlike autoflowers, require certain climate conditions to go from the vegetative to flowering stage and are considered harder to grow because of this. The growth phases for photoperiod strains change according to the hours of light and darkness.

The good news is that growers will have more control over their plants if they’re growing from photoperiod seeds. Photoperiods will stay in the vegetative stage for however long they need to, as long as they’re receiving the right amount of light. This means you can grow a photoperiod plant to your desired size before switching it to the flowering stage.

Autoflower seeds

Autoflowers, on the other hand, are not dependent on the amount of daylight. They will begin flowering automatically within 4-5 weeks no matter what. Autoflowering strains can be great because they have a shorter life cycle, are smaller (better for growing in your home), and aren’t as picky about lighting.

Autoflowering hybrid plants contain genetics from a species called ruderalis. Cannabis ruderalis originates from Eastern Europe and Central Asia, where the growing season is shorter. These plants forced themselves to flower much quicker before the first frost.

Autoflower seeds are a great option for growing with natural light. These seeds do not rely on the length of daylight and season changes to flower. They will begin flowering even with 24 hours of light. The autoflower lifespan generally takes about 10 weeks to complete.

How seeds are made

For cannabis plants to reproduce, the female plant has to be pollinated by a male plant and then it will produce seeds. In nature, pollen is carried from the male to the female plant via the wind. When the seeds mature, the female plant will die, and the seeds will fall to the ground, where they germinate and grow into a new marijuana plant next season.

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Male and female plants

Gardeners with more than one plant are going to want to know which are male and which are female, especially if you want your plants to produce weed rather than seeds. Pollinated female plants don’t make the best weed, so this is pretty important. You will notice a difference in the male plants once the male plant begins growing little flowers that look similar to buds. The pollen these flowers give off is a clear indication it’s a male plant.

Female plants tend to create a teardrop-shaped pod, while male plants tend to create oval pods. As for the females, after a couple weeks you will see buds growing, and within a month, these buds will be quite large and odorous. Males usually die sooner and are taller. When the males die, you can still smoke the buds. The smoke will not be as good as the females, but it is still worth your time.

Regular & Feminized Seeds

Regular seeds have about a 50/50 shot at being male or female. Whereas feminized seeds are bred with the intent to eliminate the male chromosomes, so every plant ends up being female. Feminized seeds are best for easy, quick growth.

Feminized seeds have dominated the market since the late 1990s. Now, 95% of European cannabis seeds are feminized seeds. But in the United States, regular and feminized seeds share an equal part in the cannabis market.

When deciding between regular and feminized seeds, it mostly depends on your goals. If you just want some weed to smoke at the end of the growing season, you should go for feminized seeds. If you want to create your own seeds, you’ll need regular seeds. This is a big reason why regular seeds remain in the market.

Using feminized autoflower seeds will offer both a fast harvest and you don’t have to worry about determining the plant's sex. With a Pot for Pot, you can save yourself some stress. We’ll recommend the best seeds for your pot, making everything more convenient for you.

Which strains are easiest to grow?

Everyone asks the same questions. Which cannabis plant is best to grow? What’s the easiest autoflower to grow? Don’t worry. We understand. A Pot for Pot makes growing marijuana a breeze for newbies, especially since we hand select the best strains for your growing needs.

Picking the right strain can be a bit of a headache if you don’t know what to look for. To make the process easier, here is a list of some of the easiest strains to grow for your first time. We’ve listed strains for hot climates, cold climates, and most popular strains.

Gorilla Glue #4

Newbies love this one! Gorilla Glue #4 is an award-winning hybrid that grows thick and short – which is great if you aren’t working with much space to grow. For best results, this strain thrives using the Screen of green (SCROG) technology. If you care about a fast harvest, you will be happy to know this strain flowers at 8-9 weeks with very high yields. It’s great for both indoors and outdoors.

Interestingly, Gorilla Glue #4 is well-known for its high resin level. So the buds will be very sticky when trimming.

Northern Lights

Northern Lights is a popular strain around the world, Northern Lights #5 being the most famous. This strain is an indica strain from Afghani and Thai landrace genetics. The high is heavy, and the bud has an amazing earthy flavor.

Northern Lights is easy to grow and is best for indoor growing. It grows quickly and tends to flower within 7 weeks, making it ideal for newbies. Some people have used a hydroponic system and have harvested in six weeks. As an indoor strain, it can be grown all year round. Northern Lights prefers the climate to be hot and humid. However, it cannot survive temperatures past 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

Blue Dream

Everyone loves this strain’s ability to survive even the harshest conditions. You don’t have to worry about the usual mold and root rot problems, and it grows well indoors and outdoors. If you are going to grow outdoors, it’s best to grow in warm climates.

This strain is primarily a sativa and is infamous for being a California-original strain. On top of that, Blue Dream grows tall and wide (sometimes up to 3m). Blue Dream provides a very relaxing and euphoric high.

Dutch Treat

This tasty strain is a favorite of cannabis cafes in Amsterdam. Its fragrance smells of blueberry and candy, with eucalyptus and pine undertones. If you grow it outdoors, keep in mind the strong odor.

You will feel this high quickly, and it lasts quite a while. Dutch Treat is primarily an indica, offers high yields, and flowers in 6-8 weeks. Grow this strain indoors, either hydroponically or in soil. The plant will grow short and stout.

Green Crack

Green crack is a sativa-dominant strain that’s very easy for greenhorns to grow. It has a distinct lime green color. It’s also strong, delicious, and can thrive in different conditions.  

You will enjoy fast flowering and high yields, so make sure to keep an eye on the size of the plant. It might need trellising eventually. Green Crack yields in 8 weeks and grows very well outdoors. If you consider growing outdoors, grow in a climate between 70 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

Best strains for hot climates

Blueberry

Blueberry is indica-dominant that is perfect for Mediterranean environments like Mexico, Spain, or Florida. However, it can withstand a couple of cold nights. You will enjoy a euphoric high with a yummy blueberry taste. 

This strain thrives in the open sun, so it’s best grown outdoors. You can expect a yield within 9 weeks with this strain. Although Blueberry is great, the strain is known to be picky with the amount of nutrients it receives, so keep a close eye.

White Widow

A popular strain at Dutch coffee shops, White Widow offers a potent high and very high yields. It grows well in climates like Italy, Australia, and California.

Amnesia Haze

Amnesia Haze is one of the original strains smoked long before any other strains were thought of. This one thrives in Texas, Colombia, and New Zealand.

Amnesia Haze offers a robust, euphoric high with a citrusy taste. It’s not the easiest strain to grow, so you may want to try another strain if this is your first time growing. Amnesia Haze takes a while to flower, so if temperatures drop quickly during the fall season where you live, you’ll need to grow indoors.

Best strains for cold climates

Super Skunk

Super Skunk is sativa-dominant, but does contain 40% indica, so it’s a nice half-in-half. This strain is known to connoisseurs as the strain that reliably offers weed’s true smell and taste. Despite its name, Super Skunk’s flavor is sweet and fruity. 

Super Skunk is great for beginner growers. It flowers very quickly, is highly resilient to weather and pests, and does well in England, Canada, and Oregon. Although Super Skunk grows best in high temperature, high humid areas, it’s volatile and can be grown anywhere. Because its smell is so potent, outdoor growers need to be wary of offensive odors.

Strawberry

Similar to Super Skunk, Strawberry is versatile and highly resilient. This strain is 100% sativa and is known as one of the best strains for beginners to cultivate since it is so easy to grow. 

Strawberry flowers fast with high yields. It takes about 8-9 weeks. Plus, it grows great in colder climates like the Netherlands, the UK, and Washington State. Strawberry’s high is quite mellow and doesn’t feel overwhelming. If you’re looking for an intense high, Strawberry is not the strain for you.

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The most popular strains

There are many strains that growers and weed lovers rave about. But who doesn’t want to know the most popular weed strains? Here are a few of the best weed strains you may want to check out.

White Widow

White Widow is one of the most popular cannabis strains in the world. It’s high demand means high prices. All the more reason to grow it at home. White Widow is indica-dominant and smells like a pine tree. 

White Widow offers a potent high that lasts for several hours. It grows well in climates like Italy, Australia, and California and produces very high yields. White Widow takes about 7-9 weeks for flowering.

Super Silver Haze

Super Silver Haze is highly sativa-dominant (80%-90%) and is a part of the Haze family. It will give you an amazing high that relaxes the body and is a mood enhancer. Users report that Super Silver Haze makes you feel pure bliss but still functional. This strain has a sweet flavor with a hint of spice.

Super Silver Haze is picky with humidity. This strain will do well in soil but does best with hydroponics. You can expect very high yields, and it’s easy to grow, as long as you pay attention to humidity levels.

Super Skunk Feminized Autoflower

Super Skunk feminized autoflower is a ruderalis strain. It’s a cross between Super Skunk and Lowryder. Autoflowers are excellent because of how fast they flower with little to no effort on your part. It’s great when you want some good bud to smoke ASAP until your regular seeds are ready. 

Super Skunk feminized autoflower is mostly indica. This plant will have a higher yield when grown outside but does very well when grown indoors. Flowering takes 8 to 9 weeks. After smoking this strain, the high you experience is like an easygoing body buzz.

Girl Scout Cookies

Girl Scout Cookies is indica-dominant and a cross between OG Kush and Durban Poison. Although the name is sweet, the high is intense and hard-hitting. Users have reported a fast-acting high followed by total body relaxation. 

The key to growing a great crop of GSC is finding a reputable seed bank or dispensary with clones. Growing GSC from bad seeds won't provide you with the bud you're hoping for. GSC grows best in a mild climate, but it tolerates temperature changes.

Papaya

This indica-dominant hybrid flowers within 8 weeks and will grow very well even under harsh conditions. Papaya is a strong strain that can be grown indoors or outdoors. If you choose to grow outdoors, make sure the surrounding climate is similar to a Mediterranean climate. Papaya grown indoors will produce a smaller yield versus grown outdoors.

The strain also smells like papaya with a slightly sour smell. But even so, the effect is strong. Fans of the Papaya strain understand how strong the high is, so watch out if you’re a beginner.

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