Cannabis is a plant that has existed for centuries and is used for both recreational and medicinal purposes. Today, growing feminized cannabis seeds is becoming increasingly popular as people become more interested in the effects of this plant.
In this article, we'll discuss everything you need to know about feminized seeds. We'll talk about what feminized seeds are, how they work, the benefits of using them, and how to grow them. So keep reading to learn more!
What are feminized seeds?
Feminized seeds refer to cannabis plants that have been developed to produce only female strains. These cannabis plants have been modified to produce only female plants with buds.
The flowers of the female cannabis plant are prized for their terpenes and cannabinoids, which are produced in the flowers. The THC is responsible for the “high” or psychoactive effect experienced by users. However, other cannabinoids produced by female plants are also considered beneficial in treating various diseases.
Male plants, on the other hand, produce pods that can pollinate female plants and result in significant yield losses. Consequently, those who grew seeds using traditional methods had to identify as early as possible which type of plant was growing in order to remove the males.
The invention of feminized seeds in the 1990s revolutionized the industry. Feminized seeds are designed to produce only female plants with near-perfect reliability. This development has made growing cannabis much easier and less expensive by eliminating uncertainty.
The Difference Between Autoflowering and Feminized Seeds
Before moving on to the main differences between these two types of cannabis seeds, let’s review the definition of autoflowering seeds.
What is an autoflowering plant?
So-called “auto-flowering” seeds are a popular choice for beginner growers because they flower on their own, are easier to grow, smaller, and faster to harvest than feminized seeds.
They are not dependent on a strict light cycle. In other words, they do not rely on photoperiod to flower. They are more resistant to temperature fluctuations, pests, and mold. This makes them an excellent starting point for beginners interested in growing cannabis.
Feminized Seeds vs. Autoflowering Seeds
There are several differences between feminized seeds and autoflowering seeds. These differences also depend on whether the plants are grown indoors or outdoors.
Light Cycles and Harvesting
For many growers, the length of the growth cycle is crucial. autoflowering are ideal for producing multiple harvests per year throughout the year. If you want multiple harvests per season, autoflowering may be the right choice for you. The typical growth period for an autoflowering plant, from seed to harvest, is 8 to 12 weeks.
Feminized seeds are generally ready for harvest 12 to 20 weeks after sowing, and they do not begin to flower until they receive 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness each day, unlike autoflowering, which typically flower 2 to 4 weeks after planting.
If you’re growing feminized seeds outdoors, you’ll need to adjust your lighting schedule or wait until fall to ensure the plant gets enough light to thrive. autoflowering, on the other hand, aren’t affected by this; they therefore offer much greater convenience and simplicity for those who want a quick and easy approach to growing these seeds.
With feminized seeds, you can choose to have a longer vegetative period. As a result, your plants will be taller.
Differences in size
Cannabis plants grown from feminized seeds are robust and can grow up to 4 meters tall, while autoflowering plants remain very small, reaching a maximum height of 60 to 80 centimeters.
If you’re growing indoors, you have control over the amount of light your feminized plants receive. These plants have a longer vegetative phase. Ideally, they should be exposed to 18 hours of light throughout the vegetative phase. With this cycle of 18 hours of light and 6 hours of darkness, your plants will grow steadily. It’s only when you adjust the timer on your grow lights to 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness that the flowering phase begins.
Thanks to this characteristic, feminized plants allow you to select the best plants to serve as mother plants and then grow new plants from cuttings based on their qualities (growth speed, vigor, resistance, aroma).
How to Grow Feminized Cannabis Flowers
If you’re growing cannabis indoors, you’ll need to manually set the day/night cycles. Growers often do this once the plants have reached a sufficient size (about half their desired height). To explain further, at the start of their flowering period, plants tend to spread out. For this reason, they need adequate and appropriate growing space to develop properly.
To start the flowering phase for feminized cannabis grown indoors, growers should switch their lighting to a 12-hour light/12-hour dark cycle. The longer nights will simulate fall conditions, triggering the plants to flower.
Outdoors, feminized cannabis must be planted in an ideal climate and at the optimal time of year. Since the number of hours of sunlight varies throughout the year, you’ll need to develop a specific plan to help your plants flower, based on their needs. To meet these needs, you’ll generally need to plant them in the spring (after the last frost) and harvest them in the fall.
How long does it take to grow feminized cannabis?
Whether you want to grow cannabis outdoors or indoors, the length of the growing cycle will depend on the type and variety of cannabis. Some strains, such as Indica, flower quickly and have short flowering periods of only 6–7 weeks. Other types, such as Haze, take twice as long (12 weeks) to reach maturity.
What about the temperature and humidity?
In general, feminized cannabis thrives in temperatures that are neither too cold nor too hot (around 21°C). Any extreme temperatures will halt growth and cause additional problems. Grow in an environment where you have complete control over the temperature if you don't live in a favorable climate. If necessary, install a heating/cooling system.
The ideal humidity level for cannabis plants varies depending on their stage of development. Seedlings and growing cannabis plants prefer a more humid environment, with a humidity level of about 70%. When your cannabis plants are flowering, lowering the relative humidity to 40–50% can help prevent mold.
The pH level
When watering your cannabis grown in soil, keep in mind that the pH level of your water/nutrient solution must be between 6 and 7. Even if nutrients are present, your plants won’t absorb them if the pH level is incorrect. You can use a few drops of a pH-raising or pH-lowering solution to adjust the pH level of your water.
What are the best strains of feminized cannabis plants?
There are thousands of feminized hybrids, but most of them come from just a few families. Each family has distinct characteristics that can give you clues about its origin and effects. Here are our most popular ones:
MOBY DICK: This cannabis strain is known for its abundant yield, ranging from 650 g/m² when grown indoors to 1,500 g per plant outdoors. Moby Dick is a Sativa-dominant hybrid with citrusy and spicy aromas and hints of cedar. The Sativa psychoactive effect sets in quickly because it’s very potent and intense. If you enjoy the effects of Sativa, go for the iconic Moby Dick!
CRITICAL+ 2.0: This is a feminized, Indica-dominant strain with spectacular yield potential. CRITICAL+ 2.0 is a collector’s item that won’t disappoint when you grow it, offering yields of up to 700 g/m² indoors and 1,300 g per plant outdoors. In terms of aroma, you’ll experience intense, deep, and complex flavor profiles, with a scent blending notes of pine, lemon, and spices. We highly recommend trying Critical+ 2.0!
CRITICAL JACK: Here’s another feminized collector’s item that’s sure to be the talk of the town. As you might expect, this strain is no slouch when it comes to yield, producing 625 m/m² indoors and at least 1,200 g per plant outdoors. It’s a Sativa-dominant hybrid characterized by large, solid, and heavy buds. Critical Jack will remind you of the complexity of the Haze lineage with an aromatic blend of cedar, incense, pine, and spices, along with subtle hints of citrus. If you want to experience a captivating fusion of flavors in your mouth, go for Critical Jack!
ORIGINAL AMNESIA: This is a feminized, Sativa-dominant collector’s strain that has been well-known in Amsterdam’s coffee shops since the early 2000s. With exceptionally high yields both indoors and outdoors, this plant will be very generous to those who care for it well. You’ll discover fresh, delicate aromas of citrus, Haze, cedar, incense, and spices. If you’re looking for powerful, euphoric, and energizing effects, “ Original Amnesia ” is here to deliver!
Check out Silent Seeds 's feminized seeds!
You now have everything you need to get started growing feminized cannabis seeds. The next step is to decide which variety of seeds to grow and where to buy them. To do that, look no further than Silent Seeds ! Take advantage of our years of experience in the field and have fun choosing from our seed collection!
We hope you found this article helpful and that you have great success with your new garden!
