Cannabis Seeds

Understanding cannabis seeds

Cannabis seeds or hemp seeds are the foundation of every cannabis plant. They are the product of the reproduction of male and female cannabis plants. These seeds can vary enormously in size, shape and colour, depending on the variety of cannabis they come from.

They contain all the genetic information needed to grow a cannabis plant, including the traits that determine its size, shape, resistance to disease and pests, and the amount of cannabinoids, terpenoids and flavonoids it will produce.

There are seven main types of cannabis seed: regular, feminised, classic feminised, exotic feminised, fast flowering feminised, CBD-rich feminised and autoflowering. Regular seeds produce male and female plants in roughly equal proportions. Feminised seeds are manipulated to produce only female plants (99%). Fast-flowering seeds are fast-flowering photoperiodic varieties. Autoflowering seeds, on the other hand, flower automatically after a certain time, independently of the light cycle. 

Finally, it is essential to store cannabis seeds correctly to maintain their viability (germination potential, vigour, stability and quality) over time. This means keeping them in a cool, dry, dark environment until they are ready to be planted. The ideal place to store them is in the fridge, or more precisely in the vegetable crisper, at a temperature of between 6 and 8°C. You should also place a humidity-stabilising device (humidity-stabilising tablets), so that your cannabis seeds are stored in the most stable environmental conditions possible, as this is your best guarantee of preserving their initial high level of quality.

Now that we have a better understanding of what a cannabis seed is, we can start looking at the different seed varieties available.

Varieties of cannabis seeds

Cannabis seeds or hemp seeds are classified into several types according to their genetic characteristics and growth behaviour. Each type of seed offers a unique set of benefits for the grower and the user.

• Regular seeds are the most natural type of seed. They can produce both male and female plants, making them ideal for breeding and creating new varieties. They generally produce 50% male plants and 50% female plants.

• Feminised seeds are designed to produce only female plants. They are preferred by growers because only female plants produce buds rich in cannabinoids, terpenoids and flavonoids. For indoor cultivation, they allow you to optimise flower production in a space of defined dimensions.

• Classic feminised seeds represent cannabis varieties or hybrids dating from the mid-90s to the early 2000s, whose genetic lineage is fairly pure compared to more modern varieties (exotic polyhybrids).

• Exotic feminised seeds belong to a new category of cannabis seeds, characterised by their attractive appearance (bright contrasting colours), but above all by their delicious, intense and complex aromatic profile.

• Feminised fast-flowering seeds are photoperiodic fast-flowering cannabis seeds, which depend on different light cycles for both their growth period and their flowering. 
  
  
• Autoflowering seeds are a type of seed that flowers automatically after a certain period of growing time (usually 20 days), regardless of the light cycle. This makes them ideal for novice growers or those living in regions with short growing seasons.
  
  
• CBD-rich seeds are specially cultivated to produce plants with high levels of CBD (Cannabidiol), a non-psychoactive cannabinoid that is sought after for its many health benefits.

Each of these types of seed has its own advantages and disadvantages, and choosing the right type can have a significant impact on the success of your cannabis cultivation.

Feminised seeds

Feminised seeds are a popular alternative for many growers. Unlike regular seeds, they are designed to produce exclusively female plants (99%). This is made possible by genetic manipulation that eliminates the male chromosomes. 

This type of seed offers a number of advantages:

• Female plants are the only ones to produce flowers rich in cannabinoids, terpenoids and flavonoids, which means that production quality is optimised.
• You don't have to worry about separating male and female plants, thus avoiding unwanted pollination.
• Ideal for beginner growers, they guarantee a reliable and generous harvest with no complications.

Several varieties of feminised seeds are available on the market. Selection depends on the desired cannabinoid profile (THC, CBD, THCV, CBN, CBG, etc.), flowering time, yield, desired flavour profile, disease resistance, etc.

Classic feminised seeds

Classic feminised seeds correspond to a large group of cannabis varieties or hybrids dating from the 90s to the early 2000s, most often derived from genetics belonging to the Skunk or Haze lineage. They were the golden age of Amsterdam's coffee shops, and include the very famous Jack Herer, White Widow, Original Amnesia, Super Skunk, Super Silver Haze, White Rhino, Himalayan Gold, Neville Haze, AK-47, White Russian, Chronic, Northern Light, and the well-known Skunk#1, to name but a few. 

Some of them went on to excel in what was at the time a very famous international competition, the High Times Cannabis Cup in Amsterdam, where many enthusiasts from all over the world gathered at the time. It's worth noting that all these classic varieties benefit from a fairly pure genetic lineage, which explains their level of stability, vigour, resistance to disease and pests, and production, all of exceptional quality.

Thanks to DINAFEM's legitimate heritage, our SILENT SEEDS catalogue currently includes original and exclusive classic feminised seeds from this famous seed bank, including varieties such as Moby Dick, White Widow, Original Amnesia, Critical +, Critical+2.0, Amnesia Lemon, Critical Jack and more.

Exotic feminised seeds

Feminised exotic seeds represent a new category of cannabis seeds, distinguished by their bright, contrasting colours, but their real added value lies in their exceptional aromatic profile, which is closer to the world of gastronomy than the plant world. 

High-quality flowers grown from feminised exotic seeds give consumers great olfactory and gustatory pleasure, thanks to their mild, sweet, fruity, intense and complex terpene profile, as well as very pleasant and perfectly balanced harmonious effects. The best-known exotic varieties or hybrids in recent years include Gelato, Sunset Sherbert, Açaí Berry Gelato, Zkittlez, Wedding Cake, Ice Cream Cake, Dosidos, Zoap, Rainbow Belts and others.

At Silent Seeds we offer you high-quality feminised exotic seeds such as L.A Vanilla Cake, Cookielato, Starfire OG, Gorilla Frost, Grape Juice, Watermelon Runtz, Lemon Sorbet and Zkittlez 2.0.

Fast flowering feminised seeds

Fast-flowering feminised seeds are photoperiodic fast-flowering cannabis seeds that depend on a growing period (18 hours of light and 6 hours of darkness) and a flowering period (12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness) to produce an abundant, high-quality crop of flowers. These varieties are ideal for countries or regions of the world where the growing season is fairly short.

Fast-flowering feminised seeds represent an intermediate category between feminised seeds and autoflowering seeds, as their production is generally higher than that of autoflowering seeds, with a high level of quality at various levels.

Autoflowering seeds

Autoflowering seeds flower automatically (generally after 20 days of growth), independently of the photoperiod (hours of daylight and hours of darkness). This means that they start to flower after a certain time, generally 2 to 4 weeks after germination, whatever the light conditions. 

This characteristic is the result of their unique genetics, derived from a cross with Cannabis Ruderalis, a subspecies of cannabis native to regions with very short summers.

These automatic hemp seeds are particularly appreciated for their rapid growth and ease of cultivation, making them ideal for beginners or for growing in restricted spaces. They are also resistant to climatic variations, so can be grown outdoors for short periods.

Autoflowering seeds from indicas, sativas and hybrids are available, offering a wide range of effects, flavours and aromas. Discover SILENT SEEDS' premium quality autoflowering seeds, with varieties such as Moby Dick Auto, Critical+ 2.0 Auto, Critical Jack Auto, L.A Vanilla Cake Auto, Polar Gelato Auto and Pink Sunset Auto.

Buying cannabis seeds

The purchase of cannabis seeds is subject to different legislation in different countries. It is therefore essential to find out about the regulations in force in your country of residence before making a purchase. 

When making your purchase, consider the following criteria:

• Seed genetics: Indica, Sativa, hybrid
• THC and CBD levels
• Flowering period
• Potential yield
• Resistance to disease and parasites
• Growing conditions (indoors, outdoors, greenhouse)
• Aromatic profile

To ensure the freshness and quality of your cannabis seeds, we advise you to buy just the right quantity of seeds you need, except in cases where you can take advantage of cheap cannabis seeds through occasional promotional offers.

Growing cannabis from seed

Growing cannabis from seed is very advantageous, because the female plants from these seeds will always be more vigorous, more resistant to disease and pests, more productive and demonstrate higher overall quality, compared with growing cannabis from clones or cuttings. 

The ideal time to plant

The ideal time to plant your cannabis seeds depends on a number of factors, including the type of seed you choose (feminised, autoflowering, CBD-rich, etc.) and the growing environment (indoor or outdoor).

For outdoor growing, the best time is generally early spring, when night-time temperatures do not fall below 15ºC. The cold can slow down the development of seedlings. The seeds then begin their growth cycle with the first light of spring and are ready to be harvested in autumn.

For indoor cultivation, the planting period is more flexible. However, the plant's life cycle must always be respected: a period of growth under 18hr light followed by a period of flowering under 12hr light for photoperiodic varieties. 

Here are some general recommendations:

• For classic or exotic feminised seeds, we recommend planting them in April.
• Autoflowering seeds can be planted at any time of year, as long as their specific life cycle is respected.
• For CBD-rich seeds, please follow the supplier's recommendations, as each variety may have its own specific preferences.

The role of seeds in cannabis collections

Cannabis seeds play a fundamental role in cannabis collections. They represent the genetic diversity of cannabis and enable the different varieties of the plant to be preserved and propagated. The richness of the collection therefore depends on the quality and diversity of the seeds collected.

Cannabis seed collectors are often looking for unique or rare varieties to add to their collection. This may involve looking for seeds from specific regions, historical varieties or new exotic or other hybrids.

Some seeds are also collected for their specific characteristics, such as a high THC or CBD content, a particular resistance to disease, a short flowering time or a distinct aromatic profile.

Finally, seed conservation is also an important issue for collectors. Seeds need to be stored in optimum conditions to preserve their viability and germination potential. Choosing a quality seed bank is your best guarantee of ordering top-quality cannabis seeds.

In short, cannabis seeds are both the starting point and the treasure trove of cannabis collectors.

Choosing seeds: what criteria should you use?

To make an informed choice about your cannabis seeds, there are a number of criteria to consider.

• The type of seed: As mentioned above, there are different types of cannabis seed, each meeting specific needs and expectations.
• Climate: Some varieties are better adapted to specific climates. Tolerance to cold or heat, as well as day length, can influence the plant's growth and production.
• Source: The quality of seeds depends largely on their source. Reputable seed banks generally offer high-quality seeds with good genetics.
• The desired effect: Each variety of cannabis produces a different effect. So it's crucial to choose a seed that will produce the desired effect, whether it's relaxing, energising, creative or something else.
• Flowering time: Some cannabis seeds have a shorter flowering period than others. If you want a quick harvest, opt for autoflowering seeds.
• Disease and pest resistance: Some varieties are more resistant to disease and pests than others. This is an important criterion to consider, especially if you're growing outdoors.
• Place your trust in a trusted seed bank like SILENT SEEDS to order cannabis seeds of the highest quality.