The different types of cannabis seeds

There are different types of cannabis seeds, divided into three groups: regular seeds, feminized seeds, and autoflowering seeds. But what are the actual differences between these cannabis seeds, the cultivation of which is still illegal in France?

Regular seeds

The regular seeds can be easily purchased online. They can also be found in poorly cleaned buds that had produced seeds on their own. These seeds give joints a bad, smoky taste, but they can be set aside and saved. As long as the seed isn’t damaged, it can germinate once planted in soil. Regular seeds sold commercially are mainly intended for cannabis cultivation purists or experienced gardeners.

Regular seeds will indeed produce plants that are either male or female. Female plants are the ones that interest weed enthusiasts the most, since it is their flowers that are smoked. If a male plant pollinates a female, she will produce flowers full of seeds. Growers usually separate male plants from female plants to prevent pollination and fertilization of these lovely ladies.

Regular seeds are also a good way to breeder breed certain varieties yourself by keeping the original parent plants and performing certain cross-pollinations.

Feminized cannabis seeds

The feminized seeds are genetically modified cannabis seeds (but don't think of Monsanto just yet). In a package of feminized seeds, the distributor guarantees that at least 95 % of the seeds will be female. The gardener then eliminates the element of chance but will be virtually assured of having plants to harvest without the risk of cross-pollination.  But how do you feminize a seed?

To feminize a cannabis seed, sodium thiosulfate and silver nitrate are sprayed onto a female plant in very precise doses. This female plant will then produce male seeds. These modified male seeds will subsequently produce only pollen containing the XX chromosome (females). Once the pollen from the males has reached a female plant, she will produce only feminized seeds. French Touch Seeds explains that there are still unknowns regarding the consequences of these genetic modifications. The spread of these seeds into contact with natural varieties could lead to consequences whose outcome is still unknown at this time, other than the disappearance of landraces in the wild. This technique is used for other crops, such as zucchini.

Autoflowering cannabis seeds

The autoflowering seeds are the result of a genetic cross between the Cannabis ruderalis and Indica or Sativa strains. These autoflowering hybrid seeds combine the rapid flowering of Cannabis Ruderalis with the characteristics of other strains. Flowering will begin automatically in three weeks to one month, regardless of light exposure or the photoperiod used. These seeds are suitable for both indoor and outdoor cultivation. It takes about ten weeks from sowing to harvest. The stems will not grow taller than one meter; their short height is offset by the thickness of the heads.

Cannabis cultivation is still illegal in France, even for personal or medical use. The estimated number of cannabis growers today ranges from 200,000 to 300,000 people.