Should I start my cannabis grow from clones or seeds?

Should I start my cannabis grow from clones or seeds?

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Introduction to Cannabis Cultivation: Clones vs. Seeds​

When embarking on the journey of cannabis cultivation, one critical decision you'll need to make is whether to start your grow from clones or seeds. This choice can impact your garden's trajectory, and it's vital to consider the pros and cons of each method to determine which aligns best with your cultivation goals.

Considering Clones for Consistency​

Cloning is the process of creating genetically identical plants from cuttings of an existing, mature plant. These "clones" will carry the same traits as their "mother," ensuring a crop that is consistent in quality and characteristics.

Advantages:​

- Guaranteed gender, as clones are always female.
- No "germination hump;" they start as young plants, saving time.
- Exact replication of a plant's traits from potency to yield.

Considerations:​

- Clones can carry pests or diseases from their mother plant to new environments.
- Success depends on the health of the mother plant; any weaknesses will be passed on to the clones.

The Seed Route for Variety and Vigor​

Growing from seeds can introduce a wider genetic variety to your cultivation efforts. Seeds can also demonstrate "hybrid vigor," meaning plants grown from seeds may potentially be more robust and resistant to diseases compared to clones.

Advantages:​

- Seeds eliminate the risk of importing pests or diseases that are common with clones.
- Provides the opportunity to bring new genetics into your garden.
- Seeds growing into seedlings can result in stronger, more resilient plants.

Considerations:​

- You'll face a mix of male and female plants unless using feminized seeds, necessitating sex identification and removal of males.
- Starting from seeds means a longer process as you wait for germination and seedling development.

Making the Decision​

Choosing whether to begin your cannabis journey with seeds or clones will rest on your preferences and circumstances. Factors such as desired genetic consistency, cultivation timeline, pest management, and legal plant counts in your area can influence this decision.

Frequently Asked Questions​

1. Can clones produce as effectively as seed-grown plants?​

Yes, clones can be just as productive as seed-grown plants, provided they come from a healthy and vigorous mother plant. However, plant vigor and yields may be more prominent in seed-grown plants due to hybrid vigor.

2. What is the primary benefit of using clones?​

The primary benefit of using clones is the assurance of growing female plants with identical traits to the mother plant, including potency, flavor, and growth patterns.

3. Are there any risks to starting a cannabis grow from seeds?​

Growing from seeds carries the risk of getting male plants (unless using feminized seeds) and requires a longer time investment as you wait for germination and seedling growth.

4. What should I look for in a mother plant for cloning?​

Look for a mother plant that is healthy, robust, and possesses the traits you desire to replicate in your cannabis crop, such as high yields, disease resistance, and certain cannabinoid and terpene profiles.

5. Do I need special equipment to start growing from clones or seeds?​

While the basic requirements are similar, clones may require a more controlled environment for proper rooting, such as a dome to maintain humidity. Seeds need proper warmth and moisture for germination but typically can be started with less specialized equipment.
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Jimster
  • Jimster
  • 4.00 star(s)
This is a good general intro. Seeds are much harder for the 1st timer due to fallovers, burning, transplant shock...clones are already fairly established. Feminized seeds can NOT produce a male, only females make seeds and they have no male chromosones...without male ingredients, there can't be a male. FWIW, females can be forced to grow flowers, whose pollen can be crossed with other females to make feminized hybrids.
OldManRiver
  • OldManRiver
  • 2.00 star(s)
Not accurate. I have used feminized seeds for years, and NEVER gotten a male. Properly femized seeds will never be male, due to have two x chromosomes.
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