Feminized seeds make things so much easier.
Using feminized seeds minimizes the chances of a male plant infiltrating your garden of females and pollinating them.
And the good news is that feminizes seeds are easy to find.
But they do cost a bit more.
That is why some growers prefer to make their own.
If you are one of them, keep reading to learn exactly how to make feminized seeds. We’ve got a quick step by step guide for you that makes the whole process as clear as possible.
Contents
- 1 How To Make Feminized Seeds
- 1.1 The Science Behind Feminized Seeds
- 1.2 Materials And Equipment Needed
- 1.3 Step 1: Preparation Of The Mother Plant
- 1.4 Step 2: Mixing The Feminizing Agent
- 1.5 Step 3: Applying The Feminizing Agent To The Mother Plant
- 1.6 Step 4: Caring For The Feminized Seeds
- 1.7 Common Problems And Troubleshooting
- 1.8 How To Grow Feminized Seeds: Related Questions
- 1.8.1 Which Strains Are Best For Making Feminized Seeds?
- 1.8.2 What Are The Highest-Yielding Feminized Seeds?
- 1.8.3 How Fast Do Feminized Seeds Grow?
- 1.8.4 Can You Smoke Male Cannabis Plants?
- 1.8.5 How To Tell The Difference Between A Male And A Female Cannabis Plant?
- 1.8.6 Can You Change A Male Cannabis Plant Into A Female Plant?
- 2 How To Feminize Cannabis Seeds: Final Thoughts
How To Make Feminized Seeds
If you’re a seasoned cannabis grower, you know how valuable it is to have a female plant that produces high-quality buds.
Growing with feminized seeds is the best way to ensure that your plants are all female, which means that you don’t have to worry about male plants pollinating your females and reducing the potency and yield of your crop.
Any good online seed bank sells feminized seeds. And despite the higher cost, feminized marijuana seeds are worth it.
But you can also make your own. There are different ways of ensuring you get feminized seeds, including the silver thiosulfate (STS) method, the rodelization method, and the colloidal silver method.
The Science Behind Feminized Seeds
When it comes to cannabis genetics, the sex of the plant is determined by its chromosomes. Typically, female plants have two X chromosomes, while male plants have an X and a Y chromosome
Traditional methods for producing feminized seeds involved stressing female plants into producing male flowers that contain female genetics. More modern techniques involve the use of plant hormones to create female seeds.
Using these modern methods, like silver thiosulfate (STS), you can ensure a much higher rate of success in producing feminized seeds, without the risk of accidentally producing hermaphroditic plants. Let’s see how it’s done. First, you’ll need some supplies.
Materials And Equipment Needed
Before you start feminizing cannabis seeds, it’s important to gather all the necessary materials and equipment. You’ll need the following:
- A mother plant that is at least six weeks old and is in good health
- A feminizing agent, like silver thiosulfate (STS) solution or colloidal silver
- Spray bottles
- A timer
- Protective gear, like gloves and goggles
- A separate growing area or tent for the feminized plants, to prevent pollination from male plants
You can buy all of these materials and equipment from online retailers or local hydroponics stores. Make sure that you read and follow all instructions and safety precautions before handling and using these materials. To feminize cannabis seeds, follow these steps:
Step 1: Preparation Of The Mother Plant
Choose a healthy and mature mother plant and ensure that it has not been exposed to stress or light interruptions. You will use this plant to produce the feminized seeds.
Step 2: Mixing The Feminizing Agent
Prepare your feminizing agent, whether it’s silver thiosulfate (STS) solution or colloidal silver, according to the instructions. It’s a good idea to wear protective gear, like gloves and goggles, when handling any chemical agents.
Step 3: Applying The Feminizing Agent To The Mother Plant
Apply the feminizing agent to the mother plant by spraying it on the branch tips, for the period of time specified in the instructions. Follow the instructions carefully, since different agents and techniques may require differing application methods and exposure times.
Step 4: Caring For The Feminized Seeds
After applying the feminizing agent, the mother plant will start producing feminized seeds. Care for your plant by giving her the correct amount of water, light, and nutrients. Keep her in a separate growing area or tent to prevent pollination from any rogue male plants.
By following these steps, you should be able to successfully feminize cannabis seeds. Remember to read and follow all instructions and safety precautions for handling and using the materials and equipment.
Common Problems And Troubleshooting
When feminizing cannabis seeds, there are a few common problems you may encounter. One such issue is that the feminized seeds may not produce the desired female plants, and turn into hermaphrodites or males instead.
This could be due to factors such as the incorrect application of the feminizing agent, inadequate care of the mother plant, or due to a genetic predisposition towards hermaphroditism.
Another potential problem is that the feminized seeds may not germinate or may have a low germination rate. This could be due to the age or quality of the seeds, improper storage, or incorrect use of the feminizing agent.
To troubleshoot these issues, you can try adjusting the application of the feminizing agent or using a different method altogether. It may also be helpful to improve the care of the mother plant and ensure that it is healthy and stress-free. Additionally, you can try using fresher, higher-quality seeds and ensuring that they are stored properly.
How To Grow Feminized Seeds: Related Questions
Next, we will answer some common questions relating to the process of feminizing marijuana seeds. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to ask them in the comments below.
Which Strains Are Best For Making Feminized Seeds?
Popular strains like Green Crack, Purple Kush, and Jack Herer are some of the highest-yielding feminized seeds.
What Are The Highest-Yielding Feminized Seeds?
The highest-yielding feminized seeds are Blue Dream and Runtz Muffin. They can yield as much as 850 to 1000 grams per plant when grown outdoors.
How Fast Do Feminized Seeds Grow?
Outdoor feminized seeds tend to take around eight to nine weeks, but by growing indoors you can alter the light patterns to encourage your plants to begin flowering earlier.
Can You Smoke Male Cannabis Plants?
Male plants don’t grow resin-packed flowers, so they’re typically rather low in cannabinoids like THC. While it may technically be possible to smoke large amounts of a male marijuana plant and experience short-term psychoactive side effects, attempting to do so would probably be a lot more trouble than it’s worth.
How To Tell The Difference Between A Male And A Female Cannabis Plant?
Male plants have small pollen sacs for the purpose of spreading seeds, while female plants develop stigmas, which catch the pollen that the male plants spread. It is best to identify the sex of the plant before the plant’s reproduction cycle kicks in and to remove male plants from your grow area.
Can You Change A Male Cannabis Plant Into A Female Plant?
Ultimately, the sex of your plants is determined by their genetics, which are set in stone long before you even begin the germination process. So no, there is no way to change a plant’s sex from male to female, but there are methods that can be used to force a male plant to display female-like qualities and produce feminized seeds.
How To Feminize Cannabis Seeds: Final Thoughts
Feminizing cannabis seeds is fairly straightforward. You just need the right materials. Apart from that, they key is providing a stress-free environment for your mother plants.
This means giving her exactly what she needs. Keep the temperature and humidity the way she likes it and give her the right kind of light. Make sure the light does not get too hot. When conditions are perfect, you plant suffers no stress and you maximize the chances of getting viable feminized seeds.
Peter Stevenson says
I’ve tried it once but got a lot boy’s and girls so I’ll try again, to see what one can do. Thanks for the info 👍