What is the difference between using seeds versus clones for growing cannabis?
Seeds and clones are two methods of propagating cannabis plants, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.
Seeds are the result of sexual reproduction between a male and a female cannabis plant. When a female plant is pollinated, it produces seeds, which can be used to grow a new plant. Seeds offer several advantages over clones, including genetic diversity and vigor. Since each seed is unique, seeds offer a wider range of traits and characteristics than clones. Additionally, seeds are less prone to disease and pests compared to clones, which can carry pathogens or pests from the mother plant. However, growing from seeds can be more time-consuming and less predictable, since each seed may have different growth characteristics, making it difficult to achieve consistent results.
Clones, on the other hand, are exact genetic copies of the mother plant. To create a clone, a small cutting of a mother plant is taken and rooted in a growing medium. Clones offer several advantages, including consistent genetics and faster growth. Since clones are genetically identical to the mother plant, they will have the same growth characteristics, yield potential, and cannabinoid profile. Additionally, clones can be rooted and ready to grow in a matter of weeks, saving time compared to starting from seeds. However, clones may be more susceptible to disease and pests, as they are genetically identical and can carry any issues from the mother plant.
In summary, seeds offer genetic diversity and vigour, but may be less predictable and time-consuming to grow. Clones offer consistent genetics and faster growth, but may be more susceptible to disease and pests. The choice of whether to use seeds or clones depends on the specific needs and goals of the grower.
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