Many states today have legalized the cultivation and use of marijuana. One benefit of this change is people can now serve as breeders and experiment with new strains. Many products on the market today are hybrids. They are the result of crossbreeding attempts to amplify specific characteristics or effects. When a breeder successfully crosses two strains, the new plants contain the best traits of each parent.
Consumers want to know what they are purchasing. A breeder or seed bank might refer to a specific product as an F1 cannabis strain. Why should a person consider buying F1 cannabis seeds?
What Are F1 Cannabis Seeds?
Plants grow the same way. The male plant fertilizes the female plant in nature. However, when breeders become involved in the process, they use selective breeding techniques. They choose which male plant fertilizes the female plant rather than allowing nature to take its course. Doing so allows them to have more control over the offspring's characteristics.
Selective Breeding
With this process, the breeder can have more say in the plant's growth potential or bud structure. Selective breeding allows them to alter the flowering period or yield of the plant or various other characteristics. The resulting plant is the first generation of the new strain. Plants with the desired characteristics then undergo the process again until the plants have all desired traits. Once the breeder sees these traits, they stabilize the species. Next, the breeder crosses the hybrid with the parent species. Doing so will enhance the desired characteristics. The stabilization process typically takes a minimum of three generations.
F1 Strains
F1 strains are known as first-grow strains. They are first-generation hybrids created by crossing two pure strains that have unique phenotypes. A grower takes a selection of their best pure plants. When doing so, they focus on a specific trait these plants possess. They then do the same with another pure species. The resulting plant will no longer be a pure strain as it contains a recessive gene.
Stabilizing the F1 Strain
When crossing these plants, the breeder gets seeds. However, there is no guarantee the strain will be stable. Stabilized hybrids don't happen overnight. When a breeder creates a stabilized hybrid, they interbreed this strain to stabilize its characteristics. The process can take generations to complete. A breeder stabilizes it by crossing it back several times. As they do so, they must ensure the plants selected and crossed possess the desired characteristics. The result is a crop of identical plants.
Why Grow F1 Cannabis Seeds?
F1 cannabis seeds come with many benefits. When growing F1 seeds, you are guaranteed a stable and uniform crop and excellent-quality flowers. Yields in both quality and size are higher when F1 seeds are used. Furthermore, the plants are highly resistant to pests, diseases, and more. They aren't easily stressed and grow well in a variety of locations.
Purchase F1 seeds and get plants that can withstand the weight of heavy buds. F1 hybrids are very potent, as they contain high concentrations of terpenes and cannabinoids. They grow quickly, allowing users to have a healthy crop in little time, as well.
Learn more about F1 seeds today to see if they are right for your needs. Many growers prefer these seeds over others today, as they offer these benefits. However, purchase from a reputable seed bank to guarantee you get what you pay for. Nobody wants to spend money on F1 seeds to be disappointed with the results.