What’s the difference between cannabis seed strains?

Growers know that every cannabis seed looks roughly the same. Healthy seeds are light to dark brown in color and have a burled pattern on their waxy, protective coatings. Interestingly, even two seeds that look the same can grow into dramatically different plants. Read on to learn about some key differences between cannabis seed strains.

THC vs. CBD seed strains

Today, the use of medical marijuana is just as prevalent as smoking weed for its psychotropic effects. As a result, one of the first decisions growers have to make when they’re shopping for wholesale priced seeds is whether they want to grow THC- or CBD-dominant varieties. As a general rule, CBD-dominant cannabis seeds are a good fit for:

• Mild to moderate pain
• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Depression
• Avoiding THC-induced paranoia

Medical marijuana patients dealing with severe or neuropathic pain usually opt for more THC-heavy strains, as do most recreational users. Learn more about cannabis flowers by looking at high-quality distributors and abiding by their recommendations for dosage.

Sativa vs. indica strains

Every modern cannabis strain can be categorized as a sativa, an indica, or a hybrid of the two. These days, hybrids are increasingly common, but because each of them tends toward one side of the spectrum or the other, it’s still important to know the key differences between indicas and sativas.

Sativa strains originated in hot, dry climates with plenty of sun, so they tend to grow tall and thin and often require long growing seasons. Regarding effects, most users describe sativas as producing energizing effects that encourage productivity and creativity. Because they usually produce stimulating effects, most people use sativa strains during the day.

Indica strains originated in harsher climates, so they tend to be more resilient with a stockier growing habit and a shorter season. Indicas are largely considered to produce a relaxing body high that can help with sleep, reduce nausea, and improve chronic pain symptoms.

A note on other cannabinoids and terpenes

CBD and THC are just the best-known organic compounds found in marijuana. Each strain also contains a range of other cannabinoids and terpenes, affecting not just taste and smell but also what type of high users can expect. It’s important to check the descriptions of each strain before deciding which one to buy.

Autoflowering vs. photoperiod seeds

Most strains of marijuana, including indicas, sativas, and hybrids, now come in both photoperiod and autoflowering varieties. While photoperiod plants of all varieties require full growing seasons, autoflowering plants contain some cannabis ruderalis genes that allow them to complete their life cycles faster and move from the vegetative to the flowering stage without any change in light.

Feminized vs. regular seeds

Just as most strains come in photoperiod and autoflowering varieties, these days, all of the most popular ones can also be purchased as feminized seeds. Unlike regular seeds, which have a 50/50 chance of growing into male hemp plants instead of marijuana, feminized seeds always grow into female plants. This can be a huge advantage for growers working with limited space or not yet have enough experience to identify male plants before they flower.

Seed quality matters

Quality matters no matter what strain of marijuana growers want to produce and which type of seed they choose to do it with. Growers should always purchase seeds through reputable online seed banks that offer affordable pricing, germination guarantees, and ample information about each of the products being sold.