The Differences Between Planting Marijuana Seeds and Cuttings

Introduction

When starting a cannabis cultivation, one must make an inevitable decision: to plant seeds or cuttings. This choice, which may seem unimportant, actually has a significant impact on the entire cultivation process and the resulting outcome. While we are familiar with the growth dynamics of seeds, cuttings or clones are often less popular among novice cultivators.

What are Cuttings?

Cuttings are small pieces taken from an adult plant that are stimulated to develop roots and therefore give rise to a new individual. Although the goal is the same whether we use seeds or cuttings, each method has its advantages, disadvantages, and particularities that make it more or less appropriate depending on the case.

1. Information in DNA

One of the main differences between these two cultivation methods lies in the DNA of the resulting plants. When using cuttings, we are directly using a piece of an individual with certain genetic qualities. Its genes contain information about the variety and its resistance to pests and diseases, among other factors.

By using a cutting, the offspring will have the same genetic information as the mother plant it originated from, ensuring no variability in its DNA from one generation to another. This allows us to maintain specific characteristics and quality in our harvest for generations. There is also no doubt about the gender of the new individuals: if the mother plant was female, the offspring will also be female.

This can be an advantage compared to seeds, as in the past, we had to wait for the plant to show pre-flowers to determine its gender. Now, thanks to the availability of feminized seeds, gender identity is no longer a disadvantage of germinated plants compared to cloned plants.

2. Problems and Unwanted Guests

However, genetic factors can also pose a serious disadvantage when using clones. Just as they have strengths, the individuals from which the cuttings originate may be vulnerable to certain diseases or deficiencies. If any of these factors affect our harvest, it could destroy the entire cultivation. Additionally, cuttings from indoor cultivations often come with common pests such as thrips, spider mites, and fungi.

With seeds, we ensure that the plants are clean right from the start. However, we should also ensure that our cultivation has the desired characteristics when purchasing seeds from a trusted distributor who can provide information about the variety and its peculiarities. Nonetheless, natural reproduction of cannabis plants results in high genetic variability, which can be an advantage in terms of the plant’s adaptability to different environments and resistance to pests and diseases.

3. Development and Growth

When comparing the development and growth of plants from seeds and cuttings, there are some notable differences. Seedlings tend to have a stronger taproot system that allows for deeper anchoring in the soil. This can contribute to better nutrient absorption and overall plant stability. Additionally, seedlings usually have a more vigorous growth rate, as they start from scratch and develop their root system and foliage simultaneously.

On the other hand, clones have a more established root system from the start, which gives them an advantage in terms of immediate growth. However, their root development might be limited compared to plants grown from seeds. Clones also tend to have a slower growth rate initially, as they first focus on developing their root system before investing energy in growing foliage.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the decision to plant marijuana seeds or cuttings depends on several factors, including the desire for genetic consistency, the availability of trusted distributors for seeds, and the overall cultivation goals. While cuttings offer the advantage of genetic stability and certainty about the plant’s gender, they may also carry the risk of inheriting vulnerabilities from the mother plant. Seeds, on the other hand, provide genetic variability, cleaner plants from the start, and the potential for higher root development and growth rate. Ultimately, cultivators should assess their specific needs and preferences to determine the most suitable method for their cannabis cultivation.