Purpose of feminized seeds

[high_hopes]

I thought the purpose of fem. seeds were to eliminate the males and almost ensure that all of your seeds will grow/flower. Am I wrong? A buddy and I are growing for the first time, germinated 5 seeds, but 0/5 have come up from the soil. My friend insists it's because of the seeds being bad. His pride can't take a hit and it's getting to the point where I am just going to bail. I can't take his ego any longer. I say it's because he did something incorrectly (we are growing as his place, so I can't be there 24/7 obviously).

My friend states we bought some difficult strains (sensi from paradise and nebula from paradise) and insists that we should have bought regular seeds (non-fem). I try to tell him that with reg seeds, there will be some males that def. won't come up. He doesn't seem to understand, but maybe I am incorrect?

What is your reasoning behinf purchasing fem seeds usually?

Thanks

 

[hamstring]

No males.
It makes it easier for an outdoor grower or anyone who starts from seed. I wouldn’t blame the fact they are femed for poor germ rates. Too many other reasons to jump right to that conclusion. Does it mean it did not play a role, who knows but cant zero in on that one trait in my opinion.

 

[Space Ghost]

why would males not come up like females?

 

[kaneboy]

you should start with some good quality normal seed for your first few grows and work up to fem seeds!!a lot can go wrong with fem seeds if you dont know what to look for but dont let it get you down every one goes thru it

 

[Care Free 1]

Hi kaneboy

Can you explain the problems that could come up with femm'ed strains, and why you feel the need to work your way up to them.

I dont see what those problems could be that would not occur with non femm'ed varieties.

 

[Burdock]

Seeds are seeds,some are a PITA to start while others jump right out the shell. Your germing method needs some tweeking,starting them in soil works but the soil must be kept moist and at least room temp. Easiest way is to use wet papertowl,wrap a few layers around seeds,place in ziplock baggie and wait a few days. Some will crack the shells slighty to ensure germ or scuff slightly with sandpaper. Loads of info out there so do some research. Once tap root gets 1/2 an inch or so gently place in dirt or growing medium.

 

[Snagglepuss]

it takes 5 to 10 days to emerge sometimes

 

[CantBe2High]

Slight Preference for fems

Slight Preference for fems

My first grow was female seeds. One less thing to worry about (sexing) and can maximize my small space. You can also veg one mum and take clones and maximize return as you can be pretty sure that they will all be female.

My second and current grow was regular seeds. I got half male, half female. Spotting the males was a breeze, they clearly showed their balls before the females showed their hairy pubes I have heard its best to not transplant during flowering, but as soon as I culled the males I transplanted the females to bigger pots in very early flowering stage with no ill effects.

But in my case, there was a risk I might only get 1 or 2 females, even none. On my first grow, one female plant never did flower. Could have been bad genetics, probably a heat problem I think, could have been related to female seeds but I doubt it.

In general though, if I can get good female seeds and twice the price of mixed, I will go for it due to space, peace of mind and so forth. But nobody should stress out about sexing, its very obvious.

 

[habeeb]

1. if your a first time grower go with shit / crit mass / devil / NL ....
2. don't ever tell a friend / grow with a friend
3. don't buy fem seeds if first time as if you stress them they could turn hermie
4. don't ever buy fem seeds, your supporting a non-ethical / natural method

read read read, then read some more

 

[willostat]

edit

 

[Yellowmoon]

you're the one who is right high_hopes. i hope you can convince your friend about that.

it's been said already, but: since newbies tend to give their plants more stress than experienced growers (always depends of the person though), causing herming, newbs are adviced to start with regular seeds.

i like to grow from female because i don't enjoy starting too many plants and then be nervous how many female, if any, i'm going to get. less trouble dragging soil around, too.

 

[whodi]

Maybe you should try germinating them before putting in soil and use a different type of soil.. did you water it correctly.. or add nutes too soon. No tellin what all he might have done wrong. I doubt it was the seeds.. as paradise is a good company.

 

[Deft]

Check the outdoor forum, outside is where fem seeds shine. After all who wants to dig double the holes and haul double the compost and water just to grow males.

Theres a GREAT seed germination thread up in the outdoor form also.

 

[Guest]

Odds are you got a germination prob. Over the years with many packs of paradise seeds popped, Ive averaged a 90+% germ rate consistently. You could have gotten some old ones but paradise is pretty good about keeping up with their stock in my view.

It happens to all of us from time to time. Good luck with future tries.

 

[PazVerdeRadical]

I thought the purpose of fem. seeds were to eliminate the males and almost ensure that all of your seeds will grow/flower. Am I wrong? A buddy and I are growing for the first time, germinated 5 seeds, but 0/5 have come up from the soil. My friend insists it's because of the seeds being bad. His pride can't take a hit and it's getting to the point where I am just going to bail. I can't take his ego any longer. I say it's because he did something incorrectly (we are growing as his place, so I can't be there 24/7 obviously).

My friend states we bought some difficult strains (sensi from paradise and nebula from paradise) and insists that we should have bought regular seeds (non-fem). I try to tell him that with reg seeds, there will be some males that def. won't come up. He doesn't seem to understand, but maybe I am incorrect?

What is your reasoning behinf purchasing fem seeds usually?

Thanks

it seems as if you two don't know much about growing to be honest... like Space Ghost noticed, you have a serious confusion regarding non-femmed seeds, so I pose the same question as he: why would there be "some males that def. won't come up" with non-femmed seeds?

also, from where I stand, your buddy can ditch you anytime and not need you to grow, it is his place afterall, and it seems the choice of seeds was made more due to your influence rather than his... so instead of trying to blame your buddy for all the wrongs, you should be a man and share the responsability of this failed attempt... but worry not, there are tons of seeds out there awaiting new growers to learn and cultivate beautiful plants.

good luck next time around,

Paz

 

[bagseed77]

its also the wrong time of the lunar cycle to satart seeds, start when the moon is getting fuller , you will have better results, seeds like a pull from the moon.

 

[hoosierdaddy]

I have found, as well as seen confirmation by other respected moon watchers, that the very best time to have seeds emerge is just into the waxing phase after the new moon.
Which is in the realm of info given by our friend, bagseed.
This month's 'cold moon' is the most powerful it has been all year, and following respected moon watchers advise seems to really pan out when the moon is most powerful (closest to the earth). Exceptionally high tide warnings were given with this past full moon.

BUT...never let the moon phase override your grow schedule. Seeds will pop, and plants will grow, no matter what the moon is doing.

As for fem seeds being any more hermie prone than any other seeds...IMO that is total bullshit. Nothing more than internet hearsay that is unfounded.
The reason fem seeds hermie is the exact same reason non fem seeds hermie.
It is ALL in the selection, and the fault of hermies lies in the selector/grower.
ANyone using other than true breeding stock for ANY seeds that will hit the public, AND those who grow like Bozo and Co also creating hermie situations are to blame for ALL hermies. Save for a few strains that are simply hermie prone due to their natural enviro. (ie some thais) Hard to find a true breeder in those lots.
Fem seeds are not simply hermie prone.

 

[the 45 king]

try germinating in a wet paper napkin inside of a container and also practice on some bagseed

 

[marijuanamat]

If you germinated and split them before planting then in the soil then they probably got damping-off fungus which rots the seed,and if you planted the seeds directly into the soil then you might not of given them long enough to sprout and again could also be damping-off fungus.
Always germinate your seeds before planting them into the grow medium then you'll know that the seeds are/were viable then you'll know you fucked up somewere.

 

[vindiesel]

fem seeds are great IMO. used them for first 3 strains grown. all excellent breeder. i've had no probs with germin or hermies, etc. no probs. paradise good for fem though. fem great for gardens with space limitations and for those just getting their feet wet.