S1-Cannabis seeds? S1 What?
Producing S1 (first-generation self-pollinated) cannabis seeds involves a process known as "selfing," where a female plant is induced to pollinate itself. This technique is employed to preserve and stabilize desirable traits from a specific female plant. According to ETHOS Genetics, selfing can be an effective method for both breeders and hobbyists to explore unique variations within a favored cultivar.
Steps to Produce S1 Cannabis Seeds:
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Select the Desired Female Plant:
- Choose a female cannabis plant that exhibits the traits you wish to preserve, such as potency, flavor, or growth characteristics.
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Induce Male Flower Formation:
- To enable self-pollination, the selected female plant must produce male flowers. This is typically achieved by applying a solution that inhibits ethylene production, such as silver thiosulfate (STS) or colloidal silver, which encourages the development of male flowers. It's crucial to use the appropriate concentration and application method to ensure the production of viable pollen.
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Pollination:
- Once the induced male flowers release pollen, collect it and manually pollinate the female flowers of the same plant. This ensures that the resulting seeds are true S1, containing only the genetic material of the original female plant.
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Seed Development and Harvest:
- Allow the pollinated plant to mature, enabling the seeds to develop fully. Once the seeds have matured, typically indicated by a darker color and hard shell, harvest them for future cultivation.
Considerations:
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Genetic Variation: While selfing aims to preserve specific traits, it can also result in a range of expressions in the offspring. ETHOS Genetics notes that selfing can be a way to find unique variations within the range of proven cuts, offering a chance to discover improved or adjacent versions of a great cultivar.
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Stability: The stability of the resulting S1 seeds depends on the genetic stability of the parent plant. Stable genetics should not offer much variety when selfed, whereas less homozygous genetics may display more variation.
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Legal Compliance: Ensure that all activities related to cannabis cultivation and breeding are conducted in accordance with local laws and regulations.
By following these steps, cultivators can produce S1 cannabis seeds to preserve and propagate specific desirable traits from a favored female plant. Selfing offers an opportunity to explore unique variations and can be a valuable tool in both small-scale and large-scale breeding programs.
From our webshop you can find couple S1-seeds from seed banks Elev8 and Green Bodhi!