Where can you get F1, F2 and F3 cannabis seeds? Wait, what are F1, F2, and F3 marijuana seeds?

Breeding new cannabis strains is a complex endeavor that requires years of hard work and a deep understanding of the plant. It is exciting but intimidating territory for many aspiring cultivators. If you are fascinated by the art of cannabis breeding, you have probably come across terms like F1, F2, F3 strains, etc.

But what does it mean to start a breeding program with F1 or F2 seeds? What exactly is an F1 strain? These terms can be confusing at first, but don’t worry because this article will demystify the terminologies and guide you to confidently develop your own hardy seeds.

The basics of genetics

Genetic terms are often mentioned in conversations about cannabis, but what do they mean? When it comes to buying and caring for cannabis seeds, all you need is a basic understanding of the strain you have chosen. However, if you want to explore the realm of cannabis breeding, a deeper understanding of the subject is crucial to success. Sure, you can breed some females and hope for the best, but without a solid knowledge base you risk missing out on the potential rewards that come with it.

Understand F1, F2, F3 seeds.

What exactly does the letter “F” stand for? It stands for “filial”, a term of Latin origin meaning “the offspring of two parents”. The first generation of parents is referred to as the P1 generation while their offspring are referred to as the F1 generation.

When you cross two individuals of the F1 generation you create an F2 generation. Crossing two F2 individuals results in an F3 generation and so on for F4, F5 and so on. Breeders use these labels to track the number of ages a cross has gone through in order to solidify their traits. But what do these labels mean when you’re growing your cannabis plants?

Think of it like breeding puppies. You read that right. Growing cannabis is not that different from growing our furry friends. The mother and father dogs are the P1 generation and their litter of puppies are the F1 generation. Like puppies, the offspring may follow more of one parent or have a combination of the traits of both parents.

This also applies to cannabis in general. To better understand what F1 and F2 generation seeds are, let’s dive into the traditional breeding methods used in the Netherlands.

cannabis breeding

In the 1970’s when the first Dutch cannabis seed banks started to focus on breeding, they started with the purest strains – landrace strains. These strains included Cannabis indica from the mountains of the Middle East and various Cannabis sativa types from Asia, Africa, and South and Central America. When used in breeding projects, these landrace strains represented the original P1 generation – the product of generations of inbreeding within genetically isolated populations.

If you were lucky enough to have a batch of these landrace seeds, they would grow with characteristics similar to the plants they were harvested from. These plants had evolved over thousands of years and adapted to the climate of their respective regions, resulting in dominant genes for traits that helped them survive. The Dutch took advantage of these true F1 hybrids, crossing Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica to create strains like Skunk #1.

F1 seeds

These F1 hybrids inherited the most prominent genes from their P1 parents due to a genetic phenomenon known as heterosis, or hybrid vigor. This results in a stronger, more resilient plant with increased potency and yield compared to its parents.

This first F1 generation is quite consistent in terms of its characteristics, which means that if you grow Skunk #1 seeds you can expect all plants to have highly potent buds that smell like Skunk. This batch of seeds would be relatively uniform and genetically stable.

F2 seeds

By crossing a male and a female Skunk #1 (an F1 hybrid) you have created an F2 generation. However, if you grow these seeds, you will find that the plants look very different. Some are towering while others are short and stout. They even smell different—some with that classic Skunk smell, while others have a sweeter, fruitier scent. So what’s the deal? Why are these F2 generation plants so diverse?

Genetic diversity explodes in these F2 seeds as all the traits passed down from the P1 generation are recombined in unique ways. What was once a relatively uniform batch of seeds has now become a diverse mix of plants with different heights, smells and times of maturity. Some resemble their sativa parent with their tall stature and longer maturation, while others display their indica heritage with their short, stocky stature and fast flowering time. The F2 seeds really show the beauty and diversity of genetics.

In the world of cannabis breeding, the F2 generation will be exciting and unpredictable. It involves mixing and recombining the genes of the parent plants (P1s) to create new and unique phenotypes. However, if you want to grow a uniform crop of buds, this generation may not be the best choice. The inconsistent traits resulting from recombination can result in different yield and appearance. But for those looking to breed their cannabis, the F2 generation offers endless possibilities, and the magic of recombination can lead to the creation of new and exciting strains.

F3 Seeds and beyond

Let’s take the next step in breeding in our tropical cannabis oasis by selecting the highest THC male and female plants to create F3 seeds. Traits stabilize over the generations, resulting in a more uniform harvest. With each subsequent generation, such as F4 and F5, the stability of the seed continues to increase. Selecting the most potent plants of the F3 generation can result in a seed that consistently produces high potency bud. Creating a stable strain can take several generations, but the result is worth it.

Diploma

For those who would like to delve into cannabis cultivation, the terminology can seem overwhelming. But don’t let that stop you! There’s a simple solution when you need the luxury of access to landrace genetics. Buy seeds from reputable breeders with a proven track record of producing quality strains. By using their expertise, you can head in the right direction to create exceptional cannabis strains.

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