Each has its pros and cons, but if you’re growing hemp for CBD, we think clones come out ahead. Here’s how it shakes out:
• For heartier hemp and higher yields: seeds. Hemp grown from seed develops a long taproot and as a result, tends to be more robust and productive. That robustness is an advantage if the plants have to endure harsh conditions. But most farmers growing hemp for CBD baby their plants in order to optimize cannabidiol levels, so we wouldn’t see any advantage in the extra heartiness. Of course, high yields are great, but we’ll always choose quality over quantity.
• For flexibility in transport and planting times: seeds. Clones need to be transported in a controlled environment, and ideally, not over great distances. And since they’re sold pretty much ready to plant, they can’t wait around forever to get their roots in the ground (or growing medium). Seeds, on the other hand, have that nice, hard shell to protect the plant embryo from environmental and other stressors. Plus, they can wait for just the right time and conditions to be planted. So, if you have plenty of time but no reasonable way to transport clones, seeds may be a good choice.
• For compliance: clones. Seeds are like little packages: they all come with an element of surprise. And some surprises can cost everything. Even when you buy feminized seeds, there’s always a chance that there’s a male (or several) lurking amongst them. If left to grow undetected, just one male plant can pollinate an entire crop of CBD hemp, driving it out of THC compliance. And when THC levels rise, CBD levels plummet, leaving you with not only a non-compliant crop, but a worthless one. With clones, you know before you grow.
• For consistency: clones. You don’t get much more consistent than an exact replica. That’s why, in a commercial setting, it makes sense to grow from clones cut from proven mother plants. When customers are expecting specific cannabinoid and terpene profiles, with a certain level of quality and potency, clones deliver. Every time.
• For predictability: clones. Predictability is not Nature’s strong suit. With seeds, you never really know what you’re going to get until you have a field full of plants. But when you start with clones cut from proven mother plants, you know exactly what kind of growing characteristics to plan for and what kind of harvest you can expect. The more you can predict, the more risk you can avoid and the more opportunity you can create.