Seeds or Clones?
If you are looking to start a new grow, or bring some new genetics into an existing grow, you face a choice: seeds or clones? Each option has pros and cons, so let’s talk about it!
Start by exploring your options
Not everyone has a chance to choose between starting from seeds or clones. If you live in a prohibition type place, by all means grow whatever you can get your hands on! Growing something is better than nothing, but always look for opportunities to improve your genetics!
Seeds are usually the best way to source good genetics in a prohibition area, so hop online and head over to SeedsHereNow.com (coupon code: DUDE10) and order yourselves some seeds! Or if you have a favorite breeder you want to support, hit them up on social media and ask them how to buy their seeds and support their hard work!
If you are lucky enough to live in a place where you can legally grow, you usually have access to dispensaries or other places that sell clones. Check their menus online or give them a call and ask what they have available. Finding out what they have before you drive down there gives you a chance to research your strain options and compare your choices with your online seed options as well.
When shopping for clones, do your research and make a list of you top three picks before you head to the store. When you get to the store, take a close look at the clones to evaluate their health and look for any pest issues or other problems. Take a good look at the bottom of the clones and always pick ones that are well rooted with lots of healthy white roots poking out. Be picky! You are about to commit a lot of your time and money to growing these clones out, so make sure they are healthy and something you really want to grow. New clones should always be quarantined and treated preemptively for pests BEFORE you bring them into your main grow.
If you are lucky enough to have access to both seeds and clones… well then you’ve got a decision to make! Both are great options, but you should take the time to think about which option is a better fit for your grow.
Pros and Cons
Choosing genetics for your grow is a big decision. A good place to start is by considering the pros and cons of each option:
In Conclusion:
There are lots of pros and cons to consider when choosing either seeds or clones.
Clones are more consistent and can give you a head start, but they can also carry pests or pathogens. Seeds are usually less consistent, but hunting through phenotypes and exploring the variety within a strain can be fun too! Seeds can take a bit longer to get started and you will have to identify the males, but they are much less likely to bring problems into your grow, and in many cases are more vigorous once they get growing.
Think about your growing situation and your goals for your grow. Take your time, explore your options, and do your research! Check out what’s available and pick the option that works best for what you are trying to do.
When you plant a seed or a clone, you are going to be investing your time and money to care for that plant, so pick some genetics that you are really excited about growing and go for it!
Bonus tip: Don’t limit yourself to growing just clones or seeds! Both are great options. Learn to take advantage of the benefits each brings to the table. Grow seeds to find something new and unique, then take clones so you can grow it forever and share it with your friends!
Thanks for Reading!
If you enjoyed this article, please check out my other articles here at DudeGrows.com and on my website, GrowersLove.com!
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Soup,
Another great article like we have come to expect. I live in the Carolina’s landlocked and ocean bordered deep in Prohibition Land. I can and do get both although limited on clones as to what buddies have to trade. I prefer seeds because I can buy regular seeds and pheno hunt for breeding. I really researched strains of males for breeding before recently purchasing some Arise seeds for my breeder male pheno hunt. Couldn’t get an Arise male clone unless you think Rasta Jeff will part with his “King Solomon.
Another reason I like seeds is that I try to run a cycle, I mix autoflowers and photoperiods, short and longer flowering time strains and Autoflowers are not available in seeds. But I can see another advantage to clones is that if(no when) a strain runs longer than anticipated or loose a plant you can immediately fit a clone into the cycle. That doesn’t work for me because of where I live and I can only trade clones in the Spring as my buddies are OG land farmers. There’s room for both just like there’s room for both autos and photoperiods, use all the tools available and I am sure that if I had legal(or otherwise, possibly) options of the variety and clones of great genetics available I would be the first in line at the dispensary.
Great article and interesting subject.
Happy Growing
Recharge the Fourth Macronutrient!
Correction, obviously should have been “ Autoflowers are not available in CLONES”. Blame it on the Tango Mango dabs😀
This is a very interesting read, I like how you broke it down into regions as far as what is best.