4. Choosing the Right Seeds or Clones

a master grower with the best equipment in the world can’t save bad genetics.

Your grow is only as good as what you put into it. And that starts with your starting material — whether it’s seeds or clones. If you begin with weak genetics, old seeds, or sickly cuttings, you’re setting yourself up for a long season of headaches and heartbreak.

This is where many new growers trip up. You’re excited. You found seeds online, or your buddy’s got a clone “he swears is fire.” But if you don’t know where those genetics came from, or how the mother plant was treated — you’re gambling with your time, money, and harvest.

Now sometimes you ONLY have access to bag seeds, there is nothing wrong with germinating those. Many times bags seeds can turn out to be perfect female plants with amazing bud, but many times they tend to herm out.

🛑Starting with bad genetics will lead to:

• Weak growth and structure
• Low resistance to pests, mold, and stress
• Poor yields and underdeveloped flowers
• Hermaphrodites (which can seed your entire crop)
• Overall disappointment — even if your environment is perfect

🧬 Genetics aren’t just about strain names — they determine how your plant grows, how it reacts to stress, how it smells, tastes, and performs in flower. Don’t let hype or price tags fool you.

Here’s what to avoid:

❌ Bad Seeds:

• Pale, greenish, or cracked shells
• Very small or very light seeds
• No breeder name, date, or strain info
• Seeds over 3–5 years old unless stored cold and dry
• “Mystery” seeds from a friend’s bud (usually from herms)

❌ Sick Clones:

• Yellowing or curled leaves
• Wilting or soft stems
• Visible pests like mites, aphids, or thrips
• Powdery mildew or fungus gnats in the root zone
• Clones that look stunted, stressed, or improperly rooted

“Clones are like hard drives — they carry all the bugs and corrupt files from their source.” — Subcool (RIP), founder of TGA Genetics

✅ What to Look for in a Breeder or Seed Bank

Don’t just buy from the first flashy Instagram ad you see. Many seed sellers online repackage others’ work or sell untested gear.

Look for these traits:

✔️ Trusted Breeders:

• Well-known names with a consistent history (e.g., Humboldt Seed Co., Ethos Genetics, Archive Seed Bank, TGA, Bodhi Seeds)
• Public grow journals and verified grows of their strains
• Reputation for stability, vigor, and desirable traits
• Clear lineage descriptions and testing data

✔️ Legit Seed Shops:

• Physical address and contact info
• SSL encryption on checkout
• Clear return or reshipment policies
• Discreet, professional packaging
• Customer reviews on grow forums like Rollitup, Reddit’s r/microgrowery, or THCFarmer

🌿 Choosing the Right Seeds or Clones

Seeds Pros:

• Pathogen-free (if handled well)
• Tap into deeper phenotypes and hidden traits
• Often stronger root growth and structure

Seeds Cons:

• Longer time to veg
• Possibility of males (unless feminized)
• Variation in phenotype (not all plants will look the same)

Clones Pros:

• Fast turnaround from rooted clone to veg
• You know the exact plant you’re getting
• No guessing about sex or phenos

Clones Cons:

• Can carry pests, disease, and stress
• Genetic drift if taken from a weak or overused mother
• Rooting issues or transplant shock

👀 Red Flags in the Clone Game

🚩 Warning Signs:

• Seller can’t tell you the origin or lineage
• No mother plant photos or environment details
• Plants look yellowed, droopy, or spotted
• Roots are mushy, brown, or missing altogether
• They’re being sold out of a unclean space
• The price is too good to be true

If you’re buying locally, always inspect in person if possible. If that’s not an option, ask for updated photos of the exact clone you’ll receive — not just “stock” pics.

🧠 Pro Tips for New Growers

• Buy from someone who grows what they sell. A great breeder doesn’t just make seeds — they grow them, stress test them, and stand behind them.
• Ask about the mother plant. A good clone starts from a healthy, mature, and proven mom.
• Don’t buy hype strains first. Start with something stable, resilient, and forgiving
• Quarantine new plants. Keep new clones or seedlings in a separate tent or space for 5–7 days. Watch for bugs or mold before placing them with your main grow.

🔍 Quick Checklist: Is Your Starting Material Worth It?

✅ Seeds:

• From a verified breeder or seed bank
• Dark, solid, tiger-striped shells
• Stored in a cool, dark, dry place
• Feminized or regular based on your goals

✅ Clones:

• Strong stems, healthy leaves
• No visible pests or mold
• Rooted in rockwool, soil, or plugs (not floating in water)
• Comes with history: mom info, strain details, and care notes

Start with healthy genetics from a breeder or source you trust, and you’ll avoid one of the most frustrating and demoralizing pitfalls in cannabis cultivation. Bad seeds waste months — good ones pay you back for years.