Have you heard the hype surrounding F1 cannabis seeds but struggle to see why you should bother growing them? Keep reading for an overview of the biggest benefits of growing F1 cannabis hybrids, as well as the top varieties available to grow.
F1 cannabis hybrids are here, and promise to forever change the way we grow weed. However, given the novelty of these genetics, many growers still struggle to understand the benefits of cultivating F1 hybrids. In what follows, we describe the benefits in detail to help you make an informed decision about whether F1 cannabis seeds are right for you.
F1 stands for "filial 1", and refers to the first generation of offspring resulting from a cross of two pure, distinct genetic lines. While all cannabis seeds are created by using the pollen of one plant to fertilise the flowers of another, F1 seeds stand out from normal cannabis seeds because they're derived from pure inbred lines (or IBLs). IBLs are created by crossing a variety with itself over many generations until it becomes highly stable.
IBLs can stem from any variety of cannabis plants, but what makes them unique is the long process of inbreeding that helps to stabilise their specific traits. The inbred lines used to create Royal Queen Seeds F1 hybrids, for example, have been meticulously bred for several years to retain only the most desired traits, such as:
Specific plant height (small plants for easy indoor growing, or large plants for massive outdoor yields)
When two inbred cannabis lines are crossed, heterosis (or hybrid vigour) occurs in the offspring. Essentially, we see the traits originally preserved in the inbred parent lines expressed to a greater degree in the offspring, and we're left with plants that exhibit great vigour and uniform characteristics—something that, until now, has been hard to find in cannabis seeds. Check out this article for a more detailed look at the genetic science behind F1 cannabis seeds.
5 Reasons to Grow F1 Cannabis Hybrids
Creating F1 hybrids is an expensive and time-consuming endeavour. Maintaining inbred lines takes years and requires special care. The uniformity that breeders look for when creating IBLs generally only starts to show after several generations, and pure inbred plants often require plenty of regular maintenance from breeders and growers.
Plus, F1 hybrids are the only generation to preserve the uniform traits, vigour, and high yields that breeders look for. Subsequent crosses of two F1 hybrids (known as F2 hybrids) typically do not preserve the traits of their parents, meaning F1 seeds need to be recreated by crossing the original parent inbred lines again.
All of these factors obviously affect the price of F1 hybrid seeds, and many cannabis growers are left wondering whether investing in F1 hybrids is worth it. However, it is—F1 hybrids offer unique benefits that simply can't be found in regular cannabis seeds (which generally produce vastly different plants, even when stemming from the same parent "strains"). These benefits include the following.
1. Uniformity and Stability
Conventional cannabis seeds are known for producing plants with variable characteristics. Even when sowing seeds that technically come from the same strain, cannabis growers often end up with plants with different traits (height, branching, flowering times, yields, etc.). For the first time ever, F1 cannabis seeds offer growers access to seeds that produce a stable, uniform crop that consistently yields top-shelf flower.
Grower Experiences: Learn First-Hand From the Pros
MCFLOW, an experienced grower contacted by RQS, caught the similarity between Apollo F1 plants right from the get-go:
"I noticed this characteristic right from the seedling stage. The Apollo F1 seedlings looked exactly the same. They sprouted at the same time, almost all their leaves emerged on the same day, and, throughout their growth until harvest, they remained almost identical".
KOTIGROWERS was cultivating a Titan F1, and here are his impressions:
"Titan F1 displays a high degree of uniformity within the same seed batch. The characteristics are also visible in the plant structure, leaf shape, and overall appearance. All three plants have the same bonsai-like size and are very compact".
So, growing one of our F1 hybrid varieties yields fantastic uniformity. But what about when you grow them all at the same time? OYZIPHAR gladly embraced the challenge:
"F1 hybrid strains are quite uniform… The Apollos are the smallest plants. My two Titans are like twins, just the same size. They almost look like clones".
Apollo F1. Credits: McFlow
2. High Yields
F1 hybrids boast exceptional yields. When we began creating our inbred genetic lines several years ago, we started by carefully selecting plants renowned for their ability to produce large amounts of high-quality bud. Over years of careful inbreeding, we created pure inbred lines with stable and uniform traits; through the phenomenon of heterosis, our F1 hybrids boast unbeatable yields—both in quality and size.
Reports From Seasoned Growers
In the words of MCFlow:
"My scepticism vanished when I witnessed the exceptional growth and substantial yield of Apollo F1".
After all, these seeds are brand new to the world of weed! But their experience wasn’t a fluke—all of our F1s boast excellent productivity.
F1 Hybrid Yield
3. Resistance to Stress, Disease, and Pests
It's no secret that pests and moulds can quickly wreak havoc on a cannabis garden or grow room. Luckily, this is another area where F1 cannabis hybrids stand out from conventional strains. Hybrid vigour doesn't just affect a plant's yields—it also makes plants stronger and better able to overcome stress and adverse growing conditions.
All of our F1 hybrids have been meticulously bred to provide growers with strong plants that deliver great results indoors, outdoors, or in greenhouses. They also have exceptional stress tolerance and are highly resistant to a wide variety of common cannabis pests, including pathogens like Botrytis and Fusarium as well as insects such as spider mites, whiteflies, thrips, and more.
Expert Growers Share Their Insights
Among the initial growers to cultivate these varieties, their robustness left a positive impression. As Oyziphar describes it:
"What strikes me is the sturdiness of the plants. The side branches do not need any support".
These sturdy plants aren’t only more resistant, but their structure helps them overcome the weight of large buds and strong winds.
Milky Way F1: Credits: Oyziphar
4. High Potency/Phytochemical Content
Cannabinoids and terpenes are crucial to the way we experience the effects of cannabis. F1 cannabis hybrids boast high concentrations of these active components, offering higher potency than conventional cannabis strains. Again, this comes from the characteristics of the IBLs they were bred from, and the hybrid vigour the progeny inherited when these lines were crossbred.
Growers Are Impressed By F1 Potency and Phytochemical Profiles
Kotigrowers (and their friend) were amazed at the potency and stickiness of Titan F1. They shared with us:
"The different characteristics of the Titan F1 strain, for me, is its impressive potency and high resin production. As my friend said after trying the Titan: 'It’s a hammer'".
The increased phytochemical production doesn’t just equate to more profound effects, but also more pronounced aromas and flavours.
Considering Oyziphar's observations:
"The Epsilon surprised me with its fantastic aroma...The buds become harder and harder, the smell is very strong, and the trichomes become numerous."
Titan F1. Credits: Kotigrowers
5. Fast Growth and Flowering
Hybrid vigour means faster, healthier growth. Some F1 cannabis hybrids also exhibit express flowering times that are ideal both for indoor growers looking to minimise costs and outdoor growers living in regions with short growing seasons. As the current F1 hybrids on the market are autoflowers, these plants are fast to veg and flower, allowing growers to secure a high-quality harvest in a matter of weeks.
First-Hand Accounts of Growth Speed and Flowering
Growth speed and the length of the flowering cycle are important factors for many growers. MCFlow, in particular, was astounded by the rapidity with which Apollo F1 thrives:
"...is the fastest-growing plant I've ever cultivated. Normally, it takes me more than 120 days from seed to harvest, so I was quite surprised to see fully developed, high-quality buds after only 80 days".
But F1 hybrids don’t just speed through the growing cycle once they emerge from the soil. Oyziphar was impressed by the vegetative stage of his F1 plants:
"Besides their strong germination rate was the growth rate. If you want to keep your grow cycle short, these new RQS F1 hybrids are state of the art".
BUTTERFLIESLITTLEFARM, a seasoned grower-friend, undertook the cultivation of Apollo F1, Milky Way F1, Titan F1, and Medusa F1 varieties:
"What is fascinating is their speed of maturation… I think that, in general, F1 is great for everyone who has a lack of space and wants a top result for themselves in the fastest possible time".
There you have it. F1 hybrids are fast—seriously fast.
Medusa F1. Credits: Butterflieslittlefarm
What Are the Best F1 Hybrid Cannabis Seeds to Grow?
At Royal Queen Seeds, we're proud to have created the world's first selection of true F1 hybrid cannabis seeds. Now that you understand the benefits F1 genetics offer over traditional cannabis strains, here's a brief look at the top F1 cannabis hybrids from our new catalogue. For tips on how to grow these hybrids at home indoors or out, check out our guide here.
Discover the Experts' Choice:
To assist you in making a decision, let's hear from experienced growers.
MCFlow shared their thoughts on Apollo F1:
"This strain completely changed my perspective on autoflowers"
Butterflieslittlefarm took a serious liking to another one:
"Medusa F1 is currently at the very top of my favourite strains"
After growing our entire range of F1 hybrids, Oyziphar quickly fell in love with three of them:
"The Hyperion is also a real winner, just like Medusa. Orion is also a favourite…The quality of the buds can be compared to that of non-automatics, but everything goes much faster".
Note that all of the following F1 hybrids are autoflowers.
Cosmos F1
Cosmos F1 is our flagship high-CBD F1 cannabis seed. Descending from a pure genetic line derived from Oregon CBD, this is also the largest of our F1 hybrids. Cosmos F1 seeds produce large plants with a typical Christmas tree structure, long branches, and plenty of healthy foliage to soak up the rays and fuel more vigorous growth. Cosmos F1 is harvest-ready 80 days after germination, at which point she'll reward you with long, dense flowers with a rich aroma of fresh pine and cookies.
Epsilon F1 combines genetics from Blue Dream, Blueberry, Amnesia, and Black Domina. She is the fastest of all of our F1 hybrids, going from seed to harvest in just 60 days. Epsilon F1 seeds produce short plants with few branches, ideal for small rooms, tents, or low-key outdoor gardens. As she flowers, Epsilon F1 produces little to no aroma, which may prove attractive for guerrilla growers. Once dried and cured, however, Epsilon F1 flowers boast a rich aroma combining hints of fresh herbs, citrus, earth, blueberries, and lavender. Her effects couple long-lasting physical relaxation with an uplifting, motivating kick.
Medusa F1 is a deliciously aromatic F1 hybrid. Bred from Sugar Magnolia (a thick and sweet indica) and American Beauty (a fast, fruity, and well-balanced hybrid), Medusa F1 seeds grow into elongated autoflowering plants that easily reach heights of 80–85cm and develop long, strong, and well-spaced branches. She takes 72 days from seed to harvest and produces long, dense, and resinous flowers that are super easy to trim thanks to their large, swollen calyxes. Medusa F1 produces well-balanced effects that fully relax the body while injecting the mind with positive, creative, and motivating energy.
Are you ready to take your cannabis garden to the next level? Check out our full selection of F1 cannabis seeds, and enjoy sowing the seeds of the future.
You can read all of the reviews in the world, but the best way to find out is to grow and smoke them yourself!
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Privacy Policy - Royal Queen Seeds
To ensure a safe online environment and guarantee adequate data protection, we strictly comply with all legal requirements. In this privacy statement, we provide information about how and for what purpose data is collected, safety measures, storage periods and contact details.
COMPANY NAME: SNORKEL SPAIN, SL (hereinafter ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS)
C/ Vilar d'Abdelà, 5 (nave 1) CP: 08170 de Montornès del Vallès
+34 937 379 846
support@royalqueenseeds.com
The present Privacy Policy sets out the terms on which we will treat personal data at ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS; this includes any personal data collected through our website https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/ as well as any other data we process in the course of our business activities.
ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS collects the following personal data for the purposes listed below:
SECTION 1 – PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT
1.1 Account purchases
Account purchases can only be made if you are in possession of a personal account. When you create an account or purchase something from our shop, as part of the buying and selling process we collect the following personal information that you provide to us:
First and last name
Home and billing address
Telephone number
Gender
IP address
Email address
Date of birth
This information is required for delivery. In addition, when you browse our shop, we automatically receive the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your computer. Based on this information, we can optimise your online experience and at the same time protect our online environment.
Purpose of data collection
We collect and store account-related data for the following purposes:
(a) to carry out obligations arising from any contracts between you and us, and to provide you with information, products and services that you may request from us;
(b) to set up, manage and communicate with you about your account and your orders;
(c) to conduct market research and analysis;
(d) to confirm your age and identity, and to detect and prevent fraud.
1.2 Newsletters
With your explicit permission, we may send you newsletters about our shop, new products and other updates. We send newsletters based on your explicit consent. In the event that you purchase a product, and in accordance with current regulations, we may send you commercial communications in accordance with the legitimate interest of our company, always about products or services similar to those you have purchased or contracted. In any case, you may exercise your right of opposition through the channels announced in this Privacy Policy. The following information is collected in relation to the newsletter:
First & last name
Gender
We do not need to know the sex of the person in order to send the newsletter (data minimisation: by law we must ask for data that is strictly necessary to provide the service, and in this case knowing the sex is not necessary to send the newsletter).
Email address
Purpose of data collection
The data collected is used to:
(a) personalise our emails, including your name and gender;
(b) provide gender-specific content.
You can withdraw your consent at any time by using the link provided in the newsletter or the contact information provided in section 2.
1.3 Customer service and contact form
In order to provide appropriate support, our customer service employees have access to information related to the account. Consequently, their support will be highly effective and friendly. The data provided in our contact form is used by our CRM provider, SuperOffice. We will only use your details to respond to your message.
SECTION 2 – LEGITIMATE INTEREST
If you have purchased any of our products, please note that we may process your personal data for promotional purposes, based on Royal Queen Seeds' legitimate interest only to offer you products or services from our company and about products or services similar to those you have purchased. You may exercise your right to opt out of future messages by the means set out in this Privacy Policy or through any notification you receive.
2.1 How do you withdraw consent?
If you change your mind, you can withdraw your consent for us to contact you for the purpose of collecting, using, or disclosing your data at any time by reaching out to us at: support@royalqueenseeds.com.
SECTION 3 – DISCLOSURE
We may disclose your personal information if we are required to do so by law or if you breach our Terms of Service.
SECTION 4 – HOW LONG DO WE KEEP YOUR DATA?
At Royal Queen Seeds, we will not retain your data for longer than is necessary for the purposes described in this Policy. Different retention periods apply for different types of data; however, the longest period we will normally hold any personal data is 10 years.
4.1 Account information
Data relating to the account remains relevant for as long as the consumer is in possession of an account. Therefore, the data remains documented for as long as the account exists. When our customers delete an account, the associated data will be deleted within a reasonable period of time. Requests regarding the inspection or correction of stored personal data or the deletion of an account can be sent to support@royalqueenseeds.com.
4.2 Newsletters
In the event that you give us your consent to inform you about our products or services, we will keep your data until you express your wish not to receive any further communications from us. However, we regularly (every month) carry out a relevance check. Registered customers (and their personal information) will be deleted whenever customers do not reply to our request. In addition, our newsletter mailing has an opt-out feature. Consumers can withdraw their consent by using this opt-out feature.
SECTION 5 – COOKIES
Cookies are small information files that notify your computer of previous interactions with our website. These cookies are stored on your hard drive, not on our website. Essentially, when you use our website, your computer displays its cookies to us, informing our site that you have visited before. This allows our website to function more quickly and remember aspects related to your previous visits (such as your username), making your experience more convenient. At Royal Queen Seeds, we use two types of cookies: functional and analytical.
5.1 Functional Cookies
Functional cookies are used to enhance your online experience. Among other things, these cookies track what is added to your shopping cart. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.
5.2 Analytical Cookies
Analytical cookies are used for research and market analysis. The data collected with these analytical cookies is anonymous, making it unusable for third parties. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.
SECTION 5 – THIRD-PARTY SERVICES
Third-party services are required to conduct transactions and provide our services. In general, the third-party providers we use will only collect, use and disclose your information to the extent necessary to enable them to perform the services they provide to us.
However, certain third-party service providers, such as payment gateways and other payment transaction processors, have their own privacy policies regarding the information we must provide to them for your transactions.
We encourage you to read the privacy policies of these providers so that you can understand how these providers will handle your personal information.
In particular, certain suppliers may be located or have facilities located in a different jurisdiction than yours or ours. Therefore, if you choose to proceed with a transaction involving the services of a third party, your information may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which that service provider or its facilities are located.
Once you leave our website or are redirected to a third-party website or application, you are no longer governed by this Privacy Policy or the Terms of Service of our website.
Web analytics service (anonymous data)
On this website we have integrated an element of a web analytics service (with anonymisation functionality). Web analytics can be defined as the gathering, processing and analysis of data about the behaviour of visitors to websites. An analytics service collects, among other things, data about which website a person came from (the so-called referrer), which sub-pages they visited or how often and for how long they visited a sub-page. Web analytics is mainly used for website optimisation and for a cost–benefit analysis of internet advertising.
Courier service
To complete deliveries we use a courier service. This courier service carries out the delivery between our company and the consumer's home. To complete these logistics, the company requires access to the consumer's name and address information.
Mailing service
Royal Queen Seeds uses a third-party mail service provider to send its newsletter. This provider has access to limited account information related to opt-in consent (e.g. email address).
Marketing services
Royal Queen Seeds has the support of a company that specialises in marketing and communication activities. Their access to personal information is very limited and mostly anonymous.
Payment services
At Royal Queen Seeds we use external payment services to handle our transactions (e.g. credit card payments).
SECTION 6 – SECURITY
To protect your personal information, we take reasonable precautions and follow industry standard best practices to ensure that it is not inappropriately lost, misused, accessed, disclosed, altered or destroyed.
If you provide us with your credit card information, the information is encrypted using secure socket layer technology (SSL) and stored using AES-256 encryption. Although no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, we follow all PCI-DSS requirements and implement additional industry standards that are commonly accepted. Information related to the account is protected with a hashing method. This method transforms the information into a generated hash. As a result, confidential information is protected and invisible, even to us. In addition, our databases are exceptionally protected against unauthorised access. For example, access to the database is only possible and permitted via approved IP addresses (e.g. from Royal Queen Seeds headquarters). Other attempts and addresses are rejected at all times.
Furthermore, data is anonymised as much as possible, so it cannot be directly linked to a specific consumer. With this data, however, we may be able to carry out market research and analysis. In addition, the third parties concerned (e.g. mailing service) are examined prior to our collaboration, comply with the GDPR from the EU and receive a processing agreement. Within Royal Queen Seeds, employees are assigned different access permissions. Specific permission provides access only to information that is strictly required to perform a task. Digital security measures are subject to change and must meet high requirements to ensure the safety of online customers. That is why, at Royal Queen Seeds, we appoint a security officer. Regular verification and improvement of security measures (where necessary) are part of the role.
SECTION 7 – CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY
We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time, so please check back regularly. Changes and clarifications will be effective immediately upon being published on the Website. If we make substantial changes to this policy, we will notify you here that it has been updated so you will know what information we collect, how we use it and under what circumstances, if any, we use and/or disclose it.
SECTION 8 – YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO:
Revoke the consent you have granted;
Access personal data;
Rectify personal data;
Delete personal data;
File a complaint or a writ for the protection of your rights before the Spanish Data Protection Agency;
Be notified of any security incident that may affect your rights;