When it comes to cannabis breeding, terms like S1 and F1 seeds often come up in conversation. But, what do they really mean? Whether you’re a seasoned grower or just getting into the world of cannabis cultivation, you can’t skip this chapter. Understanding the difference between these two types of seeds is essential. At Raw Genetics, we specialize in producing high-quality S1 and F1 seeds, ensuring growers have access to the best genetics available online. 

Follow along as we break down how these crosses are made. We’ll also cover why they matter, and why our seeds stand out in the industry. At any time, don’t hesitate to head over to the official Raw Genetics online store to see the best seeds currently in stock.

What Are S1 Seeds?

S1 seeds, or “selfed” seeds, are made through a process called self-pollination. This occurs when a female cannabis plant is induced to produce pollen, which is then used to fertilize itself. The result is a set of genetically identical seeds that preserve the traits of the original mother plant.

How Are S1 Seeds Made?

The process of making S1 seeds involves reversing a female plant’s sex to produce pollen. Then, you take the resulting pollen to fertilize itself. This is typically done with colloidal silver, silver thiosulfate (STS), or gibberellic acid. These compounds suppress the production of ethylene, a hormone responsible for female flowering. Once the plant produces pollen sacs, the pollen is collected and used to pollinate the original plant, resulting in S1 seeds.

Why Do Growers Like S1 Seeds?

Growers favor S1 seeds for their consistency and predictability. Since these seeds are genetically identical to the mother plant, they produce stable offspring. Each retains desirable characteristics such as potency, terpene profiles, and growth structure. This makes them an excellent choice for:

• Preserving elite genetics – If you have a prized mother plant, S1 seeds allow you to replicate it almost exactly.
• Predictable phenotypes – Unlike regular seeds, which can produce a wide range of phenotypes, S1 seeds deliver uniform plants.
• Easy selection – Growers don’t have to sift through multiple phenotypes to find the one they want.

At Raw Genetics, we create S1 versions of some of the most sought-after strains, ensuring that growers can access top-tier genetics without the uncertainty of hunting through a variety of phenotypes.

What Are F1 Seeds?

F1 seeds, or first-generation hybrid seeds, are created by crossing two genetically distinct parent plants. Unlike S1 seeds, which are selfed, F1 hybrids come from crossbreeding two stable parental lines. The result produces offspring with unique and often superior characteristics.

How Are F1 Seeds Made?

F1 hybrids are born by selecting two carefully chosen parent plants that exhibit desirable traits. These parents are bred together, and the resulting seeds display hybrid vigor, meaning they tend to be more robust, resilient, and high-yielding compared to either parent.

For example, crossing a highly resinous strain like Blue Cookie with a terpene-rich strain like Zikigai results in an F1 hybrid like Zifu, which showcases the best of both worlds—dense, trichome-coated flowers with an exceptional flavor profile.

Why Do Growers Like F1 Seeds?

F1 hybrids are popular among growers for several reasons:

• Hybrid vigor – F1 seeds often produce stronger, more resilient plants with improved resistance to pests, diseases, and environmental stressors.
• Unique expressions – While S1 seeds provide consistency, F1 hybrids allow for exciting new phenotypic expressions, giving breeders and growers the chance to discover something special.
• Increased yield and potency – F1 plants frequently outperform their parents in terms of yield and cannabinoid production.

At Raw Genetics, we take pride in producing F1 hybrids that offer superior growth traits and elite terpene profiles. This ensures that growers and hobbyists have access to cutting-edge cannabis genetics. We don’t believe in gatekeeping the fire.

Raw Genetics: The Best S1 and F1 Seeds Online

At Raw Genetics, we’ve spent years refining our breeding processes to deliver the best cannabis seeds available online. Based in Los Angeles, we specialize in both S1 and F1 breeding, allowing us to offer a diverse range of premium cannabis genetics. Here’s what sets our seeds apart:

Precision Breeding Techniques

We carefully select and test our parent plants to ensure only the highest quality genetics make it into our breeding projects. Whether we’re selfing a legendary mother plant to create S1 seeds or breeding two powerhouse strains for an F1 hybrid, we meticulously control every step of the process to produce stable, reliable seeds.

Elite Genetic Selection

Our catalog includes some of the most sought-after strains in the cannabis industry, including:

• Zifu (Zikigai x Blue Cookie) – A powerhouse F1 hybrid combining candy-like Z terps with a creamy cookie profile.
• Georgia Pie S1 – A true representation of the Georgia Pie lineage, delivering a rich blend of creamy Kush and earthy gas flavors.
• Black Cherry Gelato S1 – A selfed version of Black Cherry Gelato that smacks your senses with dark cherry-berry gas to create a commanding indica-dominant hybrid.

Superior Seed Quality

All of our seeds are rigorously tested for stability, germination rates, and performance in different growing environments. We ensure that our seeds produce robust, high-yielding plants with exceptional terpene profiles and potency levels.

Why Buy Raw Genetics Seeds?

• Consistency & Stability – Our S1 seeds provide reliable and predictable results.
• Innovation & Variety – Our F1 hybrids introduce groundbreaking new flavors, potential effects, and growth characteristics.
• Trusted by Growers – We work closely with cultivators, ensuring our seeds perform at the highest level in commercial and home growth. Not to mention, we’ve been doing this for over 10 years!
• Los Angeles-Based & Online Availability – We proudly breed and distribute our seeds in the LA-area, making our genetics accessible to growers nationwide.

Why Care About S1 vs F1 Seeds?

Whether you’re looking for the stability of S1 seeds or the vigor of F1 hybrids, understanding the differences between these seed types is crucial. Without this knowledge, it’s difficult to make informed breeding and cultivation decisions. At Raw Genetics, we are committed to delivering the highest quality cannabis seeds. This ensures that our customers have access to the best genetics available. Explore our selection today or one of our authorized retailers and take your grow to the next level with Raw Genetics!