cannot be determined until the plant is
grown. Although the lineage of the plant
may provide a fair amount of information,
there is no way of pre-determining its exact
qualities. There are literally billions of
possible combinations of genes that the two
parents can supply. No two plants from
seed are likely to be identical.
There are many advantages to growing
genetically identical plants. Here are some
which growers have brought to my
attention.
- The plants have uniform growth
characteristics so the garden is easier
to maintain. Each plant grows to the
same size, has approximately the
same yield and matures at the same
time as its sisters. Starting from seeds,
plants of the same variety exhibit subtle
differences in growth patterns. - Buds from clone sisters will be of the
same potency and taste the same. - There will be no males in the garden.
Since all clones from a single "clone
mother" have the same genetic make-
up, clones from a female plant can be
only female. Usually about half of the
plants from seeds turn out to be male.
Using clones saves valuable garden
space which would have been used to
grow males.