Frequently Asked Questions

Hemp is defined as a cannabis plant (Cannabis Sativa L) containing less than 0.3% Total THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol), which is the psychoactive compound that induces the “high” most commonly associated with marijuana. Though hemp is often cultivated for its rich CBD (Cannabidiol) content, it can also be refined into fiber, textiles, paper, building materials, and bio-fuel.

Feminized seeds are intentionally bred to remove the male chromosome, ensuring that the plant will be female. Only a female cannabis plant produces the CBD and terpene-rich resin most cultivators seek. Whether your crop is intended for CBD oil extraction or smokable flower, a female plant is the key to success.

When it comes to feminization techniques, not all seeds are created equal. There are many seed producers advertising seed as fully feminized when in fact they have males at rates more than 1 in 100. Even worse there are seed sellers advertising regular (male & female) seed with 35-40% males as feminized seed! Know your seed provider. When you choose seed from Davis you will see less than 1 in 5000 true males in your population.

Cannabis plants show their sex before they are mature enough to start the pollination cycle. Between the plant’s nodes (where the leaves and branches meet the stalk), pollen sacs (male) or a stigma (female) will develop. Male pollen sacs are small, ball-like growths whereas female stigmas are thread-like pistils or hairs.

Hemp is grown on nearly every continent including Europe, North America, South America, Africa, Asia, and Australia. Davis Farms agronomists and breeders have dedicated over 3 decades to the research and development of genetics for specific bioregions and micro-climates. Providing farmers with stable genetics tailored to their specific climate is one of Davis Farms’ proudest accomplishments. Our genetics are cold-weather hardy, mold, mildew, and naturally pest resistant. Because of these characteristics, Davis Farms likely has a CBD rich variety in our catalog that will suit your climate.

COA’s are a very important tool when it comes to understanding what you should expect from your crop regarding both compliance and CBD content. However, be cautious about allowing a single COA to shape your decision regarding the seed you choose. Try and look at a cross section of COA’s for any variety you want to grow… and look for COA’s from different labs, growing seasons, and regions whenever possible. Keep in mind that the difference in results from lab to lab and machine to machine can be significant. Many seed companies will even use a “cherry picked” COA with numbers that are unattainable in a homogenous population of plants. Asking for multiple COA’s will give you a clearer picture of what the seeds can realistically achieve.

When it comes to making a seed purchase be sure you factor in more than CBD content. Be certain to consider things like hardiness or acclimatization to your zone, and always look at total overall yield potential as a factor. We often see poor yielding or unstable genetics that show higher CBD contents on a COA.

Recommended planting dates can vary depending on what latitude and elevation you are farming. For the Northern Hemisphere, we recommend a planting date of June 1^st– June 15^th. However, you can plant as early as April 15^th if your region has already experienced its last hard frost and last planting can occur in mid to late July.

For the Southern Hemisphere, December 1^st-15^th is the recommended planting dates, late October if you are in  a region with no frost potential and as late as January 20^th to still achieve a decent yield per acre/hectare

Harvest times are typically 60-70 days from onset of flowering.

Davis Farms wants to protect the integrity and purity of the genetics we sell. To avoid dilution of the genetics and maintain our good standing among farmers It is not permitted to clone, copy, or create mother plants from the seeds provided. Davis Farms varieties are proprietary and IP protected.

Yes, Davis Farms can lawfully ship seeds to most nations of the world. Many nations require you apply for an Import Permit and/or that you hold some sort of license for hemp/cannabis. In most cases we are aware of the requirements but for some nations you may need to talk to your local Department or Ministry of Agriculture to discuss the requirements to import seeds. Once the import is approved, the process on our end takes no more than 7-10 days. The seeds will be tested for any Pest and Disease requirements specific to the import location and then sent for a Phytosanitary Inspection. For seed orders less than 100,000 seeds, the customer will be charged the fees associated with testing, the seed treatment, any inspection or certificates, and shipping & handling. These costs range from $400.00  – $1600.00 per order.

We do not have a minimum order quantity as we believe a farmer should be able to try new genetics without a large financial commitment.

Yes. With the release of the USDA’s Interim US Domestic Hemp Production Program, those handling hemp in any fashion (seed breeding, plant cultivation, CBD extraction, or whole biomass processing) must have a hemp license. Every state has its own hemp regulations. If your state already has a hemp program in place, you must follow your local hemp regulations. If your state does not yet have a hemp program, you must follow the USDA’s licensing program until your state’s program is developed.

Yes. Davis Farms holds the appropriate licensing to both handle and sell hemp seed. Due to our unique and federally compliant genetics, Davis Farms is also listed on a number of state’s Department of Agriculture’s Hemp Seed Providers lists.

It is not permitted to propagate, clone, or create a mother stock from the seeds provided. Davis Farms’ genetics are proprietary and appropriately protected in our Seed Purchase Agreement. Because our genetics are fully feminized the plant should not produce seed and pollinating with outside genetics is also prohibited. Please respect that Davis Farms has worked and continues to work tirelessly to provide genetics that are both high in CBD content and federally compliant to best ensure the farmer success.

Our pricing is primarily driven by the quantity of seed being purchased although in some countries the price per seed may be slightly higher. Generally the more seed purchased in an order the lower the price per seed.        Please let us know “roughly” the quantity of seed you would like to purchase and we can provide you with a quote.

With hemp there are two methods of planting we support. The first method is planting developed seedlings into the field after germinating and growing them in a hothouse or cold frame for 14-17 days prior to field planting. The second method for planting hemp is direct seed with a seed drill. There are many factors that can determine planting density; including bioregion, microclimate, latitude, and planting date… We suggest a median planting density of roughly 2250 plants per acre or 40” plant spacing with 60” row spacing.

If the choice is to transplant, we suggest the farmer start with 2500 seeds per desired acre planted. This will allow the farmer to cull out the weakest plants through the germination & hardening process. Field preparation varies depending upon soil type and existing irrigation, but transplanting is generally done with a waterwheel transplanter or similar equipment.

We are happy to discuss our opinions on the best planting method and equipment choices for your application.