The Ultimate Guide On How To Grow Industrial Hemp Vs. CBD Hemp Part 1

The CBD hemp industry has seen an incredible boom in the last two years. This is because a bill allowing hemp to be grown nationwide “The 2018 Farm Bill” was signed in 2018 and put into effect January 1, 2019. Since this time farmers in nearly every state have jumped at the chance to grow hemp.  Both agricultural and CBD hemp have incredibly beneficial applications that have causd such a stir in the agriculture industry. As it were, hemp is a very hardy plant that is as easy to grow as wheat and can be grown in pretty much any region corn can be grown in. However, which type of hemp you grow, (high CBD or industrial/agricultural hemp) drastically changes some of the practices you use.

Understanding CBD Hemp Vs. Industrial Hemp

Both CBD hemp and industrial hemp plants can be used to extract CBD. Looked at under a microscope the CBD molecules appear the same. But don’t be fooled–the path to that CBD molecule was very different.

Which Hemp Is Used For What?

It is difficult to parse out the language when talking about industrial hemp and CBD hemp because CBD hemp is, by definition–industrial hemp (under 0.3% THC% THC). However, for our purposes, we use the term “CBD or High CBD when referencing the short, flower and bud heavy hemp plant used to extract CBD versus the tall, sinewy, bamboo-like hemp plant used for fiber and material applications.   Which we call industrial or agricultural. The later has very little CBD or THC in it. But it is important to note that it is these variances in appearance and final application that influence the different growing practices for each. So let’s begin our comparison where it all starts–the seed.

The Difference between high CBD Hemp Seeds and Industrial Hemp Seeds

On the surface, there will be little, if any, difference between a seed used for industrial hemp vs. high CBD hemp. But the potential in each seed could not be more different.

Industrial Hemp Seeds: Industrial hemp seeds will grow into tall and lanky plants, which is why it is so great for fiber applications such as rope. Both male and female seeds are fine when growing hemp for industrial applications because the high concentration of CBD found in the flower is not the desired result. Therefore there is no reason to buy feminized seeds for industrial hemp other than to avoid pollinating a separate crop of female CBD plants on your farm or one nearby. In fact, there are some schools of thought that believe male seeds and plants should be banned altogether.  Many times you will have to deal with foreign countries to buy hemp seeds for industrial applications–i.e. agricultural hemp.

High CBD Hemp Seeds: High CBD hemp seeds will grow into a low bush-like plant with buds and flowers. As it were, a high CBD hemp plant will look more like a marijuana plant than it will an industrial hemp plant. When buying high CBD seeds, feminized seeds are definitely the way to go. Years ago, buying only female seeds for CBD hemp was cost-prohibitive to many farmers. But CBD seeds are more affordable than ever now–and well worth any extra money you may pay. Male seeds lead to male plants and they ruin CBD crops. They do this by pollinating CBD rich female plants and lowering both the potency and yield of your crop.

NEXT UP: Harvest Time! In Part 2 of this 4 part blog series on the farming industrial hemp vs. High CBD hemp we will explore the different ways the mature plants are removed from the ground. We will look deeper into the challenges and the ever-evolving innovations that farmers and equipment companies have come up with the counter them as well.

CBD Seed CO For All Your Hemp Needs

A part of one of the nation’s largest and most successful vertically-integrated hemp companies–CBD Seed Co hub for all your hemp needs. From Seed to sale we have the products and know-how to accelerate your hemp business fast. Contact us today with questions on any aspect of the hemp business that interests you–we will be happy to work with you towards your success!