Cannabis sativa
Origin: Colorado
Improvement status: Cultivar
Seeds per packet: ~25
Germination tested 12/2023: 52%
Life cycle: Annual
Back after a few year hiatus, we are again selling seeds from one of our favorite plants: Cannabis sativa! This is a non-psychoative strain of hemp bred for its high content of cannabidiol (or CBD), a compound much sought after for its myriad medicinal effects. This seed was grown by Aaron Parker of Edgewood Nursery in Maine.
These are open-pollinated seeds, so you can expect to have a split of both male and female plants.
The 'Otto II' strain is noted for thriving in the cooler soils of the northern reaches of the country, so we expect it to thrive in New England, the Upper Midwest, Appalachia, and the Rockies, but wouldn't be at all surprised if it turns out to be adaptable to warmer climes as well — but do be careful growing it outdoors in warmer weather, as heat and drought tend to make the plants' THC levels spike, which can still lead to legal trouble for you in most of the country (or at least to a confiscated or destroyed crop).
Here's what the original breeder has to say about it:
“The Otto II is a hybrid high-CBD hemp seed developed in Colorado by Ben Holmes, owner of the Centennial Seeds brand. Otto II is stable and breeds true for high-ratio CBD expression. Otto II is excellent for use in botanical extraction applications. The plants are vigorous and can be quite large. Flowering is complete indoors at 70-77 days. Grown in sunlight along Colorado’s Front Range, flowers reach their peak resin content in late September to early October. When Otto II is grown as industrial hemp we recommended that Δ9-THC levels are assayed 3 to 5 weeks prior to anticipated harvest to verify that the crop meets the statute for maximum delta9-THC levels. Testing is crucial during periods of unusually hot weather and drought conditions which may increase total Δ9-THC levels in hemp plants.”
NOTE: Just so we are perfectly clear: We have had extensive conversations with seed regulators in the state of Minnsota, where our seed operation is based, and it is absolutely legal for us to sell these high-CBD hemp seeds, both within Minnesota and across state lines. But the legal landscape is still confusing. While hemp was made legal by the federal government in recent years, this remains a "buyer beware" situation. All states have different rules and regulations around CBD plants, including whether or not you can grow them, how much you can grow, where you can grow, whether you need a license, etc. If you buy these seeds, please do your due diligence to make sure you can in fact legally grow them in your state and municipality.
