To grow great cannabis plants, you need high-quality cannabis seeds . If you start a grow with poor-quality seeds, the chances of getting a good yield are slim. Although you may not realize it, high-quality cannabis seeds have specific characteristics that often set them apart from unhealthy seeds.
Knowing how to tell the difference between good seeds and worthless ones is therefore of the utmost importance. This will not only save you money but, more importantly, prevent you from wasting your efforts. While it’s true that keeping the characteristics of a good seed in mind will help, where you buy it is still important.
The Importance of Where Your Seeds Come From
Before you start checking the quality of the seeds you plan to buy, it’s important to discuss where to get them. By purchasing cannabis seeds from reputable grow shops and head shops, you significantly increase the chances that your cannabis seeds will be of good quality. Plus, you’ll know for sure what strain it is, its characteristics, its flowering time, and so on. It’s always a good idea to choose from the selection of a reputable seed bank with a physical location. Not only do their seeds consistently germinate, but these stores will also provide you with a wealth of information about the strain you have in mind. However, not all aspiring cannabis growers have access to seeds with such a stellar reputation.
Sometimes, as a smoker, you might find a Moby Dick seed or an “ og kush ” seed (or several) from a shady seller in your recently purchased bag of weed. First of all, the presence of seeds in the weed you bought indicates problems with quality and cultivation. The plants were likely pollinated by a stray male plant; otherwise, they wouldn’t contain seeds. Furthermore, these seeds often don’t germinate at all, as they are underdeveloped or of poor quality. A weak cannabis seed —and thus poor genetics—means that the weight of your plant and your harvest will be disappointing. It doesn’t matter how green your fingers are. And unlike seeds from a reputable seed bank, you have no idea what you’re growing.
So, a very effective way to find out if your dealer is selling high-quality product is to buy some weed from them and see if it contains seeds. In addition, reputable cannabis seed banks always guarantee a germination rate of 90% or higher. On the other hand, with seeds from questionable dealers, you’re left completely in the dark.
How does harvesting affect the quality of cannabis?
Some growers pay special attention to harvesting to produce the highest-quality cannabis possible. After years of experience, many have developed a preference for a specific harvest time. If a strong, sedative cannabis is desired, then waiting to harvest until the trichomes turn milky white is the best way to achieve this. Under pressure to produce more Indica or Sativa cannabis and to start another growing cycle as soon as possible, most commercial growers harvest when the trichomes are still transparent. This results in poor-quality seeds. Washing the plant also affects seed quality.
Many cannabis sellers prefer to use this method to “remove” excess nutrients and minerals that have accumulated in the plant and the growing environment. When this method is used, the smoke is reportedly much more pleasant and less irritating. This results in cannabis seeds that are more enjoyable and of higher quality. In countries where cannabis use is legal, a common question is whether the plant has been washed properly. That is why it is so important to buy from reputable sellers to ensure that all stages of cannabis cultivation have been followed correctly.
What are the characteristics of high-quality cannabis seeds?
Whether you order seeds or find them somewhere, you can assess their quality by examining the following characteristics.
Color: A Key Factor
Just a quick glance at your cannabis seeds will give you a good idea of their quality. Color is a good indicator; healthy seeds often have a slightly darker husk. Top-quality, healthy, and viable cannabis seeds range in color from light brown to much darker shades. Some seeds have a more uniform color, while others feature multiple shades and patterns resembling tiger stripes or turtle shells. France’s collector-grade cannabis seeds may also feature striped or spotted patterns.
Any seed that falls within this color range is promising. Color changes within this spectrum are primarily due to genetic factors, but environmental variables also play a role. Some seeds take on a darker hue after being packaged for several months. Humidity, lighting, and oxidation also cause a slight change in appearance. On the other hand, marijuana seeds become suspect when they take on a green color. Green hues are a sign that the grower harvested the cannabis seeds too early. This vegetative appearance means the seeds did not have the time they need to develop properly, putting them at a higher risk of failing to germinate. Sometimes, these seeds may be pale white.
If the Dinafem, Mobydick, Booba, b-45, or Critical+ 2.0 seeds you purchased look like this, they probably won’t germinate. And even if you manage to germinate immature seeds, it takes a long time, and the cannabis plant you end up with will inevitably be disappointing.
The Optimal Size and Shape
Top-quality cannabis seeds come in all shapes and sizes. Some cultivars produce small, compact seeds with very little space between the outer shell and the immature cotyledon leaves nestled inside. Despite their small size, these seeds are fully viable when they exhibit other indicators of good health, such as color and age. Other cannabis seeds from the France collection have a broad, plump appearance. Sometimes this is due to their genetic makeup; in other cases, high levels of calcium and magnesium can increase the seeds’ circumference. Despite differences in size, healthy cannabis seeds share a similar shape.
They have a teardrop-shaped body, round at one end and tapered at the other. Seeds that deviate from this consistent shape may have a genetic defect. Seeds that are unusually flat or misshapen may have germination problems and produce subpar plants. Size is relative, but generally, top-quality cannabis seeds are larger. Keep in mind that Indica strains tend to produce larger seeds than Sativa strains.
The Appearance of the Seed
The quality of their shells also helps indicate the performance of future plants. Healthy cannabis seeds have a slight sheen on their shells, as if growers had polished them with a little wax. They also typically have a glossy skin. You can see this clearly under a lamp. If your cannabis seeds are rough or look dull, you can assume they’re of poor quality. If you have a choice, opt for waxy seeds with a sheen to improve your results. In addition, top-quality cannabis seeds should be elastic and feel firm when you hold them. It’s easy to test this yourself. Place a cannabis seed between your fingers and squeeze it. Viable seeds should not crumble, break, or give way. If the shell doesn’t feel firm to the touch but breaks easily or seems lifeless, it’s an old seed. These seeds rarely germinate. Similarly, if the shell isn’t shiny and smooth but is full of cracks and holes, they’re likely poor-quality seeds.
Other factors: cost, age, and weight
Cheap, expensive—and cannabis seeds are no exception to this rule. High-quality seeds aren’t cheap (at least compared to other agricultural seeds). That doesn’t mean the lowest-quality seeds can’t be overpriced, but if you come across cannabis seeds that claim to have excellent genetics at a price that seems too good to be true, it’s best to avoid them. The age of the seeds at harvest is another factor to consider.
This is difficult to determine unless you’re the one producing the seeds. High-quality seeds are harvested at full maturity. If an Amnesia seed was harvested before the plant could store as much energy as possible, then that seed will start its life at a disadvantage. Color, as mentioned above, can be an indicator of whether or not a seed was harvested at the right time. Finally, weight often goes hand in hand with size, but heavier seeds are generally of higher quality than lighter ones. The older a seed is, the greater the potential loss of moisture and nutrients, which reduces its total weight.
What tests should be performed to assess the quality of cannabis seeds?
If you’re still unsure whether cannabis seeds you’ve inadvertently purchased or harvested from a new crop are of premium quality, there are ways to find out for sure. Examining their appearance is very helpful, but the following tests will let you know if they’re of good quality.
The Float Test
A classic! The float test is just an old wives' tale, and yet it works. How does it work?
- Fill a glass or a jar with cold water.
- Put your cannabis seeds in water. Now, the stakes are high. Will they float or sink? The seeds that sink to the bottom are probably of good quality. The ones that float probably won’t germinate and aren’t very good.
However, this method isn’t entirely foolproof. Let your seeds sit for two hours before assessing their quality. Sometimes, high-quality seeds have a harder time absorbing water because of their tough outer shells. This can cause them to float at first. So don’t rush when performing this test. It would be a shame to throw away healthy seeds in haste!
Tip: Only perform the float test once your entire crop is ready to go. Once the cannabis seeds have been moistened, you can’t put them back in the package. You must let them germinate immediately. So, if you have a supply of seeds, test as many as you’d like to see them germinate and grow.
The ultimate test: germination
Maybe you don’t like the idea of a test and want to ignore all the well-meaning advice, hoping that your cannabis seeds will germinate vigorously? Feel free to do so and plant them in the soil while you wait for a small green stem to emerge. Premium-quality cannabis seeds often germinate after 2 or 3 days using this method. There are also cannabis strains, such as certain sativas, that take their time. Depending on the strain, this can sometimes take up to 7 days. The important thing here is that only high-quality seeds will germinate. If you let these seeds germinate and buds appear, you’ll have instant confirmation that they’re high-quality seeds.
What about the shelf life of cannabis seeds?
Amateur growers often find themselves with more cannabis seeds than they can grow at that moment. In that case, you need to take steps to extend their shelf life. But how long do seeds last? Are cannabis seeds perishable? Proper storage methods significantly extend the viability of the seeds. However, your seeds may sometimes be exposed to moisture, light, and high temperatures.
And that doesn’t help their shelf life. Reputable seed banks often sell their seeds in a tube with a lid that contains a desiccant. This helps keep the seeds fresh for a long time. Seeds are best stored in a cool, dark place, such as a kitchen cabinet. This is a place where autoflowering cannabis seeds, feminized cannabis seeds, or outdoor cannabis seeds can remain viable for years.
