Cannabis Seeds: Types, Germination & Storage

Cannabis cultivation begins with a seed, and while most of us prefer seedless buds, understanding the diversity among cannabis seeds is crucial for successful growth. In this exploration, we'll delve into the world of cannabis seeds, each with its unique characteristics and advantages. From those that follow natural light cycles to others with rapid growth traits, and even those designed for higher yields, we'll uncover the secrets of these seeds' contribution to a cannabis grow.

Different Types of Cannabis Seeds

Regular Seeds, aka Photoperiod Seeds

The most standard or traditional type of cannabis seed is a Photoperiod seed. These “regular” seeds are the most natural in the sense that their flowering process is dependent on the light schedule that a plant would experience in a usual 24-hour period.

Photoperiods seeds have 2 main stages in their life cycle:

Growth Phase – During this stage, the plants are kept on a routine of 18 hours of light and 6 hours of darkness. This allows the plant to enter its vegetative growth to grow its root system and focus on growing thicker & taller stems. It will also grow more nodes, branches and leaves.

Flowering Stage – During this stage, the cannabis plants’ light cycle is changed to 12 hours of light and 12 hours or darkness. This change in their light schedule causes an increase in Gibberellins, which are the primary hormone responsible for transitioning the plants from the vegetative state to the flowering state. The accumulation of Gibberellins also induces the development of male and female reproductive cells in preparation for forming seeds and buds.

Auto-Flower Seeds

As their name suggests, auto-flower cannabis seeds will begin to automatically flower once the plants have reached a certain stage of growth, which is typically between 2 to 4 weeks. This short time period highlights another difference, which is that auto-flower cannabis seeds need much less time to grow compared to other types. In fact, the plant-to-harvest time for auto-flower seeds can often be as short as 10 weeks.

Feminized Seeds

In the cannabis world, it's all about big, dense, seedless buds. Female plants make this possible since male plants do not produce THC-rich buds.  Feminized seeds make it 99% likely that the plant will be female because these cannabis seeds are genetically modified to produce only female plants.

Unfeminized seeds can still produce male plants which can be an issue later in the cultivation process. Male plants don’t product THC buds and they can pollinate near-by female plants, making those plants produce lower-THC buds with seeds. Feminized buds avoid these issues by fostering a female-only cannabis grow.

Where to Buy Marijuana Seeds?

If you're looking to explore the world of cannabis cultivation, there may be various legal options available in regions where it is permitted. You can consider visiting local dispensaries or even buy cannabis seeds online from marijuana seed banks that operate within the legal framework of your jurisdiction. It's crucial to research and adhere to the laws and regulations surrounding cannabis cultivation in your area. Many reputable cannabis seed banks offer a wide variety of weed seeds, providing information on strains, growth characteristics, and cultivation tips. Remember to prioritize legality and responsible use.

How to Germinate Weed Seeds?

Germinating cannabis seeds is similar to germinating seeds for any plant, where the paper towel method is the easiest way to get started. The process is simple and, if followed correctly, should yield sprouts as early as 48 hours but can sometimes take 5 days. If your seeds have not sprouted by this time, you can continue to wait a few more days, but it's possible that those seeds are no longer viable.

You’ll want to start by soaking the marijuana seeds in a bowl of room-temperature water for about 10 to 12 hours. As the seeds soak, some will remain floating, while others will sink to the bottom. The cannabis seeds that sank are viable for growing, while the ones that floated can be discarded.

Once you have your viable weed seeds, place them on a damp paper towel and space them about a ½ inch or 1.3 cm apart. Be sure to place the seeds on the paper towel with the pointy part of the weed seed facing up. Then place another damp paper towel on top of the cannabis seeds.

Place the seeds somewhere away from direct sunlight but still warm. The cannabis seeds need to be at 70 to 85 °F to germinate. Be sure to check on the seeds frequently and keep the paper towels damp by spraying them with water. At the same time, be sure to not overwater and drown the seeds. The paper towels should be damp with moisture but not soaking wet. Maintaining the moisture can be a challenge, but it is critical that the towels stay wet because if the seeds become too dry, they’ll die before they can germinate.

How to Plant Weed Seeds?

Once the seeds have sprouted, you’ll want to wait until their initial root sprout is at least 2 to 3 millimeters long. This will give the cannabis seed a better chance of survival when you transfer it to the soil or hydroponic setup where it will be planted.

Dig a small ½-inch deep hole in your soil with your finger or a pencil. Either way, make sure it is sterile before digging into the soil to avoid bacteria and fungus. The seedlings are very delicate at this point, so be sure to gently pick up the seed and place its root down in the hole. Cover it gently with soil and very lightly spray it with water so that the soil is moist but not wet.

What do Weed Seeds Look Like?

Weed seeds are small and oval-shaped. They are usually light to dark brown in color but can sometimes be gray. Cannabis seeds may also have light-colored stripes, which are sometimes referred to as tiger stripes or tiger eyes.

Younger immature cannabis seeds can be pale to green in color, so be sure to check before starting the germination process.

How to Store Cannabis Seeds

Just like the plants they turn into, cannabis seeds are living organisms. This means they need to be stored properly for the best longevity and preservation of their nutrients until you're ready to germinate them. Several factors can affect cannabis seeds during storage, including humidity, temperature, light, and oxygen.

If you’ve gotten seeds from a reputable source, they may have come in packaging that is ideal for their preservation. In that case, keep the seeds in their original packaging as much as possible.

If specialized packaging is not available, try to keep your seeds in the smallest airtight container possible. For short-term storage, a small air-tight container like a glass vial or Ziplock bag should do just fine. Just be sure to store it in a dark place, like a cupboard, that is not subjectable to temperature shifts or many changes in light.

For long-term storage, it may be better to consider using your fridge, as the lower temperatures can help with the longevity of weed seed storage. The changes in temperature and light for fridge use can be abrupt for the seeds, so it may be worth investing in dark glass jars to help keep your seeds free from humidity and the fridge light.

How Long Do Weed Seeds Last?

As a point of reference, seeds can last about a year in a dark container stored at room temperature. Properly storing the seeds in a cold, dry, dark place can help extend the storage time to anywhere between 2 to 3 years. Including the use of a fridge can increase the storage time of cannabis seeds to a whopping 5-10 years while still being viable for germination. You could also use a freezer for storage, but with proper storage, this shouldn’t be necessary.

Do Marijuana Seeds Go Bad?

In short, yes, marijuana seeds can go bad. As previously stated, cannabis seeds are living organisms, and just like all living organisms, they don’t last forever. While the storage methods described can help prolong the viability of the weed seeds, long storage times can still affect things like potency or the germination period of the seeds. So if you’ve had your seeds in 10-year storage and now they haven’t germinated after 3 days, they may not be bad. You might just need to wait a few more days.

Understanding the different types of cannabis seeds is crucial for successful cultivation. Once you choose your cannabis seeds, using proper germination and planting techniques contributes to the healthy growth of happy cannabis plants. As you acquire more seeds, it's important to store cannabis seeds correctly in suitable conditions if you want to extend their viability for several years. While marijuana seeds can go bad over time, proper storage can help maintain their quality and germination potential. Always prioritize legality and responsible use when exploring the world of cannabis cultivation, and stay safe!