Cannabis seeds are rich in healthy fats, fiber, vitamins and minerals. Many people eat them raw, and they are also often added to seed mixes for birds.
One of the simplest methods of germinating cannabis is to place seeds in a glass of water. When white tips begin to grow, carefully transfer them to soil pots.
Buying Seeds
When buying cannabis seeds online, it’s essential to find a reliable vendor that offers germination guarantees and secure shipping options. This protects you from paying for seeds that don’t sprout or get seized by customs.
You should also consider the variety of strains they offer. Look for a seed bank that has an extensive list of classics, along with unique and rare strains. Seedsman is a great example, as they carry several regular and feminized strains that other seed banks don’t.
ILGM is another top-rated seed bank that’s known for its beginner-friendly website and detailed grow guides. The company also runs an industry-leading Buy-10-Get-10 deal on timeless favorites like Wedding Cake and White Widow. This makes them one of the best places to buy cannabis seeds online. They also ship orders discreetly and promise to not disclose the contents. This helps keep your plants and your home safe. Lastly, a quality seed bank will have positive customer reviews and a dedicated support team.
Germinating Seeds
Germinating seeds is an essential first step in the cannabis growing process. There are a few different ways to germinate your seeds, each with its own pros and cons.
Soaking your seeds in water helps break down the outer coating of each seed and prepares it for germination. Once the seeds have sprouted, you can transfer them to a larger container such as a plastic bag or cup.
Be careful when transferring your sprouts, as they will be fragile at this point. Also, be sure to check your seeds often, as they can germinate in 3-10 days depending on the strain and its vigor.
When a seed has germinated, you will be able to see a white tap root poking up through the soil. This is the seed’s main stem, and you will want to carefully transfer it to its next growing medium such as soil, coco, or peat pellets. The best choice is potting soil as it has the right temperature and will contain minerals and microbes to help the seed grow.
Growing Seeds
Germinating seeds is the first step in growing cannabis. Seeds are extremely dry and need to take in water in order to start growing. This uptake of water is called imbibition and causes the seeds to swell up and break open. When this happens, the embryo inside of the seed starts to grow and develop.
This process can take a few days to a few weeks. Once the embryo has a root and some leaves, it is ready to plant. The embryo will need to grow until it is nutritionally self-sufficient.
Depending on the type of cannabis you are looking for, there are many different ways to grow your seeds. Some seed banks offer helpful guides and resources to help you along the way, such as videos or step-by-step guides. They should also provide easy and accessible methods to pay for your seeds, such as major credit cards or cryptocurrency like Bitcoin. Lastly, make sure that your chosen seed bank is a legitimate business that has been around for years and offers a solid guarantee of their seeds.
Harvesting Seeds
The seeds need to be cleaned and grouped together for long term storage. They can be stored in paper twists, envelopes, jars or other containers that are sealable and dark. It is important that these containers are clean so that the seed and any chaff do not mix.
Seed packages will give you an indication of when to harvest your plants; usually this will be in terms of days or weeks indoors and a specific month and time outdoors. These should be used as a guide only, some strains will take longer than others to flower.
After the plant has finished its vegetative growth, it will begin producing flowers and if it is female will produce pollen sacks. If the plant is hermaphrodite and has produced male flowers, it should be harvested and its seeds collected. The feminised seeds can then be sold or used in the breeding process. Henk van Dalen developed the first feminised seeds in the 1990’s from regular cannabis pollen.