How To Tell if Your Cannabis Seeds Are Good

[image: CBD-by-Royal-Queen-Seeds-Germinating.jpg] *Not all cannabis seeds
are good to grow. **Learn how to identify quality marijuana seeds in order
to start your cannabis grow in the best way possible.*

* By Royal Queen Seeds*

“When it comes to seeds, Royal Queen Seeds knows what they are talking
about. I have a longstanding relationship with this company which has been
supplying quality seeds since 2007. We’re similar in that we are constantly
evolving and always striving to improve the cannabis plant and our
relationship with it. For Royal Queen, this translates to constantly aiming
for more evolved and stable genetics. They also possess a passion and
enthusiasm for growing weed and want to share what they’ve learned with the
world, regardless if it’s their genetics you are working with. Here they’ve
provided some great tips for starting off your grow with the best seeds
possible.”

*-ED*
[image: Royal-Queen-Seeds-Seeds-bis.jpg]

With the exception of clones, all cannabis plants start life as a humble
seed. Under the right conditions—and with a little bit of love and
care—these tiny packets of genetic material emerge into mature, aromatic,
and sticky specimens. Just like any investment, selecting high-quality weed
seeds results in superior outcomes. Marijuana seeds of a higher caliber
boast better germination rates, better genetics, and improved yields.

As one of Europe’s biggest seed banks, Royal Queen Seeds understands the
viability of seeds and offers some tips on how to tell if your marijuana
seeds are good. There are several boxes that growers can tick to boost the
odds of starting with premium seeds, from sourcing them from reputable
supplies to visual assessment and easy DIY tests.

Whether you received seeds from a friend, found some in the bottom of a
bag, or purchased a pack from a seed bank, these tips will show you how to
pick the best from the bunch and get your next grow off to the best
possible start.

*What Do Good Cannabis Seeds Look Like?*

You can tell a lot about the quality of a cannabis seed just by looking at
it. Weed seeds vary a lot in appearance, ranging from green to brown in
color. They also display diversity in their shape and size, with some
specimens being small and spherical, and others large and pointed.

Cannabis seeds from different strains display different characteristics
when they mature into plants. As poly-hybrids with plenty of genetic
variation, most modern cannabis plants exhibit unique traits depending on
their genetic lineage. Breeders select desirable tastes, smells, and
effects from parent strains, which are then passed down to the progeny. The
shape and size of seeds also change slightly as new hybrid varieties are
born.

Marijuana seeds from the same plant—even from the same flower—can feature
different visual characteristics as well. Just as two human siblings
possess different hair and eye colors, heights, and personalities, each
cannabis seed possesses its own genetic variation, from the subtle to the
obvious. The sheer amount of variation among cannabis seeds means that even
good-quality seeds differ in appearance. However, there are a few telltale
signs buyers can look for to set the good weed seeds apart from the bad.
[image: Royal-Queen-Seeds-Seeds.jpg] *Look for a Healthy Brown Color *

Healthy and viable cannabis seeds feature a brown color that varies from a
light shade to a much darker one. Some seeds are more uniform in color,
whereas others feature multiple shades and tiger stripe or turtle shell
patterns.

Any seed that falls within this color range shows promise. Changes of
color within this spectrum occur primarily due to genetic factors, but
environmental variables also play a role. Some seeds take on a darker tone
after being packaged for several months. Humidity, lighting, and oxidation
also lead to a slight shift in appearance.

*Marijuana seeds start to become questionable when they present a green
coloration*. Green hues are a sign that the grower harvested their seeds
too early. This vegetative look means the seeds didn’t get the time they
require to develop properly, placing them at a higher risk of not
germinating.


*Optimal Size and Shape*

Healthy cannabis seeds come in all shapes and sizes. Some cultivars produce
small and compact seeds with very little room between the outer shell and
the immature cotyledon leaves nestled within. Despite their small size,
these seeds are completely viable when they feature other indicators of
good health, such as color and age.

Other healthy seeds take on a large and bloated appearance. Sometimes this
results from their genetic makeup, in other circumstances high levels of
calcium and magnesium can bolster seed circumference.

Despite differences in size, healthy cannabis seeds share a similar shape.
They display a tear-drop body—round at one end and tapered at the other.
Seeds that stray from this consistent shape may possess a genetic flaw.
Seeds that are exceptionally flat or misshapen may undergo issues with
germination and produce subpar plants.
[image: CBD-by-Royal-Queen-Seeds-Germinated]

CBD-by-Royal-Queen-Seeds-Germinated
*Opt for a Waxy Sheen*

After learning the indicators of size and shape, you might still be
thinking: What do good weed seeds look like? Well, the quality of their
shell also helps to signal how good future plants may perform. Healthy
seeds boast a slight shimmer on their shells, as though growers have
polished them with some wax. Unhealthy seeds look dull and matte in
comparison. If you have the choice, opt for waxy seeds with a sheen to
improve your results.
*Think Age*

In nature, cannabis plants grow, produce seeds, and then return to the
earth each year. The seeds disperse through animal activity. The lucky ones
emerge from the soil the following spring, while the others perish.
Ideally, growers choose seeds less than a year old when it comes to sowing.
These fresh specimens germinate fast and are less likely to run into
trouble over a shorter duration of storage.

We’ve all heard tales of archaeologists sprouting 1,000-year-old seeds
found in Egyptian tombs. While cannabis seeds don’t possess such extreme
longevity, growers often experience success cultivating seeds from two to
three seasons past. However, young cannabis seeds offer the best option
when it comes to viability, germination rate, and healthy plants. But, how
can you tell the age of a weed seed?

Simply use the sensation of touch. Place the seed between your thumb and
index finger and give it a squeeze. Young and healthy seeds will feel firm,
and won’t give in to the pressure. Older seeds may feel slightly squidgy,
and old and dry seeds may even crumble or crack—they lack the moisture and
nutrient content of younger specimens.


*Where Did Your Weed Seeds Originate From?*

When asking yourself the question of how to tell if a weed seed is good,
you need to consider where it came from. There remains a huge discrepancy
between the quality of cannabis seeds from a reputable seed bank versus
those found in the bottom of a mediocre bag of weed.

Professional seed banks spend a lot of time, money, and effort breeding
high-quality cannabis genetics. These specimens churn out seeds with a high
germination rate, and the subsequent plants deliver outstanding cannabinoid
and terpene profiles alongside excellent yields.

Seeds found in buds obtained from your local dealer are likely of much
lower quality. In general, finding seeds in flowers reflects poor growing
practices. On top of this, you likely have no idea how old these buds
really are. Stick to seed banks known for top-shelf genetics. Check out
their reviews, and see how much data they disclose regarding each strain to
confirm you’re in good hands.
[image: The beginning of an epic cannabis journey]

The beginning of an epic cannabis journey
*Do Your Cannabis Seeds Float or Sink?*

Once you’ve analyzed the seeds at your disposal, you can run one final
check to determine their quality. The float test enables growers to set
great-quality seeds aside from questionable ones. Simply fill up a glass
with water and drop your seeds into the fluid. Return to the experiment 1–2
hours later. The seeds that sink are healthy and ready to germinate. Now
that they're wet, place them straight into the soil and begin the grow, as
storing wet seeds can result in rot. Floating seeds are often deemed
unhealthy, and some growers refuse to use them.


*The Ultimate Test: Germinate All of Your Cannabis Seeds*

Large-scale growing operations don’t have time to analyze every seed for
quality. Likewise, home growers with a small number of seeds don’t risk
much by simply germinating all of their seeds to see how things go.
Ultimately, placing your seeds into the soil and watching them emerge into
seedlings serves as the best way to identify seed quality. Place them into
a segmented seed tray and watch them rise. If any seeds refuse to germinate
or produce gangly or deformed seedlings, you’ll know which specimens
deserve your time and dedication.
[image: Royal Queen Seeds has an amazing selection of Cannabis Strains
available]

Royal Queen Seeds has an amazing selection of Cannabis Strains available