Growing cannabis seeds can be a daunting task for those new to this form of cultivation. It’s especially true if you are accustomed to growing regular seeds. With marijuana seeds, you generally will need a little more care and attention than you have with standard seeds.
The main reason being they may need a little extra time, nutrients, and comfort to handle the changes that come with growing your marijuana plants.
Growing cannabis plants from seed have one significant advantage over growing from clones, which is that you know what the plant's genetics are. You may want to start with a male and female plant to produce seeds, or you may want to grow your favorite cannabis strain again.
So how do you go about cultivating your crops of weed seeds? Continue reading to find out more.
How To Find And Choose The Right Cannabis Seeds
There are different cannabis strains available, and deciding which one is right for you can be difficult. Here are some pointers on locating and selecting the best cannabis seeds.
The first step is to choose the cannabis variety you want to grow. Cannabis comes in three types:
- Indica- Indica strains are well-known for their calming properties, making them ideal for pain relief, insomnia, and anxiety.
- Sativa- Sativa strains are known for their uplifting properties, making them ideal for treating chronic fatigue, depression, and ADD/ADHD.
- Hybrids- Hybrids are crossbreeds that combine Indica and Sativa strains to give you the best of both worlds.
After you have decided on the type of cannabis you want to grow, you'll need to locate a reputable seed bank where you can purchase your seeds. There are numerous seed banks to choose from, but not all are trustworthy. Before choosing a seed bank, make sure you do your homework.
Growing Plants for the Seeds From Scratch
One significant advantage of growing cannabis plants from seed over growing from clones is that you know what the plant's genetics are. You may want to start with a male and female plant to produce seeds or grow your favorite cannabis strain again. So how do you go about cultivating your crops of weed seeds?
Supplies You Will Need
To get started, you will need the following supplies:
- A growing area: You may choose an outdoor space, a greenhouse, or an indoor grow room, especially if you are looking to germinate seeds.
- Soil: Look for soil rich in organic matter and has good drainage for use as a growing medium.
- Plants: You will need at least one female plant to produce seeds.
- Seeds: You can either buy cannabis seeds from a dispensary or online. You can also save the seeds from your plants.
Planting Process
After choosing quality seeds and making all the required preparations, the next step is to germinate your seeds after you've chosen the suitable one for you. You'll need a damp paper towel and a container for this. Cover the seeds with a wet paper towel and place them in the container. Place the container in a warm place to germinate the seeds. You can plant them in soil once they have germinated.
You may also choose to plant them directly in the ground or plant them in a seedling tray. If you are growing them in soil, bury the seeds about 2 cm below the surface. If you are planting them in a seedling tray, make sure to water the soil well and place the seeds in it.
Watering and Fertilizing
Once your seeds have been planted, it's essential to water them regularly. You should also give them a dose of fertilizer once a week. How much you need to water and fertilize will depend on the climate and type of soil you are using.
The flowering Stage
Pollination- Once the plants start flowering, it's time for the next step: pollination. To pollinate the plants, you will need to get a male plant and place it near the female plants. The male plant will release pollen, which will then be transferred to the female plants.
Methods of Pollination
There are two methods of pollination: wind pollination and manual pollination.
Natural Pollination
Natural pollination is a process of pollination that occurs naturally in the wild. The male plants release the pollen, and it is then transferred to the female plants by the wind insects or birds. The method is effective for outdoor cannabis growth, but it can be challenging to control the amount of pollen released.
Manual Pollination
This process of pollination is carried out on plants by hand. To do this, you will need to remove the pollen from the anthers of a male plant and then manually transfer it to the pistils of a female plant. It’s the most effective way to pollinate plants, but it can be time-consuming. It's mostly done for indoor plants bred to produce a particular type of seed.
Process of Manual Pollination
The process of manual pollination is as follows:
- Cut the stem of a male plant just below the flowers.
- Remove the anthers from the flowers and collect the pollen.
- Gently brush the pollen onto the pistils of a female plant.
- Repeat this process for every female plant you want to pollinate.
Harvesting the seeds
Once the plants have finished flowering, it's time to harvest the seeds. You will need to collect the ripe cannabis buds and then break them open to extract the seeds. You can also dry the buds and then grind them into a powder to extract the seeds.
Storing the Seeds
Once you have harvested the seeds, it's essential to store them properly. You can store seeds in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. Storing them this way will help keep them fresh for five years.
Tips for Getting the Best Weed Seeds
If you're looking to grow your weed, you'll need to start by growing weed seeds. Growing weed seeds is relatively easy and can be done indoors or outdoors.
Here are a few tips on getting quality weed seeds:
- Start with a reputable seed bank
- Choose a reputable strain
- Choose the right size for your grow space
- Read the description carefully before choosing your seeds
- Uproot the germinating cannabis seeds and plant them in soil once they have sprouted
Can You Grow the Seeds From Your Weed?
Yes, you can grow the seeds from your weed. To do so, gather ripe cannabis buds and break them open to extract the seeds. Dry the buds and then grind them into a powder to remove the seeds.
It's critical to store the seeds properly once they've been harvested. Keep them in an airtight container in a cool, dark location. The method of storage will keep them fresh for up to five years.
Do your homework before deciding on a seed bank, strain, or size. Because germination is an important step, carefully follow the instructions.
Do Weed Seeds Need Light to Grow?
Weed seeds do not require light to germinate, and until they germinate, it's best to keep them in the dark. You can then transplant them into the soil once they have germinated, and you may need to provide seedlings with light from then on.
The seedlings will need at least 18 hours of light per day to grow. You can reduce the amount of light to 12 hours per day once they've reached the vegetative stage.
If the temperature is below 50 degrees Fahrenheit or above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, marijuana seeds will not grow well. Keep the temperature of your growing area within this range.
How to Choose Your Seeds and Maintain Quality
Traits
When looking to buy cannabis seeds, you want to make sure that you are getting the best quality. There are a few things you can look for to ensure the quality of the seeds.
- The seeds should be fresh
- The seeds should be from a reputable seed bank
- The seeds should be GMO-free
- The seeds should be organic
If you can find seeds that meet these criteria, you know you are getting high-quality cannabis seeds.
Features of Quality Seeds
- Color - The seeds should be a dark brown or black color.
- Shape - The seeds should be round and smooth.
- Size - The seeds should be about the size of a poppy seed.
- Hardness- The seed's shell should be hard and not easily crushed.
Cannabis Seeds Available For Purchase
Currently, in the market, feminized, autoflowering, and regular marijuana seeds are available for purchase.
Feminized seeds- Feminized cannabis seeds are those that produce only female plants. Because it is easier to grow and has more buds, this is the most popular type of seed.
Auto-flowering seeds- Regardless of the light cycle, seeds that flower automatically are known as auto-flowering seeds. The autoflowering cannabis seeds are ideal for beginners because they're simple to grow and don't require much attention.
Regular cannabis- Seeds produce both male and female plants and are the most common type of seed. Regular cannabis variety is less popular because it is more challenging to grow and produces lower yields.
How to Sprout and Germinate Cannabis Plant When Planting to Grow Seeds
If you want to get good seeds, you should carefully follow the process from planting to harvesting. The paper towel method and the soil method are two of the many methods used to germinate marijuana seeds.
The Soil Method
You'll need a pot or container, some soil, and your cannabis seeds to use the soil method when germinating marijuana seeds. The first step is to add soil to the pot or container. The seeds should then be planted in the ground and covered with a thin layer of soil. Maintain a moist but not wet environment for the seeds. Within a week or two, the seeds should germinate.
Paper Towel Method
The paper towel method is straightforward. A paper towel, some water, and your cannabis seeds are all you'll need. To begin, dampen the paper towel and wring it out until it is damp but not wet. Place the seeds on the towel and fold them over to cover them. Spray the roots with water every day to keep them moist. Within a week or two, the seeds should germinate.
Which Method Is More Effective?
There are no right or wrong answers when it comes to germination methods. Some people prefer the soil method because it is simple and requires little maintenance, while others like the paper towel method due to its simplicity and ease of use. Choose a process that makes you feel at ease and fits your lifestyle and the germinated seed.
Crossbreeding and Fertilizing Cannabis Flowers to Produce Quality Seeds
Collecting pollen from male plants is one of the best ways to crossbreed strains and produce new breeds. Differentiate the male from female weed plants before pollination.
The easiest way to do this is to shake the male plant vigorously when it reaches maturity and allow the pollen to fall into a bag or container that can be sealed. The pollen stays good for months when kept in a cool, dark place, so it is an easy option for those who want to produce seeds later.
The male plants must pollinate the female plants to create seeds. If you're not an experienced grower, this can seem a little complicated at first, but it's pretty simple!
You need a male plant that has produced lots of pollen sacks (from which pollen comes out) and a female plant that is ready to make seeds. When these two conditions are met, you can easily make seeds with these simple instructions:
- Take a bag (or another type of container) and put it on the end of one branch of your male plant.
- Put the branch into the bag and shake it gently for about 10 seconds. The shaking will cause many pollen sacks to come off inside the bag.
- Take the female plant and use your fingers to rub the end of the pistillate hairs with the collected pollen to complete the fertilization process
Cannabis Seeds vs. Clone
When it comes to growing weed seeds, there are two main methods: growing cannabis seeds and cloning. You start with the seed method with fresh, un-rooted cannabis plants. You use a pre-existing cannabis plant to clone new plants with the clone method.
Both methods have their pros and cons. With the cannabis seed method, you have more control over the genetics of your plants. But with the clone method, you don't have to worry about germination or planting the seeds.
Pros of Using Seeds
Cons of Using Seeds:
Pros of Using Clones:
Cons of using Clones:
So which is better? It depends on your preferences and needs. If you're looking for a higher yield, the seed method is probably better.
Conclusion
Growing cannabis plants from seed is a fun and easy way to produce your cannabis strains. By following these simple steps, you can grow healthy and productive plants that yield plenty of seeds. Feel free to explore our website for more information about indoor growing, and germination of seeds, among other cannabis plant-related farming.