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When it comes to growing weed or any other plant for that matter, it generally begins at the seed stage. We say ‘generally’ because cloning has become quite a thing these days and a lot of plants are also being cloned. However, seeds still occupy the top spot when it comes to growing plants. In this section, we are going to explore in detail about how to choose the best seeds for growing marijuana.
So the first thing that you need to know is the hard truth – not all seeds will grow into plants. The germination rate depends upon the seed bank that you are buying it from. Most of the reputable seed banks in the US promise you a germination rate between 75-80%, which means that about 7 or 8 out of every 10 seeds purchased will grow into a plant and the other two or three seeds will need to be discarded.
Another harsh truth is that while there are some tips that you can follow before you choose the seeds, you will never be able to tell by the looks of it whether a seed is going to grow into a plant. However, there are some things that can indicate if it has a better chance of growing than other seeds, which we will discuss in detail in a bit.
When choosing your seeds, the understanding of the strains is also very important. You need to know why you want to grow your marijuana – is it for medicinal purposes or is it for recreational use. You also need to know the kind of flavour and smell that you are going for. Seeds of different strains carry plants with different THC/CBD concentrations. That is something that also needs to be taken care of.
Let us take a quick look at how to choose the best seed bank, how to choose the strains that are the best suited for all your needs, and lastly, at the seeds themselves – to understand how to judge a marijuana seed by its appearance.
Choosing the Best Seed Bank
The process of getting the best seeds begins at choosing the best seed bank. In order to find the best seed bank, you need to go through their website. If the company offers a large variety of seeds and has hired a large number of breeders, there’s a better chance that this is a credible place.
Besides that, you also need to check the payment options at the seed bank. The most credible ones will allow bank transfers and credit card payments while the shady ones generally only support cryptocurrency payments.
Lastly, the best seed banks will have the best breeders too. Go for a seed bank which employs a large number of breeders who select some strains and cross them to create unique strains that are sold only by that seed bank and become their USP.
Choosing the Best Strain
When we say choosing the ‘best strain’, we mean the best strain for your particular needs. As someone who is planning on growing their own weed, you need to know why you are growing it. Do you want to get the medicinal benefits of the marijuana that you are growing or do you just want to get high?
If you are looking to get weed for medicinal benefits, it is best advised to get a strain that offers a high CBD concentration. For someone who wants to grow weed just so that they can smoke it to get ‘high’, you will need a strain with a high THC concentration.
You also need to know the difference between a mind-high and a body-high. The former gives you a strong creative rush and makes you think at faster speeds. The latter is a more relaxing sort of a high that allows you to ease into sleep and slows your thoughts down.
Choosing the Best Seeds for Growing Marijuana
Lastly, when it comes to choosing the actual seeds, there’s no way by looking at the seeds that you can tell if they are going to have a 100% success rate of germinating into a plant, but there are still some indicators that you can go by. Here’s a look at some of them that can help tell you if your seed has higher chances of survival:
- Color: The first thing that you must check about the seed is the color. While the color of the seeds is never constant and you cannot assign one specific color to your seeds as a ‘healthy’ color, but we know by observation that seeds that are darker in shade are generally considered healthier than seeds that contain tints of yellow or green.
- Shape and Sheen: You need to consider the shape of the seeds too. While this sounds like a very small thing, just check out if your seeds are teardrop-shaped. Marijuana seeds are supposed to be a little plump too. Getting seeds that are flat is just not going to work out. Besides that, also check if your seeds are a little waxy on the outside. That waxy, protective sheen is important to get healthy outcomes.
- Firmness: Try pushing the seed between your index finger and your thumb and notice how firm it is. Getting a seed that has a harder shell is generally preferred over getting a seed that might be soft and pulpy.
These are some of the factors that you need to keep in mind when you are going to buy the best seeds for growing marijuana. While these are still not going to guarantee you with 100% success in terms of germination, they still have a better chance of growing into full-grown plants than compared to seeds that are green, flat, or pulpy. We hope that this has helped you choose the best marijuana seeds for your needs.
FAQs
Could you replant the seedlings that have once been planted?
Yes, it is perfectly all right to replant your seedlings after they have developed the true leaves. You could then either thin them or transplant them as per your preferences or requirements. Ensure to water your transplanted seedlings immediately.
When should you transplant the seedlings to a bigger pot?
Well, the most appropriate time to transplant the seedlings is after they have sprouted. This process should be conducted after the 3 weeks of sprouting. Before the plant starts to expand its roots and shows stress signs, it should be transplanted.
Is it fine to plant the seedlings in a big pot at the initial stage?
Interestingly, growing the seedlings in a big pot is always the most recommended way to grow any plant. In the case of marijuana, it is ideal to grow them in a big pot at the very initial stage even if you are planning to transplant them in your garden.
At what hour of the day should you start the process of transplantation?
It is strongly advisable to transplant any seedling in the morning itself. It is, generally, recommended to transplant in the dawn, late afternoon, or during the cloudy condition so that plants get time to settle down away from sunlight.
How do seed banks work in the USA?
If you are considering buying the best seeds for growing marijuana, we’d recommend that familiarize yourself with the concept of seed banks. These are the online or offline stores that sell cannabis seeds of varying types, feminized, auto-flowering, high-yielding, etc.
The seed banks in the United States get a legal permit before they start functioning. Ideally, they must abide by the general laws. Also, as long as the seeds aren’t germinated, they are good to be sold to the public.
Is it safe to buy seeds online?
Contrary to popular belief, buying marijuana seeds online for further planting is 100% safe. Just ensure that you are buying it from a reliable and well-known online store that has a good reputation in the market. This is crucial, especially if you want optimal value for money for the investment you are making.
We’d recommend reading through the reviews first before making the final purchase. Also, when buying, ensure they are legalized and registered so you won’t have to worry about the shipping process with the seeds.
Is it illegal to buy cannabis seeds in the U.S?
Each state in the U.S has its laws in place when it comes to marijuana and seeds. So, if you live in a state that doesn’t legalize marijuana, buying cannabis seeds might be illegal. In that case, we wouldn’t recommend buying the seeds online as well.
Does the genetics of the cannabis seeds matter?
Yes, the genetics of the cannabis seeds make all the difference. If you want a high-quality yield with quality growth, we’d recommend that you buy seeds from reliable stores that focus on the genetics of the seeds that they are selling to their customers.
I’m an avid gardener and cannabis enthusiast. You can usually find me in my garden caring for my plants or at my computer crafting helpful blogs for my readers.
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