How Long Do Marijuana Seeds Last?

Marijuana is extremely tempting for plants to grow but equally difficult. Especially for the first-time growers who are trying to make the most out of the available seeds, you are in for a treat. Preserving marijuana plant seeds is no joke. Much like the growing recommendations for the actual plant, which itself is quite difficult, you need to be extremely cautious with the seeds too. Don’t worry though because the process is not as difficult as many people make it out to be. All you need to do is ensure that you get your hands on the best seed banks in the USA to get top-grade seeds for growing.

However, while you are at it, let us walk you through every last detail that you need to know about the marijuana seeds and how long they are viable in storage.

What is the lifespan of Marijuana seeds?

When it comes to deducing the lifespan of marijuana seeds, several factors play a crucial role in the process. However, since the availability of cannabis seeds aren’t diverse, people opt for different kinds of preservation techniques to extend the lifespan of these seeds.

Buying from reputable and premium quality seed banks across America, you will realize that they come in their packaging, which means that you can leave the seeds in that package till you are ready to plant them. However, you need to ensure that you keep them stored in a dark and dry spot in the house to retain their vitality. Also, the majority of the seed banks recommend planting the seeds within a year of buying.

However, keep in mind that if you are planning on crossing your plants, you need to use the seeds very tentatively and plant and harvest them according to the requirements without any kinds of delays.

Like the final marijuana buds are an important part of the plant growth, it goes without saying that you need to look out for the quality of the seeds too. If the seed isn’t of the best quality, it will eventually affect the quality of the growth of the plant.

How to dry the Marijuana seeds?

Drying the cannabis seeds isn’t a joke. If you are working on these seeds from the beginning, you need to be mindful of the process from the get-go. Start by pollinating the flowers on the female cannabis plant and then harvest them when they are fully matured. 

Once you have extracted all the seeds, you can go ahead and dry and store them before the germination process begins. Once the seeds have changed color and have a dark brown colour to them, you will know that they are ready to be planted in the soil for further use. 

If you are confused about how to dry the seeds in the flower, the process is pretty simple. All you need to do is dry out the flower and the seeds will dry down with it. Once the drying process is done, you can go ahead and extract the seeds out of the flower.

How long will the Marijuana seeds last in storage?

Fresh marijuana seeds aren’t always available, especially if you are sourcing your seeds from a local seed bank. In such cases, you will realize that the majority of them are kept in storage after they are dried and treated.

However, if stored the correct way, you can use them for 5 years for germination, which is crazy. But, maintaining optimal temperature and humidity settings in the room where you are keeping the seeds is important. If you fail to store them the right way, chances are that they won’t showcase similar results as you are expecting out of the same.

There are even reports that show people using 10-year-old cannabis seeds for germination, which is nothing short of astonishing. So, when you are buying seeds, you need to ensure that you invest in high-quality seed banks to get your hands on the good-quality seeds instead of the bad ones.

What factors affect the storage of Marijuana seeds?

Much like the actual marijuana plants that require very controlled room settings to grow in, Marijuana seeds need too. If you fail to store them in the controlled environment, it will affect their vitality and yield once you have planted them for germination.

Following are some of the factors that affect the storage of the seeds:

• Light

The first and likely the most important factor that influences the quality of the seeds in their storage is the light settings. When you are storing the seeds, you need to ensure that they are placed in a dark room with no light seeping in from the outside. The reason why that is the case is that if the cannabis seeds are overexposed to light for prolonged periods, they will eventually end up becoming a lot weaker to germinate.

• Temperature

Besides the light, even the temperature plays a crucial role in retaining the quality of the cannabis seeds. If you are planning on storing the seeds for a short term and then use them up later, you can store them in a stable environment setting with the optimal temperature as suggested by your seed bank for its storage.

However, if you are planning on storing them for a prolonged period, your next best option is to store them between 6 to 8 degrees Celsius temperature. There is a range of portable coolers that can come in handy in such cases. Also, you need to ensure that you maintain the temperature constant and avoid opening the fridge now and then.

Also, for storing the seeds use a blacked-out container for easier storage and to maintain the light and temperature factors in check.

• Humidity

The last factor in the list of considerations is humidity. Relative humidity can end up causing accidental germination, which is likely the last thing you want or needs. So, when you are buying the seeds, ask the seed bank for instructions about the humidity control and factors. They will tell you about the ideal humidity you should keep the seeds in.

For the best results, buy a humidity monitor to ensure that you can maintain the settings according to the requirements.

• Environmental fluctuations

Although you might go out of your way to do everything right, there will come situations that you wouldn’t have any control over. This is where you need to step up your game. You need to avoid moving your seeds around a lot and keep them in situations where there are the least impacts of environmental fluctuations. 

• Oxygen

The last factor of consideration is oxygen levels. The seeds are likely going to last a lot longer in the vacuum as opposed to the other settings. The lack of a steady supply of air to the seeds helps prolong the shelf life, meaning that they remain viable even after the standard period they come with. The lack of constant oxygen reduces the risks of accidental germination and enables you to use the seeds for extended periods without any further complications.

How to tell if the cannabis seeds are not good anymore?

Much like any other part of the plant, you can tell if the seeds of the marijuana plant are viable enough by looking and assessing them. The process isn’t as complicated as you might think it would be.

Sometimes, some seeds have been lying around for years and look just fine but they won’t germinate well and give you the yield that you are likely looking for. One of the key markers to check the viability of the seeds is by checking the outer shell.

If the outer shell is cracked, chances are that the seeds aren’t good for germination anymore. This is because the cracked seeds expose the genetics, making them less likely to germinate after you have planted them.

FAQs

Will cracked marijuana seeds germinate?

Most likely, they won’t. However, if you still want to give it a try, go ahead and do so. Just ensure that you follow the correct growing methods to support the germination process to the fullest.

How long will marijuana seeds last before they go bad?

Generally, if you are following all the steps and you have stored the marijuana seeds the right way, chances are that they will last for a lot longer than you’d expect. Generally, some batches of seeds last for 1-2 years and some other ones can last between 5-10 years.

How long will it take for the marijuana seeds to sprout?

Most of the seeds that you plant will take up to two weeks to sprout. However, you need to maintain the optimal temperature settings for it.

How long do cannabis seeds last in storage?

Cannabis seeds must be stored properly to prevent pathogens or mold. Also, they should be stored in a cool, dry, and dark place. The stored seeds should be used within 16 months, or else they will get spoiled. If you have to wait more than 16 months, you should put them in the freezer.

What are the important factors to consider when storing marijuana seeds?

There are a few important factors that should be taken into consideration when storing marijuana seeds. This includes light, moisture levels, temperature, oxygen, and environmental fluctuations.

How to know if the cannabis seeds are good or not?

You must look for the noticeable signs to know whether the seeds are good or bad. For this, you must examine the outer shell of the seeds. If the outer shell is cracked, there are high chances that the seeds have gone bad and they can’t be used for germination anymore. Cracked seeds expose genetics, which reduces their power of germination.

Can you put marijuana seeds in the freezer?

If you want to store marijuana seeds for more than 16 months, then you will need to store them in a freezer to prevent them from going bad. 

Conclusion

Marijuana seeds don’t come for cheap prices. So, if you are mishandling them, it will end up putting all your money into total waste. So, make sure that you are following the right steps, maintaining the right temperature and humidity before you end up buying some good-quality seeds from your local seed bank.