How do I know if I have quality cannabis seeds?

Got a cannabis seed, but don't know if it's any good? No problem. There are a few tricks you can use to find out if your collector's seeds are of good quality.

What to look for in a healthy cannabis seed

A glance at your seeds can tell you a lot. Here are a few things to look for:

• Dark color: the good cannabis seeds will be brown, black and/or grey. White or green seeds are immature and unlikely to germinate. Your seed should also have stripes or spots all around it.
• Glossy shell: a healthy seed will have a thin waxy layer around it and appear slightly shiny.
• Hard shell: you should be able to squeeze a seed lightly without it crushing. If a seed crushes easily between your fingers, the seed is probably dead or weak and won't grow well.
• No cracks: inspect the whole seed to make sure there are no small cracks or holes. This will probably prevent the seed from germinating.

How to test your cannabis seeds

There are also a few methods for testing cannabis seeds.

Method 1: The flotation test

This is an excellent test that works for many different seeds. Take your seeds and place them in a cup filled with lukewarm water, not too hot, then wait a few hours. If they sink, they're probably ready to go. If they float, they're probably dead and won't germinate.

However, the flotation test should only be carried out if you're in the right frame of mind to germinate your seeds. Water saturation can cause them to mould or rot.

Test method no. 2: germinate your seed

It sounds obvious, but it really is the best method. If you really want to know whether a cannabis seed is capable of germination, then go ahead and try to germinate it. The legislation in your country, for example french cannabis law, can nevertheless restrict this phase.

How to tell if a cannabis seed is male or female

Unfortunately, there's no way of knowing whether a cannabis seed will be male or female simply by looking at it or doing a simple test. If you're serious about collecting seeds that will produce female plants, you'll need to buy cannabis seeds feminized in your favorite seed bank.

Can my cannabis seeds expire?

The short answer is yes, but if you store your seeds correctly, they can remain viable for many years. Humidity, UV degradation and extreme temperatures can, however, affect the quality of your seeds.

If you plan to store your seeds for a long time, be sure to keep them in an airtight container in a dark place. Ideally, seeds should be stored in an area with a stable temperature, such as inside your home rather than in a shed or garage.