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Across Canada, at-home growing of marijuana plants is becoming widely popular. When it comes to growing, seed selection can have a massive impact on the whole experience. Choosing the right seed can affect your yield and the overall health of your plant. That is why you should know at least the basics about getting started with marijuana seeds to help set yourself up for success. Read on for the ultimate guide to everything you need to know about cannabis seeds.
Purchasers have many options when it comes to buying marijuana seeds in Canada. Depending on your province, you can buy them from dispensaries, government websites, or seed banks. Seed banks are often the preferred destination for ultimate seed selection. They have various strain options to meet each individual's unique needs. They offer sales and promotions throughout the year and have expert knowledge to help support you in the process. Always make sure you select a licensed distributor.
A healthy marijuana seed should be dark in colour with striping or dots along the shell, indicating strong genetics and maturity. It should have a glossy appearance, a firm outer shell with no deformities/cracks, and be dry to the touch. To determine the viability of a marijuana seed, you can perform a buoyancy test by placing the seed in a glass of distilled water for 12-24 hours. If the seed sinks, then it is likely viable.
The type of marijuana seed used can impact the odds of producing a female plant and the light cycle needed for flowering. Male plants do not produce flower; only female plants do. There is no way to tell female marijuana seeds from male seeds, so many growers buy feminized seeds. Feminized seeds offer a 99% guarantee of yielding a female plant as they have been genetically modified. Regular seeds can be male or female; there is no way to determine this until the plant grows. Autoflower seeds have been altered to flower based on age, not light/dark cycle, flowering in about 8-10 weeks regardless of light.
Growing marijuana from seed begins with germination. Germinating marijuana seeds refers to a seed sprouting a taproot. There are two standard methods of marijuana seed germination:
This method is common, especially among beginners, as it is relatively simple and has a high success rate.
More experienced growers tend to use this method as it is more direct and involves less seedling handling.
Germination usually occurs within 12-72 hours but can take up to 7 days. If your seed hasn’t germinated after 7 days, it is likely not viable. To help speed up the germination process, some growers will use the glass of water method of soaking the seed in a glass of distilled water until it sinks (about 12-24 hours), then start their germination method.
Pot/Container: Start with a smaller container like a seedling tray. As the plant grows, transplant it into a 3-5 gallon pot. Always have drainage holes or use fabric pots to prevent root rot. Planting your seeds outside allows for deeper root growth, but you cannot move your plants around.
Depth: You want to plant your marijuana seeds about ¼ to ½ inches deep, with the taproot pointing down. Cover the seed with loose soil; do not pack it down.
Water Requirements: You want to keep the soil moist but not wet. Add water whenever the soil feels dry (1-7 days). Stick your finger about 2cm into the soil to determine if it is dry. Do not water the stem directly; water about 2-3 cm out.
Light Requirements: The general guideline is 18:6, light: darkness. You need 18 hours of direct light exposure and 6 hours of darkness for optimal growth.
There are three growth stages of a marijuana plant after germination:
At this stage, seedlings require high humidity (65% - 70%) and lots of light (18+ hours). The soil should be moist but not wet.
During the vegetative state, use an 18:6 light cycle and deep infrequent watering (moist, not wet). To create a bushier plant with a high yield, you may want to use topping (trimming the main stem) or low-stress training (LST) (bending the branches), giving all the buds equal access to the light source.
During this stage, you will watch for the maturation of your marijuana plant. When about 60-70% of the pistils (hair-like structures that grow out of the base of the flower) darken and curl, the trichomes (hair-like growths that cover the leaves and bud) change from clear to milky/amber, and when the buds have a strong aroma, the plant is ready for harvest. Change to 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness.
There is a lot to know when it comes to getting started with marijuana seeds. If you are a beginner, exercise lots of patience, as growing robust, high-yield plants can take some practice. Keep trying and learning from experienced growers; you’ll get there in no time!
