by Nebula Haze
We had just started an autoflower seed journal, and received an email from Labron, a self-proclaimed “old DeadHead”. Labron had a message to share about storing cannabis seeds.
This Picture: Fresh, viable cannabis seeds. Ready to grow!
“I hadn’t grown anything in years, but last month when you started your auto flowers, I decided to follow suit.”
We recently started a “grow with us” autoflowering grow journal in the weekly newsletter, and Labron decided to join in using the seeds he had stored away a few years ago.
This Picture: Our autoflowering plants from the current “grow with us” grow journal
“I had stored perhaps 40 or 50 seeds… stored in individual zip lock bags (very small type), were then placed in larger zip locks and placed inside a cigar box… stored in a cool, dry and dark cabinet.”
His stash of cannabis seeds had been stored in ideal conditions. He decided to germinate some of the seeds using the wet paper towel germination method.
This Picture: The wet paper towel method is one of the most popular ways to germinate cannabis seeds. Seeds are kept between wet paper towels (in a bag or between two paper plates) until they sprout.
“Using the paper towel method, I started 12 seeds, 6 females and 6 auto flowers. Only 3 developed tap roots. And of those 3, only one actually started sprouting regular leaves.”
He was using a germination method that had worked well for him in the past. That is a sign the lack of germination is likely due to seeds themselves.
This Picture: If you ever use the wet paper towel method to germinate seeds, make sure to label which one is which!
“I grow organically and use a soil made up of top soil, coco coir, peat moss and vermiculite… I have usually had good results with this formula. But not this time.”
His message for other growers is to buy fresh cannabis seeds whenever possible.
“What I am concluding… is that sometimes good genetics and procedures are not enough. You want fresh seeds if possible. Even well stored, old seeds are just that. Old.”
You can get most well-stored old cannabis seeds to germinate. But even if you give perfect conditions, some seeds won’t germinate no matter what you do. So whenever germinating older seeds, make sure to have a backup stash of extra seeds. Preferably fresh ones. There are many times you wish you had more seeds, but never a time you wish you had less!
This Picture: On the right, you can see the round cotyledon leaves that were fully formed inside the shell. Pretty neat! These first leaves are yellow inside the shell, but once they get exposed to light they open up and turn green.
“I am in my late 70’s and have a bag of collected seeds that was started sometime in the early 1970’s. It currently contains several thousand undifferentiated seeds of who knows what strains from the past. But would any of them even try to germinate and grow? I doubt it.”
It can’t hurt to give those seeds a try, you might be surprised!
This Picture: A happy little marijuana seedling with the seed shell stuck on its first round leaves. If you ever see this, just leave it alone and it will fall off on its own 🙂
If you’ve got old seeds you want to germinate, or new seeds you want to keep safely in storage, here are some tips to increase your chance of success as much as possible.
Tips for Germinating Old Seeds
- H2O2 Dip – Dip the seeds in Hydrogen peroxide before initiating germination. This kills any possible germs or pathogens on the shell.
- Heat – Make sure seeds are warm. Ideally the germinating seeds should get 80-85°F (27-30°C). A seedling heat mat underneath (or reptile heat lamp pointing down from on top) can help. If you’re planting the seeds directly in the grow space, turn on the grow light while they’re germinating. Just like the sun!
- Wet – Once seeds touch water, it kickstarts the germination process. That means it’s crucial once the seeds get wet, they never dry out. Make sure your paper towels, seedling cube, or soil (or whatever medium is holding the seeds) doesn’t dry out during germination.
- Leave Them Alone – Don’t touch or move seeds after they start germinating.
- If using paper towel method, put just one sheet of paper over the top of seeds, so you can see whether they’re germinated through the translucent sheet. Give them 3 days before you even check, though that may kill you inside.
Learn how to germinate cannabis seeds for high germination rates.
After germinating old seeds, you’ll be rewarded with happy, adorable seedlings of rare genetics.
How to Store Cannabis Seeds to Last for Years
- Dry – Seeds must stay totally dry
- Sealed – Keep in air-proof container
- Cool – Temperature under 65°F (18°C)
- Dark – No light exposure is ideal
Of course if you have your own seeds, there are many ways to accomplish these conditions. But I personally love when I buy seeds that are already perfectly set for good storage. Good packaging also means the seeds are more likely to have been stored properly before they got to you. Here are examples of good seed packaging, so you know what to look for.
I like how Seed Supreme stores their in-house seeds. This is how I got my last seed order. Seeds in vials, kept in a sealable light-proof bag. Just stick it in the back of the fridge or cool drawer and cannabis seeds can stay viable for years to come.
Another great seed storage method is by Happy Valley Genetics. Seeds are kept in vials inside a little cardboard box. It does take more room to store compared to the above method, but the package is really spiffy looking, and each vial is completely safe. I had already cut the seal on this pack before I made the video, but I like how their seed packs come sealed so you know you have an unopened breeder pack.
Candy Games #38 is one of my favorite strains right now!
