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Cannabis growing might seem simple, but it is not a guarantee that your seeds will germinate automatically. If your seeds don’t sprout well from the beginning, chances of survival are low. Even if you select the best cannabis seeds for growing and don’t focus on ensuring germination, your seeds might be difficult to grow. 

Apart from choosing a fast flowering strain that promises great yields, you must consider several other factors when purchasing the seeds: age, storage, and the shipping environment. It is quite tricky to judge if a cannabis seed will germinate perfectly by appearance. That is why some weed seeds are easy to grow, and others present a challenge in similar conditions. 

This article delves into why germination might take longer for some seeds and secret tips for growing cannabis seeds successfully. 

What Is Cannabis Germination?

Before we proceed to the reasons, it is imperative to understand cannabis germination and what it entails. The process of germination occurs when the seed sprouts and starts to grow. Seeds require water, warmth, and air for successful germination. If you meet these ideal conditions, the seed will germinate without difficulties. The tap root will appear inside the soil, and the seedling will develop leaves.

Thus, the germination process is crucial since it marks the beginning of growth. It is a delicate step since your seeds might fail to germinate, resulting in growing difficulties. That is why purchasing and growing the right seed strain under the right conditions is imperative. 

Selecting Cannabis Seeds

Now that you understand the significance of germination, it is also important to know that the type of cannabis seeds also matters when it comes to growing. Your seed type might determine if you will have an easy or difficult cultivation process. 

So, how do you select the best seeds for cannabis growing? Before you even source the seeds, look into the types of cannabis strains you plan to grow – Sativa, Indica, or Hybrid. Are you planning to cultivate in an indoor or outdoor setup? 

Here is an overview of the aspects you must consider when choosing the right seeds for your growing plan.  

Seed Strain

Numerous seed strains in the market have unique traits, and you might be confused about the right ones to choose from. So, research extensively and find one that meets your cannabis specifications and preference.

For instance, you can select quality seeds for beginners - Purple Kush Autoflower (https://askgrowers.com/seeds/purple-kush-seeds-autoflower). It’s always essential to study the strain’s specifics and determine the best match with the amount of available growing room, your weather conditions, etc. 

Seed Vendor

Where you purchase your seeds matters a great deal. The market is full of legit vendors as well as scammers. So, do due diligence before purchasing an old seed from a fraudulent company; it will most likely not germinate. Ensure you buy cannabis seeds from reputable vendors only. 

Type of Seed 

You must also consider the seed type you want to purchase. Do you want to grow a regular or feminized seed? For experienced growers - Skunk Berry Feminized (https://askgrowers.com/seeds/skunk-berry-seeds-feminized) can be a great option. 

Inspecting Cannabis Seeds

Not all seeds have the same characteristics. So, inspecting the seeds before purchasing ensures you get quality seeds that will germinate and grow into healthy plants. 

So, check out the following aspects when inspecting the cannabis seeds:

• Color. Quality seeds are usually black or dark brown. Other colors, like white or green, might mean the seeds are not viable for growing. 
• Shape. Go for oval-shaped seeds with a sharp point at one end. Selecting flat or round seeds might result in growing difficulties. 
• Texture. Cannabis seeds have a hard and smooth surface. A different texture means the seeds are not suitable for growing. 
• Age. Don’t purchase old seeds that have lived on the shelf for years. You can determine the age by the color of the seeds. 

Seed inspection might seem cumbersome, but it is an effective way of ensuring successful germination and a smooth growing process to produce strong, healthy plants in the long run. 

What Causes Cannabis Growing Difficulties?

Here are a few pointers that might hinder cannabis germination and cause growing difficulties. 

Improper Seed Storage 

Seeds are living organisms, even though you might not see this at first glance. A cannabis seed, like any other seed, is an embryo of a new plant in a dormant state. Under the right germination conditions, the seed will sprout and thrive. Thus, most vendors usually pack seeds in airtight containers to prevent air movement and external interference.

Storage of cannabis seeds is vital since extreme heat and humidity will affect longevity. You must check the expiry date when purchasing weed seeds from your local vendor. Sometimes, the store might have fluctuations in temperature and humidity, which triggers germination or cracking of the seed coat. 

Therefore, seeds stored for a long time might have growing difficulties. If you buy expired seeds that have stayed on store shelves for years, you can be sure of getting poor-quality yields due to their degradation. 

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Growing Under Unfavorable Conditions 

Just like any other seed, cannabis requires ideal conditions to grow. You must plant your seeds in an optimal environment, including the right temperature, humidity, water, light, and soil structure. 

Whether growing indoors or outdoors, you must ensure your cannabis seeds get the right amount of water, nutrients, and lighting, not forgetting the temperature and humidity required for successful germination.

Hard Seeds

Certain weed strains produce seeds with extremely hard shells. Such seeds usually have low germination rates and might frustrate the growers. Experts may recommend cannabis growers soak these seeds for 24 hours in water before planting. Soaking the hard seeds will help soften the hard shell to ensure smooth germination.

Another option is to crack the seeds to allow the embryo to sprout without interference from the hard shell. But you must be careful to avoid crashing the seed completely; you can try this option if you are dealing with a tough seed and are an experienced grower. 

Poor Germination Methods

Some seeds might be difficult to grow due to bad germination methods. Popping your cannabis seed in the soil is insufficient; you must nurture your seed to ensure successful germination. Seeds that don’t get enough water and warmth or extreme exposure to harsh conditions might fail to germinate. 

Conclusion 

Germination is a significant phase in determining whether you will have a successful cannabis-growing experience. You must plant your seeds under ideal water, warmth, and air conditions to kick-start germination. Also, choose the right seeds from a reputable vendor. Avoid purchasing the seed strains that are hard to grow - Blue Crack Feminized (https://askgrowers.com/seeds/blue-crack-seeds-feminized) and go for the ones that promise ease of growth. Remember that growing cannabis doesn’t have to be difficult; with total care and attention, you will get healthy buds and reap impressive yields.

Denys Svirepchuk, a passionate expert in the cannabis industry, crafted this highly informative article. Denys is a professional writer and researcher at AskGrowers with years of experience delivering quality content to a broad audience. He shares great insights to help growers have a fulfilling cannabis cultivation journey.