Cannabis seeds have a high amount of Omega fatty acids, which can help reduce heart disease. They also contain nitric oxide, which helps to widen blood vessels and boosts circulation.
Cannabis seed can be bought as regulars (mixed male and female) or feminized. Feminized seeds produce only female plants, so they are a better choice for home growers.
Germination
During the germination process, a seed’s stem is slowly pulled out of its shell. This allows the young plant to take in both light and nutrients from the earth.
One of the simplest methods for germinating seeds is to place them in a glass of water. When the seeds soak, hormones are released that stimulate their growth. This method works well because it is simple and requires no special equipment.
Another method is to place a single seed in a damp paper towel. It is important that the towel is completely wet, but not so saturated that it will drip. The seed should be placed in a dark location and checked periodically for the appearance of a taproot (or radicle). When a radcle is visible, the seeds can be transferred to damp soil or to a germination station. The seeds should be handled gently, since they are fragile. Using too much force could damage the roots and prevent them from growing.
Seedlings
Cannabis seeds develop into seedlings when the proper variables are in place, such as a nutrient-rich soil and a suitable environment (temperature, light and/or darkness, oxygen). The first leaves that emerge from the seed are called cotyledons, which look like regular plant leaves but are much smaller. Once these cotyledons grow bigger and more recognizable, the seedling is ready to enter vegetative growth.
The seedling will continue to grow and adsorb nutrients from the soil as it enters its vegetative phase, growing in size until it is ripe for flowering. Once flowers begin to grow, the cannabis plant is mature and ready to be consumed as a recreational drug.
Growing your own plants from seed can be a fun and rewarding experience for those with the time to dedicate to such a project. Alternatively, you can purchase cannabis seeds from a reputable breeder or dispensary. Their seed lines are developed with care and quality, which can be reflected in the final product you will harvest.
Harvesting
Cannabis seeds have a high potential for growth and are used to produce new plants that can be harvested. For this reason, growers cultivating cannabis for profit will usually opt for reputable seed banks.
Seed banks create their cannabis strains by forcing male plants to produce pollen which is then used to pollinate female plants, creating crossbreeds that contain the desirable genetic traits of both parents. These seeds are then sold to cannabis growers who use them in their cultivation process.
When cannabis plants are ready for harvest, their flowers will show signs of ripeness. This is usually determined by trichome appearance, which can be checked using a specialized magnifying glass or trichome viewer. When the trichomes are milky white, they have reached their peak maturity and are ready for collection. This is usually done in a sanitary indoor environment. The harvested cannabis plant is then processed and dried for storage. Typically, commercial marijuana grows use specially designed machinery to crush and sort the seeds from the flower.
Storage
Whether you are saving seeds to use for later or simply storing them for a couple of weeks it’s important that they are stored correctly. Cannabis seeds are alive and can be damaged by sudden temperature changes, light or even air movement.
To prevent this, it is recommended that you store your seeds in a dark, cool place that has little to no fluctuation in temperature or humidity. A fridge is ideal as it can keep the seeds at a stable low temperature while also keeping them away from light.
You should also try to find a container that is as airtight as possible to help protect your seeds from spores and other contaminants. Glass is generally preferable to plastic as it expands and contracts at a similar rate which can prevent your seeds from getting stuck in the sides of a container. If you are storing seeds for a long period of time it’s also worth including some desiccant to reduce moisture inside the container.
