Cannabis Seeds
What Do Good Weed Seeds Look Like?
Growing cannabis for seed is a passion project undertaken by plant-loving breeders of every caliber. Generation after generation, parent plants are selected and tracked, genetics are improved and stabilized through traditional farming methods, and the resulting traits are documented and enjoyed by growers and consumers. On the other hand, some folks grow seeds accidentally when stray pollen from a rogue plant enters the garden. Which seeds are good?
When talking about recognizing quality weed seeds, there are two main considerations:
- Quality of the future cannabis plant (genetic contents)
- Quality of the seed in terms of its characteristics “as a seed” (i.e., suitability for growing)
This article will assume you are already familiar with the genetic characteristics of the plant you’re planning to grow. It instead examines how to recognize high-quality weed seeds in a batch that you harvested, received as a gift, found in a bud, or bought from a reputable cannabis seed bank.
What do healthy cannabis seeds look like?
Healthy cannabis seeds are robust, oval-shaped, shiny, dark-colored, firm, and fully formed when harvested. By contrast, immature and unhealthy seeds appear stunted or shrunken on the non-pointy end (the “abscission” area, i.e., the base where the seed was attached to the flower) and may be light green or white.
Cannabis seed identification myths
Almost all cannabis seeds available to consumers today are incredibly similar in appearance. This is due to how closely related the extreme majority of popular and commercially viable cannabis cultivars (strains, as we incorrectly call them) are compared to their wild and landrace ancestors.
In the 20th century, folks who wanted to grow and breed high-yielding, THC-rich, and fast-finishing (including autoflowering) cannabis under prohibition had a limited selection from which to identify and refine genetics.
For this reason, many easy-to-grow cannabis types share a lot of DNA. Sometimes nicknamed “OG” or “Old School,” stabilized family lines were (and continue to be) used by contemporary cultivators to experiment with hybrid forms that can improve or present unique spins on existing favorites.
Some people believe you can tell what you have just by looking at a seed. In fact, historically, folks have shared some creative ideas about identifying future plant characteristics based on the look or character of the seeds.
Let’s start by answering some questions you may have after hearing popular myths about the appearance of cannabis seeds and what people think it says about their quality:
Are light or dark weed seeds better?
It is fair to say that dark weed seeds are better for growing than light-colored seeds. This is because the dark color indicates the seeds have completed their journey from pollination to maturity. They have developed all of the protective shell structures necessary to survive until they find the right conditions to germinate and start the cannabis life cycle again.
On average, fiber cannabis types, which have been forcibly bred with low THC under hemp-growing laws in many parts of the world, tend to display slightly lighter shades of brown.
Can you recognize feminized or autoflower seeds?
Feminized and autoflower seeds look just like regular and photoperiod seeds. You cannot tell how long a seed will take to grow into a finished plant by looking at it.
Can you recognize if the resulting plant will be male or female?
It is impossible to recognize whether a resulting plant will be male or female by its seed’s observable qualities. Purchasing feminized seeds and ensuring they are kept separate from any other seeds in your collection is the only way to know your plants will grow to be female.
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Can you tell the strain by a cannabis seed?
You cannot tell the strain of cannabis by looking at a seed. A grower who produces seeds may notice they become familiar with how their seeds look when made by certain plants (as in the case of stabilized lineages). Still, the likelihood of identifying any given strain in, let’s say, a bag of random seeds is next to, if not entirely, impossible.
Can you even tell if a seed is indica or sativa?
You can’t tell if a seed is indica or sativa from its appearance.
Indica and sativa cannabis types grown for high cannabinoid content and easy cultivation are hybridized forms of plants selected for those features.
Unless (until?) you become as passionate about (might I even suggest “obsessed with”?) growing cannabis as some of us around here, most of the good seeds you will encounter in your life as a grower of high-quality cannabis will look very similar.
Should a cannabis seed have (tiger) stripes?
A lack of stripes is not a good reason to downgrade a cannabis seed, but the presence of stripes or mottling does indicate that its internal structures were mature at harvest.
Seed striping in cannabis is related to an evolutionary need for camouflage, protecting the seeds dropped by plants from being eaten (by birds, mainly). The genes of a subtype can retain this trait, but it may also not be part of that particular variety’s DNA expression.
The stripes on a cannabis seed are among the last characteristics to develop, and the layer in which they appear can sometimes be “sloughed off” in the collection and handling process.
There is no reason to insist that a cannabis seed should have stripes to be a good quality seed.
Does cannabis seed size matter?
Cannabis plant breeding (outside of “hemp” grown specifically for fiber) has created varieties that consistently make larger and more uniform seeds.
Larger seeds serve the interests of growers seeking more protein and oil from the seed. In the absence of pollination, this portion of the plant’s energy goes to creating the cannabinoid-rich oils found in and on the unseeded, tightly stacked, and plump buds.
The relative size of a cannabis seed does not matter when it comes to its eventual size: large cannabis seeds will not inherently make bigger plants.
What color should a good weed seed be?
Color is one important characteristic that seed growers use to evaluate whether their seeds are good enough to sell or to plant for the next crop. The color of the seed indicates its maturity at harvest. There is only a short window of time during which the contents of the seed are fully formed, and the outer shell of the seeds is not. For this reason, a good weed seed is generally dark in color.
Light or white cannabis seeds
Light or white cannabis seeds were pollinated closer to their harvest date than their counterparts on the same plant. As it takes a minimum of four, but usually more, weeks for cannabis seeds to become mature after pollination, the seed producer is occasionally forced to harvest their plants before some of the seeds have fully developed.
White or light-colored cannabis seeds can be just as viable as their dark-brown counterparts. However, they are more vulnerable to storage climate conditions (e.g., temperature fluctuations, humidity, dryness) and infection.
If you have white or light cannabis seeds, attempt to germinate them during the first growing season after you acquired them. Under ideal conditions, older white seeds may still germinate, but you are likely to see a reduction in healthy seedling rates the longer you wait to grow them.
Dark or black cannabis seeds
Dark or black cannabis seeds are ready to propagate their genetics at the time of harvest. High-quality weed seeds are usually dark brown, gray, or black in color.
Green cannabis seeds
A greenish-white cannabis seed is probably not completely formed inside, and a green color is a strong indicator it will not grow at all.
Cannabis seeds can retain a green tint until completely formed and dry in the buds. When they are complete, they are ready to withstand the period between the plant’s natural seasons of regrowth.
Sometimes, seeds are still slightly green because they are very fresh. A greenish-colored brown cannabis seed will usually darken as it dries, to the point where the green color fades or disappears. A green hue on cannabis seeds that was otherwise quite dark when the plants were cut down is not usually a concern.
How can you tell the quality of weed seeds?
You can tell the quality of weed seeds by using the same evaluation criteria as the growers who made them. In commercial seed production, no matter what type of plant is being grown, a uniform harvest of high-quality seeds is the goal.
When all the seeds in a pack look almost identical, the grower likely had a good handle on the variables to make vigorous seeds with high germination rates and a reasonable storage lifespan.
Look for fully-matured, oval-shaped seeds with a dark color and firm shell, with no signs of damage.
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Is the firmness of a marijuana seed an indicator of quality?
The firmness of a seed, which in agricultural regulations is called its “resistance to compression,” is one of the measurable indicators of maturity. Although you may be able to crush good quality seeds if you try (so don’t try too hard!), a seed’s firmness is an indicator that you have a good quality cannabis seed.
Older seeds can have thick shells.
Seeds with very thick outer shells make it hard for water to penetrate them. The thick outer shell of an older seed may have preserved its viability but may also make your germination period longer.
Seeds from different batches, harvested from differently mature parts of the same plants, or with different genetics can have varied shell thicknesses. Regardless, ideal germination conditions should be maintained even if the seeds of one type or source have already ‘popped’ (sprouted) while others lag behind.
Dry or brittle seeds
Seeds subjected to overdrying lose their ability to support themselves through germination. Dry or brittle seeds are considered poor quality.
What if your seed has a damaged or scratched shell?
If your seed has a damaged or scratched shell, you may consider this a lower-quality weed seed. Any damage sustained by the seed’s protective coating makes it vulnerable to the elements, compromising the viability of the contents.
Don’t throw it out, though. A scratched shell is not a reason to discard the seed without attempting to grow it. However, you should lower your expectations for successful germination.
Seed identification has great potential.
The future may hold fascinating new developments in seed quality and type identification. There is a resurging interest in sourcing, identifying, and protecting global cannabis genetic diversity.
Using cannabis seeds purchased at a market in Thailand in 2022, a group of scientists recently released the first known open-access dataset containing four thousand images for machine learning (AI-training) purposes.
With researchers all over the world studying and sharing information about cannabis and its seeds, new data may come out that will put some of the old myths to rest (or perhaps reveal exciting insights!).
Conclusion
Today, as growers, our ability to estimate the quality of seeds we intend to grow comes down to a few key aspects.
Observations of the seed characteristics and general appearance.
Does it look like it was mature when collected? Was it protected from damage throughout its post-harvest journey from the parent plant to the garden?
Trust in the seed producer.
Do you trust your source, especially their skills in cultivating, harvesting, and preserving high-quality cannabis seeds from healthy plants? Do you trust their quality control standards and guarantees?
Experience.
What data collection, documentation, and analysis of our own experiences growing high-quality cannabis seeds do you have? What can you tell from what you’ve experienced?
These are the three things you should always consider when evaluating cannabis seeds. However, when you start with brown, firm, uniform, and not visibly damaged seeds, you give yourself the best chance at success. For high-quality marijuana seeds with guaranteed germination, visit ILGM.com.
Learn more about cannabis seeds
Be sure to check out the following articles if you want to learn more about cannabis seeds:
Once you’ve got your hands on some high-quality cannabis seeds, don’t forget to download Robert’s free Marijuana Grow Bible and check out the ILGM Grow Support Forum to get growing!
Indica vs Sativa
Who would have thought that in marijuana there are different types of plants with completely different effects and benefits? The origin, the climate, the effects, and the physical characteristics are crucial in order, to differentiate the type of plant that you are going to use either in the clinical, pharmaceutical, or recreational field, as well as to know between Cannabis Sativa and Cannabis Indica in order, to be able to make the best selection of seeds according to your needs.
Marijuana is a well-known plant for its mind and body effects and it’s split into two main types: Sativa and Indica. Even though they come from the same family and have similar ingredients, they’re different in how they look and what they do when you use them. Let’s break it down simply:
What the plants look like:
Indica: This plant is short and looks like a bush with wide leaves. It grows well in cooler and mountainous areas.
Sativa: This one is tall and thin, with skinny, pointed leaves, kind of like a young pine tree. It likes hot and humid places.
How they make you feel:
Indica: It chills you out and can make you sleepy, like when you’re getting cozy in bed after a long day.
Sativa: It energizes you and wakes up your mind, great for when you need to do things that require imagination or when you’re hanging out with friends.
To put it simply: if you want to relax, go for Indica. If you want to be more alert and active, go for sativa. We’ll explain more about this soon so you can better understand how each one affects people differently.
The two subspecies of marijuana represent different adaptations to different climates. Sativa originates from the jungles of equatorial regions such as Thailand, Cambodia, Jamaica, Colombia, and Mexico, places that enjoy long hours of sunshine and constant light throughout the year. The Indica variety, on the other hand, comes from the Hindu Kush region, a vast mountain range of more than 800 kilometers that stretches from Afghanistan to China and is characterized by a very cold climate.
Climatic and physical characteristics
Cannabis Sativa is known for its ability to adapt to the heat of tropical climates, being resistant to low temperatures and showing an effective ability to prevent the growth of fungi commonly associated with humidity. Indicas, on the other hand, originate from mountainous climates, which enables them to withstand climatic challenges such as wind, rain, and frost.
Morphology and appearance:
Morphology of Cannabis Sativa
Cannabis Sativa plants, are distinguished by their unique morphology and appearance, which tend to be taller and more slender, with long, thin leaves, differentiating them from other marijuana species such as Indica and Ruderalis. The following points highlight the main morphological and appearance characteristics of Sativa:
- Height and Structure: Cannabis sativa plants are typically tall and slender, with some varieties reaching heights of up to 20 feet (about 6 meters) under optimal conditions. They have a more open structure compared to the bushier Cannabis indica, allowing for greater light penetration throughout the plant.
- Leaves: The leaves of Cannabis sativa are characteristically long and narrow with a light green color. They possess serrated edges and are composed of slender leaflets that are spread far apart. The number of leaflets can vary, usually between 5 to 13 per leaf.
- Branching: Sativa plants have less dense branching compared to their indica counterparts, with branches extending outward and upward, giving the plant an airy appearance. This less compact structure is beneficial for air circulation and can help in reducing the risk of mold and fungal diseases in humid environments.
- Flowers (Buds): The flowers of Cannabis sativa are elongated and less dense than those of indica plants. They tend to be more “fluffy” or airy and can appear on the plant as spaced, apart clusters. The flowering period for sativa strains is generally longer, often taking between 10 to 16 weeks to fully mature.
- Trichomes: While both sativa and indica plants produce trichomes (the resinous glands containing cannabinoids), the concentration and distribution can vary. Sativa plants typically have a high concentration of trichomes on the flowers and surrounding foliage, contributing to their potent therapeutic and psychoactive properties.
- Root System: Cannabis sativa plants develop a deep taproot system, which enables them to access water from deeper soil layers. This characteristic is beneficial for plants growing in arid conditions, allowing them to thrive where other plants might not.
- Growth Pattern and Maturation: Sativa strains usually have a longer vegetative growth phase, which contributes to their tall stature. Their extended flowering time requires patience but can result in high yields of marijuana flowers.
Cannabis sativa strains are often associated with a cerebral, uplifting high, attributed to their higher concentration of THC in comparison to CBD. This makes them particularly popular for daytime use. The distinct morphology and appearance of sativa not only contribute to its cultivation requirements but also influence its effects and applications, making it a fav
Morphology of Cannabis Indica
Cannabis Indica plants have distinctive morphological traits, shorter and more compact appearance, with wider and denser leaves, traits that differentiate from Sativa and Ruderalis. The main characteristics of Indica are described below:
- Height and Structure: Cannabis indica plants are generally shorter and bushier than their sativa counterparts, typically reaching heights of 2 to 4 feet (about 0.6 to 1.2 meters). They have a compact, dense structure, which makes them well-suited for indoor cultivation.
- Leaves: The leaves of Cannabis indica are broad and dark green, with fewer but wider leaflets compared to sativa plants. Indica leaves often have between 7 to 9 leaflets, which are closer together, giving the leaf a fuller appearance.
- Branching: Indica plants have dense branching, with closer internodal spaces. This compact growth habit results in a bushy appearance and contributes to their ability to produce more buds in a smaller space.
- Flowers (Buds): The buds of Cannabis indica plants are typically dense, thick, and bulky, clustering around the plant’s nodes. Due to the plant’s compact nature, these buds are often heavier and more resinous than those of sativa strains, leading to higher yields per square foot in controlled environments.
- Trichomes: Cannabis indica plants are known for their abundant trichome production, which covers the buds and surrounding foliage in a thick layer of crystalline resin. This resin is rich in cannabinoids like THC and CBD, making indica strains highly potent.
- Root System: Indica plants have a more spread-out root system compared to the deep taproot of sativa plants. This characteristic makes them more adaptable to various growing mediums and efficient in nutrient uptake from the soil.
- Growth Pattern and Maturation: Cannabis indica strains have a shorter vegetative growth phase and a faster flowering cycle than sativa strains, often maturing in 6 to 8 weeks. This quick turnaround makes them attractive to cultivators looking for a fast crop.
- Effects: Indica strains are traditionally associated with a sedative, body-centric effect, often referred to as a “body high.” This makes them popular for evening use, providing relaxation and aiding in sleep.
The morphology and appearance of Cannabis indica are not just significant for identification; they also have practical implications for cultivation and use. The compact, dense growth of indica plants makes them particularly suited for indoor or space-constrained environments. Their potent, resinous buds are favored for their strong therapeutic effects, offering relief from pain, anxiety, insomnia, and more.
Chemical and Psychoactive Composition
Both subspecies contain a variety of chemical compounds, but the proportions of these compounds can vary.
Cannabis Sativa: Sativas tend to have higher levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the compound responsible for the psychoactive effects. They may also contain significant amounts of cannabidiol (CBD), which has health properties, but in lower proportions than THC.
Cannabis Indica: Indicas generally have slightly lower THC levels than Sativas, but can still be potent. They tend to have a more balanced ratio of THC and CBD, which can result in a more relaxing and sedative effect.
When it comes to psychoactive effects, it is important to remember that although both Sativa and Indica contain THC, the effects and reactions vary greatly depending on the type of plant.
So which strain is right for me? Amsterdam Marijuana Seeds can tell you:
Sativa is known for its properties that induce a state of euphoria and greater sociability compared to the Indica variety. This sub-species enhances perception, intensifying the appreciation of colors and sounds while stimulating creativity and thinking. Sativa is used to relieve stress, anxiety, depression, nausea, migraines, and as an appetite stimulant, among other wellness benefits.
On the other hand, Indica, known for its relaxing and sedative properties, is highly effective in the treatment of insomnia and a variety of conditions. It is widely used to alleviate neuromuscular disorders such as tremors and, spasms, and to combat chronic pain. It is also a valuable option for reducing anxiety and stress and stimulating appetite in patients who need it.
Alternative uses
Cannabis Sativa: Sativas are often used to treat depression, anxiety and to improve mood. They can also be useful in treating attention deficit disorder and stimulating appetite.
Cannabis Indica: Indicas are preferred for the treatment of chronic pain, insomnia, anxiety and to relax tense muscles. They are also commonly used to treat gastrointestinal disorders.
It is important to note that due to hybridisation and genetic variability of marijuana strains, classification as sativa or indica is not always accurate. In addition, individual experience with these subspecies may vary between individuals and specific strains.
Sativa and Indica are two subspecies with marked differences in morphology, chemical composition, psychoactive effects, and alternative uses. The choice between one or the other depends on the personal preferences and therapeutic needs of each individual.
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