Grower planting a marijuana seed in soil, with a glowing cannabis flower rising against a vibrant sunrise sky.

Why My Marijuana Seeds Are Not Germinating

Marijuana seeds are one of a kind; therefore, proper care must be taken when growing them. The amount of water and light exposure must be well monitored, whether you are growing it inside the house or outside.

It can be disappointing to buy marijuana seeds with your hard-earned money and plant it with the joy of having a pot full of flowers in a few months and not seeing them germinate. If you have planted your marijuana seeds and it is not germinating, the good news is that it may not be too late to salvage the seeds. There are still some things you can do to make it bud and some mistakes to avoid next time you plant those precious seeds to reap the fruit of your labor.

Here in this detailed article, you are going to learn about marijuana seeds, the types there are, tips you need to know when planting cannabis seeds, factors that will not make your seeds grow that you should avoid and what to do to the seeds you have planted already and has refused to germinate.

WHAT ARE MARIJUANA SEEDS?

Handful of marijuana seeds on a wooden table with a green cannabis leaf beside them, under warm natural light.

Marijuana seeds are seeds of the plant Cannabis sativa, otherwise known as cannabis, weed, pot, or ganja, depending on your location. These seeds give rise to the cannabis plant, which gives the beloved cannabis flower we all love.

These flowers contain several chemical substances, but it is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) that produces psychoactive effect. Before now, recreational cannabis was not allowed in the States, same as growing the plant, but the story changed in 2018; the farm bill was passed that allowed the legalization of marijuana and its products that contain less than 0.3% THC. Hemp (marijuana containing less than 0.3% THC) was also permitted to be grown in the United States under federal law after the Hemp farming Act was included in the 2018 Farm Bill.

Also, it is essential to note that although the bill covers the whole of the United States, individual states also have their regulations, and you should do your due diligence on if the state you are in allows it. Concerning marijuana cultivation, however, there are some things to note:

  • You have to be at least 21 years.
  • There is a minimum amount of marijuana plants you can grow, e.g., in the United States; if you are above 21 and are a resident of the States, you can grow up to six different types of plants.

Also, there are additional regulations based on your state; for example, in Montana, you can only cultivate up to four mature plants for personal use. If you have a community of stoners in your state, you should link up with them to stay abreast of latest regulations by the government.

HOW TO SHOP FOR THE BEST MARIJUANA SEEDS FOR PLANTING

Rustic seed shop counter with marijuana seed packets, a grower examining a seed with a magnifying glass, against a wooden backdrop.

Selecting the right seeds at the start is essential, as this determines your efforts and eventual harvest. Choosing the right seeds to plant will save you a lot of stress. However, getting the right marijuana seeds to plant can be daunting, especially if you are a newbie in growing cannabis.

Here are some of the things to consider when shopping for marijuana seeds.

  1. You are to shop for female seeds, not male ones: It is essential to note this as a first-time grower. If you want to plant marijuana seeds because of the marijuana flowers, you should only buy and grow feminized seeds as the female ones give flowers rich in THC. Feminized seeds have been treated as a safe option as it contains only female ones. If you mistakenly grow male seeds with it, the male flower will pollinate the female ones and once this happens, the female flowers won’t produce much THC again.Here is how to check if your cannabis seeds are feminized.
  2. If you are also a first-time grower, you might consider buying auto-flowering marijuana seeds. This is because auto-flowering seeds are easier to grow. They require minimal sunlight to grow and are known for their resiliency, thereby requiring low maintenance. They start flowering at around ten weeks./
  3. Although there are various strains of marijuana seeds, they mostly have different physical appearances. There are still ways you can tell if a seed is good and will germinate well by observing it.
  4. One of those characteristics to check for is a lively brown color. A dark and dull-looking marijuana seed has a massive chance of being a dud. A marijuana seed that looks white or greenish is undoubtedly one you will like to avoid, as it means the seed was harvested early and was not allowed to germinate well enough.Concerning shape, it is also best to avoid flat seeds as it is believed that the rounder and larger the seed is, the best it is for planting. Most good quality seeds have a teardrop shape with one tapered end.That a bag of marijuana seeds is expensive does not equate to high quality. Sometimes the seemingly cheap ones give the best plant so that it will be judged as quality with the price of marijuana seeds.
  5. Also, a factor to consider when buying your marijuana seeds is to get them from brands known to deliver quality consistently. You can know this through reviews of such brands online and recommendations from knowledgeable people about marijuana seeds.

Armed with these tips, you are sure to get high-quality seeds, and the chances of your seeds not growing is almost nonexistent.


FACTORS THAT CAUSE YOUR SEEDS TO NOT GROW

Pot of marijuana seeds on a windowsill with a thermometer at 22°C, under soft morning light with a fan blowing gently.

However, even if you get the best of seeds and you do not grow them under the right conditions, there are chances that they will not germinate or it will have stunted growth. Marijuana seeds are to be grown with care. Here are things to avoid in growing your marijuana seeds to achieve both germination and the best yield.

  • Use the appropriate soil
  • How you plant the seeds
  • Moisture content
  • Light exposure
  • Temperature regulation
  • Keeping your seeds away from pests
  • Ensure your seeds are manageable

Let's take these factors one by one and examine them.

1. Use the appropriate soil

The soil you plant your marijuana seeds in goes a long way in determining whether it will grow or not, as well as the yield. The best soil is one that is light and loose. A tightly packed soil will make it challenging for your seedling to grow out of the soil. Also, ensure it has excellent drainage and retention so that water can go into the soil when watered and is retained. It will also be great if it contains organic substances such as humus and compost. However, stay away from heavily fertilized soils as it will be too hot and overload your plant.

2. How you plant the seed

How you plant the seed is another factor you need to be careful with, as you should only bury the seed deep and shallowly. If it is buried too deeply, they will not have enough access to oxygen. Not enough oxygen and too much moisture can cause the seed to spoil instead of grow. If your seed is planted too shallowly, it will need more access to nutrients. Planting them 1cm deep is fantastic and appropriate.

3. Moisture content

The moisture content you maintain is vital. Be careful not to drench the seed, as too much moisture encourages microbial growth, and the seeds may begin to rot. Not enough moisture will hamper the growth of the seed. Ensure you water your seeds from time to time and keep the moisture content adequate.

While on the subject of watering, it is also important to note the type of water you are watering your planted seeds. This is because there are different types of water and the chemical constituents differ. Water containing a high level of chlorine may hamper the growth of your seeds.

4. Light exposure

The fact is that cannabis seeds need no light to germinate. It is best to grow them in darkness. It will be a disaster if you place your pot of planted cannabis seeds by the window with other plants you nurture. However, once the seeds start sprouting, they will need a lot of light exposure of up to 18 hours per day. To keep up with this, you might need to get grow lights.

5. Temperature regulation

The temperature you keep your planted seeds matters. This is because if they are exposed to too much temperature, the soil will dry up quickly, and the seeds will lack moisture. Apart from this, the seeds will be scorched with too much temperature, affecting germination. If growing indoors, you can cool the temperature by putting on a fan or an air conditioner to maintain a cooler temperature.

In the same vein, the temperature should be manageable as this can hamper the seeds from growing. The optimum temperature for growing cannabis seeds is between 20-25 degree Celsius.

6. Keeping your seeds away from pests

Those seeds you planted and kept by the window side that you have been expecting its germination for quite some time now might have been picked by birds and eaten. It is vital to keep your seeds out of reach of such animals that may pose a danger to them by digging them up and eating them.

7. Ensure the pot is not too crowded

Where you plant your seeds is also a vital factor, as this will cause the seeds to fight for space and nutrients. This will mostly lead to stunted growth as there will not be enough nutrients. So, whether you are planting in your garden or indoors using paper towels or pots or growing in water, ensure the seeds are well spaced for optimum growth.

These are factors involved in your seeds not germinating. Generally, cannabis seeds germinate within 3 to 10 days. Once it is 10 to 11 days and not germinating, you should quickly examine the factors explained above, find the culprit, and make adjustments. If making the adjustment and observing for the next 3 to 4 days does not sprout, the seeds are likely a dud, or it is too late to save them.

MY SEEDS FINALLY GERMINATED; NOW WHAT?

Young cannabis seedling in a pot under a grow light 3 inches above, with a lush green plant background in an indoor grow space.

Your seeds finally budded; that's great news. You have only completed the journey's first step, and there are still many steps ahead. After your seeds have sprouted, here are the following steps to ensure a bountiful harvest.

1. Adjust the light exposure

No light exposure will facilitate cannabis seeds' germination. However, the reverse is the case with the seedling growing. Growing cannabis seedlings requires light exposure of up to 16 hours per day. More than natural sunlight will be needed, and you would need to grow lights from CBD seed stores to keep up. When you get the grow lamps, ensure to keep them 2 to 4 inches above the seedlings, that way, it won't be too close or too far.

2. Bigger space

If you grow your cannabis seedlings in a small pot or notice it is crowded, you will like to transfer it to a giant plate to give it more room to grow.

3. More nutrients

Your seedlings need more nutrients because they still have a lot of growing to do and hence need all the nutrients they can get to give a good yield. Therefore you can supply more fertilizer to them, but not a strong one, to facilitate their growth.

4. Continue watering regularly

This is also when your plant needs more water, so ensure you water regularly. You can set a reminder every day on your device to remind you.

Apart from this, all you have to do is to monitor your plant and maintain the factors that help the seed grow as listed above, and you will get your desired harvest.

Outdoor garden with mature cannabis plants blooming under golden sunlight, surrounded by rolling hills.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Also, it can be that you taste cannabis that feels like cloud nine, and you want to grow it; all you need to do is obtain the necessary criteria you need to be able to grow one and plant. The law on cannabis is getting better by the day. Who could have imagined one would have the freedom to plant their favorite marijuana seeds in the comfort of their house today years ago?

If you follow the above guidelines, you will find your cannabis growing fun and fulfilling. If you are growing it for the first time, it is, however, advisable to buy auto-flowering seeds as it requires little attention to turn out pretty well.

So, if you have planted some marijuana seeds before and they did not germinate, do not let that deter you. Get another bag and give it another chance. Follow the guidelines closely, and you will be glad you did.

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