How to Store Cannabis Seeds: Keep Your Seeds Fresh and Potent
Hey everyone! I’m happy to be posting an update to an older article on this site about storing marijuana seeds. This update gives more details about seed storage and builds upon our previous article.
Read time is about 5 minutes.
Creating and maintaining your cannabis garden is a pure delight as every grower knows. The process often begins with planting seeds and watching them grow over time, until they turn into beautiful, potent cannabis plants. However, cultivating a garden is not the easiest task. It takes time and dedication to grow your cannabis seeds into fully-grown mature plants. If you are a beginner cannabis gardener or a seasoned one, it is crucial to understand the value of storing your cannabis seeds properly. In this blog post, we outline some insightful tips on how to store cannabis seeds to preserve their viability.
How To Store Cannabis Seeds - Choosing the Right Container
The first and most crucial step in storing your cannabis seeds is choosing the right container. The type of container you pick will determine whether your seeds remain fresh or deteriorate quickly. The ideal containers for storing cannabis seeds are dark, airtight, and moisture-free. These conditions help to preserve the viability of the seeds by protecting them from light, heat, and humidity.
We recommended to use airtight and opaque glass jars, like mason jars, which do a fantastic job of preserving seeds by providing the best moisture and temperature control. Glass prevents seed degradation by resisting humidity, and being airtight prevents infection by fungi and bacteria. Keep the jar in a dark and cool place such as a shelf or a drawer.
Cannabis Seeds Humidity Control
Controlling humidity is essential when storing marijuana seeds because it directly impacts seed viability. Excessive humidity can trigger premature germination, leading the seed to sprout in unfavorable conditions, often resulting in a failed growth. Moreover, high humidity levels provide an ideal breeding ground for mold and mildew, which can cause irreversible damage to the seeds.
On the other hand, too low humidity can dry out the seeds, risking their viability and potential to germinate. Ideally, marijuana seeds should be stored at a relative humidity level of around 9% to maintain optimum freshness and longevity. Using silica packs or commercial moisture control products in storage containers can help maintain the desired humidity levels.
What Temperature Do I Store My Cannabis Seeds?
The ideal temperature range for marijuana seed storage is between 6-8 degrees Celsius (or around 42-46 degrees Fahrenheit). Keeping seeds at this temperature slows their metabolic rate, which helps in preserving their viability for a longer period.
Extreme temperatures, both hot and cold, can harm your seeds. High temperatures can lead to increased metabolic activity, potentially causing premature germination or seed decay. On the other hand, freezing temperatures can cause the water inside the seeds to expand, damaging the cell structure and hampering germination.
Store your weed seeds in a dark, cool place such as a basement, cupboard, or fridge (be mindful of humidity if using a fridge). Purchasing a small thermometer to monitor storage temperature can be a worthwhile investment to ensure optimal storage conditions.
Storing Cannabis Seeds Pro Tip: Label Your Jars!
The Importance of Labeling Your Cannabis Seed Jars
Labeling your cannabis seed jars is an often overlooked but essential part of seed storage. Doing so allows you to keep track of various important details such as the strain of the seeds, the date they were stored, and any specific germination instructions. Cannabis strains can have dramatically different characteristics and requirements, so it's crucial to remember which seeds are which.
Moreover, seeds do not have an infinite shelf life, even under ideal storage conditions. By writing the storage date on the jar, you'll have an accurate timeline of how long the seeds have been stored, allowing for better planning of when to plant them.
Lastly, it's not uncommon for cannabis gardeners to trade seeds with others in the community. If you decide to share or swap your seeds, having clearly labeled jars can avoid confusion and ensure the person receiving the seeds knows exactly what they're getting.
So, it is recommended to always label your jars with all the necessary information. You could use a simple marker and masking tape to do this, or opt for printable sticker labels for a more organized look.
Key Factors of Cannabis Seed Storage
Here is a quick summary of our storing seeds guidelines:
Choose the Right Container: The container for storing weed seeds should be dark, airtight, and moisture-free. An opaque glass jar, like a mason jar, is recommended.
Humidity Control: Seeds should be stored at a relative humidity level of around 9%. Use moisture control products to maintain this level.
Temperature Control: Keep your cannabis seeds at a temperature range of 6-8 degrees Celsius (42-46 degrees Fahrenheit). Avoid extreme temperatures to prevent damage to the seeds.
Label Your Seed Jars: Label jars with details like the strain of the seeds, the date they were stored, and any specific germination instructions. This helps in accurately tracking their shelf life and in planning when to plant them.
Storing cannabis seeds is not only about keeping them neat but also involves preserving their potency and ensuring they germinate when necessary. By using airtight and opaque glass jars, regulating humidity and temperature, storing your seeds in the dark, and labeling them, you can maintain the quality of your seeds and maximize the yield of your cannabis garden. Applying these storage tips will ensure you have a supply of viable seeds for future plantings.
FAQ:
Q: Should I store cannabis seeds in the fridge?
A: Yes, you can store cannabis seeds in the fridge. However, it's essential to maintain proper humidity levels and make sure they are sealed in an airtight container.
Q: How long can I store cannabis seeds?
A: With proper storage conditions, cannabis seeds can remain viable for up to five years or more. However, it's recommended to use
Q: How long do cannabis seeds take to break surface?
A: The germination process for seeds can take anywhere from 24 hours to a week, depending on the strain and growing conditions. It's essential to maintain proper humidity and temperature levels during this time to ensure successful germination.
Q: Can you store your cannabis seeds along with my harvested buds?
A: No, it's not recommended to store seeds with harvested buds. Buds may contain residual moisture, which can lead to mold growth and damage the seeds. It's best to store the seeds separately in a dark, cool place to maintain their viability.
Q: Do cannabis seeds have to dry?
A: Yes, seeds must be adequately dried before storage. Moisture in the seed can cause mold growth and decrease viability. Allow the seeds to air dry for a few days before storing them in an airtight container with moisture control measures.
Q: Can I eat marijuana seeds?
A: Yes, seeds are a nutritious source of protein and healthy fats. However, they do not contain any psychoactive compounds like THC or CBD, so eating them will not produce a high.
Q: What is the easiest way to germinate cannabis seeds?
A: Read our seed germination guide
Old How to Store Cannabis Seeds post
store the seeds cool dark 12 hours 10 years seed germination