Whether you’re seeds weed up seeds from a friend or purchasing them from an established seed bank, knowing how to tell good seeds from bad can help boost your chances of a successful grow. From spotting fungus to testing for viability, these easy-to-follow tips will get you off to a great start.

One of the first indicators that you have good cannabis seeds is their firmness. You can test this by squeezing them between your thumb and index finger. If the seed feels soft and crumbles easily, this is a sign that it is poor quality and won’t germinate well.

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Another indicator is the shape of the seed. Some growers have postulated that you can spot male seeds by their size and ragged edges, while females are smoother and roll more easily across a table. However, it is important to note that these characteristics have nothing to do with sex and are not accurate methods for telling good from bad seeds.

A seed’s viability can also be determined by using the float test. Simply place the seeds in a glass of water and observe how many sink to the bottom. The seeds that sink will have a higher likelihood of germinating and growing into healthy, strong plants. However, this is not a foolproof method and you should always test the germination rates of your seeds before planting them. Moreover, it is recommended to purchase seeds from a reputable supplier in order to ensure high germination rates.