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Ding-dong! Your cannabis seeds from Amsterdam Genetics have finally arrived, and you’re enthused about growing your next cannabis plants. Germinating is the first step in the process. However, many beginner growers struggle with getting their seeds to “pop.” Having healthy cannabis seeds is essential for growing high-yielding cannabis plants. Amsterdam Genetics has a 95% germination rate thanks to our strict quality control, which ensures we only ship healthy cannabis seeds. Whether you purchase your seeds from us or harvest them from previous plants, these visual checks help assess the health of your cannabis seeds and determine which are most likely to grow into healthy cannabis plants!

Visual Check 1: Seed Colour

Colour is the most obvious visual cue for identifying the healthiest cannabis seeds in a pack. It indicates seed maturity, and mature seeds have the highest probability of producing healthy cannabis plants. Healthy cannabis seeds are brown with dark lines resembling tiger stripes.

Immature cannabis seeds will appear green or white. These colours signal that the seeds are not yet fully mature and can produce inferior plants. They will also lack the striped characteristics seen in mature cannabis seeds.

Black seeds or alternative colours are a sign of bad storage and can be defective.

Compare multiple seeds from the same strain because colour can vary based on seed genetics.

Visual Check 2: The Squeeze Test

Cannabis seeds are delicate. However, healthy cannabis seeds can withstand slight pressure when applied to them. The way the seed reacts under the squeeze test can indicate its overall health—and instantly rule out unusable seeds.

To conduct the squeeze test, gently place your cannabis seed between your thumb and index finger and gently squeeze it. The pressure will not impact healthy cannabis seeds. Seeds that crack or become squished/dented are ineffective for growing.

Be sure to wash your hands before attempting the Squeeze Test. For added safety, use gloves.

Visual Check 3: It has a shiny or glossy shell

Examine your cannabis seeds under good lighting. Healthy cannabis seeds will have a smooth, shiny, glossy surface. It will be subtle, but visible under the proper lighting. It’s a sign that the shell is hard and sturdy.

Other seeds will appear dull. These seeds may still be viable for germination. However, they should also pass other visual tests to determine their health.

Visual Check 4: The shell is fully intact

It’s exciting to receive your pack of cannabis seeds from Amsterdam Genetics in the mail. But make sure to be gentle when opening the package. Cannabis seeds are very delicate and must be handled with care. All of your seeds should arrive with their outer shells fully intact.

Reasons for damaged shells include:

• Mishandling seeds
• Suffering from too much pressure
• Defective seeds

Note that the user can easily cause damage after the seeds have arrived. Treat your package with care to prevent damaged seeds. Healthier seeds have harder shells and are less likely to be damaged compared to immature seeds with softer/weaker shells.

Visual Check 5: Compare the size of the seeds

Cannabis seeds come in various sizes—even for the same strain. Healthy seeds can range in size, but outliers can be a red flag. Most cannabis seeds measure between 2mm-5mm (roughly smaller than sunflower seeds and larger than tomato seeds). Compare all of your cannabis seeds side-by-side. If you notice seeds that are very tiny or oddly large, test them with other visual cues to determine whether they are defective.

Comparing cannabis seeds by size is not a stand-alone test due to size variations. The smallest seeds can produce massive yields, while large seeds may not grow at all. This test helps give an idea of how certain seeds from a particular strain look.

Visual Check 6: Examine the shape of the seeds

Similar to size, cannabis seeds also come in a variety of shapes. Most cannabis seeds resemble a teardrop. Slight deviations in shape, such as rounder seeds, can still yield amazing cannabis plants. For this visual test, you should look for anything out of the ordinary.

Cannabis seed shapes that should cause a red flag are:

• Flat – likely from being smashed
• Joint seeds – two seeds merged into one
• Deformed – oddly shaped seeds

Flat, or smashed seeds, may be a sign of defective seeds that can occur during handling (be gentle!). Joint or deformed seeds may still be effective for growing if they pass other visual tests, such as having the shell intact and passing the density test.

Visual Check 7: The Density Test

The density test is one of the best ways to test the health of your cannabis seeds—and also a fast-track to germinating your seeds. It works by putting your cannabis seeds in a small bowl of water to see if they sink or float.

• Healthy cannabis seeds will sink to the bottom
• Defective cannabis seeds will float in the water

Healthy seeds sink because they absorb the water (hence becoming heavier) and will begin the germination process. Growers can start to see healthy cannabis seeds sink within a few hours. If the water bowl is kept in a dark room, they can even begin sprouting a taproot within 12-36 hours. Defective cannabis seeds remain floating since they may be unable to absorb water. Lightly tap any floating seeds to see if they eventually sink.

Keep in mind that not all healthy cannabis seeds will pass every test. These visual signs are designed to give a clear indication of whether cannabis seeds are healthy or unhealthy, so you don’t waste time or resources on bad seeds. Experiment with these visual tests first. If you are still unsure or having issues germinating the seeds, refer to our FAQs for assistance.