Here’s How To Germinate Old Cannabis Seeds

Did you find some old seeds in a forgotten corner of the house? Well, you’re in luck; below we’ll share some simple tips to help you germinate old cannabis seeds.

BEFORE YOU START, SET YOUR EXPECTATIONS STRAIGHT

Before you start, it's important you remember the following:

• Seeds can take a while to germinate. While healthy, fresh seeds can germinate in just a few days, old seeds can take anywhere from 2 days to 3 weeks to sprout. So be patient.

• Some seeds won’t germinate at all. Unfortunately, old seeds sometimes just don’t sprout. So, if you try all of the tips below and wait patiently without any luck, it’s likely your seeds are just too far gone.

TRY SCARRING YOUR SEEDS

One of the main reasons old cannabis seeds don’t germinate is because they tend to have a very hard outer shell. Now, cannabis seeds naturally have a hard shell that helps protect them until the conditions are right for them to germinate. Over time, however, this outer shell can become so hard that it inhibits the seed from germinating altogether.

To help older seeds along, it's a good idea to try scarring them. To do so, simply line the inside of a matchbox with some fine sandpaper, place your seeds inside, and shake the box for a minute or so. This will help make some small cuts in the seeds' outer shells to help them absorb some moisture.

If this isn’t enough, you can try carefully (and very gently) using a sharp knife like a Stanley blade to remove the ridge running along the middle of each seed. This should expose the inside of the seed a little, helping it absorb moisture and, hopefully, giving it a better chance of germinating.

TRY GERMINATING YOUR SEEDS IN CARBONATED WATER

Try dropping your old seeds into a glass of sparkling water. The CO₂ in the water should help the seeds absorb more moisture, encouraging them to sprout. You can also add some fulvic acid to the water to help break down the shell of your seeds. You’ll only need about 2.5ml of acid for a glass of sparkling water (roughly 250ml).

TRY “THE PAPER TOWEL METHOD”

This is a very popular way to germinate seeds. And for good reason; it’s pretty successful. Here’s how to germinate your cannabis seeds using paper towel:

1. Place 2 pieces of paper towel inside a salad plate.
2. Dampen the paper towels and place your seeds on top of it.
3. Cover the seeds with another 2 pieces of damp paper towel, then cover the salad plate with another plate, and keep it in a warm, dark cupboard.
4. Check on your seeds every 2–3 days.

LET MOTHER NATURE DO HER THING

Sometimes, it’s best to leave Mother Nature to work her magic on your old seeds. Try scarring your seeds a little as we showed you earlier, then let them sit in carbonated water overnight. Next, prepare a small nursery pot with some high-quality soil. Make a small hole in the middle of the pot with your finger, roughly the depth of your fingernail. Drop your seed inside the hole and cover it. Moisten the soil and keep your pot in a warm place with indirect sunlight—a windowsill works great.

REMEMBER TO STORE YOUR SEEDS PROPERLY

If you’ve tried all our tips above and still haven't managed to germinate your seeds, it’s likely they are beyond the point of return. To avoid having the same problem next time, here are some tips to help you store your seeds:

• Seeds like cool, dry, and dark places.
• Quick changes in temperature and humidity are really bad for seeds. Try to keep them in a jar or other container to protect them against these environmental factors.
• Seeds don’t like light. Keep them in a dark place and avoid any unnecessary exposure.
• All of our seeds are vacuum-sealed. For the best germination rates, only open a pack of seeds when you’re ready to plant them.