SEEDS

Growers usually figure that 1/4 - 1/3 of the seeds they plant reach
maturity. Usually 40-50% of the plants are male. The best females are
chosen for continued growth during early growth but after the plants have
indicated.

Most fresh seeds have a very high germination rate, usually about 95%.
However, older seeds (more than 2 or 3 years old) or seeds imported from
foreign countries where they undergo stress during curing, may not fare so
well. They have a higher percentage of weak plants and they are subject to
disease. Sometimes virtually all of the seeds from a batch of imported
marijuana are dead.

Intact seeds which are dark brown or grey have the best chance of
germinating. Seeds which are whitish, light tan or cracked are probably not
viable. Most guide books suggest that growers plant the largest seeds in a
batch, but the size of the seed is genetically as well as environmentally
determined and does not necessarily relate to its germination potential.

If the seeds are fresh, they can be planted one per container. They may
be planted in the container in which they are to grow to maturity or in a
smaller vessel. Some growers find it more convenient to plant the seeds in
small containers to save space during early growth.

Seeds with a dubious chance of germination are best started in tissue and
then placed in pots as they show signs of life. The wet tissue, napkin or
sponge is placed in a container or on a plate, and is covered with plastic
wrap. The seeds are check every 12 hours for germination. As soon as the
root cracks the skin, the seedling is planted with the emerging point down.
Seeds can also be started in tray pots so that large numbers can be tried
without using much space.

Seedlings and cuttings can be placed in the refrigerator - not the
freezer - to slow down their growth if it is inconvenient to plant at the
moment. They can be stored in the vegetable crisper of the refrigerator for
a week or more, in a moistoned plastic bag. The temperature should be kept
above 40 degrees to prevent cell damage. This does not adversely affect the
plant's later growth, and, in fact, is an easy way to harden the plants up
that are placed outdoors later. [pH:I have wondered if the plants were
grown in the refrigerator all the way through picking, and its offspring
(from seed) were also grown in such cold temperatures, if future generations
of the plant would be able to grow, outside, through winter, by itself.]

Seeds should be sown 1/4 - 1/2 inch deep, covered, and then the medium
should be patted down. Seeds sown in light soil or planting mixes can be
sown one inch deep. Some growers treat the seeds with B1 or the rooting
hormone, indolebutyric acid, which is sold as an ingredient in many rooting
solutions. Seeds germinated in covered trays or mini-greenhouses grow long,
splindly stems unless the top is removed as the first seedlings pop the
soil. The medium must be kept moist.

One way to make sure that the medium remains moist is to plant the seeds
in containers or nursery trays which have been modified to use the wick
system. To modify a tray, nylon cord is run horizontally through holes in
each of the small growing spaces. The cord should extend downward into a
leakproof holder. (Trays come with 2 kinds of holders. Some have drainage
holes and some are solid.) The tray is raised from the holder using a
couple of pieces of 2x4's running lengthwise which keep tray holders filled
with water. The tray will remain moist as long as there is water in the
bottom. If the tray is to be moved, it is placed in cardboard box or over a
piece of plywood before being filled with water.

The light is kept on continuously until the seeds germinate. Most seeds
germinate in 3-14 days. Usually fresh seeds germinate faster than old ones.