How many cannabis seeds do you need to grow a plant? - By Dutch Passion
In an ideal world, the average grower with a 1.2m x 1.2m (4ft x 4ft) tent who grows 5 plants would only need to plant 5 cannabis seeds. However, in the real world, many growers would rather risk planting an extra seed or two just in case of germination/seedling issues. For some, the cost of germinating an extra seed at the start is preferable to the delays/stress of hurriedly germinating more seeds afterward, especially if there is a harvest-date deadline to meet.
Why you may want to plant some spare cannabis seeds
Experienced growers that have a reliable cannabis seed germination method often routinely achieve germination rates of 90-95% or more. Such growers who are not rushing to complete their grow by a specific deadline usually germinate just one cannabis seed for each plant they eventually want to harvest.
Those with a little less experience often germinate a couple of spare seeds. This allows for a higher germination failure rate and perhaps the occasional seedling loss during early vegetative growth. Many germinate their cannabis seeds directly in the grow medium (e.g., soil or coco), often giving good germination rates. Another option is to try germinating cannabis seeds between damp cotton pads (damp, never soaked). It’s the most reliable seed germination method that Dutch Passion has yet found.
Whether or not to germinate extra cannabis seeds is a personal decision influenced by your attitude to potential time delays. If, for example, you have a 75-day limit to complete an autoflower grow before a vacation, you may prefer the security of having a spare seedling or two in reserve. The extra cost is minimal - usually €/$/£ 5-10 per seed. The spare seedlings mean you don’t have to wait a week for replacement seeds to germinate.
But there are other reasons why you may want to germinate extra cannabis seeds.
1) Growing regular cannabis seeds
Many cannabis breeders and old-school growers prefer the traditional use of regular cannabis seeds. Despite inventing feminized cannabis seeds in the 1990s, Dutch Passion still retains one of the largest collections of regular cannabis seeds available today. Regular seeds give rise to around 50% male offspring. So, to harvest 5 female plants, you would probably want to start 10-12 regular seeds, perhaps a few more, just to be safe.
2) Selecting elite individual specimens from a large grow
Many connoisseur growers, cannabis seed companies, cannabis social clubs, and professionally licensed growers often go to great lengths to find (and preserve) elite individual plants. This may involve discarding 90%+ of the plants grown, sometimes involving hundreds or thousands of specimens grown from cannabis seed. Normally, the pro-grower seeks the few individuals combining the heaviest yields with the highest total cannabinoid content and richest terpene profile. Sometimes, other considerations are also considered, such as outdoor weather/mold resistance, speed of bloom, etc.
The costs to select elite individuals are high in such large-scale grow operations. Hundreds of plants are often produced from seed and cataloged, cuttings are taken, and the plants are nurtured and harvested. Lab analysis is performed on the heaviest yielding specimens (often at costs of €100-150+ per sample), and only the best of these make the grade for onward breeding and seed production.
3) Growing cannabis outdoors
Another group of growers that might plant an extra cannabis seed (or three) are outdoor growers. Outdoor growers can lose plants to adverse weather, pests, and predators. Many outdoor growers germinate an extra few seeds just in case any plants/seedlings are lost due to outdoor conditions.
So, how many seeds does it take to grow weed?
For some growers, it’s a simple one-seed-per-plant rule that applies. For others, a couple of extra cannabis seeds are often germinated. It’s a personal decision by the grower based on their experience and their specific cultivation environment and context.
If you have a tight harvest deadline to meet, such as a vacation departure, you may prefer the backup offered by planting a couple of extra cannabis seeds. This allows the grow to proceed without germinating new seeds and the subsequent delays. But this approach infers that some seedlings (perhaps the smallest ones) may need to be culled if all the cannabis seeds germinate and grow well. A typical 4-5 plant 1.2m x 1.2m (4ft x 4ft) tent with a 500W LED would yield around 300-500g+ (depending on grower, genetics, conditions, etc). The cost of an extra seed or two to guarantee sufficient plant numbers for a smooth start to your grow is insignificant compared to the final crop value. That’s one reason why many growers don’t worry too much about germinating an extra cannabis seed or two.
Number of plants to harvest | Number of Fem / Auto seeds needed | Number of regular seeds needed |
1 | 1 or 2 | 2 or 3 |
2 | 2 or 3 | 4 or 5 |
3 | 3 or 4 | 6 or 7 |
4 | 4 or 5 | 8 or 9 |
5 | 5-7 | 10-12 |
Single seed vs multiple cannabis seeds in the same pot
Some growers, especially those cultivated in large containers with 40+ liters of grow medium, sometimes grow two (or more) plants in the same container. One reason to do this could be, for example, if you are using older cannabis seeds with uncertain germination rates. Two seeds in the container allow backup if one fails to germinate. And if both germinate, you should be able to finish both plants in the large container. Although many/most growers tend to avoid growing multiple cannabis plants in the same container, it can be done and may allow the grower some bonus buds.
Single cannabis seed in each container
The classical way to grow cannabis seeds is with each in its container. As the plant grows, you can fine-tune the nutrients and care for the individual plant. Cannabis plants thrive best when not too cramped for space in the grow room. So, the absence of a close neighbor and space for an expansive root system are some of the benefits of growing single cannabis seeds in their container.
Benefits of growing weed indoors using the single-pot system |
● The individual nutrient regime for each plant. ● Ample root space. ● Peripheral space around the plant to allow lateral growth |
Downsides |
● Possible limitations to the number of plants per square meter/yard. |
Multiple cannabis seeds in each container
Some growers find that a couple of cannabis seeds in a large container gives better results in their particular grow space/situation than using individual containers. When growing in very large containers (75-100 litre+), many growers find that a couple of plants, especially when grown from the same strain, will deliver good results. Some pruning may be required, especially in the cramped zone between the main stems. Some that grow with the SCROG method find it works well with a couple of seeds in a large growing container. Cannabis low-stress training (LST) may also be helpful to ‘open up’ central/lower bloom points to light, maximizing yields when cultivating in a crowded grow environment. Cannabis cuttings with identical nutritional needs may also be convenient for some to grow in the same container.
Benefits of starting multiple cannabis seeds together in the same pot |
● If one of the seedlings/plants dies, you will still have viable plants. ● It is possible to squeeze in more plants than in individual containers. |
Downsides |
● If the plants have different nutritional needs, it may be difficult to accommodate an optimized nutrient regime for both plants. ● Plants may suffer from proximity, restricting growth. |
Start in confidence with 95%+ germination rates
One of the most important recommendations in this article is the importance of a reliable cannabis seed germination method, such as the damp cotton pad method mentioned earlier. Start your grow with the confidence of a high germination rate, and it is off to the best start.
Those who have a cannabis seed collection should store them in a dry, humidity-proof container at a low temperature in the fridge. Although some seed banks store archived legacy seeds in the freezer, this isn’t recommended for the home grower due to the risk of damage to the delicate tissues if the frozen seeds are roughly treated. Cold-storing your cannabis seeds in the fridge maximizes their germination rates.
Buy your cannabis seeds directly from a reputable cannabis seed company (Dutch Passion has been around since the 1980s, with about 100 cannabis cups). Professional seed companies will ensure regular batch rotation of seeds and that the cannabis seeds are properly cold-stored to maximize germination rates.
However you plan your next grow, consider the details and timings for a few moments. If you need to germinate an extra cannabis seed or two, remember that the costs are vanishingly small in relation to the final harvest value of your crop.
Written and Published by Dutch Passion in Weed World Magazine issue 167
Validate your login
Sign In
Create New Account