OPINIONS WANTED: What is an acceptable germination rate?

[Son of Hobbes]

Simply put, in your opinion what is an acceptable germination rate for cannabis seeds?

I looked up some information this morning and found this:



In the United States, the Federal Government regulates minimum allowable standards for seed germination. (CFR 201.31 – Germination standards for vegetable seeds in interstate commerce, if you’re interested.)

Here are the legal minimums for allowable germination rates for a few common seeds, just so you can see what’s allowed.

federal minimum germination standards

Artichoke – 60 Beans – 70 Beet – 65 Broccoli – 75 Cabbage – 75

Carrot – 55 Cauliflower – 75 Chard, Swiss – 65 Corn, sweet – 75 Cucumber 80

Eggplant – 60 Kale – 75 Lettuce – 80 Parsley – 60 Parsnip – 60

Pea – 80 Pepper – 55 Spinach – 60 Squash – 75 Tomato – 75

Seed sellers are required by law to test their seed’s germination regularly, and the seed must meet these minimums to be sold. When the seed house tests germination, optimum conditions for seed germination, including moisture, light and temperature are all controlled. The seed is given every possible opportunity to sprout.


The average out of the 20 varieties of vegetables is about 68%. These rates are out of 100 seeds total.

Where do you think cannabis typically should be at?

 

[Trichome farmer]

the average price for vegatable seeds seems to be anywhere from 1.50 - 5.00 dollar/pounds/euros for 50-200 seeds
the average price for 1 seeds cannabis seed i would say is 6-10 dollar/pounds/ euros
this is a huge difference even with some bulk/discounts sellers its still about 1-2 quid a seed
so should we expect better germination rates? i dunno
should we get cheaper seeds ? yess!!!
do i know what im talking about? No

 

[DCLXVI]

I'm not very experienced but, I believe germ rates for cannabis should be a bit higher than vegetables. Simply due to cost per seed. Yes I know there are inexpensive cannabis seeds available.

That said I feel like the average cost per seed is around $10? (For cannabis)

Pack of 25-50 pepper seeds is $4-7.

I would be pretty happy with 75-80% germination rates for average cost cannabis seeds.

If I was spending significantly more, I would hope for near 100% especially for some seed packs I've seen

 

[jdm61]

I have not attempted to germinate what I would call a valid statistical sample, but I am pretty content with my 100% germination rate with the seeds that I gacve actually paid for, which have consited of 6 Fastbuds seeds and one Seedsman. My 4 early (well, 5 if you counting sticking a seed in the ground in 1979) were bag seeds that had been left for God knows how long in a desk drawer in a hot auto body shop in Florida. But seriously, I lost one plant to bad soil that i tried to use for the third time without cheking the Ph. and that is too high of a loss rate for me.

 

[jdm61]

How much was that new high THC-V plant from Dutch Passion? $120 per seed? I would expect at least 5 plants to grow out of thatseed and that is before you started cloning!

I'm not very experienced but, I believe germ rates for cannabis should be a bit higher than vegetables. Simply due to cost per seed. Yes I know there are inexpensive cannabis seeds available.

That said I feel like the average cost per seed is around $10? (For cannabis)

Pack of 25-50 pepper seeds is $4-7.

I would be pretty happy with 75-80% germination rates for average cost cannabis seeds.

If I was spending significantly more, I would hope for near 100% especially for some seed packs I've seen

 

[Mossy]

I would be pretty happy with 75-80% germination rates for average cost cannabis seeds.

I'm With @DCLXVI .....

 

[Mossy]

I Bough some chilli seed and it said #1 with the grow instructions....don't expect every seeds to germinate........and I Thought straight away...if canna seed vendors put that on a pack..they would be lynched.......


Price would push Expectations.......I couldn't Force meself to pay 120$'s a seed....but if someone gifted me them...I'd expect 100%
(and a flipping grower to come with it...for that price........but then....I'm Tight Fisted.........)

 

[Proph]

I say it depends.. I think autos and fems have a higher double standard, if that makes sense. Photo period packs of regular seeds are usually 10+ seeds per pack, and people often pop all 10+ seeds at once.. I'd say most would be ok with 70% germ rate in that situation.. Packs of autos and fems average 3-6 seeds.. That same 70% germ rate wouldn't be acceptable in this scenario. Then you have people who only germ a half a pack at a time, or one seed at a time.. Those people usually have the highest germ rate expectations. But I'd say, in general, 70-80% is probably a good spot.

 

[Mañ'O'Green]

I have always been happy at 80%.

 

[jdm61]

I wonder what percentage of the people who would be happy at 70% are the same people getting free seeds off of Instagram? At $16 per seed, I expect 100%.