good seeds v bad

I push seeds down and they pop is that right way to figure out if it is a bad seed?

Short answer---some float for a long time, some float for a short time. IMHO, no discernible difference can be gathered simply by float or sink.

But, can ya give us a little more info? I would assume your talking about having them in water as a first step to germination? If so, I don't believe you can tell much by that ideology. Here's why I say that: The only reason something floats or sinks in water, is because of that object's specific gravity, or it's water displacement(think boat here). So, if a seed is given enough time to absorb a little water, it's no longer displacing much, but instead it's absorbing it. So we can throw that variable out(for our purposes anyway). Now, a certain strains' seeds, all being "slightly" different genetically, will, in all likelihood, also have a different specific gravity in water. Hence, my belief of why some float and some sink---specific gravity variance.

SOMEBODY STOP ME!!!!!!!!!!!! lol--- Sorry man, sometimes go off on a tangent like that and type waaay too much info:wtf:.

seeds normally float at first, absorb water, then sink ... if a seed doesn't sink after 24 hours, I throw it away (lots of growers say I'm too critical, but oh well) ... :smokin:

I'm gonna start going through your trash IR! Now, if I just knew where ya lived---lol.

:D ...

I wouldn't go by float or sink method. I tried it in the past. Last time, I had both sinkers and floaters take. Just soak em all overnight in water and drop em in shallow, low or no-nute potting mix. I poke a fresh eraser tip into the dirt and use that as my planting depth. I've only had one dud seed in the 6 or so grows I've now done. Good genetics from reputable seed banks I find is key.


No matter what method or how much care you take, it's touch and go until you're seeing healthy green cotyldons unfolding.