Floating vs Sinking Seeds - T or F?

I was germinating my seeds via papertowel and was having a germ rate of around 75%.
The failed seeds I switched to the Free Floating method along with some additional seeds that I hadn't yet attempted to germ.

I had the following results::


Bubba Kush :: 2 reg germed. 100% -5 days Both methods. Submerged seed Sunk.

Northern Lights (Jordan of the Islands) :: 2 reg germed. 100% -3 days. Both methods. Submerged seed Sunk.

Orange Sherbet :: 2 reg germed. 100% -3 days. Both methods. Submerged seed Floats.

Rhino Glue (White Rhino X Gorilla Glue #4) :: 2 reg germed. 100% -3 days. PTowel method.

Sensi Star (Jordan of the Islands) :: 4 regs germed. Seed #1 - 4 days. P.Towel method Fail. Switch to F.Float. 2 days. Status Unknown. Sunk. - S#2-4. F.Float method. 1 positive germ. 2 Status Unknown. Both Sunk.

Skunk #1 (landrace) :: 3 regs germed. Seed 1 -P.Towel method. 7 days. Fail. Switched to F.Float method. 3 days. Positive germ. Sunk.
- S#2&3 - F.Float method. 3 days. Unknown. Float.

White Widow X Skunk #1 (landrace) :: 2 regs germed. P.Towel method. 100% 3 days.


I have been told in the past that whether a seed sinks or floats can be used to differentiate between males and females early. However, that was from quite an unreliable source. Note that I have read from a more factual, reliable source that gender is determined moreso by environmental factors.
Is there a reason why some seeds sink vs float (other than air bubbles)???

It's bunk.

At first I assumed they were Sinking as they were beginning to germinate but that didn't hold true.

The plant I’m growing now the seed floated the whole time even when I would give it a tap. Didn’t germ in water I put it in soil and just put it in the corner of my room. I had planted two more direct in the medium and then I noticed it sprouted.

If you want no males planted, purchase feminized seeds. No other way to sex them from seed. The only seed test I do is a pinch test. Any seeds I can break with finger pressure are not worth putting into soil.

Bugeye said:

If you want to no males planted, purchase feminized seeds. No other way to sex them from seed. The only seed test I do is a pinch test. Any seeds I can break with finger pressure are not worth putting into soil.

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The pinch test is a myth.

jonsmith2012ad said:

The pinch test is a myth.

Click to expand...

So my belief that seeds which can easily be crushed between my fingers are not viable is incorrect? Interesting, but I’m still not interested in paying for seeds of this quality and know very well the only chance for a free replacement is before germination.