Why are seeds so expensive?

check out Nirvana seeds, they have awesome prices and genetics. 
Some seeds are pricey but you can get a lot of bud out of one plant, so in the end, its not too expensive. 

 

You're paying for more than the seeds.
 
A good breeder spends a year or more (some claim several) to develop & stabilize a new genetic blend.
Then, they generally test it out with either growers they know - or with the general public by selecting a group of testers (like you see here from time to time). If the testing doesn't come out right, it's back to the drawing board & lots of time & money lost.
 
Then, there's packaging, marketing, distribution - those seeds don't magically get put out on the market.
 
Then, there's the other costs of doing business - taxes, utilities, shipping, payroll, websites, etc.
 
After that, the wholesaler wants a cut to sell the seeds to the retailers, and the retailers (seed banks like us, herbies, attitude, etc.) need to make a profit as well.
 
Next, if you create a seed version of something that's in high demand, you can charge a premium for it.
After all, as was mentioned, you can get an awful lot out of a tiny seed - plus, you can then create your own seeds or clones.
 
Finally, in the scheme of things, when you factor in everything else that's necessary to bring out all that goodness from one little seed, most people invest quite a bit of money in other things.
 
When you consider all that, seeds are a bargain - as long as they perform as described.
 
All that being said, I always suggest that beginners get their feet wet with some bag seed first before moving on to more expensive genetics if they're concerned about expenses.
 
~~sherry

 

It's the potential of the seed you're paying for ^.^

 

There not really though are they if you think about it, like the above posts have said it's the potential that the seed has. It would cost you a lot more to buy 5oz than it would to grow it so if you look at that way they are damn cheap.. 
 

 

Exactly. I spent 50$ on 5 seeds and got 6ozs - and still have 2 left. Not so expensive, now ^.^

 

What you are paying for is mainly advertising through the big seed banks. I was explained this directly from a breeder who has been approached by many seed banks to sell through the banks at a premium.  This is why I like to buy breeder direct when I have the option. It cuts out the middleman and other unnecessary expenses..... not that the big banks aren't providing us an amazing service. To some people, the premium is well worth it.
 
Sherry pretty much explained it in full detail.

 

But personally... I think the high prices are bullshit.   
 
But at the same time.... they aren't.  As long as we are given access to the male pollen.  One can always easily make their own seeds for a damn cheap cost.
 
 
also.....
 
 
PROHIBITION!

 

They're "supposed" to destroy them.

 

Haha I don't think me meant what are they actually DOING with them.
I think he meant like what the heck is going on with the rise of seizures?

 

for us, i think seizure rates are down
 
i'm not sure about chicago, but LA was a big problem for awhile
 
i haven't had a complaint about a missing shipment in months
 
of course, i only see forum complaints, but for awhile, i was getting one or more each week
 
~~sherry

 

high prices are shitty...im sure they will drop after its legal....Just got to appreciate the fact you can even get legit seeds and safely get them to your house, even if your in a state that has harsh punishments like Mine. So 60 bucks for a 5 pack of some awesome shit, and you know you can grow well, i dont see the harm in it. But once marijuana is legal and im still seeing a 5 pack of some good seeds for 60 bucks. im kinda going to question it. 

Kind of like with wax, I pay 50 a gram, but i know in colorado its like 30 a gram. probably even cheaper...but im thankfull enough i can even dab and experience it on a regular basis. I just dont get names or the details with my product . Unless its flowers, 80% of the time it comes with a name.

 

Look if you buy one seed for 10 bucks. Clone 5-10 plants from it. And grow 3 oz a plant you've paid basically 10 bucks for alost a kilo of pot. Maybe 600 once you factor in electricity. But even if you factor in your entire setup one plant pays for everything. And the amount you can clone is nearly limitless!

 

Plus everthing else said would wouldu rather buy one seed or a gram,, u could do a whole lot more with one seed

Sent from my HTC Desire HD A9191 using Grasscity Forum mobile app

 

I see seeds costing more because of two main reasons:
 
1) time and effort that goes into developing strains: it takes some of these breeders years (or in SOMAs case decades) to perfect what they have. You can't put a specific price on this, but generally the cost of seeds reflects the quality of research and product. (generally). Again, think of your lighting, soil, fertilizer, etc etc etc costs for one grow, then multiply that times a hundred. And imagine zero return on investment for the first ten years of doing this. Yeah, it sucks. It's difficult, meticulous, and time-consuming. You don't know when you finish if you'll sell 100 or 1,000 seeds, so you have to guesstimate a pricepoint that fits what you feel you put into it.
 
2) lost opportunity. To have plants producing seeds you are diverting light & grow space from female plants which yield actual flower. To focus on seeds means you are giving that up - but your expenses to grow stay the same.
 
I feel many people probably don't think about #2. It's the same reason your local dealers in high school almost always had low-THC indicas rather than high-quality sativas. Cost and resources to grow, develop, etc....