How to Germinate Cannabis Seeds

How to Germinate Cannabis Seeds

By Robert Bergman, ILoveGrowingMarijuana.com

Because marijuana seed germination paves the way for healthy development of the plant, it is very important to make sure that every need of the seed and germ are fulfilled. This article will describe what seeds are, and what exactly makes them germinate. We will uncover the process of germinating seeds as well as perfecting the conditions for young seedlings. Additionally, I will go through the different methods of germination, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each method.

• Introduction to the cannabis seed
• Different ways of germination
• Germinating in soil
• The amount of water seeds need
• What is the perfect temperature
• Germinating in rockwool cube
• Germinating in peat pellets
• Germinating in water
• Germinating between two cotton pads
• Germinating outdoors

Introduction to the cannabis seed
Like every plant, marijuana begins with a seed, which requires water to grow. The seed houses the entire plant and can survive the first few days with a reservoir of food. While it’s germinating, the seed can turn this saved food into sugars, which it uses to grow.

A seed increases in size and breaks open when it’s received enough moisture. A germ opening forms, allowing the root to go through, and it goes down into the ground. Because its downward motion is due only to gravity and not some other force, the root will always grow downward–even if the seed is positioned in a different way. Consequently, the stem consistently grows opposite to the root, so it will always grow upward.

Different ways of germination
Germination methods come in many different shapes and sizes, each with its pros and cons. Rockwool cubes, soil, or peat pellets are all suitable locations for the germination process. As long as the amount of moisture and temperature are right, they should all achieve the same thing in the end. Let’s start out by going through my favorite method of germination: water germination coupled with soil germination.

I first submerge the seeds in water and let them soak for 24 hours. This assures that there is the right amount of moisture to begin germinating. The seeds won’t absorb too much water unless they’ve been soaking for 7 days or more, so don’t be concerned about that.

Pour tap water (no added nutrients needed) into a cup and let it sit for several hours, allowing it to get to a room temperature. Even if the seeds haven’t broken open, the seeds will have begun to germinate after 24 hours.

Soil Germination
Because soil makes a cushion of water and nutrients, it is very easy to germinate the seeds in soil. You should use mildly fertilized potting soil or a seed-starter; the pH level of proper soil should be approximately 6. Seeds are delicate and can negatively respond to an overdose of nutrients. Potting soil should contain the right amount of nutrients to work for two weeks or so, and it is available in most garden centers.

After putting soil in the pot, (one pot per seed), you can use a pen or pencil to make a quarter-inch-deep hole. If a root has already popped out of the seed, you can help it grow faster by making sure that part faces downwards. Once the seed is in the hole, make sure it is topped with soil; don’t push down the soil, however, since this will occur automatically when you water it. All this will let the seed germinate, and you’ll soon find evidence of your work when the plant pops out of the soil in a few days or a week. Below the soil, many new roots will grow from the main root and a solid system of roots will form.

The amount of water seeds need
Like all living things, water is the most important element in germinating seeds. For this reason, you need to be sure that you feed your plants the perfect amount of water. If you water it too little, the plant will try to conserve energy in order to survive, and won’t grow to be very large. If you water it too much, the roots will not get enough oxygen, making the roots rot and the plant above to go limp. The soil could also attract mold and other harmuful bacteria.

The way to make sure your plants receive enough water, add water until you see it seeping out from the bottom. Even though the seedling doesn’t absorb this much water, it evaporates very quickly. Consequently, this amount will just last for several days.

Temperature
Light is the second most important ingredient to growing a healthy plant. Light gives plants the ability to form sugars from carbon dioxide and water. These sugars are used to power the plant’s growth. This is referred to as photosynthesis.

The amount of light is also very important, as it affects the precise way in which plants grow. For instance, if plants receive too little light, they will only grow in height and not in breadth, and won’t produce many branches. This is due to natural selection in their natural habitat; if a plant can grow above the others, it has a competitive advantage because it will absorb more light.

Plants that already have access to enough light will also achieve growth in breadth. More branches and therefore buds will crop up, which is ideal for these cannabis plants. If you keep light throughout the day (both day and night) you will accomplish a consistent temperature and can maximize your plant’s growth. Placing your seeds in containers under fluorescent lights is best, since the lights do not use too much power and don’t emit much heat, allowing you to place them quite near the plants. Although the seeds don’t actually need the light at this point, an immediate exposure to enough light once they pop out of the soil will help them develop best.

The temperature should remain near 73 degrees, but if it’s too hot then simply move the lamp further away from the plant. Wrap plastic wrap around the pot so all the extra moisture cannot escape, thus creating the perfect humid climate for the seeds to germinate.

The plants should start popping up after 3-7 days, as long as you are closely monitoring the temperature. You should remove the pot’s “lid” (plastic wrap) as soon as you see the first sprouts; then have the lamp on at intervals of 18 hours on, 6 hours off.

Rockwool cube germination
Rockwool, is mineral wool that comes from volcanic rock and other materials (basalt and limestone, for example), that provides the perfect environment for the growth and germination of plants. The stones are formed by heating them up to 1500 degrees Celsius, turning them into molten lava, which is then quickly spun, releasing drops of lava that solidify to form threads. These threads are further processed with compaction, curing, and cutting, turning them into the Rockwool forms that we know (including slabs, blocks, and plugs).

The main difference in this process is the addition of fertilizer; rockwool doesn’t contain the nutrients that soil has, so you’ll need to add a bit of fertilizer (TDS should be around 600ppm ) when you start. Additionally, the pH level is 7.0, which is too high for optimal germination, meaning you’ll need to lower the rockwool pH. This is achieved by placing the ockwool plugs in water (pH value 5.5) for a full day, allowing it to bring down the Rockwool’s pH level.

Although it can be a bit trickier, there are some pros to using rockwool instead of soil. First, while transplanting, rockwool cannot have a harmful effect on the roots (which can occur when using soil). Of course, pH and TDS meters are necessary for successful rockwool germination. The rockwool cubes are available by online order via Amazon.

Peat pellet germination
Peat pellets are simply compressed peat within a bag made from mesh; this peat enlarges when you add water and turns into a sort of container. With the pH level of 5.5 and the TDS at 625, this little container creates the ideal environment for germinating your seeds and growing your plant. You can also put the peat pellets or straight into the soil or rockwool right when you start to see the roots popping out, thus avoiding damage to the roots altogether. Peat pellets are also available for online order via Amazon.

Water germination
If you allow marijuana seeds to remain in water for 24 hours, the seeds can be pre-sprouted. This allows you to view the seeds, and it ensures that they have plenty of moisture for starting the germination process. Additionally, putting seeds in water is a faster process than planting them directly into the soil.

This method isn’t perfect, however, as it means the seeds will need to be picked up (whether or not a root is already emerging). This root is extremely delicate; if harmed, it could be detrimental to the development of the plant, so you must be extremely cautious when touching a seed with an emerged root. To save time, plant the seed with its root facing down.

Although others might disagree, I have found that this method is the best one, so I’ve continued to use it for years.

Germination between cotton pads
Germination with the seed placed between wet cotton pads is also a suitable method. Like with placing the seed in water, this process ensures that the seeds will have plenty of moisture. On the other hand (also like the water method), the seeds will need to be picked up and moved, thus risking harm to the root. If proceeding with caution, however, this should not present many problems.

In 2 to 5 days’ time, the roots should be visibly growing out of the seeds, at which point you should move them. This is simply done by removing the cotton pads with caution and placing them into the soil or Rockwool, either with your fingers or tweezers.

Outside germination
I would not recommend germinating your seeds outside, as it easier to maintain the suitable temperature inside, as well as the level of water and light. This applies even if you will actually grow the plants outside. Outside there can be variants in rain, clouds, and other things that can negatively affect the germination of your seeds.

Germinating inside also allows you to end up with bigger plants and a greater yield since you can start the growth earlier. Germinating outside means that you would have to wait until the final frost has passed before you can begin. You can easily grow your plants outside by germinating inside and then moving the plants outside once they are bigger and stronger, having begun with a healthy germination period. These plants can endure much more than young seedlings that are germinated outside from the beginning.

That being said, it is possible that germinating inside is simply not possible or not worth the inconvenience to you. In this case, you can begin germination in the location that you plan to fully grow the plants. This provides a certain advantage; since you are not moving the seeds, you’re also not risking accidental destruction of the root.

Before planting, dig holes (6x6x6 inch) in the ground and fill them with potting soil. This will provide the seeds with enough nutrients for the beginning. After that, create a small quarter-inch-deep hole and plant the seed inside. Make sure that you soak the soil in water. You might even want to add some more water in a few days if the weather is particularly warm.

Make sure to plant the seeds an 3 feet apart. Under the right circumstances outdoor marijuana plants can get very large and you do not want them competing with one another Note: if you won’t be growing the plants in your personal garden at home, some good locations for weed growing include corn fields and ditches.

Many strategies for germinating marijuana seeds are available to you; you simply have to choose which one is easiest for properly maintaining the needed moisture and temperature level. We would love to know of any other pieces of advice or methods you might have. Please write any tips or new information in the comments section.