How to Germinate Cannabis Seeds

We cannot stress this enough. If you want good results, you are going to need good materials to start with. In case of growing cannabis, the first thing on that list are good cannabis seeds, of course. Besides high quality cannabis seeds all you need is some water, a warm environment (between 20-25 degrees Celsius) and – lack of – light to start germinating your future cannabis plants.

Because even though living weed plants love (and need) a lot of light. Germinating cannabis seeds thrive better in a dark environment. And like there are different methods of growing your own cannabis, there’s also a choice in how to make your seeds sprout.

Germination is actually a process where you activate a dry seed that is in a ‘sleeping state’. By adding water to the seed, a small root that is inside the seed-shell will want to come out in search for more water. This will make it develop into a big taproot that’ll serve as an anchor for the plant and from which more roots will sprout.

Planning for Germination

Seeds are designed to germinate, but they are more likely to do so if given the ideal environment. There are many methods of germination, but they will all require:

• Moisture to help the seed expand and break through its shell
• Minimal interference so that delicate structures aren’t accidentally broken
• Temperatures that mimic springtime (between 20°-22° Celsius or 68°-72° Fahrenheit)

If you remember these three things, your germination attempts are more likely to be successful.

It should go without saying that successful germination is important. Your seed is the foundation for your plants – which is why many successful growers choose to start with high-quality seeds. You can also improve your germination attempts (and possibly speed up the process) by soaking your seeds in 1% hydrogen peroxide or a compost tea solution for 12 hours before using them. This process will kill any infectious agents.

4 Simple Ways to Germinate Your Seeds

The best germination method is the one that works for you, and if you are like me, you’re going to want something simple and natural. My favorite way to germinate seeds is a 24-water soak followed by soil germination, but something else may work better for you. Here are three of the easiest ways to germinate seeds.

Germinating Cannabis Seeds In Soil

Another common method of germinating cannabis seeds, and probably the most natural one, is to stick the seeds directly in their intended medium. With or without soaking it in root-stimulator for a few hours first.

By planting cannabis seeds directly in their soil or coco – or whatever other medium you might be using – growers cause the minimal amount of stress for the plant. And it’s taproot can immediately dive as deep into the ground as possible. Furthermore, its leafs can enjoy the light as soon as they emerge from the developing seed. This way the seedling can start its growth with a fair chance. Providing you with a steady, high-yielding cannabisplant.

For this method simply prepare your medium, by moisturizing it for example. Then fill up your pots and make a small hole of 10-15mm deep in the top layer to put the seed in. Cover the seed up loosely and top it off with a little water. Be careful not to give too much at once though! A stream of water can cause the seed to travel further down the pot where it’s too moist – and too deep to travel back up again.

The top layer is the perfect place to germinate cannabis seeds, as it dries out faster than the soil further down the pot. This makes it easier to ensure the right level of moisture for the seed to germinate. But without making it so wet the seeds rot in the ground. Again, it’s all about the balance between too wet and too dry.

Germinate Seeds in Water

As I mentioned above, germinating in water is my favorite way to start my seeds. It may seem like a bad idea, as there are more water and light than recommended when using this method, but it works! I’ve found that it is around 90% effective. The “trick” is not leaving the seeds in water too long. Usually, 24 to 48 hours is enough for the seeds to show their tail, but you can leave them soaking for up to 7 days without too much of a worry.

Water germination is useful because it assures that there is the right amount of moisture to begin germinating. If done for just a short period, it can help crack open the shell, pre-spouting the plant right before your eyes. Water germination shortens the process by making it easier for the plant rather than having to push through the soil.

To germinate with water, fill a glass with tap water and allow it to reach room temperature over a few hours. The temperature should be around 18° C or 65° F. Do not add nutrients. Drop 2 to 3 cannabis seeds into the water and watch for any changes. Refill the glass with fresh water every other day while maintaining its temperature.
After about 2 to 4 days the seeds should start to split. You can place your seeds in the soil at any point, but once the roots are 3 to 5 mm (.1 to .2 inches) long, they must be planted.

Wet (Paper) Towels

Wet paper towels are probably the most common way of germinating cannabis seeds

The best known way of germinating cannabis seeds is to put them on or between wet paper towels or cottonwool. This method exists in different varieties, as it’s not about the paper itself but the absorbency of the material. Thanks to that, it’s very easy to make sure the ‘medium’ stays moist enough and doesn’t dry out easily. If it does dry, you can effortlessly add a few drops of water to immediately re-moisten it.

The goal here is to balance out the moisture so it’s not too dry, nor to wet. If the seeds stay to dry, the root that’s supposed to sprout won’t be able to make it out of its shell in search for water. If the paper is too wet though, the root will come out and quickly stop looking for water; as it’s already soaked in it. This stops the development of the root, delays the growth and might even cause the seeds to rot after a while. So, be careful not to give too much water as this is one of the most common rookie-mistakes with growing weed!

After the root has sprouted and has gained a few millimeters in length, it’s time to transplant the seedling into it’s soil and put it under a light-source. Because as soon as the seedling pops its head above the ground and green leafs emerge, there’s need of light. This is the part where most growers (especially the more clumsy ones) sometimes lose a seed. As the vulnerable root is easily damaged during the transplant. If you are a bit unhandy, it might be better to choose another germinating method.

Germinating Seeds in Rockwool

Rockwool provides the perfect environment for germinating seeds. It is mineral wool that is made from volcanic rock and other materials (such as basalt and limestone). Rockwool is man-made by melting its ingredients into molten lava that is quickly spun into threads. These threads are then compacted, cured and cut.

Rockwool is an ideal growing environment, but it will need to be amended slightly for marijuana plants. First of all, you will need to add some fertilizer before you use it to start seeds. The TDS should be around 600ppm. You’ll also need to lower the pH since Rockwool has a pH of 7.0, which is too high for germination. To lower the pH, soak Rockwool plugs in water for at least a day. Since water has a pH of 5.5, this will bring down the pH.

It should also be noted that there are some serious drawbacks to using Rockwool. Because it does not occur naturally, it’s not the best for the environment. It’s also not the greatest for your health; wear gloves and cover your mouth and eyes when handling this stuff.

Because of the extra steps involved (such as adjusting the nutrients and pH) and handling issues, this method is not recommended for beginners, although it is not terribly difficult to do. You’ll need to purchase and TDS meters for the most successful germination, but outside of that, the material is very affordable and easy to find. Because it does not require soil, this method is ideal for those who plan to grow hydroponically.

Transplanting Germinated Cannabis Seeds

There is absolutely no room for delay once your cannabis seeds have begun to sprout – now is the time to transfer the seed to its growing medium. Most growers prefer to use small pots to begin with. Make sure you fill enough pots with loose potting soil and use a pencil to poke a hole around 0.25” deep. Remember, you could break the taproot very easily, so transfer it using tweezers and drop the seed into the hole with the root facing down. Finally, cover it with a thin layer of soil.

For the first few days, use a spray bottle to water the seeds, because adding too much water can drown them. It is worth investing in a pH meter to test the soil regularly and make sure it has enough moisture. If all goes well, the seed should sprout from the soil within a week. If it hasn’t sprouted within ten days, it will probably die.

Turn on your grow light once the seeds have been planted. The heat improves germination rates and speeds up the process of the seedlings opening their first set of leaves. These leaves will remain yellow until they are exposed to a sufficient level of light in any case. When you plant multiple seeds, you will find that they grow at different rates.

Inevitably, some will fail while others will flourish. You will have seeds that pop fast and proliferate, but don’t be disappointed if you have a few failures because that’s part and parcel of the growing process. Even when you get everything right, you will inevitably lose a few seeds, and it won’t be your fault!

Lighting and Temperature

Like water, lighting is essential to a cannabis plant. In a mature plant, light enables the plant to form sugars from carbon dioxide and water. The plant then uses those sugars to power its growth – something we humans call photosynthesis.

For a seed, lighting is important as well because it provides heat, which a seed needs to push open its shell and send its root into the earth. The best way to give your seeds the temperature it needs is with fluorescent lights. (T5 high output with a color temperature of 6500K). Fluorescent lights are ideal because they do not use too much power, and they don’t give off too much heat. You can place them as close to a young plant as you need, and although your seed doesn’t need it at this point, it will as soon as those first leaves start peeking out from the top of the soil.

Incandescent bulbs can also be used because they are great at generating heat. You can’t use them as grow lights, but for germination, they work just fine. You can also use a seedling heating pad (available at most gardening stores). These heat the seeds from the bottom instead of the top. They will not be enough once your plant has started growing, however.

Keep the temperature of the soil around 72 degrees. Seeds germinate best in warm, humid temperatures, similar to springtime. To create a humid environment, wrap plastic wrap around your pot, creating a biodome for your plants. Just remember to remove the plastic wrap the minute you see any sprouts emerge from the soil. If the soil, or water, or whatever you are growing in is hotter than 72 degrees Fahrenheit, move the lamp further away from the plant. Dry air won’t kill seedlings, but if you can reduce it, even better.

Where to Germinate Seeds

When you’re planning your outdoor grow and you received your seeds, it’s best to germinate them indoors. This is because indoors it is much easier to maintain the correct temperature, water levels, and light exposure. Even if you plan to grow your plants outdoors, you do not want to try starting them outside (unless you absolutely need to). Outdoors you must worry about rain, clouds and plenty of other things that could keep your seeds from sprouting. You’ll also have to wait until the final frost has passed, meaning your growing season may be delayed compared to if you had started the seeds inside. Starting indoors give you a head start and your plants a better chance at survival.A Indoor grow tent kit can help get you on your way