How To Germinate Cannabis Seeds: Complete Guide step-by-step
Germinating cannabis seeds is the first step in growing your own marijuana plants. It’s also a very important step, as it determines whether you have a healthy seedling that you can transplant into the soil, or if you’ve got a dud on your hands that won’t grow into a plant.
The good news is that it’s easy to germinate your own seeds, but there are some things that you need to know first. This guide will go through everything step-by-step so that you can get started with germinating seeds with no problems.
You can germinate cannabis seeds in three ways:
- By soaking them in water overnight (or longer) and then placing them into a cotton pads
- By directly planting them in the soil
- By using RootIt Cubes
There is no difference if you start with regular cannabis seeds, feminized cannabis seeds, or autoflowering cannabis seeds: the process is still the same.
IMAGES SOURCE: DutchPassion.com
How to germinate cannabis seeds in cotton pads (do not use paper towels)?
Here’s a great way to germinate your cannabis seeds. You’ll need the right cotton pads, which can be found in most pharmacies and drugstores.
Do not use paper towels, toilet paper, or any other comparable materials. It is important to use only the make-up cotton pad because is the only material that keeps the right level of moisture to make this method successful.
Depending on the variety and environmental conditions, germination can take 3-10 days.
Here are some tips for the Cotton Pad Germination Method to help you achieve excellent germination rates.
Step 1: Collect all the needed materials
To germinate your seeds with this method, you will need:
- Cannabis seeds
- Cotton pads
- A spray bottle filled with water
- Microwave foil with small holes
- Dish
Step 2: Place the seeds on the cotton
Place the cotton pads on a plate with a maximum of five seeds (for every 5 seeds you will need to use 2 cotton pads)
Step 3: Spray the seeds and cotton with water
Take your spray bottle and adjust it to the fine mist and lightly spray your seeds.
Step 4: Cover the first cotton pad with a second one
Cover with another cotton pad your seeds and spray lightly again.
Step 5: Place the cotton on a dish and cover with foil
Take the previously perforated microwave foil and attach it to the plate.
Place the pot in a dark place with a constant temperature of about 20 degrees Celsius.
Step 6: Wait a few days for the cannabis germination
Wait for 2 to 5 days (checking the plate from day 3) Once the root has grown between 2 and 5 cm, the newborn seedling is ready to be transplanted into the growing medium.
Step 7: Prepare your grow space and pots
Set your growth room with a stable temperature of 20-25 degrees.
Fill a pot of L 0.25 with Lightmix or Seedmix, water it and make a small hole in the middle.
Step 8: Place the root inside the hole
Lightly spray the soil again and put the sprout in the hole, making sure that the root goes into the ground and the top of the seedling remains out of the ground. Close the hole and move your pot to a grow room at 18 hours of light a day. Maintain a temperature of 20-27 degrees Celsius and a humidity level of about 60-80%. Be sure to keep the soil moist every day.
Step 9: Pay attention and Let them grow
Now the seeds will grow further and lose their shell. It is the beginning of a new life.
Germination of cannabis seeds in soil?
For many growers, the method of germinating cannabis seeds in the soil is one of the simplest and safest methods.
Germination takes from 3 to 10 days, depending on environmental conditions and the strains.
It is important to never use the soil from your garden to start your seeds. It may contain pests or mold that will harm your plants.
Step 1: Prepare your soil
Prepare your pots with new soil. At this stage, use small pots and later transport them to a larger container.
Step 2: Watering the soil
Make sure the soil is moist but not soaked, otherwise you risk your seeds rotting. In most countries, ordinary tap water is clean enough to be used. Do not add additives to the water.
Step 3: Placing the seed inside the soil
Make a small hole in the ground and place the seed 3-5 mm deep inside the soil. Be careful not to bury your seed too deep! When you put your seed too deep, it will struggle to reach the surface and will have a high risk of dying before it arrives.
Step 4: Cover the seed and press the soil gently
Cover the seed with the soil by pressing it gently.
Step 5: Cover the pots with kitchen or microwave foil
Cover your pot with a kitchen or microwave film, applying small holes. The foil will act as a small greenhouse, keeping the inside of the pot moist and heat. Perfect for germination.
Step 6: Drill a few holes through the kitchen sheet
Drill a few holes through the kitchen sheet. This will allow airflow, avoiding the risk of overheating.
Set your grow room with a stable temperature of 20-25 degrees.
Step 7: Wait for the seeds germination
It takes about 4 to 5 days to see your seedlings leak out. But calculating the differences in demi and conditions, we say that between 3 and 10 days is a sure estimate. All you have to do now is wait. As soon as your seedling has sprouted and the first leaves reach the surface, you can remove the foil.
Step 8: Take care of your germinated cannabis seeds
Once your seeds have sprouted, you can move them under a grow light.
How to germinate marijuana seeds in RootIt Cubes?
One of the most popular ways to germinate cannabis seeds is by using germination cubes. The seeds are usually pushed about 5 mm below the surface of the cube, watered, and then placed in a sealed sandwich box/bag to maintain moisture. This method ensures maximum germination rates, making it a favorite of growers. Seeds often germinate within 2-3 days, but sometimes it takes longer than that. Once the seed has germinated, it is transplanted into its final container for growing.
Step 1: Get a germination cube box and seeds from the growshop
Step 2: Water the cubes
Step 3: Place the marijuana seeds inside
Step 4: Wait until your seeds germinate
Step 5: Watch your seedlings grow
Step 6: Move the cube into the final growing medium
To summarize:
Germinating cannabis seeds can be done in many different ways, but the most important thing is to make sure that the seeds are kept warm and moist. The best way to do this is to start with a small container, and then transfer the seedlings to a larger container once they have sprouted.
We hope our beginner’s guide has been helpful. Simply follow our easy steps and you will get a result worthy of a professional grower.
For more tips on growing and taking care of your cannabis plants, follow our growing guide section and subscribe to our email list for new updates. Happy Growing!!!
FAQ
Marijuana grows best in a soil-based potting mix that contains perlite. The perlite gives the soil the extra air it needs while the potting mix offers nutrients and structure.
The best soil for starting cannabis plants will contain three key ingredients:
Perlite – The first ingredient is perlite, which is a type of volcanic glass. It is used to add extra drainage to the soil and aeration, which helps plants grow faster and healthier. Perlite also helps prevent over-watering by draining water away from the roots so that they don’t get too wet.
Vermiculite – Vermiculite is another popular component in potting mixes because it holds water well and releases it slowly over time, as needed by your plant. This prevents over-watering problems and keeps your plant from drying out too quickly if you forget to water for a day or two during hot weather when you are away on vacation!
Sphagnum Peat Moss – Sphagnum peat moss contains humus, which is decomposed organic matter that goes back thousands of years sometimes! This stuff has been through a lot and still has plenty left to offer your garden… including lots of nutrients!
The answer to this question is simple; just enough to cover the seed.
The reason for this is that when you plant a seed too deep, it cannot reach the surface and will die.
Soil temperature is also important for germinating marijuana. You want to make sure that your soil temperature is between 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit (18-24 degrees Celsius), but no warmer than 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius).
The answer, unfortunately, is no. You can’t pop your cannabis seeds submerged in water. As you might have guessed, water actually inhibits the germination process.
The purpose of soaking your cannabis seeds in water is to soften up the outer shell and prepare it for germination. This process also allows air to enter the seed’s embryo, which contains all the nutrients needed to start a new plant. While it’s true, that soaking helps get seeds ready for germination, it doesn’t actually do anything to help them grow after they’ve sprouted.
That’s why you should do everything you can to avoid letting your cannabis seeds stay submerged in water for too long. If you’re going to soak your seeds before planting them, make sure you remove them from the water as soon as possible so that they don’t have time to develop mold or other harmful pathogens.
Some seeds need to be dried first before they can be planted. This is true of many fruit trees, where the seed is encased in a fruit that needs to be removed before planting.
The seeds of many herbaceous perennials can also be planted fresh, but there are exceptions. For example, geranium seeds must be sown after they’ve been dried in an oven at 200 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes or longer.
Some seeds require special treatment before planting. For example, peppermint seeds need to be soaked in water for 10 days before sowing; rosemary and lemon balm seeds should be placed in damp paper towels and kept moist until they sprout, and onion seeds need to be soaked overnight before planting so that they will germinate more quickly.
Cannabis seeds can be planted fresh, or after they have been dried and cured. In fact, there are advantages to both options.
Freshly harvested seeds have a higher germination rate than dried and cured ones, but they also produce weaker plants that are more susceptible to pests and disease. If you live in an area where the growing season is very short, or if you want to start your plants indoors before transplanting them outdoors, later on, starting with dried and cured seeds may be a better option for you.
If you want to grow the plant to its fullest potential, you should only put one seed in each pot.
The problem with planting more than one seed in a pot is that there will be competition for nutrients and water between the two plants, leading to stress and poor growth.
However, if you’re growing cannabis for fun and don’t care about the quality of your harvest, then it’s fine to put over one seed in each pot.
When you grow over one plant in a pot, it’s called “sowing”.
Sowing is when you plant multiple seeds in one container (usually a bag) so that they can all grow together.
The answer to this question is yes, cannabis seed germination can be done in cotton wool.
Cotton wool contains a lot of moisture, which is very essential for the growth of seedlings. This helps in keeping the seeds moist and not letting them dry out too quickly.
The cotton wool also absorbs any excess water from the seeds to prevent them from rotting or getting fungus. Do not use paper towels, toilet paper, or any other comparable materials.
The time it takes for germinated seeds to break the soil depends on several factors, especially the cannabis strains used and germination methods used. Some strains are known for their rapid germination rates, and others take days or even weeks to emerge from their shells. However, expect to see your seedlings sprout from 3 days to 10-14 days at most.
There are a few reasons your marijuana seeds may not be sprouting.
You may have bought old seeds. Old seeds can take forever to germinate and grow into a plant.
You may have planted the seeds too deep. Cannabis seeds need light to germinate, so if you bury them too deep in the soil, they will not get enough light to grow.
You may have planted the seeds in an area that is too hot or too cold. The cannabis plant needs warm temperatures (about 70 degrees Fahrenheit) and lots of sunlight to grow indoors and outdoors. If your plants get too hot or cold before they grow, they cannot survive as well as they could otherwise.
There are three factors that you need to consider when growing marijuana seeds during the winter months:
- Light
- Temperature
- Humidity
In order to grow marijuana during the winter, you need to make sure that they receive sufficient light, warmth, and humidity.
Light Requirements: The amount of light that your plants receive plays a huge role in determining how fast they will grow. In order to get the maximum yield, provide them with at least 12 hours of light every day. If possible, try to give them 16 hours of light per day. This can be achieved by moving your plants closer to a window or by using artificial lights such as LED lights or fluorescent bulbs.
Temperature Requirements: The temperature in your grow room should be between 70-85 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit at night time. Make sure that you set up an exhaust fan or ventilation system in order to maintain this temperature range throughout the day and night. You can also use fans or heaters if needed in order for your plants to stay within these temperature ranges.
Humidity Requirements: Humidity plays an important role in keeping your plant healthy and preventing diseases from spreading through them. You should try to maintain a humidity level between 50%-70%.
