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Best Ways Of Germinating Cannabis seeds: Exploring Different Approaches
Cannabis is an annual plant that naturally completes its life cycle within a year. A good quality Cannabis seed has a brown colour, varying from light to dark shades. There are different varieties of Cannabis seeds such as Regular, Feminized, and Auto flowering seeds. Individuals can derive enjoyment from growing cannabis as a hobby, purely for its pleasant aroma, which brings joy to anyone who experiences it.
In the United States, the ideal time to initiate the process for cannabis seed germination is during the final days of March to the initial days of April. This time frame aligns well with the cannabis growing season, which typically spans from May to October in the country. Carrying the germination process indoors is generally recommended for optimal results.
For individuals who are new to cannabis cultivation, Auto-flowering seeds are highly recommended as they flower independently of the light cycle they receive. Learn more about diverse methods of germinating cannabis seeds by reading this blog further.
What kind of Soil is needed?
The ideal soil for cultivating cannabis is a well-draining mixture consisting of a 1:10 ratio of sand and porous materials like perlite, rice husk, or pumice stones. The pH of the soil should range from 5.5 to 7.
How to store the Cannabis seeds?
When it comes to storing cannabis seeds, it is recommended to germinate them as soon as possible to maximize the chances of successful germination. If necessary, seeds can be stored in the refrigerator to maintain their viability.
What kind of water should be used?
Regarding watering, it is crucial to keep the seeds moist during germination. It is recommended to use distilled water or rainwater with a pH ranging from 5.5 to 6.5. Additionally, maintaining a relative humidity level of 65 to 70% is necessary for optimal growth.
Methods of cannabis seed germination:
There are various methods for germinating high Cannabis seeds, including germinating in water, germinating in a paper towel, and germinating in soil.
Germinating in Water:
To ensure the successful germination of Cannabis seeds, follow these steps:
- Fill a glass with water that has the desired pH level.
- Place the seeds in a glass of water.
- Keep the glass in a dark location, such as a cabinet, at a temperature ranging from 68 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Germination can occur within 24 hours up to a few days.
- Once the seed has germinated and grown to a size of 2 to 3 mm, carefully transfer it to a cup, Jiffy pellet, or plug.
- Create a small hole in the planting medium and gently place the germinated seed using tweezers or fingers.
- Take care of the seedling by providing proper watering (around 1 to 2 cups when the soil is dry up to 2 inches) and light exposure for 18 hours with 6 hours of darkness.
- Lighting can be achieved with CFL lights or by shifting the seedling outdoors during daylight hours and indoors at night. (Seedlings can be acclimated to the outdoor climate by placing them on windows, before moving outdoors)
- Once the seedling develops some leaves, it can be transplanted to the desired outdoor location.
Germinating in a Paper Towel:
To ensure the successful germination of Cannabis seeds using the paper towel method, follow these steps:
- Take a flat plastic container and place a paper towel on it.
- Position the seeds on top of the paper towel, ensuring there is at least 2 inches of space between each seed.
- Spray water onto the seeds, ensuring they are moist but not overly wet.
- Close the container and ensure the environment is dark, warm, and humid.
- Regularly spray water every few hours to prevent the seed from drying out.
- Once the seed has germinated, gently transfer it to a cup, Jiffy pellet, or plug after making a small hole in the planting medium. Use tweezers or fingers to gently handle the germinated seedling.
- After the seedling develops some leaves, it can be transferred to its final destination.
Germinating in Soil:
To germinate Cannabis seeds in the soil, consider the following steps:
- Use biodegradable peat cups filled with a well-draining soil mix.
- If using homemade soil, sterilize it by placing it in an oven-safe container covered with aluminium foil for 30 minutes.
- Create a small hole in the soil within the peat cup and place one seed in each cup. Loosely cover the seed with soil.
- Place the peat cups on a waterproof tray.
- Spray water with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5 to moisten the soil, ensuring it is not overly saturated.
- Cover the cups and tray with cling wrap and position them under a 40W fluorescent lamp.
- Moisturize the soil every few hours.
- Seeds may germinate within 24 hours to 7 days.
- Maintain an ideal temperature of 90 degrees Fahrenheit for seed germination in the peat cups. After the seedling develops leaves, lower the temperature to 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit for proper growth.
How To Germinate Your Cannabis Seeds
PLEASE follow these 3 simple steps for best results!
- Empty your cannabis seed from the capsule you received in a cup of purified room temperature water. (don’t worry if it floats or sinks)
- Place container in a dark warm place (like a kitchen cabinet) for 24-48 hours, but no longer! (FYI- by drenching the seed, it absorbs the water thoroughly, activating the germination process on a physical and chemical level. Doing this helps to loosen the shell as it becomes a little softer making it easier for the embryo to crack it open.)
- After the 24-48 hours- gently scoop out the seed with a spoon and place/cover the seed 1/2” deep in good potting soil or preferably in a Jiffy Pellet (buy jiffy pellets from Amazon or local hardware/garden store)
** Keep the soil moist and warm- seedling should sprout within 4-14 days depending on strain **
Note: Some suggest germinating cannabis seeds using a wet paper towel on a plate/tweezer method. We find that this method is not the best for cannabis seeds because paper towels dry out quickly and getting the germinating seeds out of the paper towel can be clumsy damaging the seedling. Using tweezers can be dangerous as soaked seeds are much more fragile. We like to play it safe and germinate cannabis seeds using purified water and jiffy pellets which are specifically designed to easily germinate seeds.
Recommended Temperature And Humidity For Growing Cannabis Seeds
After the germination period, Cannabis seeds should be gently planted in high quality moisturized soil. Cannabis seedlings thrive in temperatures ranging from 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit which provides an ideal environment for their optimal growth. These seedlings flourish when exposed to such sunny and bright conditions, as they enable the seedlings to reach their full potential. To ensure robust root development, it is essential to maintain a humidity level of 65-70%. During the vegetation phase, humidity levels should ideally be maintained within the range of 40-70%. However, if any damp spots are observed on the plants, it is advisable to reduce humidity levels. During the flowering stage, it is crucial to keep the humidity levels between 40-50%. At this stage, the roots have already established themselves, and excessive humidity can promote the growth of unseen mildew or mold, which often originates from the buds. During the late flowering period, it is recommended to maintain a temperature range of 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, while the humidity should be controlled at 30-40%.
Best Seed banks that ship to USA:
We trust that you have acquired significant expertise regarding the germination of Cannabis seeds. If you are looking for high quality cannabis seeds in the USA, 1Seeds stands as an outstanding option for procuring these seeds. 1Seeds specializes in offering individual seeds that are meticulously sourced in large quantities from top seed banks located in the USA and around the globe. As one of the best seed banks in the USA, 1Seeds offers a wide variety of seed strains, each with unique flavours and effects. They are known for their reliability and the option to purchase high-quality seeds in small quantities, starting from a single seed. The origin of each seed i.e., trusted cannabis seed banks and breeders are mentioned clearly in the description of each strain. Please ensure that purchasing and possessing cannabis seeds is legal in your jurisdiction before making any transactions.
