How do I germinate seeds?

Cannabis seeds need only water, heat and air to germinate. They sprout without light in a wide range of temperatures. Properly nurtured seeds germinate in 2 – 7 days, in temperatures from 70 – 90 degrees F. Temperatures above 90 degrees F impair germination. At germination, the outside protective shell of the seed splits and a tiny, white sprout pops out. This sprout is the taproot. Cotyledon or seed leaves emerge from within the shell as they push upward in search of light.

Soak seeds overnight in a cup of water. Make sure seeds get good and wet so that growth is activated. Do not let seeds soak more than 24 hours or they might get too wet and suffer oxygen depravation and rot. Once soaked, seeds are ready to be placed between moist paper towels to sprout, planted in a root cube or fine, light soilless mix.

In a warm location (70 – 90 degrees F) place seeds in a moist paper towel or cheesecloth, making sure they are in darkness. Set the moist cloth or paper towel in a vertical position (so tap root grows down) on a grate (for drainage) on a dinner plate.

Water the cloth daily, keeping it moist, letting excess water drain away freely. The cloth will retain enough moisture to germinate the seed in a few days. The seed contains an adequate food supply for germination, but watering with a mild fertilizer mix will hasten growth. If living in a humid climate, water with a mild 2 percent bleach or fungicide solution to prevent fungus. Once seeds have sprouted and the white sprout is visible, carefully pick up the fragile sprouts and plant them. Take care not to expose the tender rootlet to prolonged intense light or air. Cover the germinated seed in one quarter to one half-inch of fine planting medium with the white sprout tip (the root) pointing down.

Sow (direct seed) or move the sprout into a shallow planter, one to five-gallon pot, peat pellet or rooting cube. Keep the planting medium evenly moist. Use a spoon to contain the root ball when transplanting. Peat pellets or root cubes may be transplanted in 2 – 3 weeks or when the roots show through the sides. Fertilize with a dilute fertilizer solution.

To construct a moisture tent over the seedling container, place a baggie or piece of cellophane over the seeded soil. The cover will keep the humidity high and temperature elevated. Seeds usually need only one initial watering when under a humidity tent. Remove the cover as soon as the first sprout appears. Leaving the tent on will lead to damping-off and other problems.

Place planted seeds under the HID lamp while germinating to add dry heat. The heat dries soil, which requires more frequent watering. Place a heat pad or soil heating cables below growing medium to expedite germination. Marijuana seeds germinate and sprout quickest when the soil temperature is between 75 – 80 degrees F. and the air temperature is at 70 degrees.

Cannabis Clue: Maintain the growing medium temperature between 75 – 80 degrees F. day and night to root cuttings fast.

Super Size Secret: Keep the temperature of the rooting medium at 78 – 80 degrees and ambient air temperature 6 – 8 degrees cooler than the rooting medium, day and night. Root growth increases dramatically.

Warning! Internodes will stretch if temperatures exceed 85 degrees F for long. The temperature must stay below 95 degrees F through flowering.

Over-watering is the biggest obstacle some growers face when germinating seeds and growing seedlings. Keep the soil uniformly moist, not waterlogged. Setting root cubes or planting flats up on a grate allows good drainage. A shallow flat or planter with a heat pad underneath may require daily watering, while a deep, one gallon pot will need watering every 3 days or more. A well-watered flat of rockwool cubes needs water every 3 – 5 days when sprouting seeds. When the surface is dry (1/8-inch deep) it is time to water. Remember there are few roots to absorb the water early in life and they are very delicate.