Understanding Marijuana Seed Germination Guide

When you don’t want clippings or start your garden by cloning, germination is your starting point. Since you will begin with this method to blow life to your plants, you must understand its process.

There are various methods of germinating marijuana seeds. Some of them may be good for certain kinds of seeds.

So some may be successful, but some may fail. But don’t worry. This article will walk you through to the first step of marijuana cultivation.

Germination’s Definition

Marijuana springs to life from germinating seeds, just like other plants. A seed bears a supply of food that is good for a few days. 

This supply of food is converted into sugar during germination. Its sugar is the reason why it can break its shell and grow its roots. 

The seedling will seek nutrients from its environment to survive from that point forward. The seed has already awakened from its slumber and will then start its growth.

Germination starts when it feels the presence of moisture. It will enlarge itself and break its shell.

There will be germ opening, and the roots come out. It will also start to absorb nutrients from the soil or another growing medium.

Gravity makes the roots to stretch downwards while the part of nature allows its stem to sprout upwards. It’s also important that cultivators know how to identify a healthy seed.

Necessary Things for Germination

1. Moisture

Remember that we’re only talking about moisture, not soaking. Hard seeds can be soaked for 24 to 32 hours. 

Don’t exceed that duration. 

2. Warmth

It can improve the germination rate. But make sure it’s not too hot. 

Seeds can germinate in cooler temperatures during spring. But it takes more time to finish in cool surroundings.

3. Gentleness

Be careful in handling the seeds, especially when you need to move them. You have to be gentle and avoid the tendency to move the white root. 

The taproots are fragile, so it can snap off easily. 

4. Up to the Root Down

The white root should extend itself downwards when planting seeds that have germinated in a growing medium. It is prevention for the seedling to disorient itself.

5. Knuckle Deep

Half inch or one inch is the recommended depth when planting the germinated seeds in a growing medium. They shouldn’t be put too far under the medium.

6. Be at Peace

Don’t bother the seeds. Leave them alone as they prepare themselves for the taproot to come out.

Other Tips

1. Keeping the Warmth

Warmth makes the germination step successfully. Seedlings need a higher level of humidity in the air. 

Young seedlings grow healthier and faster when there’s moisture received by the leaves from the air. Their roots are still developing too.

Dry air won’t kill the seedlings, but it won’t provide the development and health that you desire for the future plants. Springtime conditions are great things.

Incandescent bulbs are not used as grow lights, but they’re good at generating heat. Some people may use a heating pad to provide the warmth that the seeds need.

Seeds or sprouts should be kept moist and warm at all times. Their roots shouldn’t be exposed to the light, and they should be planted immediately.

2. Don’t Allow the Sprouted Seeds to Dry Up

Heat and moisture consist of the main signal for the seeds to sprout. Spring conditions or what we can describe ‘wet and warm’ is the sign for the seeds to begin burrowing their main root through the shell.

When there’s no water around when the shell breaks open, your seedlings will not survive and will perish. Seedlings are fragile at an early stage.

The roots should constantly be given moisture to stay healthy after sprouting. Growers should see to it that roots have access to water throughout the germination time.

3. Viable Dark Seeds 

Most dark seeds can germinate as long as you give them the right conditions. Some seeds may be flimsy, but they are still capable of growing into a sturdy plant. 

Just like the medical marijuana plants, they have been developed for years, and their seeds don’t have that toughness.

Methods of Marijuana Seed Germination

1. Directly to the Soil

It is the most natural method of growing marijuana plants. It’s also the common and most successful method.

When the roots grow, they are protected by the soil. Young seeds won’t be prone to disturbances or interference.

The Right Kind of Soil

When you plant the seeds directly to the soil, make sure you choose the right kind. You can pick the seed starter or mildly fertilized potting soil.

The pH level should be approximately around 6. It is a kind of soil that contains minerals and spores which can support the growth of the plants.

There’s no need to add nutrients for at least the first two weeks of the seedling’s life. Excess nutrients can cause an overdose, and it will end your plant’s life.

You can put your soil in small pots. Then push the soil using your finger around 1.5 cm deep. 

In exchange for your fingers, you can also use a pen or pencil. Put the seed in the hole that you made then cover it with soil.

If you already have germinated seeds, make sure the roots facing downwards. Then don’t mess with them like pushing them down when you’re done covering them the soil.

That thing can be done by watering them. To moisten the soil, you can use a plant sprayer.

The pots with the seeds can be placed under a fluorescent lamp. The temperature is not ideal enough at the windowsill, so it’s not an ideal place for your seedlings.

The required temperature of the soil is around 22 degrees Celsius and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. It can be easily attained by artificial light.

Continue on monitoring and keep the soil moist. It would take four days or a week for stems to start emerging from the soil.

The seedlings will be around 2 to 4 inches. You can transplant them to a larger pot with the stems away from the ground.

It will grow more roots to support the stature of the plant.

2. In Water

In this method, there’s more amount of water recommended than the light. Just don’t leave the seeds too long in the water.

Twenty-four to forty-eight hours are enough for the seeds to show their tail. This method meets the moisture needed for germination.

A short period of water germination can make the seeds crack open. It can have pre-sprout.

It shortens the process and makes it easier for the plants to push through the soil. You can use tap water and fill a glass.

You can let it sit while it reaches the room temperature in a few hours. The ideal temperature is 18 degrees Celsius and 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

It’s not advisable to add nutrients. You can put two or three seeds in the glass and observe some changes. 

You can refill the glass with fresh water, but you should maintain its temperature. It can be done every other day.

The seeds should start to split after 2 to 4 days. Once the roots reach 3 to 5 mm, they should be planted.

This method has a downside. You need to handle the seeds with care.

Roots can be delicate and fragile. If they are being disturbed, there’s a tendency that the plants may not develop well.

3. Using Paper Towels and Cotton Pads

Paper towels and cotton pads can also be used in germination. These things, when dampening with water, can keep the seeds protected and moistened.

You can get a cheap, non-porous paper towel and cotton pads or balls. Use a single ply paper towel as roots can grow and tangle with the cloth type.

You can put a few seeds in the cotton pads and spray it with water. With a paper towel, you can put the seeds in between two pieces of it.

You can put the seeds and the paper towel between an upside-down bowl, two plates, or in a plastic bag. The temperature should be 22 degrees Celsius, and it shouldn’t be put on the windowsill.

You can expect the seeds to split open and tiny roots to appear in 2 to 5 days. You can place the seedling in the soil once the roots are 3 to 5 mm.

4. Directly Germinating Seeds in a Growing Medium

Seeds naturally sprout in soil. So you can directly plant the seeds in the final growing medium. 

You won’t worry about disturbing the stability of your seedlings’ growth. It’s in its final place, and it will adjust to its environment as it takes its path to maturity.

Transplanting seedlings may sometimes cause stress as they need to adjust to other surroundings. 

Growing Medium Used

1. Starter Plugs

This medium is highly recommended for all setups. It is easy to use, and there’s no need to set a lot of parts.

Most of all, it gives the best germination rate at all methods. You only have to stick your seeds in it with the pointy side downwards.

Just keep the seed moist and warm, and the starter plugs will do the rest of the necessary things. The spread will sprout with the grown roots in just a few days.

2. Peat Pellets

This growing medium can be used to germinate and avoid damaging young roots. They are compressed peat that is partly made of decomposed vegetables. 

They can be tasty for young plants. When you pour water on them, they enlarge and turn to a medium of nutrient-dense soil.

They are also optimized specifically for marijuana seeds germination. It has a 5.5 pH level and 625 TDS, so you don’t have to adjust some things. 

The necessary step in using this medium is to soak it in warm water. You can pop up the peat, and if you see that there are some roots, you can then transfer it to the final medium.

However, this germination is not suitable for a hydroponic system. It has a good germination rate, and it is fine with cloning.

3. Rockwool

This medium is mineral wool that is composed of volcanic rock and other elements such as limestone and basalt. It is man-made as it becomes molten lava, then it is spun to thread-like pieces.

These threads are cured, compacted, and cut. You need to add some things into it before you attach your marijuana seed into it.

Fertilizer is needed to be added, but you have to cut the high pH level as it has 7.0. Watering the rockwool for a day will solve this problem.

You must use gloves and covering for your eyes and mouth when using this growing medium. It’s not safe for your health at all, as it is not made naturally.

It’s not even best for the environment. Beginners should not use this medium in germinating their seeds.

It doesn’t need soil to support your seeds and plants, so it’s best used for hydroponic cultivation. 

Ideal Environment and Place for Germination

A growing environment has a great role in supporting the germination process. The seeds need the correct level of moisture and temperature to grow into healthy plants.

When you prefer to grow your marijuana plants outdoors, germination shall take place indoors. You’ll be able to control light exposure, correct temperature, and water level.

Having your seeds indoors provides you a head start and a high chance of survival for your plants. But if you choose to have it outdoors, pick a location that can supply the plants’ needs in its entire life.