Best Way to Germinate Cannabis Seeds
Germinating seeds is the very first step (aside from obtaining them) to growing at home. It can also be a nice practice of patience. Before you get to the big beefy buds that you are looking for, you need to start small. How small? Well, how about the size of a seed?
Germination helps your seeds sprout the necessary roots to gain nutrients. By utilizing this method, you will be able to grow bountiful crops in no time.
There are a number of ways a person can germinate their seeds. The most common way to germinate is by keeping them in a glass of room temperature water.
How to Germinate Cannabis Seeds in Water Glass
There are many different approaches, but I feel the above approach works well as the above images are taken from a grow using our kit. When setting up your grow to make sure you use the best possible quality of seed. Always purchase from a reputable source and keep the strain of seed simple for your first grow.
Our recommendation is to grow an auto blooming and high-yield/low maintenance seeds like Northern Lights (For the below grow we are using a good quality Northern Lights seed!)
Germinating these seeds typically take 2-10 days. Depending on the seeds and the strains, this could even take longer.
The first time I germinated seeds I had results within 2 days. The second time that I tried this, I waited over a week. Both times I used the glass of water method and despite the wait times between each one, I was satisfied with the results.
All you need to do is simply take a regular glass from your kitchen, fill it with room temperature water and let it sit in a warm (but dark) place until you see the tail of the seed start poking out.
That’s it.
Once that is finished you can take the seed and place them in your rapid rooter.
Take a look at our video for germinating to see how the process works.
How to Germinate Cannabis Seeds in Soil
Before any germination process you’ll need to start with selecting the right seeds. Once you’ve chosen your seeds you can start the germination process. If you choose to germinate in soil, simply plant the seed ½-1 inch deep in soil. You can use another medium that has been moistened but high-quality soil is recommended. Soil germination makes the transplant process smoother as seeds should not go into shock. Germinating in soil allows seeds time to acclimate to soil.
How to Germinate Cannabis Seeds for Hydroponics
Whether you’re growing for personal or professional use, hydroponics is a popular way to germinate seeds and grow cannabis. The ability to use hydroponic systems year round indoors is a huge selling factor. Not to mention, the quality cannabis the systems can produce if managed properly. To germinate seeds for hydroponic growth you can use the glass of water method referenced above or paper towel method. We recommended using the glass of water method.
How to Germinate Cannabis Seeds in Paper Towel
Once you have your seeds picked out and growing space set up, it’s time to start germinating seeds. To use a paper towel for seed germination, start by placing the seeds on the paperwork. Next, place the paper towel and seed in a plastic container or between two plates. To ensure the paper towel stays consistently moist, spray it with warm water as needed (can be as often as every few hours). Once you notice the seed open and tap root show, it’s time to plant it and move onto the next growing stage. You should use high quality growing soil when planting seeds. For some of the best soil available, shop The Bud Grower.
How wet should paper towels be germinating?
When using paper towels to germinate seeds, they should be consistently moist. You’ll need to know just how much water to use on the paper towel, which is easier said than done. Hence why using a glass of water may be easier. Some reasons why some prefer paper towel germination includes quicker germination, easy clean up, good visibility, small space friendly, and more.
How to Germinate cannabis Seeds with Hydrogen Peroxide
To germinate cannabis seeds with hydrogen peroxide, soak the seeds in a commercial rooting solution and hydrogen peroxide (H202) for 12 hours. The hydrogen peroxide can be used to sterilize the soliton, thus preventing infection. It should be used at the rate of one part to 200 (.5%). Most peroxides are a 3% solution. Note the concentration of the solution to determine how much to use. If the peroxide is 3%, use it at a rate of one part H202 to five parts water. After you’ve soaked the seed you can place it between a thin wet cloth or paper towel.
How Long Do Cannabis Seeds Take to Germinate
Cannabis seeds usually take between 2-10 days to germinate. We say usually because timelines can truly vary. Some seeds can germinate in as little as 24 hours, and some may take two weeks. You will want to monitor seeds on a regular basis to ensure the process is going smoothly. If you’re a beginner, you may not know what to look for. Not to worry though, as a Bud Grower customer we’re here to provide support 24/7 to ensure your growing experience is flawless. Once you see a little white tail popping out of the seed, you can move the seeds to damp soil.
Do Cannabis Seeds Need Light to Germinate?
You can germinate seeds without growing lights, but you should have them before you start the process. Once seeds are germinated you will need the lights. You won’t have time to spare so it’s best to ensure you have everything you need for a successful harvest. Not sure what you need? Shop The Bud Grower’s complete growing kits for beginner to advanced growers.
Do Cannabis Seeds Germinate Better in the Dark?
In most cases, seed germination calls for dark conditions. However, once sprouted, that will change. Growing cannabis plants need plenty of light (18 hours per day or more).
What Temp Do Cannabis Seeds Need to Germinate?
Regardless of the method, cannabis seeds need adequate warmth, moisture, and air to properly germinate. Aim to keep temperatures between 70 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Do You Have to Use Distilled Water to Germinate Cannabis Seeds?
For best results, use distilled water and alcohol for cannabis seed germination. Distilled water will help you produce safer and cleaner cannabis. You can use tap water too, but distilled water is better. Tap water can contain toxic chemicals such as chlorine or fluoride which can prevent germination. If you choose to use tap water you should pH test water. If you need to adjust the pH level, you can leave tap water in an open container for 24 hours. This should help dechlorinate it. You want to keep pH range within 6.0 to 7.0
Can you over germinate seeds?
There are several mistakes commonly made when germinating cannabis seeds, and over germinating seeds is one of them. Once seeds have sprouted you should remove them and place them in your rapid rooter. Here are some common mistakes that occur when germinating seeds.
#1. Old seeds
If seeds are not sprouting, it’s possible that you forget to even put them in, but more likely that the seeds are bad. If a few days pass and you don’t see the seed sprouting, locate it. If it looks as it did when you started the germinating process it could indicate an old seed or a seed that was not properly stored.
#2. Old or non-sterilized containers
If you’re using a container, it may be old or contaminated. Disease issues can affect seed germination.
#3. Lack of technique
You may not be a professional, yet. And, that’s okay. Embrace the process, but do your best to find the technique that works best for you. Growers often try to use garden soil which can be cause for failure. If you use garden soil you should sift carefully and remove sticks and clumps. Once it’s “clean” , bake it on a cookie sheet for 30 minutes at 180 degrees. This should kill off weed and pathogens. An easier option though is just to purchase high quality soil from The Bud Grower.
#4. Wrong temperature
Good seed germination requires soil at the right temperature. Even tray germination calls for even temperatures. If temperatures peak over 100 for an extended period, seeds can die. Heat mats are often used in the germinating process, but they are not the fix-all for even temperatures. They can come unplugged or accidentally turn off. Sometimes it’s best to keep it old school and use natural light near a window or the top of the refrigerator. Glow lights can also be used to provide heat.
#5. Water
Water is so important for seed germination. Seeds should be moderately moist to sprout. Water provides the necessary hydration for vital activities of germination to occur. If you’re a beginner you should choose a simple way to germinate seeds. Germinating seeds in a glass of water is a great method for beginners and advanced growers.
Can you put seeds straight into soil?
Specifically cannabis seeds should be germinated before planting. Some plants can germinate in the ground but cannabis seeds are very fragile. There are several methods for germinating cannabis seeds which we’ve reviewed on this page. Our preferred method at The Bud Grower is germinating seeds in a glass of water. It’s easy and effective, but play around and choose which method you like the best. Once seeds have been germinated you can then plant in soil or hydroponic systems.
When is the best time of the year to germinate Cannabis seeds?
The beginning of spring is the best time to germinate cannabis seeds, if you plan to grow outdoors. Growing indoors gives you more flexibility though. With complete control over the environment, you can really germinate seeds whenever you wish. Just make sure environmental conditions are good. It should only take seeds 12-72 to a few days to germinate, but this can take longer if environmental conditions are bad. Before germinating seeds, be sure to store them in a dry, dark, and cold place. If possible, keep the original packaging. If the original packing is not an option, use a ziplock plastic bag. When it’s time to germinate, get your seed out at ambient temperature.
Germinating seeds is the beginning of a plentiful harvest. If you start the plant’s life by meeting its needs, you’re likely to have a better growing experience. Before germinating seeds, you should have your grow space set up and ready to go. Seed germination happens fast and there’s no time to wait in between growing stages. At The Bud Grower you can order complete grow kits with just about everything you need to grow quality cannabis. Plus, we offer 24/7 support. Our goal is to actually help cannabis enthusiasts grow great cannabis, not just aim to make money on their passion. Our products come with support and clear instructions so that you know what you’re purchasing and how to use it.
Growing cannabis? Sprout your success. . . shop The Bud Grower’s complete grow kits today!
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