Cannabis seedling is the first of the three life cycle stages of a cannabis plant, and it is also the most critical and important stage in any type of indoor or hydroponic cultivation.
In this stage of the plant evolution process, the seeds begin to absorb water and, consequently, begin to grow.
This determines the rupture of the tissue of the seed from which the root emerges, an indispensable element for the supply of nutrients that will allow the plant to survive.
In this guide we will explain how to germinate seeds , answering the most frequently asked questions about germinating seeds at home such as, for example, which are the most appropriate techniques to follow, and which mistakes to avoid in order not to jeopardize sowing of cannabis seeds
BUY FEMINIZED AND AUTOFLOWERING CANNABIS SEEDS
Unlock the secrets of the cannabis seedling parameters
Even before understanding which is the correct method of germinate marijuana seeds , it is essential to create the ideal climatic and environmental conditions for the first moments of life of your plants.
Beyond the cultivation technique you choose, in fact, you must pay attention to some essential factors such as:
- Temperature;
- Humidity;
- Light.
All parameters that you can easily simulate and optimize in your indoor cultivation, increasing your chances of success. But let's analyze them in detail how to sow cannabis seeds.
To make the seeds germinate, temperature and humidity are fundamental values to keep under control, since the seeds of each species hardly germinate below 16-18°C, and also, in order to hatch, they must necessarily absorb water to break the film and release the bud.
The germination temperature must be constant and regular throughout the phase, and oscillate between 18°C and 25°C maximum. The optimal humidity level, on the other hand, is between 75% and 85%.
The sprouts, in fact, love very humid environments because their root system is still underdeveloped to be able to absorb the nourishment and water necessary to grow from the soil. This level must be kept constant until the roots are well developed and anchored to the substrate.
We come to the light chapter. The question that growers often ask themselves about seedling is: "Should the plant be in the dark?" . There are those who use wardrobes, drawers, who even build special darkened boxes: all practicable methods, for heaven's sake. After all, seeds love the dark.
However, our experience suggests that the newly hatched hemp sprout immediately needs a suitable light source for orientation.
Therefore, it is necessary to immediately obtain a suitable light source, such as a germination lamp, in order to guarantee the sprouts cycles of at least 18 hours of light a day.
Another very important aspect to consider, before starting your own indoor cultivation, concerns the freshness and vitality of the seed to germinate.
Dark seeds, solid to the touch and with an optimal age, are healthy, vital and quality seeds that will have a much better chance of germinating even with a certain speed (about 12-36 hours).
BUY SEED GERMINATION KIT
How to choose the best instruments and techniques for Cannabis Seedlings
In addition to sowing cannabis seeds on the ground, there are many ways, more or less reliable and effective, for the germination of marijuana seeds such as, for example:
- Cotton wool or gauze;
- Moist tissue paper;
- Glass of water;
- Rock wool;
- Peat (Jiffy);
- Coffee filter;
- Coconut cubes.
Alongside all these germination techniques, there is perhaps the most used one of all, that is cultivation directly in the ground, undoubtedly the simplest and most effective way to make your seed germinate.
Water or soil what is the best choise to germinate cannabis seeds
Therefore, we have seen how to sow cannabis seeds and how they can be germinated with various methods, but certainly the most used by growers are:
- Plant the seed directly into the growing medium;
- The germination with wet paper towel.
The germination of seeds in the growing medium, whether it's a pot or a lawn, is the most natural method that exists. After all, this is how seeds germinate in nature.
If you opt for this method, you will need to obtain a 0.4 liter pot with soil, make a small hole 1.5/2 cm deep, insert the seed inside and cover it well with soil.
At this point, all you have to do is make sure that in the following 2/4 days the earth is always kept moist and that the temperature does not drop below 18°. After 2/4 days you should already find the germinated seed.
Another well-known method is that of germination using a moistened paper towel. The seed is wrapped in several layers of wet paper and closed between two plates, so that all the humidity is retained.
This improvised germination chamber is left in a warm and dark place until – after about 2-3 days – the sprout will appear, which will be immediately planted in the ground.
Unlike the latter method, germinating the seed directly on the ground in its final container will certainly save the plant the stress of being transplanted into larger pots.
The risks and drawbacks of both these germination methods, on the other hand, concern the possible rotting of the seed if the quantity of water is not moderated well.
BUY JIFFY OF PEAT FOR SEED GERMINATION
What is the seed germination time?
Germinating the seeds, as we have already said, is the first phase of the plant's life cycle. To ensure that this happens correctly, you need to make sure that you have given the seed all the optimal conditions for hatching, especially in terms of humidity and temperature.
The germination process goes something like this:
- When the seed begins to absorb water it increases in size;
- The increase in volume causes the outer walls to break and the tissue to come out;
- When the seed opens, the root emerges and the sprout also emerges immediately afterwards.
But what are the germination times ? First of all, it should be clarified that the germination time of cannabis seeds varies according to the variety of the seed and also its freshness. As an indication, it can be said that cannabis seeds germinate in a period ranging from two to 4 days
A question that growers who decide to grow autoflowering plants often ask themselves is whether the germination of autoflowering seeds is the same as for other species.
The answer is yes". When you sow autoflower seeds they germinate in the same way and in the same timing as other types of cannabis seeds. And like the other seeds it is subject to frequent sowing errors, as we will see in the next paragraph.
What are the most common error to seedling cannabis seeds
Although it is a very easy and fast operation, the germination of cannabis seeds can make some mistakes, but which - fortunately - can be remedied promptly so as not to fatally compromise the success of one's cultivation.
Knowing in advance the most common problems, in fact, is certainly an effective method to avoid making mistakes and bring the seeds to germination in the best possible way.
So here are the 7 mistakes you absolutely must avoid if you want to ensure a correct germination phase:
- Excessively wet or let the germination dry too much: the substrate must never be completely dry or too wet, because the seeds need a certain level of humidity;
- Germinate the seeds for a long time: the ideal is to plant the seeds when the radicle that emerges is 1-2 cm long maximum, long times can negatively affect the development of the roots;
- Planting the seed incorrectly and too deeply: the cannabis seed should be planted with the tip upwards and not too deeply into the soil (about 2 cm);
- Use a substrate that is not sterile, that is a soil contaminated by spores, parasites and other roots;
- Do not use pots of the appropriate size: in small ones, the development of the roots will be limited, in those that are too large, the risk of excessive irrigation and rot increases;
- Fertilize and overfeed the substrate: the seedling can be damaged by too much overfeeding;
- Plant different seeds within the same pot: with overcrowding of roots, the plant will develop on a weak elongated stem with few lateral branches and with an extended internodal distance, compromising the production of inflorescences.
Since seed germination is a very important and delicate phase in the life of the plant, our advice is to equip yourself with all the tools and products necessary to optimize your future hemp harvest.
Cannabis seedling what you need
Whether you decide to germinate cannabis seeds directly on the ground, or you intend to opt for sprouting in water, it is always advisable to have some tools such as: Jiffy supports for sprouting seeds suitable for giving birth to your plants.
