Germination

Germination

 

3 Ways to Germinate Marijuana Seeds

 

Paper Towel Method

Rockwool Cube Method

Cup of Water Method

 
 

Paper Towel Method

 
This is the best method.
 
Uses two plates and some paper towels.
 
Use chlorine-free water.  Best to use distilled water, or tap water left out overnight.
 

  • Line the bottom plate with a few layers of moistened paper towels and drain any excess water from the plate.
  • Place seeds on top of the paper towel, allowing each seed some space around it.  Seeds should not be touching.
  • Place another few layers of moist paper towel on top of the seeds, again allowing excess water to drain off.
  • Cover everything with the second plate, upside down, to form a ‘clam-shell’ shape.  This creates the dark, moist environment necessary for germination.

 

 

 

  • Put the plates somewhere warm (70-75 F) and dark.
  • Check the seeds every day to ensure that the paper towels do not dry out.  Wet the paper towels if necessary.

 

 

  • Within 24 – 72 hours the seeds should crack open and a root will emerge.  Some seeds may need up to 2 weeks to open, but most open with 1-3 days.
  • When about 1/8” to ¼” of the root emerges from the germinated seed, each one should then be carefully transferred to a growing medium.   (rockwool or soil, etc.)
  • Make a small hole in the growing medium that is about twice as deep as the seed is long, so that each germinated seed sits about 1/8” to ¼” below the surface.
  • Place the marijuana seed, root first, into the hole and cover with a small amount of growing medium.  Just enough to block the light, not enough to obstruct the seedling when it emerges.

 

 

 

  • Seedlings usually emerge from the growing medium 1-3 days after the germinated seeds are planted.
  • New seedlings should be given access to bright light from the time they emerge.  Seedlings are quite delicate, so care should be exercised  in the first week or two.
  • Seedlings intended for outdoors should be acclimatised to direct sunlight by placing them on a windowsill inside the house and slowly increasing their exposure to direct sunlight by an hour or two each day.
  • Seedlings intended for indoors should be kept  at a minimum of 2-3 feet from an HID light.  If using fluorescent lighting, they can be closer.  Once they get used to it and can handle it, the lighting can be more intense.

 

 

 

Rockwool Method

This method is great if you are planning to grow marijuana in a hydro set-up.
 
Choose small rockwool cubes.  Soak them completely  in water.
 
If there are no holes  in the cubes, make a small hole using a toothpick.  Place one seed, tip down,  in each cube.  Lightly pinch the top of the hole closed, or place a small piece of rockwool over the top of the hole just to block out the light, not enough to obstruct the seedling when it grows.  Do not let the cubes dry out.  Within a few days, some roots  should start to emerge from the cube.  Transfer  the small cube into a larger cube.
 
 

Cup of Water Method

Soak the marijuana seeds in a cup of distilled water and place the cup in a warm (70 F) and dark place for the seeds to absorb more water.  Usually within 1-3 days, the seeds will crack open and a root will emerge.  When the root is 1/8” to ¼” transfer the seed to a growing medium, such as rockwool or soil.