Germinating cannabis seeds

Before you’re swimming in a pile of prime bud, there are several stages of cannabis cultivation to get through. If you can’t germinate your seeds, you won’t harvest a plant. Give your seeds the best possible start with our ultimate guide to germination.

The Art of Germinating Cannabis Seeds

It is true that the vegetative and flowering stages of the cannabis plant are critical stages in the plant’s life cycle. But germination is what really makes or breaks your grow. The chance of failure is high unless you know what you are doing. Giving your cannabis plant the best possible start on its journey to beautiful buds is a guaranteed way to end up with a healthy and robust plant.

Not all methods are equally successful and there are pros and cons. It is important to note that there can always be seeds that do not perform well, even with advanced knowledge and the best equipment. This is natural and is part of every living organism. Royal Queen Seeds has an extensive range of high-quality regular and feminized cannabis seeds. We provide our strains with a clear label, so you will never be faced with unwanted surprises.

What to look for in cannabis seeds

It is wise to inspect your seeds (carefully) before planting them, regardless of where you bought them. Most of the time, they will all germinate. However, poor quality seeds often grow into weaker plants. Unfortunately, you will only find out during the vegetative or flowering phase.

To avoid disappointment, remember this: dark-colored seeds have a greater chance of germinating. Pale green or white seeds are unlikely to do well. Even dark, slightly damaged seeds should still be planted. The chance of germination is high, even if the outer shell is slightly broken.

Temperature plays an important role in germination

Before we discuss the different germination methods, there are a few important rules of thumb. For best results, we recommend that you follow these guidelines, regardless of your chosen method. Temperature is one of the most important factors here. Seeds are always looking for moisture, but they use temperature as a signal that they should do so.

  • The ideal temperature is between 22 and 25°C
  • The environment should be humid, but never wet
  • The ideal relative humidity is between 70% and 90%
  • Seeds like fluorescent lighting (Cool White code 33)
  • Try to touch the seeds as little as possible
  • For hydroponics/rockwool, the ideal pH is 5.8-6.2

How long does germination take?

Three fundamental principles drive the taproot to emerge: warmth, moisture, and darkness. Moisture helps a root form. After this, the seed slowly grows into the cannabis plant we love so much. Under the right conditions, germination begins within 12-36 hours of introducing moisture.

The time varies. It all depends on the conditions in your germination environment (see the rules of thumb above). Even the worst grower can germinate a seed. However, this often takes a few weeks and of course increases the risk of a weaker plant.

Choosing your method

  • Glass of water

This is probably one of the least effective methods, but it is still interesting. Because this method is so simple, novice growers sometimes choose to germinate their seeds in a glass of water. Fill a glass or bowl halfway with water. Keep the temperature around 22°C.

After 3-5 days, the seeds will open. You will see small white dots appear. Once these taproots are 1-2cm long, very carefully remove them from the water. Now plant them in prepared pots with soil.

Make small holes in the soil (about 10-15mm deep). Place the newly germinated seeds in these. Once the seeds are planted, hang a fluorescent light. Keep a distance of 13-15cm to encourage growth. Do not overwater your seeds at this early stage. Use a plant sprayer to ensure that the soil remains moist, but not soaked.

  • The wet kitchen roll

This is probably one of the most common methods. There are several versions of this method. Some growers use cotton pads or absorbent paper. In this guide, we will use paper towels. These are readily available and hold moisture relatively well.

Place a sheet of moist paper towels on a flat surface. Spread your seeds out on the paper towels, keeping a few inches between each seed. Place a second sheet of paper towels over this. Make sure both sheets are moist, not wet. When the taproots are 1-2cm long, plant the seeds (carefully) in pots of soil. Use the same planting guidelines as above.

  • Plant directly in the soil

Planting directly into the soil avoids transplanting seeds in their most fragile state. The first taproot is covered in microscopic fibres that are easily damaged. Considering that a glass of water or a piece of kitchen roll is much more sensitive to temperature fluctuations, planting in soil is a much safer option.

Start by filling the pots with good quality soil. Soak the soil first. Many growers choose to enrich the water with a root stimulant. Make holes about 10-15mm deep. These will be the new home for your seeds. Remove the seeds from their packaging and place them in the holes. Cover the seeds, but be careful not to pack the soil too much. It is difficult for the roots to penetrate solid soil and this will slow down growth. Spray the soil with a little water to keep your growing medium moist.

If you prefer not to soak the soil first, you can moisten the holes with a plant sprayer before planting the seeds. The seeds will then be surrounded by moisture, which will encourage root growth.

Place your pots in a humid environment. Maintain the correct temperature, as described above. After 4-10 days, a small seedling will appear. The roots will develop in the soil. The entire plant and soil are then repotted into a larger pot. Normal growth will begin here.

  • The use of rock wool blocks

Maintaining the ideal temperature (between 22–25°C) and humidity for germination is quite difficult. Leaving seeds outdoors or on a windowsill is also not ideal. A DIY climate-controlled cabinet is much more effective. A heated mat is ideal for maintaining a constant temperature, but it does not solve the humidity problem.

So you will need to invest in some specialist equipment, but using rockwool starter blocks will create the perfect environment for germinating cannabis seeds. Soak the blocks in the same way you would soil. The rockwool retains moisture, so you do not need to water them in the early stages of germination. Once the blocks have soaked, place them in a plastic container with a lid. Large cake tins are ideal.

The container with a lid creates an ideal tropical mini-climate. If you then place everything in a temperature-controlled cabinet, you have a self-sustaining humidity system. This allows you to leave the seeds alone until they are small seedlings, at which point you can transplant them into their final growing medium. If you use this method, your seeds will germinate in a day or two.

About two to three weeks after germination, your young seedlings will be ready for their new home. At this point, you have two options: transplant them into pots with soil or take on the challenge of hydroponics. You will know when the seedlings are ready to be transplanted when the roots emerge from the bottom of the rockwool cubes. As long as the roots do not reach the bottom half of the cube, they will seek out water and nutrients in their new environment, growing downward.

  • LIGHTING

The first thing is lighting. Your seed/young seedling will initially only need fluorescent or CFL lighting. Plants need light to thrive, sure. But too much of a good thing will damage cannabis plants in the first few weeks of tenderness.

Hang your lights 15cm above the seeds. Once the seedlings have developed their first true leaves (with serrated edges), move your lights up to 5cm above the plants. If you’re worried about damaging them, hold your hand between the leaves and your lights. If it gets too hot within ten seconds, move your lights 2cm higher. Repeat until the temperature is comfortable.

Because young seedlings grow quite quickly, adjust your lighting to get the best results. After 2 weeks under fluorescent lighting, switch to powerful HPS or MH grow lights.

  • Your seeds are upside down

Don’t panic! Roots will always work their way down if possible. There is no need to replant them. If you disturb the seed at this crucial moment, you will do more harm than good. In most cases, you will not even see the root emerge, but the stem of the cannabis plant.

Not sure? Then wait a few days until the first leaves (cotyledons) appear. As long as the requirements of a seed are met, the seedling will take care of itself. The best approach is not to panic. Follow the rules and your young seedling will be ready for repotting in no time.

  • After germination

When do you start feeding?

This depends a bit on the medium used. In most cases, you do not need to add nutrients for the first 2-3 weeks. There are still enough nutrients in the soil. Even with coco, you only need to feed after about a week. If you choose coco or hydro, give nutrients in a quarter of the normal dose. As soon as the first set of leaves appears, increase the dosage by 0.25. Do this per set. We always recommend that beginners start in soil. This is the best way to learn the tricks of the trade of growing cannabis. Soil is also more forgiving if you make a mistake.

Observing the leaves is the easiest way to determine whether you should give more nutrients. The serrated leaves turn light green when the nutrients are running out.

If you ignore it for longer, they will turn yellow. This is a clear sign that more nutrients are needed. Your plant does not die if the leaves turn yellow, but it is a timely reminder to give nutrients.

During periods of vigorous growth, your plant requires nitrogen the most. After feeding, the leaves will return to their normal color. Depending on how long you waited to take action, this can take a few hours or a whole day.

Relax

The first few weeks of seedling development require very little intervention. The nutrition needs only minor adjustments, as already mentioned. The same goes for the lighting. Now that your seeds have germinated, you have a few weeks of rest. Relax and watch your cannabis plants take shape.

Once the first few weeks are over, treat the seedlings as you would in the vegetative phase. Switch to strict lighting schedules and intense light. Always keep the rules of thumb in mind when germinating. If in doubt, ask yourself if you are maintaining the "spring conditions". Do you feel that everything is in order? Then all that remains is to observe and admire the development of your own cannabis plants.