The first step of any grow is germinating your seeds. First of all you will want to make sure your cannabis seed has enough water, the seeds goes through a process called ‘imbibing‘ during germination in which the seed soaks up the surrounding water and expands causing the shell to split due to the expanding embryo.
Another key part of the germination process is exposure to air, this will ensure that the embryo within your seed has all it requires to carry out photosynthesis and other necessary processes. The final trigger in the germination process is warmth, your seed will already have a small food reserve and when all of these factors are met the seed will germinate.
After germination a small tap root will emerge from your seed, your plant will start to grow and you will see two small embryonic leaves which are known as the cotyledons. You should not attempt to remove these leaves after germination.
Ideal Conditions for Germination
Germination thrives in warm (not hot) and humid environments. Temperatures should be consistently between 70-85°F with a humidity level around 70%. Light isn’t necessary until the seed has sprouted, but once it has, seedlings require a gentle light source.
Paper Towel Method For Germination
My favorite method when it comes to germinating my own cannabis seeds is the paper towel method, it never fails me which means I get the most out of all my seeds. All you will need is two plates and some wet paper towel.
- Cover one of the plates with moist paper towel and then place your cannabis seeds onto the paper tower.
- Take another piece of moist paper towel and place it over your seeds covering them. You can then place the second plate on top of the moist paper towel.
- You should now place the plates somewhere away from direct light that is also warm (approximately 20ºC – 22ºC).
- Check the tissues every few days and make sure they stay moist, if the paper towels have dried out then you should re-wet them with a spray bottle.
- Now you just need to be patient, after a few days the majority of your seeds should have a tap root emerging from them. Some tap roots can develop as soon as 72 hours after germination however it can take up to two weeks in some cases, so don’t give up on your seeds too fast.
- When your seed has a tap root of about two millimeters in length you should transfer it into a small container filled with a growing medium of your choice.
Conclusion
If you follow this method correctly then all of your seeds should germinate successfully, however if you buy low quality seeds this may mean some might not germinate. If you are picking seeds off an existing plant or searching through bag seed you need to know how to identify a bad seed and avoid it, normally it is recommended to avoid pale seeds as they will rarely germinate. It should be noted that a few strains do have white seeds so don’t get these mixed up with bad seeds.
Germinating cannabis seeds is a process that requires patience, precision, and a bit of green-thumb intuition. By following the steps outlined above and monitoring your seeds’ environment closely, you’re laying the groundwork for a thriving cannabis plant. Happy planting!
