Germinate cannabis seeds
Usually it is better to germinate seeds in a dark and enclosed area so as to keep them safe from environmental fluctuations and harm. There are a number of very simple methods that you can employ to germinate the seeds.
Methods of germination
Seeds need three things to help them germinate. They need moisture, warmth and darkness. They have most of their own energy for the first stretch of grown within themselves. It is not necessary and potentially harmful to use strong nutrients during this first and fragile stage.
01
Paper towel or cotton wool
Dampen a paper towel or some cotton wool. Place the seeds in the middle and fold lightly over or put another layer on top. Put into a plastic container or bag and place into a dark warm place, allowing a small opening for some ventilation. The ideal temperature should be between 20–25°C. Keep an eye on it and once you see a tap root sticking out, carefully remove and place into a small container with well aerated and fertilized soil. Put the seedling with the tap root facing down and about 5mm deep.
02
Glass of water
Put the seeds into a glass of luke warm water for 24 to 48 hours, until you see them crack open and sprout a small tap root. Carefully remove and place into a larger container filled with a good growth medium. If it does not germinate within 48 hours then remove and use the paper towel method instead. Leaving it any longer will only cause it to rot.
03
Germinate straight into a pot or cup
What could be easier than putting the seed straight into a small germinating pot or cup. If you are growing outside in a pot then you can germinate the seeds straight into the final pot or transplant it from a smaller one once its big enough.
An additional important point is not have the seedling very deep in the cup or pot. If the seedling is deep down in the cup it will stretch to reach the sun whichi will make its stalk weak and splindely.
Germinating in a small cup or pot does have the advantage of giving the plant plenty of access to oxygen and reduce the risk of over watering and becoming water logged. Make sure they have drainage holes in the bottom.
Remember to mark the strain of the plant with a pen or a small sticker for identification
Once germinated expose them to light
If you have germinated your seeds out doors then exposure to light will happen naturally. The seedling will enjoy the sun light and grow towards it with great gusto. If you did so indoors in a paper towel then you can expose them to a 16/6 light cycle with a CFL bulbs until they are 14 days old and then transplant into pots or the ground outside.
Transplant to bigger containers
Once your seedling has grown bigger and the leaves have gone past the edge of the pot, it is time to transplant into a bigger or into the ground. If you leave them in a smaller pot for too long then it will become root bound and will impact on the plants health and size.
