Have you ever wondered how to germinate cannabis seeds? There is nothing worse than paying all that money for awesome seeds and they fail to germinate. The failure of germination from especially legit seedbanks is almost always due to human error. There are many ways how to germinate cannabis seeds. Please have a look at the germination tutorial below and have a look at the video guide from Royal Queen Seeds.
Germination Instructions
Cannabis seeds need 3 factors to germinate successfully:
• Moisture
• Warmth
• Darkness
Ideally, you should use filtered rainwater, but if the tap water of your area is safe to drink you can as well use it for germination purposes. The amount of chlorine added to the water kills bacteria and impurities in the water, helping to reduce the risk of infection. If the level of chlorine is too high it will slow the germination process but it will not kill the seedling. If the local tap water supply is not safe to drink then do not use it to germinate seeds. Bottled water, without additives or gas, is a good source of water for germination.
For best results, fill a glass with clean water at a temperature between 18 and 25 degrees C (room temperature).
Drop the seeds into the water. The seeds should be left to soak in a dark place at a temperature between 20 and 25 degrees Celcius. A drawer in your kitchen, away from heat sources like an oven, is usually suitable. Check the seeds after 5-10 minutes and tap down the ones that are floating. If they continue to float just let them. After 2-6 hours move the seeds onto a plate, between two damp layers of cotton or toilet paper.
If you use toilet paper use multiple plies to form a thick layer. Leave the germination plate in a closed dark space (the same drawer would be fine) and make sure to keep the layers moist by dripping some water every 6-12 hours. Do not soak them, just keep them damp.
Usually, within 48-72 hours the seeds swell and split their casing shell. Seeds can take up to 5-6 days to germinate, so be patient. When the white, initial root is visible at the crack in the seed casings the seed is ready to be planted. Soaking the seed after the root is exposed can result in early root damage. Plant the seeds in a clean, pH balanced medium (5.5-6.0). Point the tip of the root downwards. The medium should be loose and light with very good drainage. We suggest a blend of good quality soil and perlite or rock wool. Cannabis seeds should be planted 2-5 mm deep, using containers at least 10 cm. deep to allow the initial taproot to grow straight down.
The container should have drainage holes to prevent drowning the seeding. The medium should be thoroughly wet, but not soaked. High humidity is essential to good germination rates. Keep the planted seeds covered with clear plastic to create a humid and protected environment, or keep them moist with a sprayer every few hours. Place the planted seeds under horticultural lights or a cold white neon tube in a warm humid environment (20 – 25 degrees Celcius.
After a few days, the seedlings can be exposed to HPS or MH grow lights, or to sunlight. Slowly and gradually get the seedlings used to the light/sun, avoid overheating. After a few days, the young plant will be strong enough to take full light/sun and boost.