Germinating Cannabis Seeds

Germinating cannabis seeds is not rocket science and is usually a fairly easy process, however, there are some important factors that need to be considered to ensure a high germination rate.

Not only do we want our cannabis seeds to germinate quickly, but we also want to prevent problems that can occur during this process like fungus infections or the non-emergence of the seedlings.

This article will be helpful to beginner growers but it will also help cultivators from making common mistakes when it comes to germinating and planting cannabis seeds. Avoid frustrations with these handy tips below so you get growing without delay.

Never let the grow medium dry out

A series of reactions are triggered when the seed is placed in a moist culture medium and within a few days, the seed germinates. Whatever grow medium you are using, be it a paper towel to start the process, soil, or other substrates, ensure it never dries out because the seed can no longer absorb moisture and the growth process stops.

It’s important to check the grow medium’s moisture every day especially if you’re using a heat source to increase the temperature to accelerate the germination process.

Monitor the root in the germination medium

If you’re not planting the seed directly in the soil and using an interim germination medium, keep an eye on the taproot. If you let the seed germinate until its first leaves appear, you have left it too long. The fragile root will be exposed to light and air, and the risk of damaging the roots during transplant is higher. When the taproot is 1cm or at most 2cm, it needs to go into its permanent grow spot.

Germinating in soil

If you choose to germinate the seed directly in the soil, it is critical to water the soil before planting the seed and not immediately afterward. The reason for this is that when a seed is placed in dry soil and then watered, it is forced further down into the soil layers, which results in non-germination of the deeply buried seed.

The benefits of using a kitchen towel or other temporary germination substrate are that we can ensure the growth of the taproot and germinate a number of seeds at once in a smaller space.

Germination temperature and humidity

Higher temperatures and higher humidity levels are great conditions for germinating cannabis seeds. Don’t try germinating the seed outdoors if the weather is cool and as long as the temperature is kept between 26-28ºC with 70% humidity, you can be confident your seeds will germinate. If necessary, use a heat source but ensure the temperature and humidity do not exceed the recommended levels otherwise it can cause root rot or fungal problems.

Plant the seed correctly

If you closely inspect the cannabis seed, you will see it has an oval shape with a pointed end while having a crown on the other end that resembles a small crater. When planting a seed in its grow medium, the crater should always face up and the pointed end facing down. When the seed germinates, the taproot exits the crown. If planted the wrong way round, it can slow or obstruct the germination process.

Observe the seed’s depth

As mentioned above, if a seed goes too deep it may never germinate. Similarly, if the seed is too shallow, the stem will be weak as it attempts to anchor itself in the soil. A good rule to follow is keeping the seed at a 2cm depth for optimal stability. If a seed goes too deep it may never germinate but if the seed is too shallow, the stem will be weak. A good rule to follow is keeping the seed at a 2cm depth for optimal stability.

Planting several seeds in the same pot

This is a big No-No. Never put several seeds in one pot to germinate as they will compete for space, water, and nutrients and affect the germination process. The same goes for transplanting. If you germinated your cannabis seeds in a temporary location and ready to plant in a permanent grow medium, it is advisable to give them their own space. Cannabis plants don’t like to be restricted.

Additionally, if seeds and seedlings are planted too closely together, they will also compete for light. The more light each plant has, the more they expand and the stronger the stem grows with smaller internodal spaces. If a stem has wide spaces between nodes, it can affect the number of buds the plant produces.