You may wonder, “How do I plant my marijuana seeds?” You have many options. Here’s a quick guide on germination in soil, lighting, and other crucial aspects of cannabis grow. Once you’ve germinated your cannabis seeds, you can enjoy the progress of your new cannabis plant! Once you’re past the initial weeks of germination, however, you’ll need to treat your seedlings more like normal vegetative plants and adhere to strict lighting schedules.
Soaking method
The Soaking method to plant marijuana seeds is a simple yet effective way to germinate cannabis seeds. Unlike in soil, water can help cannabis seeds germinate much faster. In water, seeds can be soaked for a week. This helps the seeds absorb more moisture, which is vital for growth. A glass of water with about 18 degrees Celsius (65 degrees Fahrenheit) will hold about 50,000 cannabis seeds. After soaking the seeds for this length of time, the seeds will sink to the bottom, which are viable. Floaters are non-viable. A new plant will sprout when its roots have grown 3 to 5 millimeters long.
Soaking the seeds is a good option if you’ve saved them from the old sock drawer or purchased them at a reputable seedbank. It will guarantee the seeds will germinate in a healthy environment and will consume the same amount of water as old, dry seeds. The water will help crack the seed shell and pre-sprout the seedling. A good soaking time is usually 24 to 48 hours.
Once the marijuana seed sprouts, it’s time to plant it. Ideally, the seed has not yet sprouted, but it should be damp but not soaking. Once the seed has sprouted, the roots will burrow into the growing medium. Alternatively, you can soak marijuana seeds overnight in warm water. This is particularly effective for older seeds with hard shells. Using a refrigerator will trick the seed into thinking it’s winter, which ensures uniform germination.
A paper towel is another option for germination. It takes longer than pre-soaking, but it has less chance of rot. Using the paper towel method, you need to soak the seeds for a minimum of 24 hours and leave them overnight. The seeds must be kept at 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep in mind that windowsill temperatures do not maintain enough moisture for seed germination. Once the seeds have germinated, you can plant them in your own garden or grow them for sale.
While using a soil-based growing medium is a good choice for germination, this method can also help if the marijuana seeds you plan to grow were old and ineffective. The soaking method allows you to re-plant old seeds and resurrect them. It is also easy to use and is effective for reviving old cannabis seeds. Aside from the Soaking method, water-soaked cannabis seeds are effective at germinating old marijuana seeds.
Germination in soil
Cannabis seeds can be planted in a premium-quality growing medium, but this process is not without its challenges. The first step is to soak the seeds overnight in a solution of water and root stimulant. Then, carefully plant them in holes 10 to 15 mm deep. If possible, place the seeds in the moist, but not soggy, soil. Then, cover them loosely with soil. This step is crucial, as compacted soil will stunt the plant’s growth. A light mist can help maintain the growing medium’s moisture levels.
The next step in growing marijuana seeds is to make sure the soil is moist and free of any weedy odors. This step is particularly crucial for those who are new to cannabis cultivation. Overwatering will drown the seeds and result in rot. If you find your seeds are not sprouting after 48 hours, you should wait for another day before planting them in soil. If they don’t sprout after five days, chances are they are dead.
Another common mistake is to neglect the pH level of the soil. The pH level of the soil should be 6 or slightly acidic. This level will create an optimal environment for seed growth. The level should be around six to seven for marijuana seedlings, and should not be more than 6.5 for mature plants. Germination in soil is not impossible, but it will require manual maneuvering of the seeds to grow properly. If you want to avoid this problem, you can opt for the paper towel method. To do this, you need to place the seeds on a countertop and cover them with a paper towel.
One of the easiest methods to germinate marijuana seeds is to plant them in the soil. When planting, make sure to knuckle-deep soil. You can also use a heating pad or a light. The best germination stations are made to offer optimal germination conditions. If you have the money, you can even make a DIY germination station by using a plastic dome over a heating pad.
Proper lighting
Cannabis responds best to different lighting conditions. In late summer and early autumn, light is softer, more yellow-red, and lower in the sky. This reduces photoperiod, the time between day and night, and signals plants that autumn has arrived and they should stop growing and flower. In indoor growing conditions, you can mimic these conditions with HPS lighting or a panel of warmer-coloured LEDs. It also helps to reduce the light intensity of high-wattage lamps, as the spectrum is harmful to the plant’s retina.
Although cannabis plants thrive in light, they need at least 10 hours of direct sunlight a day. If you do not provide them with this amount of light, they may simply revert to their vegetative stage. Choose energy-efficient bulbs and install reflective walls to bounce light off of the plants’ surface. While LED bulbs are more expensive up-front, you’ll save money over time. Furthermore, reflective walls will bounce light and make your room appear larger. Use plastic or mylar to build a reflector.
Lighting is also important when growing cannabis indoors. You should choose bulbs that will replicate the light conditions that marijuana plants thrive in outdoors. MH bulbs are the best choice during vegetative stages and HPS bulbs for flowering. If you can, use both of these bulbs so that you get the best of both worlds. The best LED grow light may display multiple colors to maximize light production. A high-pressure sodium bulb is also good for the flowering stage.
If you’re new to growing cannabis, you may not be familiar with lighting. Many novice growers make the mistake of thinking that plants should stay under lights 24 hours a day. This is a common mistake and can result in a leggy and weak plant. For this reason, you should always use a cloner for your marijuana plants. That way, they can grow under light 24 hours a day, and you can avoid the risk of exposing the plants to harmful ultraviolet rays.
For outdoor growing, you can place the cannabis seedlings next to a sunny window for the first week. Once they have two or three sets of serrated leaves, it’s time to move them outdoors permanently. It’s best to leave them next to the light for at least an hour each day to acclimatize to the light’s intensity. If you’re not sure, you can always give the plants an extra hour every day until they grow into a full plant.
Soaking method for harder cannabis seeds
Whether you’re growing marijuana outdoors or in a greenhouse, the soaking method is beneficial for all types of seeds. For instance, softer cannabis seeds can be soaked for as little as 24 hours. Harder cannabis seeds need a longer soaking time of up to 32 hours. Typically, however, the minimum soaking time is 24 hours. The reason for this is because water can damage the seeds if they’re soaked for too long. Cannabis seeds need moistness in order to sprout. The taproot will burrow through the seed shell to grow.
Another simple way to soak tougher seeds is to cut them with sandpaper to create micro-abrasions in the seed coat. Then, place them in the soil, root end down. Spray the seeds with water to ensure they’re moistened evenly. Alternatively, you can fold the sandpaper in half and put it inside the jar. Then, cover the jar tightly and shake it vigorously.
Pre-soaking your seeds is an excellent way to speed up the germination process. It’s recommended to soak seeds for up to seven days if possible, but this method will increase the chances of mold and rot. This method is more effective if you plan on germination within four to six days. Then, you can transfer your seeds to a wet paper towel to dry them. If you want to use a different method, be sure to consult a grower’s manual.
Aside from the soaking method, you can also scarify your seeds. This method is relatively simple but can make harder seeds germinate. However, be careful – scarifying your seeds too deeply will kill them. You should start by scarifying the seeds lightly and gradually increase the depth of the nicks as you gain experience. When the seeds have been properly scarified, they should sprout easily. You can try scarifying these seeds with sandpaper. If you want to scarify your seeds, you can also line a matchbox with sandpaper and roll it into a tube.
Another method of soaking seeds is to submerge them in water. The seeds will be submerged, and it may take up to two weeks for them to sprout. For larger seeds, this method may be more effective, as the seed can sprout faster if the water temperature is warmer. A wet paper towel may also be effective if you plan to grow your cannabis outdoors. However, if you’re using a small pot, you can simply transplant the seeds to a bigger container once they are fully grown.
