If you want to grow a cannabis garden the first step that needs to happen is a process called germination. It’s the process of the plant growing from the seed (also known as “popping”) and there are some simple steps you can follow to make sure this happens without a hitch!
But before you dive into popping, you should know what characteristics to look for when you buy marijuana seeds. Avoid seeds that are soft and green in color, this means they aren’t mature enough to start growing. Instead, look for seeds that are brown and harder since this is a clear sign that they are fully mature and ready to grow. Also, make sure you’re working with enough growing space. The last thing you want is to start the growing process only to realize too late that you need more room.
How to Germinate Weed Seeds
You don’t need much to start the germination process (heat, water, and air) which makes it easy to start and gives you several methods to choose from. Our favorite, and by far the easiest involves 4 simple steps and the following items:
- A pair of clean identical plates
- Paper towels
- Mature seeds
- Distilled Water
Step 1
Soak 2 sheets of paper towels in distilled water. Soak them enough that they are completely wet but not overflowing with water.
Step 2
Place one of the wet paper towels on one of your plates. After you’ve done that, place the seeds on the paper towels and make sure they’re approximately one inch apart from each other. After that is done, cover the seeds with the other wet paper towel.
Step 3
Take your other identical plate and cover the plate with the seeds and paper towels to create a dome and a dark and protected space.
Step 4
Keep the seeds in a warm area; between 70 – 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Now that you have completed these 4 steps and know how to germinate cannabis seeds, the next thing to do is wait. Check the paper towels every so often to ensure they still have moisture. If you notice they are starting to dry out, add more distilled water. The waiting process depends on the seeds themselves. Some take a little bit of time before popping while others can take considerably longer. If you notice that a seed has split and a sprout is visible, germination has begun!
Moving Your Seeds to Their New Home
The newly formed sprout in the seed is the taproot and this will grow to become the stem of your cannabis plant. Now is when you need to move your seeds to their next growing space. But make sure not to touch the seeds after they’ve split because it’s important to keep it sterile.
Using a pair of tweezers, gently pick up the seeds and place them into separate 2-inch pots. Each pot should be filled with potting soil with a narrow hole in the middle roughly a quarter inch in depth. Make sure not to pack the soil too tightly, it should be loose and airy to allow for optimal growth. Gently place the seedling in the hole and cover it with soil again making sure it’s not packed too tightly.
Your next task is to water the soil from time to time. You’ll want to use a spray bottle at first to make sure you don’t over-water and drown the seed. After about a week you should see the first signs of plant growth!