How the Heck do I Plant this Thing?
With the legalization currently in several states, including Vermont, are you ready to start your Cannabis Garden or Marijuana Grow Room? Well, unless you were lucky enough to source yourself some nice clones to start with(So You Want to Make a Clone?), you’re going to need to know how to start from seed. Although a simple process, many people make mistakes along the way. This blog post acts as a guide, to help prevent loss of your precious cannabis seeds, and ensure the best chance at a thriving seedling.
Paper Towel Method
Now, there are many different variations of the paper towel method. Some people may tell you to use distilled water, others will say tap water. Some may want you to use coffee or tea cup “saucers” to block out light, some may not. There are even those persons that are so conscious of what they are putting into their plants, that they refuse the paper towel method all together, due to potential chemical contamination from the manufacturing process. Today, we’re going to tell you what I know works and has successfully germinated hundreds of thousands of cannabis seeds.
First and foremost, we need to advise you to be patient. Yes, patient. We know you are excited to get your seeds going and on their way to flowering, but we also know that patience is a virtue that has an everlasting home in the garden. You aren’t going to want to be checking on your seeds ten times a day. No, you will want to check your seeds, no more than two times per day. We recommend checking in the morning when you wake up and shortly before bed. In addition, you don’t want to check your seeds the first time, until it has been 24 hours from the time the seeds were placed in the paper towels.
Items Needed
Now that you know you need to be patient and not “over-check” your seeds, lets move on to the starting process. Get together the following items:
soap, paper towels(2), clean bowl, a small potting container, your choice of growing medium, zippered sandwich bag(1), distilled or spring water, a permanent marker, and seeds of course.
PRO TIP: Seed Genetics are very important. Make sure you are using seeds from reputable sources.
Steps
Step 1: Wash your hands thoroughly. You can use tap water for this step, as long as the water you are using is clean. This is very important, as you do not want to contaminate your seeds.
Step 2: Take the two paper towels and fold them in half together.
Step 3: Place the paper towels in the bowl and pour spring water over them(you can used distilled or tap water, but we found that spring water works best for this method). You want to over-saturate the paper towel, as you are attempting to make the paper towel as “neutral” or chemically inactive. Wash the paper towels around in the water several times, remembering to squeeze out the excess water into the sink and replace the water in the bowl several times during the process. We suggest at least one full minute of washing.
Step 4: Once you have washed the paper towels thoroughly, leave the paper towels slightly damp. You don’t want them dripping with water, but don’t want them dried out either. With the paper towels folded the same way as done in Step 1, place your seed on one side of the paper towel. Fold the paper towels over, on top of the seed. PRO TIP: You can place more than one seed in the paper towels. Just keep in mind that they should be a couple of inches apart from each other, so they don’t accidentally damage each other.
Step 5: Carefully place the paper towels inside a zippered sandwich bag and seal the bag. Label the bag with the permanent marker, if you know what strain you are working with. Now place the bag in a dark, warm place, where it won’t be subjected to constant light or cold temperatures. PRO TIP: The cupboard above the stove or refrigerator, is almost always a good place to start.
Step 6: After 24 hours has passed, go ahead and check your seed. You can start checking after the first 12 hours, but this is not necessary. When you check your seeds, you will want to do so very carefully, as the seed will be very fragile until it gets older. After checking your seed the first time, check again every 12 hours or so, until you have a small taproot poking out. This will look like a little white hook protruding from the seed. In the event several days go by and the seed has not shown a root, you may have an nonviable seed. Remember, no seed has a 100% germination rate. Although reputable sources can ensure the best genetics, they can’t ensure the germination rate, as there will always be a chance of failure.
Step 7: Once you have your taproot, you are going to plant your seeds into their starter mediums. For this, you can use your choice of soils, coconut fibers, rockwool cubes, etc. Just make sure you are using a medium that is SAFE for starting plants. In the photos below, we are using rockwool cubes(Rockwool Guide soon to come). Carefully place the taproot side down, into a small hole roughly ¼ inch deep. Cover your seed lightly with whatever growing medium you have chosen and place the container in a window or under a low powered light. A simple small cfl bulb will work for this purpose, but you can also use dedicated grow lights if you prefer. Just make sure that it isn’t too powerful, such as a 1000w HPS or LED, as this will be too much for the seedling in it’s beginning phases.
WATER GLASS METHOD
Just like with the Paper Towel Method, the Water Glass Method requires patience! Albeit not to the same extent of the Paper Towel Method. With the Water Glass Method, you are less likely to know if you seed is viable in the starting phases, as you will not see the taproot, before it has emerged from the seed. Instead, the seed will be planted your choice of medium, prior to sprouting any roots. Although this seems like a downfall, some believe this method to be superior as you are never required to touch the seed once a taproot has emerged and you are less likely to cause any damage to the seeds. We personally use the Paper Towel Method for our Germination Service, but have used the Water Glass Method in the past and know it to be a very viable option.
For this method, you will need the following:
soap, clean glass or cup, distilled or spring water, clean straw or other poking device, a small potting container, and your choice of medium
Steps
Step 1: Wash your hands, just as in Step 1 of the Paper Towel Method. No need to use distilled or spring water. Just make sure your hands are clean.
Step 2: Fill the glass anywhere from ½ to ¾ full with distilled or spring water. Then drop your seed into the water.
Step 3: Your seed will be ready to plant, when it stops floating and sinks in the water. This may take anywhere from a few minutes up to a full day. Be patient and only check every so often.
Step 4: When checking your seed’s progress, you can lightly press down on the seed with a clean straw, poking device, or your finger. If the seed comes right back to the surface, it is not ready. If the seed sinks, it is ready.
Step 5: Take your small container of medium and place the seed into a ¼ inch hole in the medium. Lightly cover the seed with more medium and moisten the soil. Although seed direction does play a part in how the seed grows from the soil, it is not important to ensure the taproot side is down, as it is with the Paper Towel Method. This is because the seed will naturally orientate itself toward the surface, no matter which way it is pointing when placed.
FINAL STEPS – This Applies to Both Methods Listed Above
Seedling Arrives: In the next couple of days, your seed will pop out of the medium. Do not over-saturate your medium with water. It should be moist, but not wet. Make sure to allow the medium to dry out between waterings. You want the taproot to search out water, to help build a good root structure. In the event the seedling is over-watered, it can develop rot, deficiencies, or die. PRO TIP: Use a spray bottle and mist the tops of the medium and plants, as opposed to watering directly. This ensures more accurate control and disbursement of water, helping to prevent over-watering.
Optional Humidity Dome: You may choose to use a humidity dome or clear plastic cup, if you are in a dry climate. The dome is not necessary for most areas, if you are in a comfortable and acclimatized home. If you choose to use a dome, it should only be necessary for the first week or two. Make sure to take the dome off periodically to allow air exchange and start to hearty the seedling for vegetative growth.
Now that you know two of the most used methods of seed germination, get out there and Start Growing!
If you’d like to learn more, please feel free to contact us or check out our pricing page. We offer an array of services, from virtual consultations to harvesting assistance, and even how to make feminized seeds! At Vermont Grow Coaching LLC, service is our commitment and plants are our business.
Vermont Grow Coaching LLC
(802)342-5381
Pittsford, VT 05763
Service@VermontGrowCoach.com
Disclaimer: Please note that this article is the opinion of Vermont Grow Coaching LLC and should only be viewed as such. Vermont Grow Coaching LLC takes no responsibility for any damages, or legal concerns regarding the cloning or cultivation of Cannabis. The responsibility to ensure operation within governing law, is placed solely on the person or entity that chooses to cultivate Cannabis. Be smart and remember to keep it legal with your local and state governments.
