 The
Germination
Process
The germination of your marijuana seeds usually
starts with curiosity, then quickly turns into a serious
hobby (garden).
The following is a successful step-by-step
process for marijuana seed germination on any budget. It
generally works very
well.
How to germinate marijuana seeds, cannabis sativa, and pot seeds.
Class is in
session, light up and pay attention!
Always be sure that your work area is clean.
This includes YOU. Wash your hands every time
before working with seeds - it will increase your
success.
Nicotine is like poison to
cannabis - to both the seeds and the plants. If you smoke
cigarettes, it's all over your fingers.
Preparation & Supplies
In preparing to germinate your seeds whether one or a
dozen, make sure you have everything you need and that
it is also clean. I use so much anti-bacterial
soap in my garden that I do recommend it. (hands,
buckets, tweezers, shot glasses, etc.)
Pre-soaking Method
For our tutorial, we are using a shot glass, mineral
water at room temperature, and our chosen seed(s).
We use masking tape and a marker to identify our seeds
when germinating multiple cannabis strains.
You
can probably use your local water with one caution...
Fill a pitcher or a jug with the water one whole day
before you will be using it and leave it open. This
allows chlorine and other potentially harmful chemicals
to escape into the open air before use.
 Day
One
Half
fill your glass with mineral water. We have taken a
single seed (female), and placed it in the water (shot
glass). Notice that the seed is initially
floating.
We have identified this seed and now we need to put
it away in a warm and dark place for 24-30 hours.
This allows the seed to absorb water. The seed
does not need or like any light yet, but likes
everything warm.
The cannabis seed simply needs warm air, moisture and
darkness to begin it's life.
Select a warm spot that stays consistent in the
temperature
it offers (like on your water heater). We cover
our glass with a dark cup to keep out all of the
surrounding light.
Keeping a temperature of between 75° to 85°
Fahrenheit is excellent for starting seeds.
Again, leave this covered and warm for at least 24
hours. This will allow the seed to absorb water,
and is an excellent indication that the seed can
grow.
 Day
Two
When you return the next day and uncover your glass,
you may notice that the seed sank to the bottom (as
illustrated). If it did not, have no fear.
Try stirring the water with your clean finger. The
seed may have absorbed water and still be afloat by a
bubble or dry spot (happens all the time).
If the seed still floats, you can add some
fresh water* and check back again in 8-12 hours. After that, you can still plant the
seed, but chances are slim that it will take hold.
I then take a cup of my personal grow mix (soil) that is
the same mix I use in my plants through-out their
maturity. This means (to me) that I only
transplant once, and it's moved into the same exact grow
medium. This prevents additional shock or stress
when moved to their final container.
I use a solo cup and slice four
slits in the bottom for good water drainage and added
aeration. It also makes the transplant very easy.
Allow soil to dry, cut slits down the cup sides and
gingerly remove plant. Be easy on all the tender roots.
I carefully place the seed into the soil with the knot
side up. I only place it about 3/16" under the
soil surface and water thoroughly. I am still only
using water* at this point.
When I water* the soil,
it tends to move some soil over the seed. I label
my cup and place it in a dome for high humidity and
added warmth (shown next to a clone). Position a small
grow light above the dome and have the timer the same as
your 18 hour garden clock. We want some air, moisture,
warmth and light right now.
Lights should remain ON for
16 - 20 hours and OFF for 4 - 8 hours. You are
deciding this right now, because changing this light
cycle in mid-growth IS stress for the plant - we will
control the lights completely. This is the
'trigger' for future growth stages. I recommend 18
hours ON, 6 hours OFF.
Day
Three
Keep the soil moist, but not wet... there is a
difference. After my initial watering, I do not
water* it again for 2-3
days, and then I am spraying water*
over my cup of soil.
Usually, in about 2-5 days you will see the seedling
begin to pop out of the soil. I have seen seeds
take 11 days, but usually less.
Sometimes, as in this example, the seed shell stays
attached while the seedling works it's way upward and
fights to exist.
Once the seedling has broken ground and I can see green
leaves, I remove the cup from the humidity dome. Move
your new baby to the nursery side of your garden with
the 16-18 hour grow light
cycle and circulating air.
Spray
the leaves with water* for two days to help transition
from the high humidity dome.
As the seed uncurls and begins it's beautiful
life, it will lose the seed case and begin to sprout
it's first leaves.
Congratulations! We have now moved from the
germination stage to the seedling stage. Patience,
cleanliness and good soil products can help insure a
high percentage of germination success with your seeds.
 Day
Four
As you can see, the sprout stretches upward while
wrestling with the seed casing to be released (all this
work for our smoking pleasure).
As it spends more time under the light, the sprout
should be able to shake the seed and begin to form it's
first 2 leaves (cotyledon).
You will find that once you have a
regiment down that works, it's fairly easy to germinate
your cannabis seeds indoors at any time of the year.
 First
Week
Your new seedling is alive and prospering. In
our example, you can leave it in the cup for a couple of
weeks while it gains strength.
It has everything it needs to begin a stress free
life. From here we move into the caring and
growing of
your marijuana.
At times, I plant more than one seed to a cup.
Sometimes I leave them both in the cup, and sometimes I
separate them immediately after they break ground.
You should now be on your way to some wonderful
romance with your plants. Do not be afraid to talk
and raise your youngsters to be strong and vigorous and
'stinky' young ladies. It's what I call "marijuana
karma" because it all comes back to you in the end.
Be
careful not to over water* your seedlings. Wait
for the top of the soil to get dry and crusty before
watering again.
Water*
- In this
Chapter, the term water relates to mineral water,
distilled or bottled water, or water that has sat in
open air for 20-30 hours.
Giving the seedlings a mild nitrogen mixture (like
Nutri-grow™) in your water*
will help vigorous, healthy growth at this stage if your
soil does not compensate in this important area.
Be careful! They are still young and very
impressionable.
Once your seedling has 5-7 growing days in the cup,
you can transplant it anytime to it's larger container.
Make this large enough for the life of the plant (I use
3-5 gallon containers) I never want to run out of room
(soil) at the point of flowering. If you are pruning,
you can get away with smaller containers.
I
recommend water* throughout this process because my soil
mixture contains initial nutrients like nitrogen,
phosphates, guano, seafood, and more. At some
point, you'll probably develop your own soil too.
Good Luck.
The
Vegetative Stage is NEXT.
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Top Indoor Marijuana Growing Tips
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the influence of cannabis
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