How to Germinate Marijuana Seeds Successfully
Whether you’re a seasoned grower or a beginner looking to dip your toes into the world of cannabis cultivation, understanding how to germinate marijuana seeds successfully is an essential skill.
As the very first step in the life of a cannabis plant, knowing the ins and outs of germination is key to having the best growing experience possible.
So, let’s talk about how to germinate weed seeds successfully at home.
What is Germination?
Before we talk about how to germinate cannabis plant seeds (for outdoor or indoor), let’s first discuss what germination is as a whole.
Germination is the first stage of the developmental process where a plant begins to sprout and grow from a seed.
The whole purpose of germination is to produce a healthy living plant from a dormant seed, continuing the species over and over again.
In terms of cannabis, germination is the phase where the cannabis seed “wakes up” and starts to grow its first roots and leaves.
When the external conditions are just right, the seed’s out shell will break open, allowing a small white root — known as the taproot — to emerge. This is your sign that your seed has sprouted.
In some cases, you can skip the germination process when growing cannabis; however, you can only do this by buying clones — not seeds.
Cannabis clones are grown parts of the cannabis plant that have been clipped from a healthy Mother plant. Since the plants are already somewhat established, you don’t have to worry about germinating from seed.
However, if you want to learn how to germinate weed seeds, then it’s important to try this process out for yourself! (Then you can decide whether or not you want to try a clone, instead.)
Types of Marijuana Seeds to Germinate
The world of cannabis seeds is vast, and there are many options you can choose from depending on your preferences, grow space, and even climate.
There are three primary types of weed seeds that growers can choose to germinate: photoperiod cannabis seeds, autoflowering marijuana seeds, and feminized cannabis seeds.
And luckily for you, Trilogene Seeds has a great selection of each type of these seeds.
Let’s explore what each of these cannabis seeds has to offer.
Photoperiod Cannabis Seeds
Photoperiod cannabis seeds are types of marijuana seeds that switch from the vegetative phase to the flowering phase automatically based on the light cycle or light exposure.
The name “photoperiod” derives from the fact that these plants’ flowering is determined by the photoperiod — or the length of day and night. Under cultivation, marijuana requires a tight light schedule.
Typically, this means the cannabis plant needs 18 hours of light during the vegetative stage, and then 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness during flowering.
If you’re growing your marijuana outdoors, then these plants will change naturally with the changing of the seasons. This can be quite beneficial (and appealing) for outdoor growers, as it means a lot less work. Instead of relying on artificial light and manipulating cycles, you let the sun do the hard work for you.
Photoperiod cannabis seeds can be either male or female, and female plants are known for their high-quality buds. You can also grow these types of plants either indoors or outdoors, making them quite versatile.
Autoflowering Cannabis Seeds
In the event that you don’t want to rely on light cycles for flowering, you can buy autoflowering cannabis seeds, instead. Autoflowering cannabis seeds are a popular choice for beginners due to their ease of cultivation.
These seeds develop into plants that automatically transition from the vegetative to the flowering stage based on the plant’s age — not the light exposure. This makes autoflowering cannabis seeds much less maintenance-intensive and even faster to harvest than photoperiod seeds.
It is worth noting that autoflowering cannabis plants are going to be a bit more compact than other plants. This makes them a good option for indoor grow setups that don’t have ample space for large plants and canopies.
Of course, the shorter harvest time also allows for several harvests per year. Photoperiod cannabis seeds follow the changing of the seasons, creating just one harvest every year. But, autoflowering cannabis seeds have a much shorter growing season; this is especially great for growers who live in places with short summers.
Feminized Seeds
Finally, you can also come across feminized cannabis seed options — and these seeds can be feminized autoflowering or feminized photoperiod seeds.
Essentially, a feminized germinated seed is a type of marijuana seed that’s been bred to (almost) always produce female plants. The female cannabis plant is highly sought after because they produce the large, resinous buds that we know and love.
Male cannabis plants, on the other hand, don’t produce these buds at all. Instead, they produce pollen sacs that can actually cross-contaminate the female plants. This affects the female plant’s efficacy and potency, sometimes even ruining a yield. Thus, having guaranteed female plants from feminized cannabis seeds is a great way to avoid any potential mishaps.
Feminized cannabis seeds help to produce consistency and stability with your harvests, along with saving time and resources.
How to Germinate Weed Seeds Successfully
Now, let’s talk about how to germinate cannabis seeds right from the comfort of your home. And, spoiler alert: germinating seeds may be easier than you think.
However, before we talk about this process, it’s important to note that there are a few different ways for germinating cannabis seeds correctly. However, we are covering the most popular, common method: the paper towel method.
If you want to learn how to germinate cannabis seeds, here are the materials you will need:
- Healthy cannabis seeds
- Two clean plates
- Paper towels
- Distilled water
- Tweezers
Here’s how to germinate weed seeds successfully at home in just six easy steps:
- The first step to germinating seeds is to start by soaking your cannabis seeds in a glass of distilled water. Soak them for about 12-24 hours to help soften the outer shell of the seeds. This is makes it easier for the taproot to break through.
- While your seeds soak, dampen two paper towels with distilled water. They should be moist, but not dripping wet.
- Once they’ve finished soaking, use your tweezers to remove the seeds from the glass of water and place them on one of the damp paper towels. Make sure to space the seeds out so they’re not touching each other.
- Take the other damp paper towel and lay it over the top of the seeds like a nice blanket. Then, place the second plate on top to create a clamshell-like setup. Doing this creates the environment the seeds need to germinate.
- Now, it’s time to wait. Place the plates in a warm area (usually around 70-85°F) like the top of your fridge or a warm, sunfilled room. Check on them daily to ensure the paper towels haven’t dried out. If they have, lightly mist them with your distilled water.
- Finally, after about 2-5 days, you should start to see the seeds germinate and the small white taproots breaking through the shell. As soon as the taproot is about a quarter to a half-inch long, it’s time to transfer the seedling to your ideal growing medium.
That's all it takes! After this, you've officially germinated seeds right at home. (And you can teach others how to germinate seeds, too.)
It’s important to remember that the taproot of your seed is very delicate: you should never touch it directly.
How Long Does it Take to Germinate Marijuana Seeds?
So, how long does it take to germinate cannabis seed plants? In general, it’s going to depend on several factors.
If you’re wondering “How long do cannabis seeds take to germinate?” you have to consider the seed’s quality and the environmental conditions provided.
However, in general, germinating cannabis seeds can take anywhere from 24-120 hours (1-5 days).
During this time, it’s crucial to maintain the proper environment for your seeds. As previously mentioned, they require moisture, warmth, and darkness. Ensure you’re keeping the area where your seeds are germinating at a consistent temperature of around 70-85 degrees Fahrenheit.
How Much Light Do Weed Seeds Need to Germinate?
Okay, but how much light do weed seeds need to germinate? Well, it may seem a bit counterintuitive, but germinating seeds do not require light at all!
In fact, it’s actually best to keep them in a dark environment all throughout this stage. The darkness mimics the natural conditions of a seed buried in the soil, which helps to trigger a germinated seed.
Once the seeds have germinated and the seedling emerges from your chosen growing medium, however, light then becomes critical. At this stage providing your young plants with plenty of light will help them grow strong and healthy — just not when you’re learning how to germinate cannabis seeds!
How to Tell if a Weed Seed Will Germinate
Before you invest time and resources into germinating cannabis seeds, it’s beneficial to know whether or not a seed is even viable in the first place.
A good, healthy seed typically has a hard shell that’s dark brown or tan. It should also be round and plump. If the seed is small, green, or white — or if it has a soft shell — it’s likely immature or unhealthy. Subsequently, it likely won’t germinate successfully, either.
You can also perform a simple “float test” to help determine your seeds’ health. Place your seeds in a glass of water and let them sit for a few hours. Generally, good seeds will sink to the bottom, while non-viable seeds will remain floating.
Tips for Learning How to Germinate Cannabis Seeds
If you want to understand how to germinate cannabis seeds successfully, there are a few tips you should know:
- Purchase High-Quality Seeds: When you buy quality seeds (like from seed banks such as Trilogene Seeds), you’re helping to guarantee a successful germination. Always purchase your cannabis seed options from reputable, transparent seed banks.
- Give Your Seeds the Right Environment: Make sure your cannabis seeds are getting the moisture, warmth, and darkness that they need to germinate. You have to make sure you can provide these conditions before you start the actual germination process.
- Be Patient: The germination process cannot be rushed, and some seeds take longer than others to sprout. You can expect to wait anywhere from 1-5 days, sometimes even longer. So, make sure you let nature take its course.
- Always Handle With Care: Your seeds and seedlings are very delicate! You have to make sure you handle them with as much care as possible.
- Keep an Eye on Your Seeds: Check on your cannabis seeds daily to ensure the medium isn’t drying out and watch for any signs of germination.
By understanding the ins and outs of germinating seeds, and by following these principles, you can successfully germinate your seeds right at home.
The process can be immensely rewarding and is the first step in a journey toward cultivating your own cannabis plants.
Whether you choose photoperiod, autoflowering, or feminized seeds, the magic of a cannabis plant all starts with a successful germination.
Where to Buy the Best Seeds for Germination
Want to learn how to germinate cannabis seeds and grow cannabis plants right at home? Well, it all starts with buying the best weed seeds. And, here at Trilogene Seeds, we have plenty for you to choose from.
Trilogene Seeds offers a huge selection of high-quality cannabis seeds that are perfect for growers both new and old. Our cannabis seed selection is always stocked and ready to give you everything you want and more -- and they're much better than your regular cannabis seeds.
We have all different types of seeds available, regardless of if you’re growing indoor or outdoor plants. And, if you have a go-to strain or two, we can almost guarantee we have your favorite strains on deck, just waiting for you to buy them.
F.A.Q
What is the best way to germinate cannabis seeds?
How long does it take to germinate cannabis seeds in a paper towel?
What can hurt cannabis seeds' germination?
How do you tell if a cannabis seed has germinated?
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