Over the next decade the cannabis industry is expected to boom, so now is a great time to get a head start on the industry’s growth potential. Learning how to properly germinate your cannabis seeds is a great place to start. Below are 10 steps, along with other tips, to help you get the process started and get you on your way to growing beautiful, healthy plants!
Have you considered what it would take to grow your own plants?
Growing your own cannabis is a process that begins with germinating the seeds. Once you know the process, you are just steps away from growing healthy plants. If you are willing to invest the time and care required, you could have your own plants in no time.
Start out right by learning how to germinate cannabis seeds for healthy plants!
Growing Your Own Cannabis Plants
Growing your own plants is a process that typically takes about four months start to finish. The first step to growing cannabis is to germinate cannabis seeds. This step requires your attention, as the remaining process depends upon the first step.
You can grow the plants indoors but the most inexpensive way to grow the plants is to grow them outside in a sunny location. Once you have established a location that is suitable to grow your plants, you can begin the process.
First, you will need to purchase cannabis seeds.
You should always purchase your seeds from a reputable company that specializes in high-quality cannabis seed sales. Purchasing high-quality seeds ensures that they are more likely to reach their growth potential and concentrations.
The seeds are surprisingly affordable. Prices start at around just fourteen euros on the cheaper end of the spectrum. Once you order and receive your seed, the process begins!
How to Germinate Cannabis Seeds
Germination is the process when the seed begins to form into a plant. Some call this process “popping”. You’ve got to give it careful consideration to ensure that it yields the best plants possible. Germination can affect the plant’s ability to grow, produce, and reach its maximum potential.
Some might say germination is the most important step in growing your own cannabis.
You need to follow a few simple steps and suggestions if you want to get the most out of your money.
Suggestions for Germinating Your Cannabis Seeds:
- When your seeds arrive, you want them to be dark with lighter accents and have a hard feel. If the seeds arrive green, then you need to wait until the seeds have matured before you attempt to germinate them.
- Make sure that when you germinate cannabis seeds you have adequately prepared for the time, space and how the seeds will be used ultimately.
- You should know that germination requires the following three things: water, heat, and air.
- There is more than one way to germinate cannabis seeds.
- For best results, soak seeds in a glass of water for 12-24 hours prior to beginning the process outlined below.
- Additives and special fertilizers are generally unnecessary for producing plants.
10 Steps to Follow When You are Ready to Begin Germination:
- First, you need to gather all of the supplies necessary for the germination process. The germination process that we recommend requires you to have two clean paper plates, distilled water, cannabis seeds and paper towels.
- You will then need to soak four of the paper towels in the distilled water. Although the paper towels should be thoroughly soaked, you do not want them to be so wet that they are dripping water. Carefully soak the paper towels generously until they are soaked as much as possible without overdoing it to the point of excess.
- Take two of the paper towels and double them evenly, one on top of the other. Then place them onto one of the paper plates. The paper plate should be on a hard leveled surface.
- Take your cannabis seeds and place them on the paper towels that are now on the paper plate. Make sure that you place the cannabis seeds at least one inch apart from one another. To germinate, they do need to have enough room to sprout properly.
- Once you have properly placed your seeds with at least an inch width between them, then you will need to line up the two remaining paper towels so that they are even, as you did with the first set of paper towels. Take the set of paper towels that you have just aligned and place them evenly on top of your cannabis seeds so that all four paper towels are aligned. There should now be two paper plates on the bottom, then the first set of two paper towels, then the seeds, and finally the last two paper towels. It is fine if the alignment is not 100% exact, but the paper towels should at least roughly line up on top of one another.
- Now, you need to create a dark space to aid the germination process. You should do this by placing the second paper place on top of the first paper plate. This will create a darkened dome space for your seeds to grow.
- You need to find and decide on a stable, warm spot to place your seeds. The spot should remain at a warm and steady temperature of between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius. The best place for your seeds is in a location that will not be disturbed by outside influences. This includes fluctuations in weather and temperature, as well as disturbances from other people or animals. It may be best if you choose a private place that will predominantly be accessible only to you. Make sure the place is a hard, flat surface that will not be moved during the germination phase. The less that the germination process is bothered, the better.
- Check your paper towels to make sure that they remain saturated. If they appear to have dried out some, you can add additional water to make sure they reach the saturation point.
- Once you have secured your spot, you should check the seeds on a daily basis to make sure that they have not been disturbed.
- You should also check to make sure that the paper towel remains saturated. If you find the towels become less saturated, you should add the appropriate amount of water to them.
What’s Next?
To fully germinate, the process may take a couple of days, or could possibly take up to a week or longer. Different seeds will germinate at varying paces.
Sometimes, seeds may not produce. They may never germinate. Hopefully, this will not be the case for any of your seeds. But do not be surprised if a seed fails to thrive in the germination phase.
If the seed does not split and you do not observe a sprout after a couple of weeks, it is probably safe to assume that it is not going to grow. All in all, germination is not a complicated process, although it may seem that way at first.
Germination is complete when the seed has split and there is a sprout that has emerged. The sprout, also known as the “tap root” is your sign that the germination has successfully taken place.
It’s important to keep the seeds as sterile as possible during the process. You should not touch or handle your seeds during germination.
Once the germination process has occurred, then the seeds are ready to be transplanted.
Transplanting Your Seeds
Now, it is time to transplant your cannabis seeds.
You will need small pots that are approximately two inches wide and two inches deep. You will also need organic potting soil.
Fill the pots with the soil so that it appears loose, not packed. Then take an object, such as a pen or pencil and stick it straight down into the soil to form a hole for the sprout.
Then you will need to pick up your sprouted seed and place it into the soil. You should not use your fingers to perform this step. In order to keep the seed sterile, you should pick it up with a pair of tweezers and place into your pot.
You will need to provide water to the plant throughout the growing process. This begins from the time you germinate cannabis seeds until they are fully mature plants.
You can use a spray bottle to water your plants. This will help you to make sure that you do not over water them at first. You want to make sure that the soil is dampened enough each day to ensure that the seed is kept in optimal conditions for maximum growth. You should not over water your seeds.
Within a week, you will begin to see your seed progress into a seedling. They will develop a tiny shoot that springs from the soil.
Now you know that you are really on the right track!
At this point, you probably need to consider getting pots that can be used once the seedling has outgrown the two-inch starter pot. The two inch pots are fine to use immediately after you germinate cannabis seeds. But once they begin to grow into mature plants, you will need to transplant them into larger pots.
Do not transfer your plants immediately, but make sure you are prepared when the time comes. Sometimes, plants will surprise you by growing faster than you might have imagined.
You can transfer your plants when they grow a few inches tall and sprout leaves. A 6-8 inch pot or larger should be used next. You may find that you continue to have to increase the pot’s size as your plant grows.
Cannabis: The Growing Trend of Growing Your Own
There seems to be a greater interest in growing cannabis than ever before. This is largely due to the discovery of its benefits within the medical field and the influx of recent information, including research and studies, that negate the harm weighing out the good.
It is difficult to argue against the major support that has been received not only from medical professionals but also from patients, government officials, business and trade analysts, investors, academia and the general population.
In a recent North American public opinion poll which included the U.S. and Canada found that 80% of people surveyed support legalization in some form. These countries are opening the door for others to follow suit. Many countries, including the UK, have begun discussions regarding the legal use of cannabis.
Cannabis is opening a new door for investors, trade, and individual proprietorship. Market trends and data regarding supply and demand seems to point to cannabis as a popular and growing industry.
While the business of cannabis continues to catapult into new dimensions, so does the case for its legitimacy in other areas as well. Individuals who have experienced the benefits of its use, or stand to benefit medically find themselves on the front lines of the argument for cannabis growth.
Patients rave about the positive effects that cannabis has had on alleviating their symptoms. Academic professionals have also become advocates of legalizing and furthering the industry.
Michael Barnes, neurologist and professor of neurological rehabilitation at the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne leads advocacy groups regarding legalization. He has performed studies that point to the benefits that cannabis provides to those suffering from various ailments and illness.
With all of the positive press that cannabis is receiving, in addition to the relaxation of laws surrounding its use, more people are interested in the process of growing the plant themselves.
It makes sense that growing one’s own plants would be of major interest considering how many people stand to reap potential benefits from this up-and-coming industry.
At the end of the day
The cannabis industry is projected to continue taking off in the coming years. More people will most likely begin to try their hand at growing their own plants.
Growing your own plants can be a cost-effective way to access cannabis. Planning and preparing will help you to grow your plants successfully. By following our recommendations, you should be able to produce your own cannabis plants in no time!
If you are looking for beginner seeds, specialty seeds, or those that produce high yielding plants, Weed Seed Shop has got you covered.