How to germinate marijuana seeds

Marijuana seeds germination depends on many factors, both internal and external. The most important external factors include: water, oxygen, temperature, light and proper soil. Some cannabis seeds strains, like pure sativas require up to 5 C degrees / 10 F degrees higher temperature because they come from much hottter climate.

During germination, marijuana seeds awaken from their natural inactivity. Breaking seeds dormancy happens by contact with water of the room temperature. As soon as the seed has absorbed a sufficient amount of water during presoaking, the seedling begins to form its root system. Next the marijuana seeds break through their shell. Once the seed coat is cracked, the germinating seedling requires lots of oxygen for its metabolism. Oxygen is vital for successful germination, so do not drown your seeds, allow contact with air after first 24 hours. If the soil is waterlogged, it might cut off the necessary oxygen supply and prevent the seed from germinating as it prevents aerobic respiration, which is the main source for the seedling's energy until it starts to photosynthesize. At this time light and soil have to be provided to mantain healthy germination process.

There are simple steps to follow for successful germination of cannabis seeds:

Presoaking of marijuana seeds
Put some moist tissues on a plate. Put your seeds on top of them and then put a layer of moist tissues on the seeds. Cover the plate with another upturned plate, so they are in darkness and the environment remains moist. Put the covered cannabis seeds in a warm place (21°C). Check the cannabis seeds for sprouts every 48 hours and spray the tissues with water if necessary to keep them moist but not wet. Move the seeds when they get open and the tip of the root comes out 1mm-3mm. Put the seed in a growth medium of your choice, approximately 5mm under the surface with the pointed tip up (the tip where the root comes out).

Sowing in the growing medium
Place your marijuana seeds under the surface in the growing medium at approximately 5mm under surface. sprinkle the growth medium with water to make it moist, but make sure that the soil does not become too wet. Because air contact is very important for its metabolism, make sure that the soil remains sufficiently airy. Cover the pot with a see through plastic to retain moisture. Make sure that the excess water is able to drain away properly. Remove the cover as soon as the seedlings reach above the medium. Also rockwool is a fine germination environment for the cannabis seeds.

Outside growing
Although it is possible to have your cannabis seeds germinate immediately outdoors, they are way too expensive for such a risky try, besides the germination percentage will be much lower if just planted oudoors, where germination rate will be considerably higher if you first germinate indoors.

Beginner's germination safety
Germinate your cannabis seeds in small batches of 2 seeds, this way if you make a mistake in your germination procedure you will loose only a few of your cannabis seeds. Further you will be able to learn from your mistakes and still have a few seeds for next, hopefully successful attempt to germinate next batch. This method is called newbie germination risk management and works very well :-)

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