How To Grow Cannabis Seeds: Step-By-Step Beginner’s Guide

More people are looking to growing their own cannabis at home, with changes in legalization and cannabis technology making it easier than ever to be the proud parent of premium, homegrown plants.  But, as you probably guessed, cultivating gorgeous plants with big, flavorful, and cannabinoid-rich buds is easier said than done.  The process of growing from seed to mature plant involves a lot of technique and knowledge.  But, we’re here to help, with our favorite tips for successfully germinating your cannabis seeds, which is the first step to a satisfactory yield.

TO BUY CANNABIS SEEDS STRAIN CLICK HERE

Why Do Cannabis Seeds Need to Be Grown Properly?

Growing cannabis seeds properly is crucial for several reasons, each contributing to the final quality and quantity of the harvest:

1. Optimal Germination: Properly starting cannabis seeds increases the likelihood of successful germination. Factors like moisture, temperature, and light need to be carefully controlled to ensure seeds can sprout.
2. Healthy Plant Development: Cannabis plants, like any other, require specific conditions to thrive, including the right soil pH, nutrients, and light exposure.  Proper care ensures healthy growth and development, leading to robust plants.
3. Maximized Yield: The goal of growing cannabis is often to achieve the highest possible yield.  Proper techniques in watering, pruning, and training plants can significantly impact the amount of usable cannabis produced.
4. Quality of Product: The quality of cannabis, including potency, aroma, and flavor, is directly influenced by how the plant is grown.  Variables such as light intensity, nutrient schedules, and harvesting time play critical roles in developing the desired chemical profiles.
5. Pest and Disease Management: Cannabis plants are susceptible to various pests and diseases. A proper growing setup can help prevent outbreaks, while an understanding of how to deal with infestations or infections can save a crop from ruin.
6. Resource Efficiency: Growing cannabis efficiently means using resources like water, nutrients, and electricity (for indoor grows) wisely.  Good practices ensure that these inputs contribute to plant growth without waste or environmental harm.
7. Legal Compliance: In regions where cannabis cultivation is regulated, adhering to legal guidelines is essential.  Correct growing practices help ensure that growers stay within the limits of the law regarding plant counts, grow methods, and security measures.

Our Favorite Grow Tips for the Best Germination Possible

Cannabis seeds are relatively easy to buy nowadays, and they come in a huge variety of strains to choose from.  Once you receive your seeds, the first step is to germinate them.  “Germinating” means that you’re taking a seed out of dormancy and bringing it back to life, so to speak, by initiating the growth process, in which it develops into a seedling.  

Germinating is a simple biological process of any plant, but there are ways to get it wrong, especially if you’re a newbie.  Let’s cover our favorite tips for successfully germinating your cannabis seeds so that they have everything they need to become strong and vibrant plants.

Tip #1: Be Mindful of Your Soaking Time

Easily, the most common method for germinating cannabis seeds is soaking them in a glass of water for 24 hours, or until you see a taproot – that is, a tail on the seed that is actually the beginning of a root, which can then root itself into your growing mixture (aka soil, etc.).

Now, all seeds need the right balance of hydrogen and oxygen in order to be healthy and happy.  When it comes to germinating, the timing is what matters the most.  Keeping your seeds in water for longer than it takes to develop a taproot can cause them to drown and die.  If, after 24 hours, no taproot develops, it’s likely that the seed isn’t viable, which happens.

Tip #2: Storage When Germinating Matters

Now you know that soaking your cannabis seeds in water is totally effective at germinating.  But, the environment around the seeds can make a big difference.  Seeds need a lot of energy in order to germinate, and besides that, their compounds can break down if they’re exposed to harsh environmental factors like light, humidity, and heat, ruining their ability to produce a root and receive nourishment.  

When germinating your seeds, we urge you to keep the glass of water in which they’re soaking away from these factors, and stick to a cabinet or similarly dark, dry, and room-temperature area.

Tip #3: Consider the Water You’re Using to Germinate

Yes, tap water can be an effective agent for seed germination.  But, distilled water is better, because it’s cleaner in that it doesn’t contain all of those extra minerals found in tap water that can overload and potentially harm the seeds.  Distilled water is cheap and easy to find, so it’s worth the effort. 

Another thing to be mindful of is the pH balance of the water – that is, how acidic it is.  Seeds germinate best in slightly acidic water as the acid helps them digest the nutrients that they’ll eventually be fed.  You can find pH tester kits easily, and if you’re using tap water, you’ll need to leave the water out in the open for 24 hours for the chlorine to dissipate.  With distilled water, you can skip that step.  Basically, the ideal reading on your pH tester is anywhere from 6.0 to 7.0.

Tip #4: Be Careful with the Taproot

The taproot that develops once each cannabis seed has germinated is incredibly fragile.  This is why you should do everything that you can to avoid touching it.  As you transfer each seed from water to your growing medium, such as soil, consider using tweezers to do so gently, without damaging the taproot in the process.

Tip #5: Keep Males and Females Separate

Male seeds do not produce cannabinoid-rich flowers like female plants, and so they’re usually discarded once the sex can be identified as the plant matures.  We urge you to keep male and female plants separated, because if a male plant fertilizes an adjacent female plant, the female plant will put less energy into producing high-cannabinoid buds, and more energy into developing seeds, which can lead to a disappointing harvest.

Tip #6: Stick to Organic Seeds

Organic cannabis is easily the way to go, since you’ll avoid all those environmental toxins like pesticides that you don’t want to be consuming later on.  Besides that, organic seeds are arguably healthier and more likely to germinate.  So, find organic cannabis seeds, and at the same time, make sure you’re sticking to organic growing methods during the entire cultivation process, avoiding the use of toxic materials that aid in the growth process.

Tip #7: Climate and Temperature

Cannabis seeds, like those of many plants, have specific temperature ranges within which they germinate best.  Temperature affects not just their germination rate but also their health and vitality as they grow.  Adjusting planting times and employing temperature control methods are crucial steps for growers aiming for successful cannabis cultivation.  Here’s a general overview of how cannabis seeds react to different temperatures:

Cold Temperatures

• Below 10°C (50°F): Very low temperatures can severely slow down or completely halt the germination process.  Cannabis seeds may not germinate at all if they’re kept too cold, as the seeds remain dormant in these conditions.
• Cold, but above freezing: While some seeds might still germinate, the process will be much slower, and the seedlings could be weaker or stunted.

Ideal Temperatures

• 21°C to 29°C (70°F to 85°F): This is the ideal temperature range for cannabis seed germination.  Within this range, seeds are likely to germinate more quickly and produce healthy, vigorous seedlings.  The warmth helps to stimulate enzyme activity within the seed, promoting healthy growth.

Warm Temperatures

• Above 29°C (85°F): Higher temperatures can accelerate germination but may also increase the risk of problems.  Very high temperatures can lead to increased moisture loss from the soil and can stress young seedlings, potentially leading to poor plant health later on.
• Extremely High Temperatures: Temperatures exceeding 35°C (95°F) can damage the seeds, potentially killing them or resulting in poor germination rates and weak seedlings.

Humidity and Moisture

It’s also important to consider humidity and moisture levels in conjunction with temperature.  Cannabis seeds require a moist environment to germinate properly, but excessive moisture, combined with high temperatures, can lead to issues like mold or fungal diseases.  Conversely, too little moisture in high temperatures can cause the seeds to dry out.

Adaptive Measures:

• Temperature Control: Growers often use controlled environments like greenhouses or indoor setups with regulated heating to maintain optimal germination temperatures.
• Seasonal Planting: Outdoor growers should plant seeds during times of the year when the soil temperature is likely to remain within the ideal range.

Follow These Tips for Successful Seed Germination!

Growing cannabis from seed for the first time can be intimidating – we get it.  But, with the right techniques and tips, you’ll really reduce the chances of an unsuccessful yield.  We encourage you to follow these tips carefully, as they’re tried-and-true by longtime, successful cultivators.  Also, don’t forget that the quality of seed matters, which’s why you should stick with a trusted brand like STRNG Seeds to end up with the highest-quality, freshest seeds possible, in the strains that you’re looking to grow at home.

The process of growing from seed to mature plant involves a lot of technique and knowledge. Once you receive your seeds, the first step is to germinate them.  “Germinating” means that you’re taking a seed out of dormancy and bringing it back to life, so to speak, by initiating the growth process, in which it develops into a seedling.  At STRNG Seeds, you will end up with the highest-quality, freshest seeds possible in the strains that you’re looking to grow at home.

TO BUY CANNABIS SEEDS STRAIN CLICK HERE