How to germinate cannabis seeds with different techniques

Preparing cannabis seeds for easier germination

If you look at the edges of a cannabis seed, you'll notice that there's a seam all the way around, and that it's more pronounced on one side - like a ridge. This ridge comes off quite easily and then allows the cannabis seeds to pop right out of their shells with ease.

Scarification
Grip the cannabis seed between your thumb and forefinger with the ridge side up, then using the sharp edge of a small pocket-knife or paring knife, very gently scrape at a 90 degree angle across the ridge and you'll see it come right off, exposing a slight opening along the edge of the cannabis seed. Take extra care not to squeeze the cannabis seed at all, but spin it around to finish scraping the other end of the ridge [on the same side] Cannabis seeds can take anywhere between 12 hours and 3 weeks to germinate. Most cannabis seeds that do not germinate under good germination/grow conditions are considered non-viable seeds. The 4 main reasons why a cannabis seed is not viable is as follows. [This method is not recommended for first time growers]

[1]The cannabis seed has been damaged.
[2]The cannabis seed is immature.
[3]The cannabis seed is too old.
[4]The cannabis seed can not absorb water.

Sometimes 3 and 4 go hand in hand. If a cannabis seed does not pop, then most people chuck the cannabis seed. Here is method to help you germinate seeds that may still be viable but are having trouble germinating. The process is called Scuffing. Dig up your cannabis seeds that have not germinated [wait at least 3 weeks]. Get a small box [match box is good] Put sand paper into the box. Put cannabis seeds into the box. Shake around for 30 seconds to 1 minute. The sand paper will wear down the seed coat, making it easier for the seed coat to absorb water and split open.

Seed Prep - Then put the cannabis seed into a small container of room temperature filtered/distilled water without any additives for about 18 to 24 hours. Next gently transfer your pre-soaked cannabis seeds to a pair of wet paper towels [pre-warmed to room temperature], maybe in a large tupperware-like covered container. Misting the paper towels daily so it stays nice and damp [but without any standing water puddles in the folds of the towels]. Don't let the towels get too cold, because the wet paper towels will always get chilly fast, so they must be kept in a constantly warm area [but dark]. A heating pad may be required to maintain 78°F to 80°F | 25.5°C to 26.5°C throughout germination.

We use a regular heating pad set on low, covered with a light towel to buffer the heat, and on a timer, set to go on and off every half-hour. Make sure they are kept in a very temperature stable area. We use a digital temp gauge, the kind that is not expensive and have a probe on the end of a wire, so you can place the probe right into the wet paper towels. [note: place seeds on top of the fridge if you don’t have a rootmat]

Sprouting - Cannabis seeds should sprout within a few days; when they do, they must be transferred to the medium with great care when the taproot has come out about 0.25 inch to 0.5 inch | 6 mm to 12.5 mm. We find that a 0.5 inch | 12.5 mm tap root seems to be the best. When it's much shorter, they tend to get shocked and die easier, and if it's much longer, there's more risk of damage.

They are very delicate at this stage; sprouted cannabis seeds can be killed by rough handling, damaging the tap root, or if the soil or medium they're put into has not been properly prepared in advance to the right moisture and temp.

If you're using a soil mix, We usually add about 25% perlite and 25% vermiculite to 50% pre-sterilized Supersoil. Using a pencil or something to prepare a hole for your seedling, and lower it in with the taproot down first and the cannabis seed end up. Gently pack or fill in the hole fairly loosely around the taproot, covering the top of the seed by about 0.25 | 6 mm , and we water them with an eyedropper or a spray bottle set on mist.

Post germination - Now you'll want to place them under fluorescent lighting about 4 inches to 6 inches | 10 cm to 15 cm away and mist them down daily. Continue to ensure they are kept warm enough, because when the wet medium cools off at night down toward 60°F | 15.5°C it can shock and slow them down or possibly even kill them.

How to germinate seeds in soil

Here is a method of germinating cannabis seeds that does not resort to paper towels or plastic bags, and the risk of rot these methods bring. Place cannabis seeds in a bowl, and fill the bowl with room temperature tap water. Cover the bowl with card or newspaper and place in a cupboard overnight [12 to 15 hours]. Saturate the soil in your prepared pots with water, then create a small circular depression in the center of the pot. Place each cannabis seed in its own pot, in the center of the depression, pointed tip down. Cover the soil over the cannabis seed, so that is no more than 0.125 inch to 0.25 inch | 3 mm to 6 mm deep. Repeat with all cannabis seeds. Leave sown cannabis seeds for six hours in darkness, then switch on your lights and leave them on. The latest time we used this method, we got 100% germination, and seedlings began erupting from the soil within two days. All viable cannabis seeds should germinate.

Seed germination in rockwool

Get a jar 500ml | 16oz and fill with distilled water. Than add a 2 to 3 drops of superthrive and shake well. Get an aquarium pump and put an air stone in the jar to keep the water aerated. Drop in your cannabis seeds. Check your cannabis seeds every 6 hours for cracking. Viable cannabis seeds will crack within 2 to 3 days at most. Than Pre-soak the rockwool cubes with 1/4 strength Maxicrop solution. Gently place the cracked cannabis seeds 0.125 inch | 3 mm deep into rockwool cubes. Stick a toothpick in next to cannabis seed hole and gently "lever" toward the cannabis seed to ensure it is in full contact with rockwool. Place the cubes in a tray and cover it with humidity dome. Now place the tray under 2 to 4 foot of lights. Remove the dome once the cannabis seeds sprout.

Soil germination problems

You ever wonder why those seeds don’t germinate? Here are some things that might stop your cannabis seeds from germinating in soil!

Too Wet
Cannabis seeds need to be damp, not wet for germination. Excess water prevents oxygen getting to the seed. Poorly drained soils may also cause soil fungus diseases. The condition of wet soils may be improved by adding perlite. which will aerate your soil.

Too Dry
A certain amount of water is essential for germination, so maintaining a constant soil moisture during the germination period is vital, cover containers with glass or glad wrap to prevent you soil drying out.

Too Hot
High temperatures result in excessive soil desiccation and injury to cannabis seeds and seedlings.

Too Cold
Cold temperatures can kill seedlings and prevent germination. Cool temperatures can result in slow, un-even germination, and attack by soil diseases. You may want to start your cannabis seeds indoors, before outplanting. Make sure planting dose not done too early, when it is stll cold and there is a frost hazard.

Planting Too Deep
This will result in delayed emergence. Cannabis seeds may not be able to grow enough to reach the surface on the limited food storage within the cannabis seed. Soil temperature is also lower with depth. Plant your cannabis seed 0.5 inch to 1 inch | 12.5 mm to 25 mm down for best results.

Planting cannabis seeds Too Shallow
If you plant your cannabis seeds to shallow the cannabis seeds can dry out.

Soil Too Firm
Making your soil mix to firm can prevent oxygen getting to your cannabis seeds also drainage is also affected.

Soil Too Loose
Soil which is too loose results in too much air surrounding the cannabis seed, and they will not absorb moisture and will most likely dry out.

Soil fungus
Cannabis seeds may root or seedlings fall over. Overwatering, poor drainage and lack of aeration will increase the likelihood of this occurring. Plant cannabis seeds in sterilized potting mix, and make sure you containers are clean.

Non Viable cannabis seeds
If your cannabis seeds have not been stored correctly they can deteriorate. Look for dark brown cannbis seeds. Avoid and light colored or whitish cannabis seeds as they are not mature.