How To Best Germinate Cannabis Seeds?

How to germinate cannabis seeds best? When you get cannabis seeds, it’s essential to know how to germinate them properly. Germinating cannabis seeds can be quite tricky because the seed is fragile, and its germination rate can decline quickly with a mistake. Luckily, there are several different methods to do this. SmokingHot has tested some methods to see which ones work best. Read this blog to learn the ways we have tested so that you can germinate your seeds effectively before starting the cultivation!

Important points for germination:

Before germinating the cannabis seeds, there are some crucial points to mention:

• Cannabis seeds take approximately 2-4 days to germinate (sometimes up to a week!).
• The water or environment temperature should be between 22°C to 25°C.
• The pH level of your water should ideally be between 5.5 & 6.5 (using bottled water like Spa Blauw).
• The environment around the cannabis seed should be adequately moist (do not make it too wet!).

With these points in mind, we can start the germination process!

How to germinate cannabis seeds in a glass of water:

Germinating your cannabis seeds in a glass of water at the right temperature is a straightforward method. The downside of this method is that the seed’s root can be delicate when taking it out of the glass after germination. Also, you need to ensure that the glass remains at the correct temperature.

1. Fill a glass with water at a temperature between 22°C to 25°C.
2. Place your seeds in the glass of water (TIP: Use a transparent glass to see your seeds from the side!).
3. Put the glass in a room where it maintains a constant temperature with minimal fluctuations.
4. Wait 2-4 days until your cannabis seeds have germinated.
5. Carefully take the seeds out of the glass using tweezers, ensuring not to damage the root.
6. Place your seeds with the white root facing downwards in the soil, about 1 cm deep.

How to germinate cannabis seeds on a moist surface:

Germinating cannabis seeds on a moist surface like a cotton pad, paper towel, or our personal favorite, a coffee filter, is an easy and efficient method. The advantage of this method is that it minimizes damage to the seed’s root. The downside of a cotton pad is that it can produce lint, which can be harmful to the seedlings’ roots. The coffee filter is a favorite because it is sturdy and doesn’t easily break when moist, making it perfect for germinating cannabis seeds.

1. Use one of the mentioned moist surfaces (coffee filter is recommended!) and make sure it is wet at a temperature between 22°C to 25°C.
2. Place your seeds carefully on the moist surface with enough space between them.
3. Ensure the surface is sealed to make both sides of the seeds moist (use two cotton pads on top of each other, fold the paper towel, and close the coffee filter).
4. Put the moist surface in a large ziplock bag where no air can come in and keep it closed!
5. Place the ziplock bag in a spot with a constant temperature, minimal fluctuations, and preferably complete darkness (like a closed kitchen cabinet or desk drawer).
6. Wait 2-4 days until your cannabis seeds have germinated.
7. Carefully remove the seeds from the moist surface without damaging the root (use tweezers if necessary).
8. Place your seeds with the white root facing downwards in the soil, about 1 cm deep.

How to germinate cannabis seeds directly in the soil:

You can also germinate your cannabis seeds directly in the soil. This method takes longer than the previous ones but is still viable. The downside of this method is that you cannot see if the seeds have germinated, and the seed is more vulnerable when planting it directly into the soil. With this method, you must keep the soil constantly moist!

1. Moisten the soil thoroughly.
2. Make a small hole in the center of the soil, about 1 cm deep, where you can place the seeds.
3. Place the seeds in the hole.
4. Cover the seeds with some soil on top.
5. Place the soil with seeds in a room with a constant temperature, minimal fluctuations (preferably around 22°C).
6. Check the soil’s moisture daily, and if necessary, make it wetter.
7. Wait 4-10 days until the cannabis seeds have germinated.
8. The plants will grow on their own with this method, pushing the seed upwards.

If your cannabis seeds don’t germinate:

The germination of cannabis seeds usually takes 2-4 days, but sometimes it can take up to a week. So, be patient during the germination process. Also, make sure you have followed the important points for germination. Occasionally, some seeds may not germinate (after all, they are natural products). If the cannabis seeds still don’t germinate after following all the steps, you can try a last resort: Hydrogen Peroxide.

How to germinate cannabis seeds with Hydrogen Peroxide:

Germinating cannabis seeds with Hydrogen Peroxide is quite simple. A bottle of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide costs a few euros at the drugstore. This special substance is also known as oxygenated water, in short, water with extra oxygen. Your cannabis seeds respond well to this, as they love extra oxygen. Follow the steps of “How to germinate cannabis seeds in a glass of water” above. Replace the glass of water with a mixture of 1/6 part hydrogen peroxide and 5/6 part water, and go through the same steps.

Useful products for growing cannabis plants:

• Cannabis seeds
• Plagron
• Easy Boost