How to Germinate and Transplant Cannabis Seeds
How to Germinate and Transplant Cannabis Seeds
While it’s a bit early to begin germinating seeds for the outdoor growing season here in Northern California, if you’re an indoor grower, there’s no time like the present! Starting a cannabis plant from seed can be a rewarding endeavor, allowing you full control over your plant from the very beginning. If you plan on creating a mother plant from which to gather your own clones, you’ll absolutely want to start from seed to begin with the strongest, purest genetics. Just like in sci-fi movies, the more times a clone is copied and recloned, the weaker its genetics become.
Germinating and transplanting is quite easy but does require some care. Your little plant will be delicate and poor handling can damage it easily.
Let’s get started!
- Choose your seeds. You can find seeds at your local dispensary. The Natural Cannabis Company carries several different seed providers and has many strains to choose from. They can also be bought online.
- Gather your germination materials. You’ll need paper towels, water and some type of covered container. This can be anything from a lidded kitchen storage container to a bowl covered with a dish towel. If you use clear glass, you’ll be able to keep an eye on your sprout’s progress without opening the dish.
- Place the paper towel at the bottom of the container and moisten. You want the paper towel to be saturated but not soggy. There should be no puddles of water in the bottom of your dish.
- Arrange your seeds. Sprinkle the seeds you want to germinate onto the wet paper towel, slightly spaced apart. You can germinate different types of cannabis seeds together, just keep them in separate areas so you know which is which. Cover the container and place somewhere warm but not in direct sun. You don’t want it to get too hot and kill your seeds!
- Wait. Some seeds may sprout right away, others may take up to a week. Some may not sprout at all. Once the seeds begin to sprout you will want to plant them in soil right away. Choose the seeds that have developed the strongest looking roots. This will be the plant’s main taproot, so it’s important to choose the best ones.
- Pot. When the seed has produced a root, it’s time to place it in a loose, airy soil. Small 2” pots are a great size to put seedlings in. Fill with soil and then poke a small hole in the middle with a pen or your finger. Using tweezers, gently pick up the seed, careful not to touch the offshoot, and place it in the hole. Gently fill in over the seed, but don’t pack the soil. Keep it loose. If your seed has grown into the paper towel, don’t fret. Just tear off the piece it’s attached to and plant that!
- Mist gently with water. You don’t want to drench the soil and drown your little sprout! Continue to water this way as needed. If you keep the soil moist and the temperature warm, you should soon see little plants poking up out of the soil. Congratulations! Let’s hope it’s a girl!
If you are growing from seed for the outdoor season in Northern California, you should wait until spring’s initial unpredictable weather is over if you don’t have an indoor light set-up. One harsh rain or overnight frost can quickly kill delicate, young cannabis plants.
Not ready to start from seed? All Natural Cannabis Company locations also carry clones! Stop by the garden department and speak to our knowledgeable staff for tips and help choosing the right strains to get your garden started from seed or clone!