How to Grow Marijuana From Seed: A Step-by-Step Guide
There’s nothing quite like watching your own marijuana plants grow from seed to stalk. Growing your own marijuana, indoors or outdoors, can not only be a fun way to spend time. It’s also a way to ensure a completely pesticide-free product. While growing from seeds takes a little bit of time and effort, it’s often well worth it. This article will equip you to begin growing marijuana from seed.
What is needed for Marijuana Seeds to Germinate?
Germinating seeds is a way of “waking up” your seed, bringing it from dormancy into an activated state so that it will begin to grow.
Like infants of any species, marijuana seeds perfect, comfortable environments in order to give them a head start on life. There are a few different methods you can use to germinate marijuana seeds. They include soil and water germination, or using a sprouter commonly used for other seeds such as alfalfa. Below, we’ve outlined a simple step-by-step process that doesn’t require any special equipment – only a couple segments of paper towel.
How to Acquire Marijuana Seeds
The best way to acquire marijuana seeds is to visit a licensed dispensary in your area. You can also look into purchasing weed online as well. Keep in mind that the legality of marijuana varies state by state, and also by medical versus recreational uses. So be sure to brush up on the laws near you. If you live in a state where medical, but not recreational, marijuana is legal, you may need a prescription in order to make any purchase.
How to germinate cannabis seeds
Below are some simple steps that will help you sprout marijuana seeds and get them ready for planting.
- Wet one sheet of paper towel so that it is damp, but not dripping. Lay it across a plate.
- Place your marijuana seeds onto the paper towel, about an inch apart.
- Cover with another sheet of paper towel.
- Place the plate into a dark area. This can be a kitchen cabinet that doesn’t get opened too frequently, or a closet. You can also cover the plate with a bowl and leave it on your counter. The ideal temperature for the seeds is around 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Over the next few days, keep an eye on the seeds. Ensure the towels remain moist. Once you begin to see a white root begin to appear from the seeds, it is ready for planting.
Transplanting germinated cannabis seeds
One thing you’ll learn as you grow marijuana from seed is that transplanting germinated seeds requires a delicate touch. It’s advisable to get some tweezers for the task, since the seed and root are extremely fragile and can easily break between clumsy fingertips.
The first step to transplanting is to prepare a small pot. Fill it with soil, and using a pen or pencil, make a hole about a half an inch deep. Then, using tweezers, pluck your seed from the paper towel and carefully place it into the hole. Cover with soil and spritz with a little water. Then, sit back and wait for the little green leaves to appear. It can occur within a day or so, but it can also take longer, so be patient.
What to Avoid When Planting and Germinating Weed Seeds
There are a few mistakes to be aware of when germinating and planting cannabis seeds. Especially if this is your first attempt, be aware of the following:
- Cleanliness is key. Seeds require a sterile environment to grow, particularly when the root has just emerged. Be sure to use clean water when soaking the paper towels -distilling the water beforehand is a wise idea. And try to avoid touching the seeds as much as possible, since this can introduce harmful bacteria that can hinder growth and even be lethal to seeds.
- Letting the root grow too long. The root, also known as the taproot or radicle, is very delicate. If it is allowed to grow too long, it may adhere to the paper towel, and can easily break off during attempts to free the root from the paper.
- Crowding pots. When planting, be sure to give each seed adequate space. In smaller pots, stick to one seed per pot. Putting seeds too close together can lead to overcrowding later on in the grow.
What is the Level of Difficulty in Growing from Seeds?
Generally, growing your own weed from seeds is easier than beginning from clones, even though this may seem counterintuitive. While clones can reduce the time it takes to reach the harvest stage, clones can be problematic. The plants can easily get traumatized during the transport and repotting stages, which can slow their growth, render them susceptible to illness or even cause death. They can also be exposed to bacteria or other pathogens during the transport process which can seriously affect their health.
Growing from seeds, on the other hand, is a more fool-proof way to begin your marijuana harvest. The only transport occurs from the sprouter to the pot.
Conclusion
Those who grow marijuana from seed know it can be a great alternative to buying dried cannabis from dispensaries. Growing marijuana from the comfort of your own home or garden is a gratifying way to take your enjoyment of the cannabis sativa plant to a whole other level.
