Modified on: 20/09/2022
Germinating seeds may seem like something complicated, but, if you know a few simple tricks, germination is a simple process
At SensorySeeds, we have been working with seeds for a long time and have gained considerable germination experience. For this reason, we decided to put together this guide on how to germinate any type of seed suitable for beginners.
The care and attention required to get a seed to germinate are the same as it always has been. Besides, anyone with a green thumb knows all about it. However, those who are unfamiliar with the best procedures may find them less easy.
However, it will become clear that this is not difficult: anyone can do it, as you read on.
Typically, rather than dealing with a bag of seeds, we buy or receive plants as gifts that are already nice and grown. And yet, someone may think of the experiment that almost all of us did at school as children, namely sprouting beans in a cup with a bit of cotton wool.
It may sound like child’s play, but clearly, several factors need to be considered to encourage optimal seed germination.
Let’s find out together.
How to germinate seeds in a simple way
Whether you have cannabis seeds or seeds of any other plant species, you can use various techniques when you want to germinate a seed.
You can use the classic method of placing the seeds directly in the substrate or the paper towel method. Both have advantages and disadvantages, and may be more suitable for one seed than another.
Let’s take a closer look at them both.
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Germinating seeds in the substrate
To take advantage of this seed germination method, you will need a small, not very deep pot or container.
To do a bit of recycling, you can use old plastic containers or trays (e.g., from takeaway food), but in this case, you will need to make holes in the bottom to recreate an adequate drainage system; alternatively, you can use the appropriate seed bowls.
To begin with, you need to fill the container with substrate and compost, which allows the seeds to feed for a long time and maintain the proper humidity, after which you can proceed with sowing.
When you are dealing with small seeds (such as marijuana seeds), you don’t need to plant them deeply; it is better to keep them almost at the surface and cover them with a small amount of substrate; if you have larger seeds at hand, it is better to plant them deeper. As a general rule, you should plant the seeds twice as deep as their size.
As far as watering is concerned, it is better to dose the water with a spray or atomizer in the first phase. If you use a watering can or similar device, you risk ‘drowning’ the seeds or even allowing them to slip away.
After moistening the substrate, it is also good to check that the seeds are adequately spaced out because if they are too close together, they may germinate unevenly.
At this point, it is advisable to put the pots or pots in a protected place, away from direct sunlight, but at the same time not cold. It is also better to cover them so that the compost does not dry out too quickly and the seeds remain in the dark, germinating more rapidly.
You can go and check the seeds every day, and as soon as you notice green sprouts, you can remove the cover but never expose them to the sun. The sprouted seeds should then be watered, and when the first true leaves appear, they can be transplanted.
Germinate seeds with a paper towel
For this method, you need a container with a lid that can be closed tightly.
If you want to observe the germination process as it happens, you can choose a transparent container. It would allow you to monitor the changes without interfering with them in any way.
Here is how to proceed.
Put a paper towel in the bottom of the container and moisten it carefully, but be careful: it should be damp, not dripping.
Then place the seeds on the wet paper towel, spacing them a little apart, covering the container, and putting it in a dark place where no sunlight can reach it. The container must not get too hot. Otherwise, the seeds could be affected and die.
Once the seeds have sprouted, and the seedlings have developed roots, you can transfer them to the substrate; if they are attached to the napkin, they can also be planted with the napkin itself.
Even using this method, it is best to irrigate with a water sprayer.
Read also: How much does a weed seed cost? These are the prices of the best ones!
To conclude
As we have seen, sprouting seeds can be straightforward, even for those unfamiliar with that.
After this brief discussion, we hope you found some helpful bits of advice and remind you that growing cannabis is not allowed in the UK. However, if you enjoy collecting marijuana seeds, we invite you to look at our online shop: SensorySeeds.com.
Choose from feminized seeds, auto flower seeds and fast flowering seeds and complete your collection.
We look forward to seeing you in our online store. See you soon!
