Published on: 29/10/2023
FROM THE MOST USED TECHNIQUES TO THE LEGISLATION ON THE GERMINATION OF MARIJUANA SEEDS
Germinating cannabis seeds and growing a plant is the desire of many marijuana lovers but before doing so it would be good to know what the law says about it. In the UK, in fact, the sale and purchase of these seeds is legal but it is not to germinate them.
The issue concerns the fact that cannabis seeds do not contain THC, therefore they cannot fall into that category of products with a high tetrahydrocannabidiol content and, therefore, be considered illegal. In particular, in the UK the tolerated rate of THC in cannabis derivatives is set at 0.5%.
Therefore, marijuana seeds are absolutely legal like the seeds of other common plants, as they themselves do not have any doping effect. The problem would arise if you let them germinate, since the born hemp plant would then produce inflorescences rich in THC, well beyond the allowed.
In other countries however, the cultivation of cannabis seeds at home for personal consumption is tolerated but its free use on the streets is not. Let’s now go and see what are the main methods for making them germinate in the States where it is allowed.
Indoor vs Outdoor Growing: Which Should You Choose for Marijuana Seeds?
In places where the law allows it, marijuana seeds are grown both outdoors and inside specially designed structures. However, generally, novice growers decide to grow seeds indoors. In this way it is possible to monitor more carefully the processes and evolutions that the plant undergoes during its growth, moreover, germination takes place in a climatically stable environment, with all the positive consequences that this entails.
Outside, in fact, the climatic conditions can change from one moment to the next and the beautiful sunny days can suddenly be replaced by heavy rains or downpours, capable of damaging the seedlings even significantly.
To this are added other negative factors for outdoor cultivation such as, for example, the presence of parasites and other animals that could feed on the plants.
Therefore, for various reasons, it might be safer to keep the seeds in a well-sheltered place, where they can germinate more easily.
In the first stage of life, cannabis seedlings are particularly delicate, therefore it is necessary to take care of them in the best possible way and protect them as much as possible. Growers in countries where cultivation is legal usually equip themselves with germination greenhouses, which keep the plants sheltered from external agents or bad weather of any kind.
Being hasty and inattentive during the first phase of growth can be lethal for seedlings, and professional growers know this well. To allow the weed seeds to hatch, a temperature ranging between 26°C and 28°C must be maintained. For this purpose, specific lamps and thermostats are used, capable of detecting any temperatures that are inadequate for growth.
Another important thing when planting cannabis seeds following the traditional methodology (whether it is fast flowering seeds, feminized seeds or autoflowering is indifferent) is to get a good substrate.
Read also:The best cannabis seeds in 2023: discover the top strains
Direct germination in the substrate: a classic among cannabis growers
To take advantage of this method of seed germination, it will be necessary to provide yourself with a small and not very deep pot or container.
To do some recycling, you can use old plastic containers or trays (for example those of take-away food), but in this case it is necessary to make holes in the bottom, so that an adequate drainage system can be recreated ; alternatively, the special trays can be used.
To start, you need to fill the container with substrate and compost, the substances that will allow the weed seeds to feed for a long time and to maintain the right humidity, after which it is possible to proceed with sowing.
When dealing with small seeds (such as fast flowering seeds) it is not necessary to plant them deeply, on the contrary, it is better to keep them almost on the surface and cover them with a small amount of substrate; if, on the other hand, you have larger seeds on hand, it will be better to plant them deeper. As a general rule, in fact, seeds are usually planted at a depth equal to twice their size.
As for irrigation, in the first phase it is better to dose the water with a spray or nebulizer. Using a watering can or other similar tool, in fact, you would risk ‘drowning’ the seeds, or even making them slip away.
Furthermore, after having moistened the substrate, it is good to check that the seeds are adequately spaced because, if they remained too close, they could germinate irregularly.
At this point it is advisable to place the pots or seed trays in a protected place, away from direct sunlight, but which at the same time is not cold. It’s also better to cover them, this way the compost won’t dry out too quickly and the seeds will stay in the dark, sprouting faster.
You can go and check the seeds every day, and as soon as you notice green shoots you can remove the lid, but never expose them to the sun. Subsequently, the sprouted seeds will be watered and when the first real leaves appear, they can be transplanted.
This type of seed germination is called direct germination in the substrate, but it is not the only one possible, in fact there are other types of germination that can be used. Let’s find out the main ones.
The jiffy pot technique: a professional method for germinating marijuana seeds
Another technique for germinating weed seeds, more professional than the previous ones, is to use jiffy pots. But what are jiffys?
These are discs of dehydrated peat, of various sizes, created specifically for the germination of the seeds of any plant, including cannabis seeds. Their cost is rather negligible and it is a method widely used in industrial crops, as it gives excellent guarantees on the germination of the seeds.
Using them is very simple, just immerse them in warm water with a pH between 6 and 7, possibly enriched with a root stimulant, and once inflated let them drain well without squeezing them. Once this is done, the marijuana seeds must be positioned in the appropriate hole, making sure to press so that they sink for about half a centimeter.
At this point, just place the jiffys with the seeds in a grow box or in a dark and warm place and wait for the cotyledons, the first two rounded cannabis buds, to sprout. The humidity level of the jiffys must always be monitored, preventing them from drying out, especially in the first 48 hours, possibly adding water but without soaking them excessively.
Once the cannabis seedlings are born, the jiffy must be transferred directly into the substrate: if we are talking about autoflowering marijuana seeds, it is better to move them directly into the definitive pot, if instead they are feminized seeds it is advisable to go first for a smaller pot.
Alternatively, the rockwool germination method is also widely used.
This mode requires a few more precautions, but on the other hand it seems to be very safe for the roots. Once the seeds have been placed in the rockwool cubes, we proceed to moisten them and place them inside a mini-greenhouse or on a tray. After a few days the sprouts will already be visible.
Those who choose this option, before inserting the seeds must make sure to immerse the rock wool cubes in water with an acid pH. Furthermore, it is necessary to monitor the humidity status of the cubes, which tend to dry out very quickly.
The easy germination of cannabis seeds with cotton
The advantages of the cotton method are: maximum simplicity, cost savings and guarantee of achieving the best result.
The only things you need are:
cotton balls;
two cooking plates;
a spray bottle;
cannabis seeds of good quality and sufficiently mature.
The cotton balls keep the ganja seeds moist, but also protected and these are the most important characteristics for a method that must guarantee germination.
For any type of seeds, whether they are fast flowering seeds, autoflowering or feminized seeds, the situation is the same.
Let’s see together step by step what this method consists of:
first of all, you need to take a couple of balls and place some seeds between them;
therefore, it is necessary to moisten them with a very normal garden nebulizer spray.
They must not be completely soaked in water, for this reason it is advisable to nebulize and not to water them abundantly;
the balls must be placed between two plates, or a bowl can be used by turning it upside down, plastic is always better to avoid;
you need to make sure that the temperature is constant, around 20°C, and avoid leaving them exposed to the elements. In short, to guarantee their budding it is necessary to keep them in a humid place;
within 4-5 days the seeds should begin to open and the first small root will appear.
As promised, a super easy method that can be applied by anyone, also advantageous on an economic level, given the few tools one needs to implement it. Furthermore, the germination guarantee of this method (provided you use quality cannabis seeds) allows you to save money that would otherwise have to be invested in more advanced equipment.
The Scottex method: an easy way to germinate cannabis seeds
The germination of cannabis seeds according to the scottex method is one of the most popular methods in recent years, probably due to the ease of finding the necessary material and the simplicity of implementation.
But what is it about in detail? Let’s see it together.
The first step to take, in addition to obviously recovering valuable marijuana seeds, is to find a plastic box that lends itself well to the cause. The ideal is that it is medium-small in size and that it has a lid. In fact, it is important that the box is able to keep the humidity inside and that the seeds stay warm. Furthermore, the bottom and the lid should have small holes to allow a minimum air circulation and avoid the collection of excessive quantities of water which could ‘drown’ the seeds.
Once the ideal container has been identified, the next phase consists in choosing the absorbent paper to be used.
It may seem silly, but it’s not. The paper towel that will be chosen, in fact, will stay in close contact with the delicate shoots and it is better that these are not exposed to contact with chemical agents that would be absorbed by the young seedling. For this reason it is inadvisable to use paper towels with colored drawings or writing. It is also better that it is not too thick or resistant, since it could hold the roots with excessive force and compromise the transplant phase.
At this point, everything is ready to start, starting with cutting out a dozen sheets of absorbent paper so that they can be placed in the container without forming creases. Then, the scottex must be moistened with water. It is important that the sheets are well soaked in water throughout their surface, without however being excessively soaked. In this case, a nebulizer can offer invaluable help in obtaining the right humidity.
As for the water to be used, it is advisable to make sure that it is low in limestone, such as drinking water, and that it is at room temperature.
Now it is possible to arrange the cannabis bsf seeds inside the container, leaving enough space between them, in order to prevent that buds and roots intertwine and can be easily broken when they are decanted.
But where to store the seedbed, to be sure of encouraging and not hindering germination?
The ideal is to keep it in warm areas of the house, preferably near a heat source. At this stage, temperature is the most important environmental factor. In fact, the light is not decisive and there is no need to worry about it, at least until the map is obtained.
Read also: The story of the link between cannabis and meditation
In conclusion
When germinating cannabis seeds, it is essential to provide the plants with a suitable environment, with the correct temperature and humidity. The use of specific lamps and thermostats can help ensure healthy seedling growth.
There are several germination techniques, such as direct germination in substrate, using jiffy pots, germinating in rockwool and using cotton. Each of these methodologies has its advantages and can be suitable for different needs, and we have examined them all in this article in order to give you all the information you are looking for.
Hoping that this insight has satisfied your curiosities about this topic, we take the opportunity to invite you to visit our Sensoryseeds store.
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CANNABIS SEED GERMINATION TAKEAWAYS
The sale and purchase of cannabis seeds are legal in the UK, but germinating them is illegal since marijuana plants can produce inflorescences with a high THC content, beyond the permitted limit of 0.5%.
In some countries, the cultivation of cannabis seeds for personal use is tolerated, but free use on the streets is still prohibited.
Growing indoors gives you more control over the growing conditions of your marijuana plants, including germination. Unstable weather conditions outside can harm the seedlings.
During germination, cannabis seedlings are delicate and require proper care. The use of germination greenhouses can protect plants from external agents.
There are several techniques for germinating cannabis seeds, including direct germination in substrate, using jiffy pots, germinating in rockwool and using cotton. Each of these techniques has its own advantages and can be suitable for different needs.
CANNABIS SEED GERMINATION FAQ
What is the legislative situation in the UK on the sale and germination of marijuana seeds?
In the UK, the sale and purchase of cannabis seeds are legal, but germinating the seeds is not legal. Marijuana seeds do not contain THC and are not considered illegal, but if germinated and grown, the plants will produce THC-rich buds that exceed the permitted rate of 0.5% established for cannabis derivatives.
What are the recommended methods for growing marijuana seeds?
The cultivation of marijuana seeds can take place both indoors and outdoors. Growing indoors offers more precise control of the growing environment and protects plants from external climatic conditions. On the other hand, outdoor cultivation can be influenced by various external factors such as the climate and the presence of pests. The choice of method depends on the grower’s preferences and resources.
What is the importance of proper humidity control during germination of marijuana seeds?
During the germination of marijuana seeds, it is essential to maintain a correct level of humidity. Moisture favors the breaking of the seed shell and the development of roots. However, excessive moisture can cause rot or mold. It’s important to strike a balance and make sure the soil or substrate is moist but not soggy. Closely monitoring humidity during this critical stage will help ensure successful germination.
