The Complete Guide to Germinating Cannabis Seeds - Royal Queen Seeds UK (2023)

Before you can meet with copious amounts of bud, there are several stages of cannabis cultivation that take precedence. If you can't plant your cannabis seeds, you don't have a plant to harvest. Give your seeds the best possible start in life by reading our definitive guide to germination.

The art of sprouting hemp seeds

Often overlooked, it is very easy to assume thatvegetativeandflourishingGrowth stages of cannabis are the most critical parts of the plant's life cycle. But with the risk of failure high unless you know what you're doing, poor germination planning can make or break your next grow. Giving your cannabis seeds the best possible start on their budding journey is a surefire way to encourage a healthy and strong plant.

Small, fragile and in desperate need of a helping hand, there are several ways you can grow your cannabis seeds. All methods have varying degrees of success, with advantages and disadvantages.It is important to note that even with advanced growing expertise and top-of-the-line equipment, you may end up with some unsuccessful seeds.This is a natural part of dealing with a living organism. At Royal Queen Seeds we supply a wide range of high quality tactical andfeminized cannabis seeds. We clearly label our genetics so you don't have to worry about unwanted surprises.

What to look for in hemp seeds

No matter where you areget your seeds from, it's best to give them a little (and subtle) inspection before planting. Most of the time, all seeds will germinate. But poor quality seeds will produce a weaker plant. Unfortunately, this is something you don't discover until you reach the vegetative and flowering stages.

To avoid disappointment, seeds that are darker in color are more likely to germinate, while light green or white seeds are likely to fail.Even if the dark seeds look a little damaged, they should be planted anyway. There is a good chance they will still sprout even if the outer shell is somewhat cut.

The germination temperature plays a decisive role

Before we jump straight into the germination methods, there are a few golden rules for germination. For the best results, we recommend that you follow these guidelines regardless of how you choose to germinate. That being said, of all the factors to consider, temperature is one of the most critical. Seeds will always seek out even the smallest amount of moisture, but they use temperature as a cue to do so.

• The ideal temperature is between 22° and 25°C (71–77°F)
• Your growing medium should be moist/wet, but never wet
• The relative humidity must be between 70% and 90%
• Seeds favor fluorescent lighting (Cool White code 33)
• Minimize the amount of seed handling you do
• Ihydroponics/ rockwool plugs, the ideal PH value is 5.8–6.2

What is the expected germination time?

Three basic principles will trigger the emergence of this first little root:heat, moisture and darkness. With the promise of moisture, a single root will form before slowly growing into the cannabis plant we know and love. Under the right conditions, the seeds will begin to grow within 12-36 hours of moisture being introduced into them.

The times may vary as it all depends on how ideal your growing environment is (see the golden rules above). Even the worst grower could get a seed to germinate, but it can take a few weeks and of course increases the risk of a weaker plant.

Choice of germination method

• Approach the glass of water

Probably one of the least effective methods, but still viable. Incredibly simple to facilitate, beginners can choose to germinate their seeds in a glass of water.Fill a glass or bowl halfway with water at approx. 22°C (71°F).

After 3-5 days, the seeds will begin to open and you will see small white tips appear. When these roots are 2-3 mm long, be extremely careful when transferring them from the water to prepared pots.

The soil pots need small holes (about 10-15 mm deep) to place the new seeds. Once the seeds are secured, place a fluorescent light 13-15 cm (5-6 in) away to encourage growth. Don't take any chancesexcessive wateringyour seeds at this early stage. Use a plant mister to ensure they stay moist but not soaked.

• Wet kitchen towel method

Perhaps one of the most common methods of germination. The kitchen towel method comes in many iterations. Some growers use cotton balls or absorbent pieces of paper. For this guide, we will use kitchen paper, as it is readily available and retains moisture relatively well.

Place a piece of wet paper towel on a flat surface. Space your seeds a few inches apart before placing the second piece of paper towel on top.You need to make sure both pieces are moist, not wet. Once again, when the white root tips reach 2-3 mm, transfer the seeds (carefully) into pots. Use the same guidelines listed above for planting techniques.

• Planting directly in the ground

Planting directly in your growing medium prevents seeds from moving when they are most fragile. This first tip of the root is covered with tiny filaments that are easily damaged. Since both a cup full of water and wet paper towels are more susceptible to temperature fluctuations than their surroundings, planting in the ground is a much safer option.

Start by filling pots with good quality potting soil that has been soaked in water. Many growers also choose to water with a root stimulant. Make a hole approx. 10-15 mm deep. This will be your frog's new home. Remove the seeds from their package and place them in the holes provided.Cover the seeds loosely, but be careful not to compact the soil too much over the seed. The root will have difficulty penetrating solid soil, which slows plant growth. Lightly spray the top of where you placed the seed so that your growing medium remains moist.

If you don't like the idea of ​​soaking your soil, you can use a spray to moisten the holes before planting each seed. With enough moisture around your seeds, you can still promote the growth of a root.

Your pots must be placed in a humid climate within the temperature range specified in our golden rules. After 4-10 days you should see a young seedling sprout and roots will have started to grow underground. The whole plant and its soil can now be transferred to a larger pot where normal growth routines should begin.

• Use of stone wool blocks

It is difficult to maintain the ideal temperature (between 22-25°C/71-77°F) and humidity for germination. Leaving the seeds open or on the windowsill is not ideal. a DIY climate controlled cabinet would provide much better service. A heating pad is great for maintaining a constant temperature, but it doesn't solve the humidity issue.

You will need to invest in a few pieces of unique equipment, but using rock wool blocks you can create a perfect utopia for growing cannabis seeds. Soak the stone wool blocks in the same way as a soil medium.The wool will retain moisture and prevent the need for watering in the early stages of germination. After the wool is soaked, stick it in a plastic tray with a lid. Large cake tubs are ideal.

The dome on the plastic container will create your own mini tropical climate from your seeds. If you then place all the components in a temperature-controlled cabinet, you have created a self-sustaining moisture supply - you do not need to touch the seeds again until they are ready to be transported to your finalfunds for developmentlike a young seedling. Using the rockwool block method, your seeds should germinate in one to two days.

Two or three weeks after germination, your young seedlings should be ready for their new home. At this point you have two options. transplant them into earthen pots or accept his challengehydroponics. You will know when the seedlings are ready to move because the root system should begin to emerge from the base of the hairs. As long as the roots have not started to swallow the lower half of the wool, they will look for water andNutrientsin their new environment and continue to grow downward.

• RQS ground plug

RQS ground plugis another good option when it comes to germinating seeds. They are easy to use and contain a carefully engineered formula of ingredients designed to help seedlings thrive.Composed of high-quality peat and coir, they provide an excellent balance between aeration and water retention.This ensures that the seeds do not dry out and also prevents fungal diseases that cause the dreaded dehydration.

RQS Soil Plugs contain essential micronutrients that seedlings require for optimal growth and development. Adding active biological ingredients also helps build the root microbiome with beneficial organisms that repel pathogens and aid in nutrient uptake and organic matter breakdown. Additionally, the pH-balanced nature of these plugs means that hemp roots can easily absorb nutrients without the risk of blockage.

They are extremely easy to handle and remove any inconveniencetransplantation. Once the roots start to appear, you can transplant the seedlings directly into soil or hydroponic systems.

To use RQS soil plugs, place a single seed of your choice in each plug. Place your plugs in a propagation tray and cover them with water - just enough to moisten. Use a clear plastic lid to retain moisture and aim for the temperature and humidity conditions described above. Use a small hygrometer to monitor these important elements.

• Royal Queen Seeds feminized starter kit

There is, of course, a much simpler way to germinate seeds. Perfect for beginners, the Royal Queen Seeds Female Starter Kit has everything you need to start your next cannabis project.

TheRoyal Queen Seeds feminized starter kitcontains:

• 3x RQS Critical feminized seeds
• 20x Easy-Start Seedling Pots
• 1x Propagator Pro
• 1 x Bacto pack
• 1x perlit
• 1x fluorescent bulbs
• 1x user manual
• 4x AA batteries
• 1x Royal Queen Seeds katalog

*You will also need a measuring cup and a whisk (not included in the set).

1. Carefully remove the foil from the back of the seed packet and carefully place them in a dry container.

2. You will need a shallow container large enough to hold the seed tray. Fill the container with one liter of lukewarm water(22–25°C/71–77°F). Pour in the Bacto Enzyme Pack, allow to dissolve before placing the seed tray in the container to soften. The seed tray must only be immersed for 5-10 seconds. Do not throw away the Bacto mixture after the seed tray has been soaked.

3. After removing the seed tray from your shallow container, pierce one10-15 mmdeep hole in the soil in each pot and carefully move your seeds from their dry container into each hole. Remember one seed per pot.

4. Using the supplied multiplier, sprinkle onePerlite layer 15 mm thickat the bottom of the hill.

5. Place the seed tray in the propagator, fit the walls and put the lid on. The lid is supplied with an on/off switch for the already installed lights.

6. Check the water level in your tank once a day. Your goal is to maintain an even level. After1-7 days, the seeds should be germinated, with visible leaves. When the seedling reaches 3mm, transfer it to your final growing medium.

If in doubt, consider spring conditions

Whichever method you choose, always think about how conditions will naturally be in the spring. In their natural environment, hemp seeds would begin to germinate alongside the seasonal change from winter to spring. Humidity is still high and temperatures will naturally rise. Always ask yourself the question: "My plant arrangement replicates spring conditions." If the answer is yes, there is a good chance that germination will succeed.

Give your seeds the best possible start in life

In most cases, the vegetation will stop without problems. However, there are some troubleshooting issues we can help with.

• Lighting

The first islighting. Your seed/young seedling must only use fluorescent electricityCFL grow lights, at least initially. While plants need light to thrive, too much of a good thing will harm cannabis in the first few weeks.

Place the lights approx15 cm from seed. Once your seedling has developed its first real leaves (they will have jagged edges), you can move the lights up to 5cm. If you're worried about damaging your seedling, place your hand between the leaves and your candles. If you can't hold your hand in place for ten seconds without it getting too hot, move the lights 2cm away. Repeat until you are comfortable with the temperature.

Since young seedlings grow quite quickly, you will need to keep adjusting the lights to get the best results. After two weeks under fluorescent lights, you will be able to switch to powerful HPS or MH type grow lights.

• Seed upside down

Don't panic, where possible the roots will always grow downwards. It is not necessary to try to replant the seed yourself. Disturbing the seed at this critical time will do more harm than good. In most scenarios, what you are actually seeing is not a root protruding from the top of the seed, but the stem of a cannabis plant.

If you're never sure, always wait a few days for the first leaves(cymbals)will appear. Once the requirements for a seed are met, the seedling should fix itself. The best approach is not to panic. follow the golden rules and your young seedling will be ready to move to a larger pot in no time.

Vegetation and beyond

When do you start feeding?

It will depend on the growing medium you use, but in most cases you won't need to provide nutrients to begin with2-3 weeks. There will be manyNutrientsavailable in the soil and even coconut only needs nutrients added after a week or so. If you choose coconut or hydroponics, nutrients should be added at 0.25 times their normal content. When the first set of cards appears, raise it in increments of 0.25 per turn. set of cards. For beginners, we would always recommend using a medium soil. It allows you to experience the intricacies of growing cannabis more efficiently and can be the least punishment if you make a mistake.

An easy way to see if more nutrients are needed is to observe the leaves. Serrated leaves will begin to turn light green when the nutrient stores are depleted. If left long enough, the leaves will eventually turn yellow. This is a clear sign that more nutrients are needed. Your plant will not die if the leaves turn yellow, but it is a timely reminder to feed your young seedling.

Nitrogen is the most commonly required nutrient during periods of high growth. Once the seedling is fed, the leaf color will return to normal. Depending on how long you've been waiting to trade, this could take a few hours or a full day.

Sit back and relax

The first weeks of a seedling's growth require very little intervention. Nutrients, as we've mentioned, need minor adjustments, as does lighting. But now that your seed has germinated, you have a few weeks of grace. Sit back, relax and enjoy your cannabis plant taking shape.

Once these first few weeks have passed, you can treat your seedling as if it were in the vegetative phase and switch to strict lighting routines and full intensity lights. Always remember the golden rules during germination, and if in doubt, ask yourself if you have created "spring conditions". If you are sure that everything is on track, simply observe and admire the creation of your own cannabis plant.