Germinating cannabis seeds is the crucial first step on your way to growing beautiful
and healthy cannabis plants. It is a tricky process, but with enough focus and
determination, anyone can master the technique.
Germination means sprouting the cannabis seed. This is commonly done before it is
planted to ensure it has the best possible chance to grow into a plant. There are many
different techniques to germinate cannabis seeds, and we recommend experimenting to
see which works best for you.
Is Growing Cannabis Legal?
The EU has strict laws and regulations that make it difficult for beginners who wish to
germinate and grow cannabis seeds. The most important thing is to become educated
on what you can and can’t do when it comes to growing cannabis.
Throughout most of the EU, it is legal to grow cannabis hemp plants as long as the THC
content is less than 0.3%. You can’t just use any hemp seed you want, however, even if
it’s below the maximum THC threshold. The EU has an approved list of seed varieties,
and these are the only varieties legally allowed to be grown inside the European Union.
How to Germinate Cannabis Seeds
While there are many different ways to germinate cannabis seeds, one particular
method is consistently touted as being the best. It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or
a seasoned veteran; this method will have you on your way to cultivating your very own
hemp plants.
The only supplies you’ll need to start the germination process are two pieces of paper
towel, a resealable sandwich bag (optional), water, and a warm, dark place. To start,
dampen a piece of paper towel with water. Next, place your seeds on the paper towel,
making sure to leave at least 1cm between each seed.
After you have the seeds positioned, dampen the second piece of paper towel and
cover the seeds. If you have a sandwich back, place the seeds and paper towel inside
of it. The bag helps lock in the moisture so the paper towel doesn’t dry out. It’s fine if
you don’t have a bag; just keep an eye on it and mist it with a spray bottle if it gets too
dry.
When everything is ready, place it into a dark place, ideally with a temperature between
20°C-30°C. If it happens to be too cold when you’re trying to germinate, you can find
cheap heat mats on Amazon that work great for germinating cannabis seeds. After one
or two days, check your seeds, and when they’re ready, they will be cracked open, and
a tiny sprout will be sticking out.
After Germination
Congratulations! If you made it this far, you’ve tackled one of the most intimidating parts
of growing cannabis seeds. The journey is far from over, however. That little seed still
requires lots of care and attention to survive and thrive.
To continue growing, you’ll want to use damp, nutrient-rich soil in a small pot. Make a
hole about 1cm deep in the soil and drop in the seed with the root facing down. You will
need a light source going forward. Specialised LED grow lights are best, but you can
make do with just about anything.
The important thing is to maintain consistent light cycles. It’s best to start with 18 hours
of light to six hours of darkness for the early stages of growth. When it’s ready to start
flowering, switch to a 12-hour light/dark cycle.
Conclusion
Many who have ambitions of growing cannabis plants stumble at the germination
phase, only to get scared away and never try again. It can be intimidating when you’re
first learning how to germinate cannabis seeds, but as you saw here today, all it takes is
a little time and patience.
