3 minute read
CANNABIS GERMINATION
BY RACHEAL CARLEVALE
The famous words written by Greek poet, Dinos Christianopoulos, refers to the strength needed to grow and rise up out of adversities, and highlights the tremendous potential held within the mighty seed of nature. The process of germination, where a seed sprouts, and grows into a new plant, requires stable genetics, a growing medium, water, and time.
When it really comes down to it, you can throw a seed into some good organic living soil, and from it, a healthy seed starts. After all, this is how nature does it. Such as life, one can choose to make things as simple or as complicated as they’d like. I prefer to keep it simple; keep in mind, all genetics, environments, and growers are different, so results may vary.
The most important thing you want to focus on is making sure you have legitimate genetics. The best seeds you can purchase are seeds grown and bred in organic living soils. The second most important thing you can have is a healthy environment your plants can sprout in. Lastly, the third most important thing you can have is a healthy, clean biological medium into which you can germinate the seeds.
Germinate seeds under light with 20 hours on and 4 hours off. Adjust your light source to accommodate height wise for the reality that the plants will grow after they germinate. T5s or LEDs are highly recommended for this stage of growth. Try to keep the room between 70-75 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit when the lights are off.
HOW TO GERMINATE SEEDS - A STEP BY STEP PROCESS:
1. Direct seeding into final soil. Plant the seed directly into moist organic soil because it will allow for the plant to grow into the most natural environment. If your seeds don’t make it within two weeks, then they were not biologically resilient enough to merit staying in your garden.
OR
1. Drop seeds in a cup of clean distilled RO (Reverse Osmosis) water, and wait for the first tap root, or tendril to pop. Keep the cup of water in a dark place. It should take between 24-32 hours to see the white root appear.
2. Prepare your growing medium, and poke holes the size of your pinky into soil about ½ inch down.
3. Hold seedling very gently or use tweezers and place the seed, tendril side down into the soil. Lightly backfill with soil to cover the seed. Be careful not to touch the root, and always use clean hands when working in the garden.
4. Gently water over the soil.5. Put under light source.
6. Begin watering cycle to keep plant growing. As you monitor the growth of the plant, make sure you have healthy green vertical growth, and make sure the plant receives the feeding regimen it needs.
7. Soon you will notice the plant emerging from the soil. This first growth is called the cotyledon, and then the next growth you will notice are the first true leaves of your new plant!
Not all genetics are the same, so be patient. Some will germinate at faster rates than others, and some seeds will not germinate at all. This is all part of the cycle of life, so keep a grow journal to learn the signs and patterns of each genetic you are working with from seed to harvest.
