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Cannabis is a two-faced plant. On the one hand, it's difficult to eradicate, making it considered a weed. On the other hand, to produce high-quality marijuana, you need to germinate branded seeds from trusted breeders. After all, they contain the genetic basis for high THC levels.
You can be confident of a decent harvest next marijuana growing season by following a few simple rules. From selecting and purchasing cannabis seeds to harvesting, take a middle path.
Only legal Western breeders have high-quality marijuana seed stock. This is their professional work, backed by scientific evidence, and they maintain a high standard of excellence and stand behind every seed. Therefore, their germination rates approach 100%.
Domestic cannabis growers can also be a source of seeds with slightly better genetics and decent germination rates. Although they operate illegally, reviews of marijuana seeds from Ukrainian breeders are also worth considering. Moreover, they are constantly improving their skills.
A somewhat easier, but also riskier, option is to use your own seed material. Some growers order regular marijuana seeds, which are pollinated and produce cannabis seeds in addition to buds. This option is disadvantageous in the long term, as it gradually dilutes the powerful genetic code of the marijuana strain. Therefore, at least every year, you'll need to buy branded feminized cannabis seeds and pollinate them with pollen from your regular seeds.
Of course, if you buy cannabis seeds online, especially from a European manufacturer, you can be sure they've been pre-selected for quality. You don't have to be too picky with your own cannabis seeds, after all, they were free. However, with experience, growers begin to calibrate the seeds to ensure they're uniform in size and color before soaking.
It's impossible to standardize the germination of marijuana seeds of different varieties, as they vary in shell thickness and the speed with which they react to water. This is a natural manifestation of cannabis's adaptation to changing growing conditions. While cannabis seeds of different varieties may have similarly high THC and CBD levels, their protective shell thickness, color, and average seed size/caliber may vary. Therefore, standardized methods for preparing seeds for germination have become common practice.
There are two ways to dramatically increase marijuana seed germination: scarification and stratification. These approaches can be used separately or combined. The marijuana plant's genetics also influence the results.
With their thick, protective shell, hemp seeds are reliably protected from the surrounding atmosphere. However, this shell also prevents moisture from penetrating the seed. To make this task easier, scarification—scratching—is used. This process damages the outer shell of the seeds, leaving scratches and chips. These scratches allow water to penetrate more easily to the seed, stimulating the growth process. Mechanical scarification is best for hemp.
Roll fine sandpaper into a tube 10-15 cm long and 3-5 cm in diameter, with the rough side facing inward. Fill the tube with hemp seeds, plug both ends of the tube with your fingers, and shake vigorously for about a minute. This will create scratches of varying depth on the shell, making it easier for water to penetrate.
Marijuana is highly adaptable, and even its seeds somehow sense changes in weather conditions. Many plants require a period of winter dormancy to begin their development from seed. Stratification, the process of simulating winter conditions, increases the germination rate of cannabis seeds.
Similar conditions can be created for marijuana seeds on the top shelf of the refrigerator. Place the cannabis seeds in an airtight bag, add 2-3 teaspoons of damp river sand, and then wrap the bag in dark paper. Protect from light to prevent premature germination.
When placing the package on the top shelf of the refrigerator, ensure that the contents do not freeze completely. The ideal temperature is 1-3˚C. The shelf life at this temperature is 2-4 weeks.
Using pre-prepared cannabis seeds allows growers to achieve more uniform germination and plant growth. In practice, the simplest and most tried-and-true methods yield the best results. Therefore, we'll rely on the equipment and tools available in every home.
Rinse a plastic jar lid thoroughly with boiling water, place a piece of toilet paper folded into two or three layers, and moisten it with water. Sprinkle hemp seeds on top and cover with another piece of toilet paper. Lightly dampen the lid and place it in a plastic bag to create a humid environment.
In just 1-2 days, the shells of many seeds will crack, and the white tips of the roots will appear. At this point, the seeds can be transferred to seedling cups. It's best to do this with tweezers, and be sure to place them with the white roots facing down.
Some experienced growers recommend adding a pinch of black soil or compost to the plastic lid to improve seed germination. This supplement contains a minimum of nutrients that activate the seed germination process.
It's important to carefully prepare the soil mixture in which the marijuana will begin its initial development. Commercial seedling soil can be used as a base, but it must be diluted with aerating fillers. The cheapest option is finely crushed polystyrene foam. Simply take any piece of polystyrene foam and grate it coarsely. To prevent the particles from flying apart, moisten them. This filler should be added to a ratio of up to 20% of the soil volume. It's also recommended to add 10-20% composted manure. This compost is taken from the depths of old manure piles that have been stored for 3-5 years.
Plastic cups are the most convenient for growing cannabis seedlings. Sprouted seeds are placed at a depth of 5-10 mm, lightly sprinkled with the same soil mixture, and thoroughly moistened. Sprouts will appear in 2-3 days. If the temperature is maintained at a stable 23-28˚C, the second pair of true leaves will appear in 12-14 days, and the seedling can be transplanted to its permanent location. In open ground, use a spade handle to make a small hole in the soil, the size of the cup containing the seedling. Then cut the plastic, and carefully lower the soil ball containing the seedling into the prepared hole.
After repotting, it's recommended to water each bush thoroughly with water and Kornevin. This will promote more active root growth. Good luck!
