Starting Your Seeds
- Thread starter CrackerJax
- Start date
Thanks bud....there does seem to be alot of people having trouble with germination then complaining about the seed company....I agree putting in substrate like soaked rockwool is better but i have done it and it is slower to germinate....so i'll stick to cracking the seeds in paper towel because i get 100% success with all seeds....and good growth once i put them into rockwool in a humidome-sprouts in about a week. Don't know much about leaving in glass of water for more than 12-24 hours but have heard you can kill the seed by water overdose or something like that.No one is saying that it cannot be done using paper towels, but the odds of fungal growth and transplanting contaminants INCREASES using the towel method.
So let's say you have some trouble later on down the line with your plant. It is highly unlikely to occur to you that it all began in the very first week. Although it very well might have.
Both methods work, but one is far simpler and SAFER. Weed does not need to be primed to germinate, unless you have crappy seeds. The moisture needed for the germ is already INSIDE the seed.
The more you futz with them, the more chances of screwing it up or retarding growth, again something which may happen but go completely unnoticed by you.
I have never used the paper towel method and I always get fantastic germ. So why bother with the extra steps?
I think part of it is trying to put a mystique around weed. I've grown out literally hundreds of other types of plants, and weed is by far one of the easiest to grow.
Just stick them in and they will grow. On the forums I am always running across posts with folks who are having trouble germinating using paper towels. One of the reasons I posted this up.
If you prefer the drama and the mystique, go for it. I've got better things to do with my time.
out.
CrackerJax
New Member
Hey, it's a free country! (sort of 
)
I'm certainly not saying soaking doesn't work, but still, it's chancier and then you have to physically plant a brand new sprout. Not for novices....
The advantage of sprouting three days ahead is hardly worth it when the grow is so long by comparison. To each his/her own in the end.
Tia.... yes still no worries. The soil acts as an insulator for temp swings.
)I'm certainly not saying soaking doesn't work, but still, it's chancier and then you have to physically plant a brand new sprout. Not for novices....
The advantage of sprouting three days ahead is hardly worth it when the grow is so long by comparison. To each his/her own in the end.
Tia.... yes still no worries. The soil acts as an insulator for temp swings.
CrackerJax
New Member
I don't mind, but if you are indoor growing, and I presume by the weather and time of year, that you are, we may have to tag team someone else for you to help. I'm an outdoor man. Living in the tropics will do that to you.... 
Katatawnic
Well-Known Member
I germ my seeds in peat plugs or rockwool. One took three days to sprout, the rest have taken two days. Sprouts, not just taproots. From personal experience, I don't understand people saying it'll take longer than germing in paper towels and/or water. 
CrackerJax
New Member
Yes, Usually when i have good plump mature seeds, germ is in 3 to 4 days. soil wet.....full sun, with passing shade. It's worth pointing out that not all seeds are equal. It takes a good eye to pick out the winners. I'm sure ppl are out there complaining about germ rates, and planted immature or weak seeds to begin with.
Katatawnic
Well-Known Member
I germed in water & paper towels until I read this thread. Never mind that in my entire life, I'd never "germinated" seeds; simply planted them in the soil and let them do their thing in their own time. But everyone and their mothers told me to use water & tissue for germing MJ seeds. And I listened; sounded weird to me, but seeds are different, so who was I to argue when I'd not grown cannabis before? IMNSHO, it is just another cannabis forum/book paradigm, as UB phrases it. 
BTW, I don't recall thanking you for posting this, CJ. It's saved me time, effort, and potential headaches by urging me to go back to Mother Nature's way. Greatly appreciated! 
Never mind that in my entire life, I'd never "germinated" seeds; simply planted them in the soil and let them do their thing in their own time. But everyone and their mothers told me to use water & tissue for germing MJ seeds. And I listened; sounded weird to me, but seeds are different, so who was I to argue when I'd not grown cannabis before? IMNSHO, it is just another cannabis forum/book paradigm, as UB phrases it. BTW, I don't recall thanking you for posting this, CJ. It's saved me time, effort, and potential headaches by urging me to go back to Mother Nature's way.
Greatly appreciated! 
jimstar
Member
could someone just clarify when I need to start the photoperiod?
The seeds are sprouting and I am just about to move them into rockwool and peat pellets, i just dont know exactly when to put them under flourscents?
Any advice - the sooner the better - will be appreciated!
Am anxious to get this right!
The seeds are sprouting and I am just about to move them into rockwool and peat pellets, i just dont know exactly when to put them under flourscents?
Any advice - the sooner the better - will be appreciated!
Am anxious to get this right!
Katatawnic
Well-Known Member
Once they've sprouted, give them light.
jimstar
Member
Once they've sprouted, give them light.
Once they have broken the shell or broken the surface of the growing medium? (this is where 'sprouting' takes on different meanings! and there are so many different ideas online as to when to start the florescents on 18/6 hrs)
cheers katatawnic, am right now at a crucial stage!
Katatawnic
Well-Known Member
Broken surface of the growing medium and showing greeeeeeen! Tap roots don't need (nor want) light.
Some will tell you to keep the seeds in complete darkness while germinating, which makes no sense if they're in soil, rockwool, etc.; anything that is covering them. The sun doesn't stop shining for seeds germinating in the ground
but you'll be told this all the same. Darkness won't hurt them before they sprout, but neither will light. (This is a "just saying" thing; not directed at you, Jimstar.) Once they're sprouted and are peeking out of the soil (or whatever medium used), then they need light for healthy growth. 
Every stage is crucial.... at least it is with me.
Tap roots don't need (nor want) light. Some will tell you to keep the seeds in complete darkness while germinating, which makes no sense if they're in soil, rockwool, etc.; anything that is covering them. The sun doesn't stop shining for seeds germinating in the ground
but you'll be told this all the same. Darkness won't hurt them before they sprout, but neither will light. (This is a "just saying" thing; not directed at you, Jimstar.) Once they're sprouted and are peeking out of the soil (or whatever medium used), then they need light for healthy growth. Every stage is crucial.... at least it is with me.
jimstar
Member
Broken surface of the growing medium and showing greeeeeeen!
Some will tell you to keep the seeds in complete darkness while germinating, which makes no sense if they're in soil, rockwool, etc.; anything that is covering them. The sun doesn't stop shining for seeds germinating in the ground
Every stage is crucial.... at least it is with me.
Katatawnic - a massive thanks - you've got me sorted out atleast!
Every stage is crucial - that will also be my motto from now on!
update: 4 out of 5 seeds already showing white sprouts!! come on number 5!!
Thanks again katatawnic for your help!
Katatawnic
Well-Known Member
Not a problem, that's why we're at RIU.
Word to the wise: Pay the closest attention to the no nonsense advice. If something sounds even slightly silly, the results will be exponentially silly.... and not in a humorous way! CrackerJax, fdd2blck, and Uncle Ben are the first three that come to my mind that are no nonsense growers on this site. There are many more of course, but I always remember their names off the top of my head.
Katatawnic
Well-Known Member
OH, white sprouts count RE: time for light!
Sorry about that! I think "green" but forget that they often begin white. 
Never mind, guess I didn't screw up with that after all.Once they're sprouted and are peeking out of the soil (or whatever medium used), then they need light for healthy growth.
CrackerJax
New Member
I think the sprout may not only be light sensitive, but heat sensitive as well. It makes a bit of sense, since upon germinating, both the future top(cola) and bottom (tap root) need to go to their respective growing corners. But it's dark below the surface, and perhaps some sunlight not on the visible spectrum is the homing device, but I think nature is lazy, and thermal detecting would be the way to go. I'm stoned...
Katatawnic
Well-Known Member
I'm stoned...
I was just about to ask you to repeat that in English, but never mind! I was going to add earlier not to put the lights too close to the seedling, nor harsh lighting at all. But I forgot, and I wasn't stoned!
Jimstar did mention using flouros, and I was thinking T5 as that's what I use; they're cooler than CFLs.brokeandwise
New Member
1.Take seed
2.Plant seed
3.Water seed
4.Go to jail
5.Forget no.4
6.Harvest weed
2.Plant seed
3.Water seed
4.Go to jail
5.Forget no.4
6.Harvest weed
