How to Germinate Weed Seeds
(99,9% Success Rate)

Germinating Weed Seeds

From seed to harvest, a marijuana species go through a specific set of steps that ensure a fruitful result.

In brief, they are:

Indoor

1. Choosing your seed.
2. Germination: 3-7 days.
3. Vegetative: 1-2 weeks.
4. Flowering: 8-11 weeks.
5. Harvesting/drying: 1-3 weeks.

Outdoor

1. Choosing your seed.
2. Germination: 3-7 days.
3. Seedling: 2-3 weeks.
4. Vegetative: 3-16 weeks.
5. Flowering: 8-11 weeks.
6. Harvesting/drying: 1-3 weeks.

On average, the entire process takes around 3–5 months, sometimes longer, depending on the species and if you’re growing indoors or out. The latter tends to take more time, given the conditions are much less controllable.

Germinate Weed Seeds: Get the Basics Right

Nailing the basics sets you up for a good grow and successful germination from the get-go. One of our primary concerns here is the quality of seed. 

What makes a premium weed seed?

• Color: The best weed seeds will be light to dark brown. Green seeds indicate they were harvested early and/or contain no embryo inside — useless!
• Texture: Look for seeds that are hard to the touch. Soft, squishy ones indicate they’re not ready for planting.
• Storage: Any seeds you purchase should be kept at a temperature of around 71-77 ℉ /21-25 ℃

In regards to other conditions, lighting won’t be such an issue just yet, as germinated seeds won’t require it until the root has popped and the first plant shoot has appeared.

You may be wondering if size plays a role as well?

As tempting as it may be to assume the seed’s size is equivalent to how large the plant will be, don’t do it.

For example, a small Sativa seed might turn into a monstrous species once grown.

Germination Methods

Now for the juicy stuff! Today, we focus on five different options to choose from, depending on your needs and available resources:

• Glass of water.
• Wet towel.
• Directly in soil.
• Stone wool blocks.
• Using the Spongepot starter kit.

Method 1: Glass of Water

Also referred to as “pre-germination,” this method involves soaking the seeds in water. It’s used particularly for older seeds to try and “wake” them up.

1. Soak the seeds: Soak your seeds in lukewarm, chlorine-free water overnight.
2. Float or sink: Seeds that initially float show better chances of surviving.
3. Check for germination: You’ll see that a white root has “popped” or germinated. This should happen within 1 to 3 days.
4. Retrieve your seeds: Gently remove the seed and dry it on a kitchen towel.

Pros

• May be able to revive old seeds

Cons

• Risky
• Should only be attempted with seeds that might die otherwise.
• despite 1 to 3 days being the norm on average, in practice, this can sometimes take up to 7 days.

Method 2: Wet Towel

Similar to the method above, using a wet towel is another pre-germination method.

1. Wet a paper towel: Do so until it’s completely covered but not dripping.
2. Fold your seeds inside: Tuck your seeds into the paper towel securely.
3. Plate it: Place the towel on a paper plate with another plate on top.
4. Leave in a warm place: Leave for at least a day and up to a week, checking periodically for any popping.
   
   

Pros

• Old seeds might have a chance here.

Cons

• Seeds may suffer from a lack of oxygen.
• Mold and mildew might show up.
• Seeds can become too nimble for a successful transplant.

Method 3: Directly in Soil

This sounds like a more natural method to use... because it is! No fooling around with pre-germination tricks, here:

1. Use an 8-10 cm/ 3-4 inch pot: Take your pot and fill with seed and cutting soil. Press down.
2. Make a hole: Use a narrow, pointy object to make a  3-5mm/ 0.20 inch hole in the middle.
3. Put the seed inside: Place it gently in the hole.
4. Use chlorine-free water: The soil should be moist but not overly saturated.
5. Place in a proper location: Find a warm enough area for the seeds to rest.
6. Find balanced temperature: Too cold and the seeds won’t budge, but too hot and they might dry out. If you’re in a cooler climate, use lighting for warmth. As recommended earlier, 71–77 ℉ /21-25 ℃ is ideal.
7. Wait three days: It will take, on average, between 3 and 7 days for germination.
   
   

Pros

• Mimics a natural setting.
• Requires little equipment.

Cons

• Takes a bit of a green thumb.

Method 4: Stone Wool Blocks

These are the little blocks you’ve probably seen at your local garden shop; nicely organized and packaged for root cuttings and germinating seeds. They’re also perfectly suitable for weed seeds!

1. Immerse the cubes: Cover them with water with a pH of 5.6–5.8. 
2. Gently squeeze: Do this to wring out any excess water.
3. Place the seeds: Plant the seeds horizontally within the pre-formed hole.
4. Cover the hole: Use an extra piece of the soft wool to do this. Make sure it’s not packed too tightly, in order for oxygen to reach the seed.
5. Choose a warm location: Use the temperature range listed under the soil method above.
6. Water the cubes: With the same pH as stated in step one, water every 1 to 2 days.
7. Wait three days: It should take around 3  to 5 for germination to occur.

Pros

• Similar to a natural process.
• Easy-to-find supplies.

Cons

• Cubes may harbor moisture, leading to dead seeds.

Method 5: Using a Starter Kit

A starter kit is a convenient method that gives you everything you need for successful germination. With the Spongepot, you’ll receive a package of 20, 48 or 96 pots to get you started.

The instructions are, more or less, foolproof:

1. Put supplied bacteria in water: Dissolve the bacteria in a liter of water.
2. Water the Spongepots: Use the bacteria-water to water the provided Spongepots.
3. Drain: Drain away any excess water that accumulates in the process.
4. Plant seeds: Plant one seed per pot, about 3-5 mm/ 0.20 inch deep.
5. Maintain temperature: Place the Spongepots in a place between 71 and 77 ℉  / 21-25 ℃
6. Time to wait: Seeds should germinate between 3 and 7 days later.
7. Transplant the seeds: Once the seeds finish, you can transplant them to their pot to begin their seedling phase.

Pros

• Easy to use.
• Includes a soil enhancer.
• Organic soil mixture with useful fungi.
• Promotes healthy roots.

Cons

• Only available through online order.

We at Marijuana Seed Breeders not only care about your seeds but the success of their germination. This gemination method is our favorite! It gives us the highest success rate.

You can see how to germinate with Spongepot in the video below or on the Spongepot product page.

How Long Does the Germination Process Take?

From start to finish, the germination process can take anywhere between 1 and 7 days.

Note that this is an average and the actual time frame depends on the individual seed quality and the growing conditions we discussed earlier.

For example, is the seed large or older? Maybe the temperature is a bit cooler? Seeds with these conditions may take up to more than a week to pop.

Seeds in the ideal temperature range should germinate within a week, maximum.

Common Germination Mistakes

When it comes to growing cannabis, there’s a slew of common mistakes that could stop you from achieving a successful grow. More specific to germination, pay attention to:

• Leaving seeds for too long.
• Incorrect planting methods.

Leaving Seeds for Too Long

Overestimating your seed’s germination needs could leave you with duds in the end. This is usually the case with pre-germination methods mentioned above, such as the cup or paper towel method.

Leaving your seeds for too long could result in overly sensitive roots that are easily damaged in the transplant process. 

Avoid this mistake by transplanting your seeds when the root is approximately one to two centimeters in length.

This ensures the roots are stable but not overly saturated and prone to damage.

Incorrect Planting Methods

We see mistakes being made when it comes to the “two D’s” of direction and depth.

Direction

Placing the seed in its planting medium may seem like an overly simple task. However, there’s still a chance you could screw it up. 

Avoid planting it in the wrong direction by paying attention to the seed’s crown.

This looks like a small crater shape located at one end of the seed. The other end has a point, so they’re easy to distinguish from one another.

Make sure that the seed’s crown is facing you when you plant it, which leaves the pointy end facing downward.

This way, when the seed germinates, it’ll sprout properly, sending the root down versus the opposite scenario of resulting in a failed seedling.

Depth

The planting depth matters, too. This will differ depending on the type of seed you’re planting and the medium it’s going in. 

Generally speaking, we want to avoid planting seeds too deep, which could result in a seedling never showing up. 

The opposite of this, planting too shallow, may also pose a problem. Doing so could result in weak plant stems that may not allow the seedling to grow.

Avoid either scenario by aiming for about 3-5 mm/  0.1- 0.2inch in depth when you plant.

Germinate Away

As you can see, germinating weed seeds is a basic procedure that if done with a little care and forethought, should be a successful one. 

Have a designated location ready that’s warm but not too hot. If you live in a cool climate, use lights for warmth, and make sure your germinating seeds stay wet but not saturated.

It might be tempting to use a pre-germination method, such as the cup or paper towel, but we recommend avoiding these as much as possible.

Using a starter kit, instead, will enable you to have high-quality resources at your fingertips that cover you from A to Z

Pay attention to any root growth or “popping” to indicate germination is complete.

By following our guidelines, you’ll be transplanting your baby plants in no time.