Getting Started with Germination

Welcome to Seed Germination!

Germination is where your cannabis journey begins. In this guide, you'll learn the simplest, most reliable methods to start your seeds successfully.

24-72h Typical germination time

85-95% Success rate with quality seeds

21-27°C Ideal temperature range

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Malta Growing Tip

Malta's warm climate is excellent for germination, but watch humidity levels during summer. Indoor germination gives you better control during extreme weather.

Choosing Quality Seeds

Quick Seed Selection Guide

Success starts with quality seeds. Here's what to look for:

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Photo Needed: Good vs Bad Cannabis Seeds

Side-by-side comparison showing quality differences in color, size, and shell integrity

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✅ Good Seeds

Dark brown/grey color
Hard shell
Tiger stripes
2-3mm size

❌ Poor Seeds

Pale/green color
Soft shell
Cracks or damage
Very small size

Best Seeds for Beginners in Malta:

🌱 Autoflowering Seeds

Perfect for Malta! Fast growth (60-75 days), compact size for balconies, and no light schedule worries.

Complete Seed Selection Guide

Regular Seeds

Natural genetics Great for breeding 50% male plants Requires sexing

Best for: Experienced growers wanting to breed or preserve genetics.

Feminized Seeds

99% female plants No wasted space More expensive Can't breed with them

Best for: Home growers wanting maximum yield efficiency.

Autoflowering Seeds

Fast harvest (60-75 days) Compact size Multiple harvests/year Lower yields

Best for: Malta growers! Perfect for our climate and space constraints.

Interactive Seed Viability Checker

Dark color with tiger stripes Hard shell (doesn't crush) Waxy/shiny surface Sinks in water No visible damage Mature size (2-3mm) Less than 1 year old Properly stored

Check items above to calculate viability

Proper Seed Storage

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Temperature

6-8°C (refrigerator)

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Humidity

20-30% (use silica gel)

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Light

Complete darkness

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Container

Airtight, opaque

Germination Methods

Two Simple Methods for Success

Paper Towel Method

Recommended

85-95% Success Rate

24-72h Time

Easy Difficulty

Quick Steps:

Wet paper towels (damp, not soaking)
Place seeds between towels
Put between two plates
Keep warm (21-27°C) and dark
Check daily for sprouted taproots
Plant when taproot is 1-2cm long

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Photo Needed: Paper Towel Method Steps

6-step visual guide showing: seeds on towel → between plates → checking daily → taproot emergence → transplanting

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Pro tip: Use distilled water and handle sprouted seeds gently with tweezers.

Direct Soil Method

Simplest

75-85% Success Rate

3-10d Time

Easiest Difficulty

Quick Steps:

Fill pot with moist seedling soil
Make 0.5-1cm deep hole
Place seed, cover lightly
Spray surface with water
Cover with plastic for humidity
Remove cover when sprout appears

Pro tip: Perfect for autoflowers - no transplant stress!

All Germination Methods Compared

Paper Towel Method - Detailed Guide

Materials Needed:

Paper towels (unscented, no prints)
Two clean plates or plastic container
Distilled/filtered water
Tweezers (sterilized)
Seeds

Detailed Instructions:

1

Moisten 2-4 paper towels thoroughly, then squeeze out excess water. They should be damp but not dripping.

2

Place half the towels on a plate. Arrange seeds 2-3cm apart to prevent root tangling.

3

Cover with remaining towels and second plate to create dark, humid environment.

4

Store at 21-27°C. Top of fridge or near water heater works well.

5

Check daily, keeping towels moist. Most seeds crack within 24-72 hours.

6

Once taproot reaches 1-2cm, carefully transplant using tweezers. Handle by seed shell only!

Common Issues:

Seeds not sprouting after 5 days:

Check temperature (too cold?), moisture levels, or seed viability.

Mold appearing:

Too much moisture or poor air circulation. Use less water, ensure cleanliness.

Direct Soil Method - Detailed Guide

Materials Needed:

Small pots (7-10cm) with drainage
Light seedling soil mix
Spray bottle
Clear plastic dome/bag
Seeds

Detailed Instructions:

1

Fill pots with seedling mix, leaving 1cm space at top. Lightly water until moist throughout.

2

Make hole 0.5-1cm deep using pencil or finger. Depth = 2x seed size.

3

Place seed with pointed end down (or on side if unsure). Cover lightly with soil.

4

Mist surface gently. Cover with dome to maintain 65-70% humidity.

5

Place in warm spot (21-27°C). Check daily, misting if surface dries.

6

Remove dome once seedling emerges (3-10 days). Begin normal seedling care.

Malta Climate Adjustments:

Add 10-20% extra perlite to soil mix for better drainage in our humidity. During summer, germinate indoors for temperature control.

Water Soak Method - Detailed Guide

Best for: Older seeds or those with hard shells that need softening.

Instructions:

1

Fill glass with room temperature (21-24°C) water. Use filtered/distilled if possible.

2

Drop seeds in water. They may float initially - this is normal.

3

Place in dark, warm area. After 2-24 hours, viable seeds sink.

4

After 24 hours, gently tap floating seeds. If they sink, they're viable.

5

Remove all seeds after 48 hours maximum to prevent drowning.

6

Transfer to paper towel or soil method to complete germination.

Warning: Don't leave seeds in water longer than 48 hours - they need oxygen!

Starter Cubes/Plugs - Detailed Guide

Types Available:

Rockwool: Inert, excellent air/water ratio, requires pH adjustment
Rapid Rooters: Organic, pre-moistened, beginner-friendly
Peat Pellets: Expandable, biodegradable, good for soil growing

Instructions (Rockwool):

1

Soak cubes in pH 5.8 water for 30 minutes. Malta's tap water is pH 8+, adjustment essential!

2

Shake out excess water. Cubes should be moist, not waterlogged.

3

Insert seed 0.5-1cm deep in pre-made hole. Cover lightly.

4

Place in tray with humidity dome. Maintain 65-70% humidity.

5

Keep at 21-27°C. Seedlings emerge in 3-7 days.

6

Remove dome gradually once sprouted. Transplant cube directly into medium.

Germination Timer

Track your germination progress:

Seedling Care

Essential Seedling Care

Your seedlings need gentle care for the first 2-3 weeks:

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Light

18 hours on, 6 hours off
Keep lights 10-30cm away
Watch for stretching

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Water

Spray bottle for first week
Keep soil moist, not wet
Water when top dries

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Environment

20-25°C temperature
60-70% humidity
Gentle air circulation

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Nutrients

No feed for 2 weeks
Start at 1/4 strength
Watch for burn signs

Common Seedling Issues:

Stretching: Move lights closer

Yellow leaves: Usually overwatering

Slow growth: Check temperature

Advanced Seedling Management

Environmental Control Guide

Week 1: Emergence

Temp: 23-25°C day, 20-22°C night

RH: 65-70%

Light: 200-400 PPFD, 18/6

Distance: LED: 60cm, CFL: 15cm

Week 2-3: Early Veg

Temp: 22-24°C day, 18-20°C night

RH: 60-65%

Light: 400-600 PPFD, 18/6

Distance: LED: 45cm, CFL: 10cm

VPD Calculator for Seedlings

Vapor Pressure Deficit (VPD) optimization for maximum growth:

Temperature (°C): Humidity (%):

VPD: 0.8 kPa Optimal for seedlings

Target VPD: 0.4-0.8 kPa for seedlings

When to Transplant

3-4 sets of true leaves developed

Roots visible at drainage holes

Plant drinks water quickly (daily)

Height reaches 10-15cm

Check at least 3 signs before transplanting

Early Feeding Schedule

Week	Feed Strength	Frequency	EC Target
1	Plain water	When dry	0.2-0.4
2	1/4 strength	Every 3rd water	0.6-0.8
3	1/2 strength	Every 2nd water	0.8-1.2

Ready for the Next Stage?

Once your seedlings have 3-4 sets of leaves and strong roots, they're ready for:

☀️ Outdoor Growing Setup 🏠 Indoor Growing Setup 📅 View Growing Timeline 🔧 Problem Solver Tool

Getting Started with Germination

Welcome to Seed Germination!

The Science Behind Germination

Imbibition

Metabolic Activation

Radicle Emergence

Cotyledon Development

Malta Growing Tip

Choosing Quality Seeds

Quick Seed Selection Guide

Photo Needed: Good vs Bad Cannabis Seeds

✅ Good Seeds

❌ Poor Seeds

Best Seeds for Beginners in Malta:

🌱 Autoflowering Seeds

Complete Seed Selection Guide

Regular Seeds

Feminized Seeds

Autoflowering Seeds

Interactive Seed Viability Checker

Proper Seed Storage

Temperature

Humidity

Light

Container

Germination Methods

Two Simple Methods for Success

Paper Towel Method

Quick Steps:

Photo Needed: Paper Towel Method Steps

Direct Soil Method

Quick Steps:

All Germination Methods Compared

Paper Towel Method - Detailed Guide

Materials Needed:

Detailed Instructions:

Common Issues:

Direct Soil Method - Detailed Guide

Materials Needed:

Detailed Instructions:

Malta Climate Adjustments:

Water Soak Method - Detailed Guide

Instructions:

Starter Cubes/Plugs - Detailed Guide

Types Available:

Instructions (Rockwool):

Germination Timer

Seedling Care

Essential Seedling Care

Light

Water

Environment

Nutrients

Common Seedling Issues:

Advanced Seedling Management

Environmental Control Guide

Week 1: Emergence

Week 2-3: Early Veg

VPD Calculator for Seedlings

When to Transplant

Early Feeding Schedule

Ready for the Next Stage?

Quick Reference