How do I germinate seeds?

Getting ready to do my first germ; thanks for all the great info!
 
Well the paper towel method seems to be the most popular way to germinate seeds. However the way that works best for me is to take a small glass (jelly jar) put about 2 inches of room temperature water, then the seeds for germination. tap the seeds so that they sink to the bottom of the jar, then put the jar in a dark cabinet and wait 2-3 days or sometimes even longer, but any viable seeds will sprout a taproot. good luck
 
How long does it take for them to pop out of the soil? I germinated them for 48 hours till they started to pop out of the shell then put them into small pots under my light and after 3 days I still don't see them popping out of the soil. I'm starting to get worried.
 
Maybe it's just the strain, but my Durban Poison seeds took what seemed like forever and then they had that weird leaf configuration, that freaked me out.......but you should see those babies now. I think that the old adage "patience is it's own reward" applies here. If the taproot doesn't appear in a few days add a few more seeds to whatever you're using to germinate and keep on truckin'. I've heard of using a small knife (exacto/razor blade) to score the seeds on the seam of the seed to weaken the hull and allow the taproot to push through the seed hull and start to grow
 
u need a wool sock(preferred), 3 sheets of paper towel(2 for bottom and 1 on top of seeds), plate to put them in. soak the paper towels, and cover the plate with wool socks. next day..u should have few ready to smile at the sun. #1 method of germinating seeds of all time???
 
Thanks for the info about the seeds > Do most people find seed stores deliver what they say? Or are they bunk ?:yummy:
 
I got 90% success even with immature looking seeds frm nirvina, in about 10 hours. bypass soaking seeds in water because you could drown them. take a few paper towels folded in squares two on top and two on bottom. wet with distilled water put the beans on a ceramic plate covered with a peice of plastic. then set that on your direct tv or cable box of somekind. i live by this method and plan on doing my doggies nuts seeds this way.
 
Mr.GrowitALL said:
I got 90% success even with immature looking seeds frm nirvina, in about 10 hours. bypass soaking seeds in water because you could drown them. take a few paper towels folded in squares two on top and two on bottom. wet with distilled water put the beans on a ceramic plate covered with a peice of plastic. then set that on your direct tv or cable box of somekind. i live by this method and plan on doing my doggies nuts seeds this way.
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Finally found someone who's bought Doggies Nuts seeds... Is there a good reason for their high prices? I haven't seen much discussion about that at all. Are the seeds different in some physical way, or what?
 
:ganjamon:I soak rockwool cube in room temp PH 5.6 tap water. plant seed direct in rockwool ,cover tiny hole with small piece of rockwool,just enough so baby can push through ,then place in dark spot , and water alittle when needed, This has been 100% for me. maybe I'm lucky....:peace:
 
^^^^ Nothing to do with luck, you just know what works for you!! Well done, thanks for the info.
 
Seeds can be germinated in different ways, depending on the intended growing environment. If you are growing marijuana hydroponically, you can germinate the seed directly on a small piece of the media that will be used in your hydroponic garden.

If you are going to be growing marijuana in soil, you can germinate the seed directly on the spot where it will grow. Simply place the seed where you want the plant to grow and cover it with about a half inch of loose soil.

Keep the soil around the plant moist (not wet) by spraying it with water (aged for at least 3 days) in a hand sprayer. Keeping the seed moist but not wet by spraying it may not be possible, especially if you are growing outdoors.
 
the best and easiest way i found to germanate my seeds is very simple
all you need to do is get an airtight conttainer fill it halfway with water let the water sit over night drop the seed into it the next day and seal it up. the next bit is waiting for the root to show it can take from 1day to aweek so dont get worried if it doesnt come up right aways. as soon as you can see it plant it and your on your way to a healthy plant :;):




SmokeyMacPot said:
There are different methods that prove successful:

Seeds can be placed between folded, wet paper towels that are kept moist and warm in an area between 70-85 degrees, such as on the top of the refrigerator. After a period of 48 hours to 2 weeks, the vast majority of viable seeds will crack open with a white root tip emerging. At this point, the seed is gently placed in the growing medium approximately 1/2 inch deep with the root tip pointed downward.

Seeds can also be placed directly into the grow medium with the pointed end facing downwards to germinate without the transplanting step. The medium is kept uniformly moist until the young seedling emerges on the surface.

It is not necessary to provide light before the seedlings break the surface, but it is beneficial to have strong light present from that moment forward to prevent excessive stem elongation.

Fluorescent lighting is satisfactory with cool white or higher color temperature tubes being preferable. Metal halide lighting is beneficial, if heat and moisture are monitored.

*Seeds prefer high light conditions once they have become rooted. They will stretch under most floroescents.

How can I increase the germination rates of my seeds?
Contributed by: Lord Of The Strains
Submitted: March 30, 2004

Pre-soaking your seeds before planting them is a terrific way to ensure a greater germination percentage and faster germination rates. There are a few different methods of soaking seeds; the two most popular being the "Paper-Towel Method" and "Standard" (soaking in a cup or similar object), both of which yield similar results if done correctly (taproot emerges in approx. 24 hrs.)

NOTE: Regardless of which method you employ, seeds should be soaked in a dark, warm environment for the best results. Once the taproot (tiny, white root-tip) emerges from the seeds, they are ready to be planted into the growing-medium.

1. Paper-Towel Method:

MATERIALS: Paper-towels (at least 2 sheets), 2 plates/dishes (or similar object), warm water.

PROCEDURE:

It involves placing the seed(s) onto a damp paper-towel (which is placed on a plate/dish, or similar object), and covering them with another damp paper-towel.
For best results, use water that is a bit warmer than room-temperature (to compensate for any drop in temperature), and cover the plate/dish with another plate/dish (to prevent heat from escaping, as well as protect the seeds from light).

Also, using more than one sheet of paper-towel above and below the seed(s) will yield better results, as well as adding more warm water to the paper-toweling/bottom dish before covering the whole arrangement with the optional second plate/dish.

WARNING: It is imperative that the seed(s) are removed from the paper-toweling as soon as the taproot(s) has/have emerged; If the seed(s) is/are left to soak for too long, delicate micro-roots can be torn when the seed(s) is/are removed from the paper-toweling, which will temporarily retard germination/growth as well as stress the plant (which could possibly result in an unfavorable male/hermaphrodite).

2. Standard Soaking

MATERIALS: Cup/mug (one that retains heat well; i.e. ceramic coffee cup), plate/dish/lid (big enough to cover cup/mug/etc.), warm water.

PROCEDURE:
In this method, the grower places his/her seed(s) in a cup/mug of some sort, which is filled with warm water. I use a ceramic coffee cup - as it is a good conductor of heat - and I cover it with a ceramic plate (again, to prevent heat from escaping, as well as shield seeds from light).

For best results, use water that is a bit warmer than room temperature (again, to compensate for any drop in temperature). It is normal for the seed(s) to float on the surface; just let it/them soak for a while then give it/them a little tap to make it/they sink (the best, most viable seeds will sink to the bottom). Although it is virtually impossible to over-soak seeds using this method, seeds should only be soaked until the taproot has emerged.

CONCLUSION:
Both of these methods are equally effective if executed correctly. Most seeds should show their taproots within 24 hrs., and all seeds should show taproots within 48 hrs. (assuming you are using good, viable seeds).

TIP: (for soil-growers)
If you want to further increase your germination rates, simply plant your seed(s) shallow; approx. 1-2 cm. deep. The seedling(s) should break the soil-surface within 24 hrs., or 48 hrs. for the most (again, assuming you are using good viable seeds — otherwise, it may take another day or two). Once the seedling(s) has/have sprouted, add a little extra soil at the base of the stem(s) for additional support and root-protection.

Author: MisterIto
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I have lost a lot of feminized seeds. Some people say to germinate and plant the seeds and keep them in the dark until the first leaves break through.

Others say to germinate, and plant seeds and put under CFL's immediately.

Which is it???

TIA
 
moisture warmth and darkness

3 things to try

rapid rooter, rockwool, or peat pod - plant with the pointed edge facing down.
shotglass full of water - put it somewhere dark and not too cold. 60F is ok but 70F+ for better rates
paper towel method - get it wet close it up lightly and put it on top of your fridge or in a sock or something somewhere dark.

put it in the dirt - cover it lightly with no large chunks of perlite or wood or anything heavier than light dirt - cfl it up - real close - the cotyledons won't pop out unless you have light there but you don't want light on the taproot or it can die. you gotta get the tap root in the soil and the cotyledons still wrapped in the seed will bust it apart and you can either remove it or leave it and the skin that comes with it.
 
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