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A Beginner’s Guide to Growing Cannabis from Seeds
Growing cannabis from seeds can be a rewarding experience, but it can also feel overwhelming for beginners. With so much information out there, it’s hard to know where to start. At Seed Bank International, we believe that starting with high-quality genetics is key to a successful grow. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essential steps to growing cannabis from seeds and explain why choosing the right seeds from trusted breeders makes all the difference.
- Choosing the Right Cannabis Seeds
The first step in any grow is selecting the right cannabis seeds. There are a few key factors to consider when choosing your seeds:
Strain type: Decide whether you want to grow indica, sativa, or a hybrid strain, depending on the effects you’re seeking. Indicas tend to offer relaxing, body-focused effects, while sativas are more uplifting and cerebral.
Seed type: You can choose from regular seeds, feminized seeds, or autoflowering seeds. Regular seeds can produce both male and female plants, while feminized seeds ensure you’ll grow only female plants (which produce the buds you want). Autoflowering seeds are great for beginners because they don’t rely on specific light cycles to flower, making them easier to grow indoors or outdoors.
Genetics: Always opt for seeds with reliable genetics from trusted breeders. At Seed Bank International, we partner with world-renowned breeders like Gage Green Group, Mass Medical Strains, and Third Coast Genetics, who are behind legendary strains like Mendo Breath, Putting, and Oreoz.
Pro Tip: Start with feminized seeds if you’re new to growing. They simplify the process by ensuring you won’t have to identify and remove male plants, which can pollinate your crop and reduce your yield.
- Germinating Your Cannabis Seeds
Once you’ve chosen your seeds, the next step is germination. Germinating your seeds properly will set the foundation for a strong, healthy plant.
Here’s a simple germination method:
Step 1: Soak your cannabis seeds in a glass of water for 12-24 hours. This helps to soften the seed shell and kickstart the germination process.
Step 2: After soaking, place the seeds between two damp paper towels on a plate. Cover the plate with another plate to keep it dark and warm.
Step 3: Check the seeds every day to ensure the towels remain damp. In 1-4 days, the seeds should crack open and a small root (called a taproot) will appear.
Once the taproot is visible, your seeds are ready to be planted.
- Planting Your Cannabis Seeds
After your seeds have germinated, it’s time to plant them. The best way to plant your seeds is to start them in small containers before moving them to larger pots or directly into the ground.
Step 1: Fill small pots with a light, airy growing medium such as a seed-starting mix or coco coir. Avoid heavy soils at this stage, as they can smother the delicate seedlings.
Step 2: Make a small hole (about 1/4 inch deep) in the soil, place the seed inside with the taproot facing down, and gently cover it with soil.
Step 3: Water the soil lightly, ensuring it’s moist but not waterlogged. Be patient—your seedlings should break through the soil within a few days to a week.
Pro Tip: Be gentle with your seedlings at this stage. Overwatering or rough handling can damage the fragile roots.
- Providing Optimal Growing Conditions
Once your cannabis seedlings are established, the next step is providing the right environment for them to thrive. Here are the key factors to consider:
Light: Cannabis plants need plenty of light to grow. If you’re growing indoors, use high-quality grow lights and ensure your plants receive 18-20 hours of light during the vegetative stage. For outdoor grows, make sure your plants receive direct sunlight for most of the day.
Watering: Water your plants when the top inch of soil feels dry. Be careful not to overwater, as this can lead to root rot. It’s better to water thoroughly and less frequently than to water a little every day.
Temperature & Humidity: Cannabis plants thrive in temperatures between 70-85°F during the day and slightly cooler at night. Humidity levels should be kept around 40-60% during the vegetative stage and lowered to around 40% during flowering.
Nutrients: During the vegetative stage, your plants will need a nutrient-rich diet, particularly nitrogen. As they move into the flowering stage, switch to nutrients that are higher in phosphorus and potassium to promote bud growth.
- Flowering and Harvesting
After a few weeks of vegetative growth, your cannabis plants will enter the flowering stage. This is when they start to develop buds—the part you’ll eventually harvest. If you’re growing regular or feminized seeds, you’ll need to switch your light cycle to 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness to trigger flowering.
Autoflowering seeds, on the other hand, will begin to flower automatically after a certain amount of time, making them easier for beginners to manage.
Once your plants are flowering, it’s important to keep an eye on them to ensure they don’t get stressed. Proper light, nutrients, and humidity will ensure your buds develop fully.
When your plants’ buds are dense and covered in trichomes (those frosty, sticky crystals), it’s time to harvest. This typically occurs around 8-10 weeks into the flowering stage.
Pro Tip: Use a magnifying glass or jeweler’s loupe to check the trichomes. When they turn from clear to milky white, it’s the perfect time to harvest for maximum potency.
Conclusion
Growing cannabis from seeds doesn’t have to be complicated, especially if you start with high-quality seeds from trusted breeders. At Seed Bank International, we offer a wide selection of premium cannabis seeds from top breeders like Gage Green Group, Fresh Coast Seed Co., and Exotic Genetix, ensuring you’ll have a successful and satisfying grow.
Ready to start your cannabis cultivation journey? Explore our collection of cannabis seeds and get growing today!