How to Plant Weed Seeds After Gemination?
You have finished germinating your marijuana seeds, and it is now time to begin planting them. Planting cannabis seeds involves moving a tiny seedling from a paper towel or small container to a larger pot. There are a few items you will need and tips to keep in mind.
What Do You Need for Planting Marijuana Seeds?
Some (feminized) cannabis seeds may be tricky to plant and grow, but you do not need a lot of materials to start planting after you germinate marijuana seeds. You will notice that many of the tools are already in your home. If you need to get any additional items, you can find them in a regular store or garden center. The list of equipment includes:
Lightproof pot or mug. The first thing you will need is a lightproof pot of 1 to 2 liters (0.26 to 0.52 gallons) to protect the seed from the light. It is important to find the right weed plant pot size. If the container is too big, then the young plant might not be able to absorb all the water in the soil. Of course, the roots will have trouble spreading out if there is not enough space. It's even more important to pick the right autoflower pot size, as plants grown from autoflowering cannabis seeds do not enjoy being transplanted.
Tweezers. While some people choose to use their fingers, tweezers can make the planting process easier. They help move seedlings carefully.
Potting soil. Next, get some potting soil that will benefit the seedling. One of the best options is a light mix for cuttings and seedlings. Growers tend to prefer a light mix because it gives them more control over the plant's health.
Pen or pencil. A pen or pencil from around the house is suitable for planting cannabis seeds. The tool is helpful when you need to make small holes.
Plant sprayer. Many growers use plant spray to nurture indoor and outdoor plants. A plant spray uses water to help keep the leaves free of any dust or dirt that may get on them. Some people use one to keep the soil moist while protecting the seedling from too much water.
Germinated cannabis seeds. Of course, the key item you will need is the germinated seed. Each pot will carry one seedling you have prepared during the 'germinate seeds' stage. No seeds yet? You can check out our full catalogue of cannabis feminized seeds.
Once you have everything you need, you can begin the process of planting your (feminized) seeds.
How to Plant Cannabis Seeds in 4 Simple Steps
As beginners learn how to plant germinated weed seeds, they will find that the process is easier than expected. The planting stage only takes four steps to complete, and the results are healthy adult cannabis plants with lots of buds to harvest:
- Filling a pot with the chosen soil
- Making a hole in the soil
- Transferring the cannabis seed into the pot
- Covering the newly planted seed with soil
Step 1 — Fill a Pot or Cup With Potting Soil
Once you have the best pot or cup for your germinated seeds, fill it with soil. After planting is done, the root system should always grow downward as the cannabis plant gets bigger. Therefore, you do not want to put too little soil in your pots. The roots still need enough space to absorb nutrients.
Some cannabis growers may fill the cup about halfway before planting the young seedling. Adding more can be beneficial for the root system. Continue putting soil in the pot until you reach about 1 cm (0.4 inches) below the edge of the container. You can press the growing medium down lightly, but do not compact it. When you have the amount you need, you can move to the next step.
It is important not to add extra nutrients yet to the soil to keep the plant healthy. The potting soil already comes with the necessary amount of minerals a cannabis seedling needs to grow. The young plant is vulnerable to a nutrient burn, which causes the marijuana plant to lose her ability to absorb the nutrients she requires. You will recognize this issue by brown or yellow leaves.
Step 2 — Make a Small Dimple
After you are done filling the pot with soil, make a small hole for the germinated cannabis seed. Since the seedling is tiny, a clean pen or pencil can make the dimple the appropriate size. Place the writing tool on top of the soil and push it down to create the dimple. The depth of a hole matters for the growth of a weed seed.
The dimple should be about a couple of centimeters deep. If you are using a pencil, an easy way to measure is by making a tiny hole as deep as the eraser. Like any plant, you do not want to plant the weed seed too far in the growing medium.
The seed has enough energy to push through a thin layer. The farther down it is, the more likely the soil could hinder the plant's ability to grow. It might not be able to get the light it needs, and the stem could become weak. If you believe you planted the germinated seed too deep, try brushing away some soil instead of repositioning the plant.
A shallow hole could mean the marijuana seeds will dry out. If you are planting seedlings outside, shallow holes could introduce the risk of them getting disturbed in some way. An easy way to ensure the pencil or pen goes down far enough is to put it next to a ruler. You can mark the correct spot before inserting it into the soil.
Step 3 — Place the Cannabis Seed in the Dimple
The next step of planting a cannabis seed is to move it into a small hole. Gently pick up the baby plant and place it into the soil. Some growers prefer to use a clean pair of tweezers to transfer it over to the pot. It is critical not to squeeze too hard to prevent the germinated marijuana seed from getting hurt. Make sure to plant quickly to ensure the budding roots stay safe from excessive light.
Some growers use the damp paper towel method for the germination process. Sometimes, the newly-formed root of the seed can get stuck to the paper towel. The first instinct is to pull it loose carefully, but the action could potentially damage the plant. Instead, spray it with some water to encourage the root to let go of the paper towel.
When you place the germinated marijuana seed into the small dimple, make sure the root is facing downward. The root part needs to go deep into the hole as much as possible. The skin of the seed has to be at least 0.5 cm (0.2 inches) beneath the surface of the soil.
The positioning can help the top of the plant and her roots grow out correctly. The stem could bend and not develop properly, and the roots might sprout upward. The weed seedling might not turn into a healthy adult plant.
Step 4 — Cover the Seed With a Thin Layer of Soil
The final step of the planting stage is one of the quickest ones to do. All you need to do is cover the cannabis seed with a thin layer of soil. About a couple of millimeters (1/6 of an inch) should do the trick. The thin layer is enough to block out the grow lights or sun while giving the seedling room to grow.
You can lightly pat the soil to ensure that the plant can absorb the moisture correctly. However, try not to press down on it firmly once it is covering the young seedling. If the soil becomes too compact, the weed seed might have a hard time getting enough oxygen. Not to mention, there might be a higher chance of disease from poor drainage.
Finish things off by spraying the surface with a plant sprayer to make the soil moist. Seeds need to remain moist, so you should frequently check the dirt to make sure it has enough water for healthy plant growth.
You can place the pot by the window sill or under a light. Wait a few days, and you will see the plant emerge from the soil.
FAQ About Planting Weed Seeds
Now that you know how to plant cannabis seeds in four easy steps, you might still have some questions about the details. Here is a list of frequently asked questions to answer some you might have:
- What should you avoid when planting cannabis seeds?
- How long to germinate weed seeds before planting?
- When is the best time to plant weed seeds outside?
- What soil to plant weed seeds in?
- How deep to plant marijuana seeds in soil?
What to Avoid When Planting Cannabis Seeds?
There are multiple things to avoid when you plant cannabis seeds. Common tips include not fertilizing or adding extra nutrients to the seedling. As mentioned before, your weed plants can be vulnerable to too high amounts of minerals.
Try not to cover the pots with plastic or create a humidity dome over them. Air needs to pass through easily, and a buildup of humidity may damage the plant. Besides avoiding the wrong soil, make sure it is not too wet or too dry. Whenever you water the seedling, make sure it does not have the wrong pH level.
How Long to Germinate Weed Seeds Before Planting?
Growers usually germinate cannabis seeds before they plant them. The germination stage is relatively short, and it takes an average of two to three days. Some cannabis seeds take longer than others due to multiple factors. There are multiple methods for germinating cannabis seeds. The technique you use to germinate can influence how long it takes to germinate.
Not to mention, hard seeds may need up to a week to begin sprouting due to a thicker coating. If they have not germinated after two weeks, then they are likely a dud.
Related article: How to Germinate Weed Seeds
When Is the Best Time to Plant Weed Seeds Outside?
You can grow cannabis seeds indoors or outside, but growers need to pay attention to the time of year before planting outdoors. Cold temperatures can kill a cannabis plant, so you will need to place it outside as soon as winter ends. The recommended period is between April and mid-May. Seedlings require the entire growth cycle before temperatures drop again.
People often start inside before moving the plant outdoors. If you have young female plants, they can be fragile to the environment during the early stages. The seedlings should remain inside for two weeks, or until they grow strong enough to withstand a gust of wind.
What Soil to Plant Weed Seeds In?
The best choice of soil for marijuana seeds is a light mix. The light mix does not have a high concentration of nutrients, which can be detrimental to a seedling's health. Young plants do not need as many nutrients as mature ones.
Beginners might also put seedlings in coco soil. Coco-based soil usually has enough nutrients to last a few weeks. Some cannabis growers prefer it because it is environmentally friendly.
How Deep to Plant Marijuana Seeds in Soil?
Burying a weed seed too far into the soil can negatively impact its growth. The recommended depth of the hole is 2 to 2.5 centimeters (0.8 to 1 inch). It is the best length because seedlings have roots that are 1.5 to 2.5 centimeters long (0.6 to 1 inch). A couple of centimeters (an inch) ensures they have enough space.
The cannabis seed can easily break through the top of the soil without drying out. Again, placing a mark on the pencil can help you see when to stop pushing it down.
The Next Step After Planting Marijuana Seeds
Planting germinated cannabis seeds is a simple process that can be done both indoors and outdoors. Fill the pot with soil, make a small dimple, gently place the seed in the dimple with the root facing downward, and cover the seed with a thin layer of soil.
Ensure the soil remains moist, and avoid common mistakes like over-fertilizing or creating a humidity dome. Remember to plant your seeds outside during the ideal period, between April and mid-May, and use a light mix or coco-based soil for the best results.
Now that you have planted your weed seed, you are well on your way to growing a beautiful plant. When the time is right, you may want to transfer it outside. As stated previously, you will want to wait two weeks for the cannabis to become strong enough to withstand the elements.
If you need tips on growing outside and want to get started, you can use our step-by-step guide to growing weed outdoors. We also have a guide to growing weed indoors. For the best prices on your favorite cannabis seeds, you should check out our cannabis seeds deals.