After germinating and planting of your seeds the growth phase will start. This is also called the vegetative phase. An exciting period, because your seedlings are still very vulnerable for the first two to three weeks. Growing weed from seed is not that hard, but it's important to know what you should and should not do.
Do you want to know how you expertly handle the growth process of your cannabis plant, so your seedling will grow optimally? Then read this blog: how to grow germinated weed seeds.
Tips before growing germinated weed seeds
There are no set rules for the growth phase. Everyone grows in its own way, and we respect that. Yet there are a few useful tips and point of interest:
- A cannabis plant grows as long as it receives 18 hours of light and 6 hours darkness. As long as this light scheme is maintained, the plant will only grow. Note: this doesn't apply to autoflowers.
- Indoors, the growth phase lasts an average 2 to 8 weeks. However, the time frame of the growth phase depends on your wishes.
- Do not provide nutrients to young plants (seedlings).
- Check your plant daily, so you can spot any problems on time.
- Provide the plants enough water but don't overdo it. Do this manually. An automatic pump system can become clogged.
- Make sure your plants remain dust-free, so they can absorb maximum light. You do this, among other things, by rinsing the plants regularly. However, be careful. Wet leafs can burn more easily.
- Do you want to grow outdoors? Then find a place where nettles grow. On such a spot the soil is very suitable for the cultivation of a cannabis plant.
How to allow germinated cannabis seeds to grow?
To grow your germinated cannabis seeds you will have to create optimal conditions. You do this by arranging six steps directly:
- Put the seeds in the soil
- Provide the pots with the germinated seeds access to light
- Set a temperature of 20 to 25 degrees Celsius
- Make sure your soil has a PH value of 6 to 6.5
- Provide a humidity of 60%
- Provide ventilation
1. Put the seeds in the soil
In our previous blog "how to germinate weed seeds properly" you have been able to read how to germinate the seeds. Yet, once your seeds are germinated the real work starts. First you have to plant the seeds in the soil. You do this by creating a small dimple with a depth of 1 to 1.5 cm. Then place the seed in the hole with the root facing down in a manner that the top of the seed is just below the earth plane. Cover the top of the seed with a small amount of soil. Now spray water on the surface. You do this easily with the help of a plant spray. Make sure the surface is moistened well at all time, but don't overdo it.
2. Provide the pots with the germinated seeds access to light
After potting and as soon as the seedlings pop out of the ground they need direct access to bright light. Seedlings for indoor cultivation can easily be placed in an artificially illuminated environment or in front of the window. However, with a outdoor grow its advisable to let the seedling get used to the sunlight before you actually place them outside. You do this best by placing the pots first in your house on the windowsill and increase the exposure to direct sunlight by an hour or two per day. If outside temperatures permit, seedlings may get used to direct sunlight and outdoor conditions. Starting at about three hours a day, during the sunniest hours. Then an extra hour per day so the cannabis plants can be permanently outside after two weeks.
When the seedlings have produced their second or third set of serrated leaves (the round cotyledons that are initially excluded from the seed), they are usually strong enough to get access to direct sunlight or a grow light.
Light distance for weed plants
- When using HID lighting (High Intensity Discharge), keep the seedlings at a distance of at least 50 - 80 cm from the light.
- With a low-energy light bulb (100 watts or more) you have to keep a distance of about 15 cm between the young seedling and the lamp.
- When using fluorescent tubes (usually 18-36 watts), seedlings are kept only a few centimeters from the light source.
2. Set a temperature of 20 to 25 degrees Celsius
A cannabis plant grows well at a temperature between 22 - 25 degrees Celsius. Make sure that the temperature in your growing environment is constantly at this temperature.
3. Make sure your soil has a PH value of 6 to 6.5
PH is the name for the acidity of the soil. Please pay your attention: a low pH means an acidic soil while a high pH value means a non-acidic soil. PH 1 is therefore very acidic, pH 7 is neutral, and pH 14 is called basic.
Both during the growth phase and afterwards you will have to maintain a PH value of 6 to 6.5. A pH value which is too high or too low isn’t good for the growth of your cannabis plant and can be fatal. Measuring knows so make it yourself easy and buy a pH meter
How do you adjust the pH value?
It may be that your soil reaches a pH value which is too high or too low. Fortunately, this is easy to solve.
The pH value is too high
Are you dealing with a pH value which is too high? For example a pH value of 8? Then your soil is not acidic enough, and you must acidify the soil. You can do this simply by dissolving a few drops of vinegar in your water. Note: do this carefully and don't overdo it. A few drops are often more than enough to bring the PH value to the desired level.
The pH value is too low
If your soil is too acidic (the PH is lower than 6), you can dissolve a very small amount of soda in your water. Also do this carefully. Too much soda will bring the pH of your soil out of balance quickly.
4. Provide a humidity of 60%
Young cannabis plants need a high level of humidity for the first 6 weeks. Here, a humidity of 60% is best.
5. Provide ventilation
Cannabis seedlings that grow under grow lights like for example LED, CFL or HID always need a light breeze. The constant movement strengthens the stem enormously. A normal fan works perfectly.
Read our next blog: the stages of a weed plant