Seeds: Seeds are the most comon way to grow cannabis plant's. Cannabis seeds are very easy to keep and will last for years if kept in the corect conditions. The best way to keep them is in a dry aera with low humidity. A refrigarator crisper is a ideal place. Germanation: The germanation prosess is fairly simple. Their are several way's to germanate cannabis seeds. Befor germanation the seed(s) should alway's be checked for viablity. Viable seeds are hard with dark and light brown colors. Green seeds are inmuture and will not germante. "The Squish Test" The Squish test is the 2nd step in determing if the seed(s) are viable. Place the seed inbetween your thumb and 1st finger and squeeze. If the seed does not crack or break open they are good seds and should germanate. "Soaking the Seed" Place the seed(s) into a glass of cold water (tap is fine). Seeds will absorb the water and sink to the bottom of the glass with in a few hours. Floters usally will not germanate. Seeds should soak for 12/24 hours and will sometimes germanate in the water. (show tap root) Longer soaking (72 hours) or longer will couse the seed shell to fall of compleatly leaving only the seedling wich can be planted directly into a medium. Plant upto the cyoloten (round leaves). By adding H202 and or (fragrence free) dish liquad soap to the water used to soak the seed(s) will help prevent (Damp Off) from attacking and killing the seedling. Clorien in (Tap) water is also usfull in killing harmful bacteria. H2o2: Adding h2o2 (15 mls to a liter, dish soap at a few drops to a liter) After 12/24 hours remove the seed(s) and place them directly into a medium or use the paper towl method. Paper Towl Method: After soaking (or not) place the seed(s) inbetween moistened (warm water) paper towls. Place the paper towls into a bowl with a lid or a plastic bag and into a warm aera (80 dagrees) or so. Place the bowl/bag on top of your PC, TV, DVD or refrigarator to provide the warmth. Heating mat's can also be used. Place them in a dark aera if possible. After 12/24 hours the seed(s) should show their (Tap Root), check often, every few hours. However seeds can take up to 4 or 5 day's or longer to germanate. Make sure the paper towl is kept moist durring the prosess so the seed(s) do not dry out. NOTE * - Seed's should alway's be germanated 1st befor adding them to a medium to incress sucsess rate. NOTE* - All seeds should be planted tap root down During germanation temps should be kept in the mid to high 80's/humidity should be the same. Once they show their 1st set of (true) leaves the temp's and humidity can be lowered to mid 70's low 80's. Humidity should be 45% to 60%. Planting the seed: Once the seed germanates, remove the seed and plant it into the medium. Try not to touch the tap root to help prevent contamanation. Plant the seed (Tap Root) down about 1/4th deep into the medium, cover the seed with more medium (slightly) to keep it safe from drying out. Pre-moisten the medium with warm water (tap is fine). B-1 or a very week bloom fert can be used to soak the medium. Place planted seed & container into a (Humidity dome) untill the 1st set of leaves (true) leaves are showing. Once the seedling has pushed threw the medium and is showing it's 1st set of (True) leaves, remove the dome and place a fan gentley blowing across and around the seedling and add the propper lighting. After the seedling pushes threw the medium the shell at times will remain attatched to the seedling. This will kill the seedling if left their. Drop a few drop's of warm water over the seed shell and try to remove the shell with tweezers. Make sure the (Membrain) is not left on the seedling. The membrain is a thin see threw layer that provides nutrient during the germanation prosess. Make sure the shell and membrain is not left in the medium, as they decay they attract harmful bacteria that can kill the seedling. Misting should not be started till after the 1st few week's as this can couse (Damp Off) killing the seed, however misting with a funguside is safe and wise. Funguside will add protection and add to the seedling(s) sucsess. Lighting: The correct lighting for seedling's would be Fluoros. seedling's need alot of light to keep them strong and healthy but to strong of a light can burn them. Flouros should be 2 inches away from the tops of the seeding's. HID lamps can be used if kept at the correct distance. HID's should be raised to 3 foot away from the seedling's top's. Use the "Hand Test" to determin where the lighting should be placed. "Hand Test": Place the back of your hand at the top of the plant's canopy, if the heat is to hot for your hand it is to close to the seedling. Move the lighting up and away from the back of your hand till you feel comfortable, this is the safe & correct distance for plant's. After a few day's seedling's can be placed directly under HID lamp's with out problems. Feeding/Watering: The medium should remain moist for the 1st 2 week's befor allowing the medium to dry out. After the 2 week's the medium should be allowed to dry out inbetween watering's so the root's can search out the medium creating a larger root mass. Seedling's should (NOT) need any feeding untill their about 2 week's old however, soil-less mixes have no to little nutrient value so earlier feeding's are nesacerry. Once the round (Coyloten) leaves start to yellow they are ready to be feed. A week 1-2-1 (higher P to N/K) nutrient should be used for the first few feeding's. Seed starter fert's are mild and prevent burning while providing the (P) the young plant needs to take root and thrive. Organic and high (N) fertalizers should not ne used on seedling's becouse they will burn and stunt the young plant's (Edited by syko2 at 5:15 am on Sep. 23, 2004)
