Marijuana Genetics

It is extremely important to start with good genetics. Potency, aroma, growth speed, maturation period, resistance to fungus and pests..… all of these factors are considered by the seasoned gardener and you will benefit enormously by finding a strain that is bred for your local climate and/or growing environment. 

 

If growing indoors, you should try to find an Indica/Sativa hybrid if possible, as they have the best characteristics for indoor growth. A good hybrid indica/sativa mix will have the energetic, cerebral high of the sativa and the early maturation tendencies of the Indica plant.

 

The Indica plant is easily recognized by its extremely broad leaves that are very rounded on the sides. The Sativa has very narrow, finger-like leaves. A hybrid will have qualities of both and have leaves that are a cross of these two types, thinner than an Indica, but much broader than a Sativa. It is possible to recognize a good hybrid by the leaves once you know what to look for. Look for seeds that are dark brown or light grey. Some may have dark lines inset into these colors, like tiger stripes. White, small seeds are immature and should not be planted.

 

Germinating Marijuana Seeds

There are many simple methods for germinating marijuana seeds that prove successful... providing you are using good, viable seeds and every step is executed correctly. Most quality will show their taproots within 24 hrs, and all marijuana seeds should show taproots within 72 hrs!

 

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 marijuana 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.)

 

Paper Towel Method:

 

MATERIALS:

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

 

PROCEDURE:

This method involves placing the seeds between folded, wet paper towels that are kept moist and warm in an area between 75-85 degrees, such as on the top of the refrigerator. For best results, use water that is a bit warmer than room-temperature (to compensate for any drop in temperature), and place the paper towel on a small plate and cover the plate 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 seeds will yield better results, as well as adding more warm water to the paper-towel and bottom dish before covering the whole arrangement with the second plate.

 

After a period of 48 hours and up to 1 week, the vast majority of viable seeds will crack open with a white root tip emerging. Be careful not to allow the new sprout to dry out, so check it daily!

 

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

 

Standard Soaking Method:

 

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 of germinating marijuana seeds, 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 the them soak for a while then give them a little tap to make them 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. 

 

At this point, the seedling 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 upwards to germinate without the transplanting step. The medium is kept uniformly moist until the young seedling emerges on the surface.

 

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 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.

 

NOTE: Regardless of which method you use, 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.

 

Vegetative Growth

Once sprouted, the newly born plant enters the vegetative growth period. This means the plant will begin photosynthesizing and under the right conditions, can grow very quickly . Many new grow tips will begin to appear on each set of leaves and at every major internode. A grow tip is the part that can be cloned or propagated asexually. When you cut off a grow tip you "top" the plant, it then has two grow tips.. If you top each of these, you will have 4 grow tips at the top of the plant. However, keep in mind that it takes time for the plant to recover from the trauma of being pruned, therefore it is faster to grow four smaller plants and not top them at all. Or grow two plants, and "train" the branches to fill the same space.

 

It is best to vegetate plants with 24 hour light. You will increase the speed at which they grow by 15-30% if you keep light on the new sprouts continuously, as opposed to just 18 hours per day.

 

Take time to carefully bend the young plants stem back and forth between your fingers to force it to become thick and strong. Spindly stems can not support heavy flowering growth. An internal oscillating fan will reduce humidity on the plants and improve the stem strength as well. The importance of internal air circulation can not be stressed enough! It will exersize the plants and make them grow stronger, while reducing many hazards that could ruin your crop.

 

Plants can be grown vegetatively indefinitely. It is up to the gardener to decide when to force the plant to flower. A plant can grow from 12" to 12' before being forced to flower, so there is a lot of latitude here for each gardener to manage the garden based on goals and space available. Ty to keep the lights on for more than 18 hours per day.

 

Guru 

 

Quality Cannabis Seeds Delivered Worldwide: http://guruseeds.com