So, you want to start growing weed in your hydroponic system, right? You’re not alone! The same applies to growing other plants, as well. To grow weeds in hydroponic systems, you’ll need to buy seeds that are feminized.
Feminized seeds are more likely to germinate. The next step is to water them and wait at least 12 to 24 hours for them to sprout.
In this post, we will cover:
It starts with the seeds
Marijuana grows as a seed. These tiny pebbles contain food for a day and will break through the shell during germination. Then, the seeds will grow into a plant, with a stem and root.
Seedlings rely on the environment for nutrients and moisture, and this process is called germination. If you give marijuana seeds enough moisture and light, they will germinate and grow into healthy plants.
When selecting a strain of marijuana to grow in a hydroponic system, look for a low-yielding variety.
This will increase your chances of success. Beginner-friendly cultivars are often the best bets, as they require minimal attention from new cultivators. One such strain is Northern Lights, a potent indica that provides a soothing effect.
After purchasing the seeds, it is important to soak them. This will speed up the germination process. If the seeds are pale green, white, or very dark, they may not germinate.
Another important step is storing the seeds properly. Cannabis seeds do not need much water, so watering them up to the drip point should be enough to maintain moisture for a few days. Then, it is time to add light. The light will activate the seeds’ ability to create sugars and use them as energy for growth.
Buy Feminized Seeds
When you first start your marijuana growing, you may wonder whether you should buy regular seeds or feminized weed seeds. The choice is largely a matter of preference, but choosing feminized seeds will reduce the risk of getting male plants and save you the trouble of picking out male plants.
You will also find that certain strains are known for higher yields than others, but not all high-yielding strains are of the highest quality. Beginners typically purchase feminized seeds.
In general, feminized marijuana seeds are easier to prepare than normal seeds. You can also tell how many plants are usable by knowing how many of them are male or female. This will allow you to plan your growing strategy better.
Feminized marijuana seeds are obtained from treated female plants. Female marijuana seeds contain only female genetic information. However, a small percentage of them are hermaphrodite.
Planting your germinated seeds
Before transplanting your germinated seeds into your hydroponic system, you should make sure they’ve had enough time to fully germinate. Many seeds need to be presoaked before germination, which allows the seed coat to break open and absorb water.
Some growers recommend presoaking the seeds for this reason, but this process is not necessary for all speeds. If you’re unsure of the speed of germination, try using the paper towel method.
You can also use a feminized seed if you want to avoid having to deal with root rot. You can also try to soak the seeds for a day in water before planting them. The longer you soak the seeds, the more likely they’ll become devoid of oxygen, preventing growth.
To increase the speed of germination, consider adding beneficial enzymes and vitamin B1 to the water.
When seedlings are several inches tall, they’re ready for transplanting into the hydroponic system. To ensure proper growth, you should avoid bending the roots of young seedlings.
Seedlings should be placed in a starter cube – these flexible, soilless cubes work well in net cups, gravel, or clay pellets. Different seeds have different requirements for germination, so choose the perfect environment for the growing medium. For instance, some seeds require soaking overnight in water.
Others need to be stored in the refrigerator for several weeks. Some may require scratching or nicking to break the seed pod.
Water germination
There are two ways to start weed seeds for hydroponic systems. One is to soak them in water for 24 hours. This will ensure that they have sufficient moisture, but not enough oxygen. If you wait any longer, the seeds will likely drown and not sprout.
The other option is to soak the seeds overnight in water and then transfer them to a paper towel that is damp.
Once you’ve soaked the seeds in water, you can plant them into the growing medium. Make sure to plant the seeds with the pointy side facing up. This will help them naturally orient themselves when they sprout.
Another way to facilitate germination is to soak the seeds in distilled water for 24 hours before planting. Weed seeds can be planted in hydroponic systems, coco coir, or any other type of growth medium.
A small pot is ideal for starting seeds. For germination, use a peat moss substitute or mix it with your favorite potting soil. For small seeds, coco coir has fine pith. Coco coir holds more water than soil and doesn’t require constant watering.
Coconut husks are a sustainable alternative to peat moss. Leaf mould is another option for bulk and moisture retention.
Planning for germination
The process of planning for germination of weed seeds for your hydroponics garden begins with the preparation of seed trays. Using distilled water will keep the seeds moist and sterile for 24 hours.
Seeds that are soaked longer than that are most likely to drown and not sprout. Seed trays with pH values of 5.8 to 6.5 are ideal for germination.
Seed trays should contain heating mats or rockwool. These will maintain a temperature that promotes growth of seedlings. Proper lighting is also important. You can purchase a starter cube, which must be moist and can withstand long soaking.
Some germination kits also include a stirrer and a measuring cup. These are ideal for beginners who do not have much experience with hydroponics.
Proper lighting is critical to seedling growth. Young seedlings should be under CFL or fluorescent grow lights. A light source that is too high may damage the cannabis plant during the first few weeks.
Ensure adequate lighting in your hydroponics system and monitor the growing conditions. Do not allow the lights to become too bright, as they can cause the seedlings to wilt.
How can I germinate my seeds?
There are several ways to start a new crop of weeds. One of the most popular is using clones. Clones are essentially plants that have already sprouted. Seeds on the other hand require extra care and attention.
A single seed can produce three to four inches of plant. To germinate weed seeds for hydroponics, place a single seed on a paper towel that is slightly damp but not dripping. In a few days, the seedling should sprout.
If you don’t have a greenhouse or are not sure where to buy a glass for seedlings, you can create one by filling it with distilled water.
This water is chlorine-free, and you can buy it from a store. Alternatively, you can moisten a piece of tissue paper and place the seeds on it. Keep the paper towel moist and in a dark place until they germinate.
Germinating Seeds Using Rockwool
Weed seeds are easy to germinate when grown in rockwool cubes. These cubes are already designed with holes in them, making it easy for you to plant seedlings directly in them.
Make sure to leave some space between the rockwool cubes and the seeds, so the seeds don’t try to push themselves out. If you use rockwool cubes, you can also place the whole cube in the soil to germinate.
Remember not to break or squeeze the cubes, since you can damage the fragile root structure.
Marijuana seeds grow best in a warm, moist environment, and are suited for hydroponics. You can use clear plastic humidity domes, or DIY solutions using cut-off plastic soda bottles.
If you’d rather grow cannabis seeds indoors, you can even use LEDs. But be sure to use high-quality bulbs and not cheap LEDs, as their light intensity will be too low for flowering plants. These are best for seedlings, though.
How do I germinate cannabis seeds?
When growing your plants, you may wonder how to germinate cannabis seeds. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to do it.
First, you must prepare your soil. You can prepare your soil by poking a hole with a pencil, pen, or other sharp object.
Then, place the seed in the hole.
Then, keep the soil moist by spraying it occasionally. You should wait 12 to 24 hours before transplanting the seedlings to the container.
If you don’t have a propagation machine, you can use paper towels or cotton pads to cover your seedlings. Paper towels work well for this task, but you should choose plain, non-porous ones.
Avoid cloth-like paper towels, as they may allow the roots to grow into the towel. Alternatively, you can purchase feminized seedling kits and prepare a tray of sterile water.
