🌱 Germination Guide

Master the art of getting your seeds to sprout every time

💧 Step 1: Water Glass Preparation (Always Start Here)

Water Glass + H₂O₂ Method
Essential first step for maximum germination success
🧪 Hydrogen Peroxide Dilution Guide

H₂O₂ sterilizes seeds, softens hard shells, and provides extra oxygen for faster germination

3% H₂O₂
1:10 ratio
Standard strength
(most common)
3% H₂O₂
1:20 ratio
Gentle strength
(sensitive seeds)
3% H₂O₂
1:5 ratio
Strong solution
(old/hard seeds)

🔧 Water Glass Prep Steps:

  1. 1
    Mix H₂O₂ solution: 1ml of 3% H₂O₂ + 10ml distilled water (1:10 ratio)
  2. 2
    Fill small glass with the H₂O₂ solution (room temperature)
  3. 3
    Gently drop seeds into solution
  4. 4
    Place in dark, warm location (75-80°F / 24-27°C)
  5. 5
    Wait 12-24 hours - viable seeds will sink to bottom
  6. 6
    Remove seeds and rinse with clean water
  7. 7
    Now choose your germination method below

🛤️ Step 2: Choose Your Germination Path

After water glass prep, select one of these three proven methods

📄 Paper Towel Method
Most Popular & Visual
95-98% Success Rate

🔧 Step-by-Step Process:

  1. 1
    Dampen 2 paper towels with distilled water - moist but not dripping
  2. 2
    Place pre-soaked seeds on one towel, cover with second towel
  3. 3
    Put between two plates or in plastic container with lid
  4. 4
    Keep in dark, warm place (75-80°F / 24-27°C)
  5. 5
    Check daily, mist if towels start to dry out
  6. 6
    Transfer to growing medium when taproot is ¼-½ inch long (24-72 hours)
✅ Advantages:
  • Highest success rate with H₂O₂ prep
  • Easy to monitor germination progress
  • Cheap and accessible materials
  • Quick results (24-72 hours)
  • Perfect for beginners
  • Can see exactly when to transplant
❌ Disadvantages:
  • Requires careful handling of taproot
  • Extra transplant step
  • Can dry out if not monitored
  • Risk of damaging taproot during transfer
🧊 Starter Cubes
Professional Choice
90-95% Success Rate
🎯 Cube Options:
Eazy Plugs
Rockwool Cubes
Rapid Rooters
Root Riot Cubes
Grodan Cubes
Jiffy Pellets

🔧 Step-by-Step Process:

  1. 1
    Soak cubes in pH 5.5-6.0 water for 30 minutes (rockwool) or as directed
  2. 2
    Gently squeeze out excess water from cubes
  3. 3
    Place pre-soaked seed in pre-made hole or create small hole
  4. 4
    Cover seed lightly with small piece of cube material
  5. 5
    Place on tray with humidity dome
  6. 6
    Keep warm and moist (not wet) at 75-80°F
  7. 7
    Transplant entire cube when roots show through (3-7 days)
✅ Advantages:
  • Perfect for hydro/soilless systems
  • Sterile growing medium
  • No transplant shock
  • Professional results
  • Easy to transplant entire cube
  • Good water/air ratio
❌ Disadvantages:
  • More expensive than paper towel
  • May need pH adjustment (rockwool)
  • Can't see germination progress
  • Need humidity dome setup
🌱 Direct Soil Method
Natural & Simple
85-90% Success Rate

🔧 Step-by-Step Process:

  1. 1
    Fill small pots with quality seed starting mix (light, fluffy soil)
  2. 2
    Water soil until evenly moist throughout but not waterlogged
  3. 3
    Plant pre-soaked seeds ¼-½ inch deep, pointy end down
  4. 4
    Cover lightly with fine soil or vermiculite
  5. 5
    Cover pots with humidity dome or plastic wrap
  6. 6
    Keep soil moist but not wet, maintain 75-80°F temperature
  7. 7
    Remove cover when seedlings emerge (3-7 days)
✅ Advantages:
  • Zero transplant shock
  • Most natural method
  • Less handling required
  • Stronger initial root development
  • Perfect for soil grows
  • Lower contamination risk
❌ Disadvantages:
  • Can't monitor germination progress
  • Higher risk of overwatering
  • May take longer to see results
  • Harder to troubleshoot problems

🌡️ Optimal Germination Conditions

🌡️
Temperature
75-80°F
24-27°C optimal range
Consistent warmth is key
💧
Humidity
70-90%
High humidity prevents drying
Use humidity dome
🌙
Light
Dark
Seeds germinate in darkness
Light after emergence
💨
Air Flow
Gentle
Slight air movement
Prevents mold growth
⚗️
pH
6.0-7.0
Slightly acidic to neutral
5.5-6.0 for rockwool
⏰
Timing
24-72hrs
Most seeds sprout in 1-3 days
Some take up to 7 days

🔧 Troubleshooting Common Problems

Seeds Not Sinking
Symptoms: Seeds float after 24 hours in water glass
Solutions: Old seeds may need longer soaking. Try gently scoring seed shell with sandpaper. Increase H₂O₂ concentration to 1:5 ratio for tough shells.
No Germination After 7 Days
Symptoms: Seeds show no signs of cracking or sprouting
Solutions: Check temperature (needs 75-80°F). Ensure proper moisture. Old seeds may be non-viable. Try fresh H₂O₂ solution.
Mold Growth
Symptoms: White/gray fuzzy growth on seeds or medium
Solutions: Too much moisture. Improve air circulation. Start over with H₂O₂ solution. Reduce humidity slightly.
Damping Off
Symptoms: Seedlings fall over, stem looks pinched at soil level
Solutions: Overwatering issue. Improve drainage. Use sterile growing medium. Reduce watering frequency.
Helmet Head
Symptoms: Seed shell stuck on cotyledon leaves
Solutions: Increase humidity around seedling. Gently mist the shell. Carefully remove with tweezers if soft.
Stretchy Seedlings
Symptoms: Long, weak stems reaching for light
Solutions: Move light closer to seedlings. Provide gentle air movement. Transplant deeper to support stem.

💡 Pro Germination Tips

🧪 H₂O₂ Benefits
Hydrogen peroxide kills bacteria, softens seed shells, and provides extra oxygen. Always use with distilled water for best results.
🌡️ Heat Mat Magic
Seedling heat mats provide consistent bottom heat. More effective than ambient room heating and increases success rates significantly.
🕒 Timing is Everything
Don't let taproots get too long in paper towels (max ½ inch). Longer roots are more fragile and harder to transplant.
🚿 Water Quality Matters
Use distilled or RO water for germination. Tap water chlorine and chemicals can inhibit germination and growth.
🔍 Gentle Handling
Use tweezers to handle sprouted seeds. Touch only the seed shell, never the white taproot. Work quickly but carefully.
📱 Track Your Success
Keep notes on germination rates by strain and method. This data helps you optimize your process over time.