What to do if seeds are not germinating?

Every grower has faced challenges with the germination of their cannabis seeds. What to do if a seeds are not germinating? To address this, let’s analyze some of the most common reasons why cannabis seeds fail to germinate and the solutions for each.

Why are my seeds not germinating?

There are several reasons why seeds fail to germinate. The primary causes include:

• Inadequate environment: Seeds require specific conditions to germinate: a constant and suitable temperature, as well as a moist environment.
• Malformed or incorrectly sized seeds: Just like any plant, poorly formed seeds or seeds that are too small or large may fail to germinate properly.
• Old or young seeds: Seeds that are too old may have lost their viability, while seeds that are too young may not be ready to germinate.

Importance of successful germination

The significance of seed germination lies in it being the vital first step in the cannabis life cycle. Therefore, a healthy start ensures a strong and productive plant and successful germination is the gateway to optimal vegetative and flowering development.

Cannabis seeds can have a germination rate of up to 99% if handled correctly, that means nearly all seeds can become plants if the right conditions are created. Achieving a high germination percentage is key to maximizing the investment in seeds.

The germination process requires a humid environment with consistent temperature and humidity for 2-10 days. A common mistake is using wet paper towels that dry out, using too much water, or not providing enough warmth.

Key factors to avoid seeds not germinating

When it comes to germinating cannabis seeds, two essential protagonists are involved:

Temperature and humidity

Cannabis seeds require a specific environment to trigger their germination process. Here, the appropriate temperature and humidity for cannabis seed germination come into play. But what are those conditions?

• The general rule indicates that seeds germinate optimally within a thermal range between 16-25°C. Maintaining a constant temperature within this range is crucial, as temperatures below or above may slow down the process or even halt it entirely. A practical way to maintain this temperature is by using seedling heat mats or placing the germination container in a warm location, but avoiding direct sunlight.
• On the other hand, humidity also plays a vital role and should be approximately 80%. This means that seeds need to be constantly in contact with a moist environment but not to the point of saturation, which could cause suffocation or the growth of harmful fungi. An environment that is too dry is also unsuitable, as it could cause seeds to lose the little water they have and dehydrate.
• To achieve these conditions, many growers opt to germinate cannabis seeds in paper towels within a sealed container. This method allows for easy maintenance of both temperature and humidity.
• It is advisable to use a thermohygrometer to monitor environmental conditions and spray water to maintain humidity. Additionally, avoid sudden temperature or humidity changes.

Avoiding heavy metal presence and pH imbalances

One of the factors influencing cannabis seed germination is the presence of heavy metals or toxic substances in the environment. Besides, these elements can be detrimental to the seeds, inhibiting their growth or even killing them before they can sprout.

Additionally, toxic substances in the soil or water used for irrigation can be absorbed by the seeds and affect their germination.

Plus, the pH of the environment also has a significant impact on germination. Cannabis seeds prefer a slightly acidic to neutral pH, between 5.5 and 6.5. An extreme pH, whether highly acidic or highly alkaline, can hinder nutrient absorption by the seeds and prevent their growth. Furthermore, to maintain optimal conditions, ensure that the water used for irrigation is free of impurities.

Common mistakes to avoid

Likewise, when starting with seed germination, it’s crucial to avoid certain common mistakes that can compromise the process even before the plants begin to grow. Here are some considerations to avoid these errors and ensure successful germination:

• Maintaining humidity: It’s essential to keep the paper towels consistently moist but not saturated. If the paper towels dry out, the seeds may lose the essential moisture for germination, halting or slowing down the process.
• Avoiding saturation: If the paper towels are too wet, there may be excess water leading to anaerobic conditions, causing suffocation of the seeds or the development of harmful fungi.
• Environmental control: The paper towels should be in a place with a stable temperature and no drafts that can quickly dry them out.
• Proper container use: When using paper towels for germination, they should be placed between two plates or inside a sealed container to maintain humidity and temperature. This creates an ideal microenvironment for germination.
• Cleanliness: Ensure both the paper towels and the container are clean to reduce the risk of contaminants or pathogens that may harm the seeds.
• Continuous monitoring: Regularly check the seeds, at least once a day, to ensure optimal conditions. This includes checking humidity and making adjustments if necessary.
• Handle carefully: When inspecting or transferring your seeds to their next growth medium, do so carefully to avoid damaging the fragile roots that are emerging.
• By implementing these practices carefully and adjusting them as necessary, common issues with the use of paper towels can be avoided, significantly increasing your chances of success in the critical germination stage.
• Transplanting seedlings too early is among the common mistakes in cannabis seed germination. This error stems from impatience or the lack of knowledge among novice growers.
• Lack of cleanliness and incorrect handling of seeds, ensuring they are properly sterilized.

Remember, patience and gentleness are key in the germination process, discovering what to do if seeds are not germinating. Therefore, by avoiding mishandling and maintaining a high standard of hygiene, you’ll be creating the ideal conditions for seeds to thrive.