4. Start Seed
In this section we will walk through our tested method of starting a plant from seed.
- Here is the full video: YouTube – Start Marijuana Seed
- Here is an alternate start seed process that includes a presoak step, which some prefer: Page – Start Seed With Presoak
Start Seed Parts and Tools:
- Garden Label – Label with printed name of the strain of seed you will grow. We printed ours with a label maker which we highly recommend.
- Feminized cannabis seed – Make sure you have a feminized seed or you will have unexpected results farther in this tutorial.
- Pen – Any household pen you like will do.
- Quart Ziploc bag – A Ziploc bag big enough to cover the nursery bag. Click here for an example.
- 16oz plastic cup – Click here for an example.
- Spray bottle
- Small watering can – Fill this with tap water.
- Small Nursery Bag – Click here for an example.
- 60/40 cocoa/perlite mix – You need to mix your cocoa and perlite. I would mix at least enough for a 3g grow bag and a small nursery bag. YouTube: Mix Cocoa and Perlite (60/40 Cocoa/Perlite Mix)
- Organic soil – Click here for an example. You can mix in up to 20% of perlite for extra drainage. Soak this separately so it is ready for your seed.
- Plant Saucer – This keeps things nice and neat.
- Label Maker (optional) – Helps to create labels that can be used through the whole process of tracking a plant. Click here for an example.
Start Seed – Steps:
- Prepare your 60/40 cocoa perlite mix then use the spoon to fill the bottom half of the small nursery bag with it. YouTube: Mix Cocoa and Perlite (60/40 Cocoa/Perlite Mix)
- Fill the top half of the nursery bag with organic soil(mix up to 20% perlite for extra drainage if desired). Leave 1/4 inch or so at the top to help with watering later. Push it down to be a little tight.
- Soak your nursery bag with water.
- Make a hole about 1/2″ deep with a pen in the center of the organic soul and place your seed in the hole. Gently push the soil over the seed and cover the hole.
- Place The nursery bag in a 16oz plastic cup to help it stand and retain a little moisture.
- Place your Ziploc bag around the nursery bag and plastic cup to create a higher humidity. Close the bag on the sides of the plastic cup.
- Put your garden label with strain name into the nursery bag.
- Place everything into your veg tent with 18 hours of light. A little light leaking is ok here but make sure the plant gets at least 18 hours of light or it can start to flower. You don’t need a lot of light strength to get seed started and too much can be harmful. Set your veg light to around 50% and have at least 2 feet away from the plant.
- Now keep your soil lightly moist and watch for the plant to pop out, should take a couple of days to see the first little plant pop. Do not over water, this can drown the seed but having it in a nursery bag helps greatly to reduce that risk. Add a little water about once a day or so, the Ziploc bag should prevent the plant from drying out too fast.
- Once the plant pops you can remove the Ziploc bag and water your plant daily until it is big enough to move into a bigger container.
