What do you need to do after germinating seeds? Almost every grower faces the same problem: after germinating cannabis seeds, you have to make sure they grow into healthy plants. You will have to learn a few things about growing weeds and meet a few critical requirements so nothing can stop your plants from flowering and maturing.
The most important thing for the first few days is not to break or pull apart the cannabis plant roots because it will kill your plant. You may be thinking, "but I'm not pulling; I'm just observing." You need to understand that each cannabis seed has its grain of sand, and even moving around the tiny sand grains will damage the roots of your marijuana seedlings enough to kill them. This post is designed to provide you with the best tips to ensure your cannabis plant survives from start to finish, so continue reading to know what to do after germinating weed seeds.
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What Do I Do After My Cannabis Seeds Sprout?
Initial Preparations
The next step is transplanting your cannabis seedlings into soil. However, before transplanting, there are several simple techniques to do before the germination stage that your seedlings require:
Are They Indoor or Outdoor Plants?
Outdoor plants will not need a lot of care and attention compared to indoor plants. For outdoor plants, you need to make sure your chosen location has enough sunlight and is not prone to flooding.
You will need to set up a grow room with proper light and humidity control for indoor plants. Also, consider the size of your plants when they reach maturity; some strains can get quite large.
Room to Grow
As your cannabis seed sprouts, they will need plenty of space to spread their taproots. Make sure you have chosen a location where your plants will have plenty of room to grow. If you are growing cannabis indoors, you may need to transplant your plants into a larger pot as they grow.
Choosing the Right Soil Mix
You will want to use a soil mix that drains well and is high in organic matter. Second, you will need to pre-fertilize the soil mix with a balanced slow-release fertilizer. After transplanting, water your plants well and adjust your irrigation schedule to ensure the young plants get off to a good start.
Light
As your seedlings grow, you will need to provide enough light. Seedlings grown indoors under fluorescent grow lights should receive 18-24 hours of light daily. When growing outdoors, make sure your cannabis seedlings are in an area where they can get at least 8 hours of direct sunlight each day.
pH
Maintaining a constant temperature and the correct pH is critical for the health of your cannabis plants. If you are transplanting into the soil, you will need to make sure the pH of the soil is within the appropriate range of 6.0-6.8. Test the pH of potting soil with a soil pH meter or by using pH Test Strips.
Watering
Cannabis seedlings need enough moisture, but you don't want them to sit in waterlogged soil for an extended period. Young plants should be watered 1-2 times per day, while older plants may only need to be watered every 2-3 days. Be sure to adjust the watering schedule as needed based on the weather conditions and the type of soil mix.
Nutrients
Cannabis plants require a variety of macronutrients and micronutrients to grow healthy and strong. You can provide these nutrients by using a nutrient solution or adding organic matter to your soil mix. It's also advisable to use fertilizers high in nitrogen during the vegetative stage and high in phosphorus during the flowering stage.
Hardening Off
Before transplanting, hardening of your cannabis seedlings is necessary. This means that you will slowly introduce them to the conditions they will be facing in their new home. Start by setting them outside in a shaded location for an hour or two and gradually increase the amount of time outside each day. After a week or so, they should be ready to be transplanted into their new home.
How Do I Take Care of Newly Germinated Weed Seedlings?
You need to transplant the seedling after germinating your cannabis seed, whether using the paper towel method, soaking in a small container, or whichever way instructed on the seed packet.
Transplanting
Now that you have all the requirements, you need to start the transplanting process; The best time to transplant your seedlings is when the roots have filled the container and the plants are about two inches tall. During the transplanting process, handle the plants by the leaves and avoid touching the stem. Be sure to water your plants well while uprooting the sprouts from the seed tray and transplanting.
Growing Medium Ideal for Transplanting the Sprouts
Now that your cannabis seeds have germinated, you will need to choose a suitable growing medium for transplanting them. The best growing mediums for cannabis plants are soil, coco coir, or hydroponics. Using soil, you will need to fertilize your plants with a balanced fertilizer every two weeks. If you use coco coir for hydroponics, you will need to provide your plants with a nutrient solution every week. You can also use organic or synthetic pesticides as required.
Step by Step Transplanting Process:
- Dig a hole in the soil twice as wide and deep as the pot your cannabis seedlings are currently in.
- Remove the cannabis seedlings from their pot and loosen the soil around the roots with your fingers.
- Place the cannabis seedlings in the hole you dug and fill it with soil, making sure to pack the soil down around the roots.
- Water the cannabis plants well and adjust your irrigation schedule as needed.
- Add mulch around the base of the baby plant with organic matter to help retain moisture in the soil and suppress weed growth.
Taking Care of The Transplanted Seeds:
Apart from transplanting and watering the seedlings, there are several other factors you should consider:
Handling the Vegetative Phase
The vegetative phase is the first stage of a cannabis plant's life cycle. During this stage, the plant will grow and develop its root system. The vegetative phase typically lasts for two to four weeks, depending on the strain of cannabis and the growing conditions. During this phase, ensure you properly feed your plants and keep an eye out for any pests or diseases.
Weed and Pest Control
Weed control can be a challenge, especially when your plants are young. You can use a mulch to help suppress weed growth, and you may need to hand-weed occasionally. Pest control is also essential, and you can use organic or synthetic pesticides as required.
Thinning and Pruning
Thinning your plants will help them grow more vigorously and result in larger, healthier plants. You can thin your plants by removing the smaller, weaker plants. Pruning your plants will help them grow bushier and will increase the yield. You can prune your plants by removing the lower branches.
Pollination
If you are growing cannabis plants for flowers, you will need to pollinate them. Pollination can be done by using a small paintbrush or your finger to transfer pollen from one flower to another for indoor plants. The wind, birds, and insects will help with the pollination process for outdoor plants.
Topdressing
Topdressing is adding a layer of organic matter to the top of your soil. Topdressing will help improve the fertility and structure of the soil, and it will also help retain moisture. You can use compost, manure, or leaf mulch as a top dressing.
Harvesting and Curing
Cannabis plants will be ready for harvest after flowering for 6-8 weeks. The best way to determine when they are ready is to look at the color of the trichomes. The trichomes will be milky white when the plant is ready for harvest. Cutting the plants down and hanging them to dry will produce the best results. Once the plants are dry, you can trim and cure them in airtight jars.
Weed and Pest Control
Weed control can be a challenge, especially when your plants are young. You can use a mulch to help suppress weed growth, and you may need to hand-weed occasionally. Pest control is also essential, and you can use organic or synthetic pesticides as required.
Thinning and Pruning
Thinning your plants will help them grow more vigorously and result in larger, healthier plants. You can thin your plants by removing the smaller, weaker plants. Pruning your plants will help them grow bushier and will increase the yield. You can prune your plants by removing the lower branches.
Pollination
If you are growing cannabis plants for flowers, you will need to pollinate them. Pollination can be done by using a small paintbrush or your finger to transfer pollen from one flower to another for indoor plants. The wind, birds, and insects will help with the pollination process for outdoor plants.
Topdressing
Topdressing is adding a layer of organic matter to the top of your soil. Topdressing will help improve the fertility and structure of the soil, and it will also help retain moisture. You can use compost, manure, or leaf mulch as a top dressing.
Harvesting and Curing
Cannabis plants will be ready for harvest after flowering for 6-8 weeks. The best way to determine when they are ready is to look at the color of the trichomes. The trichomes will be milky white when the plant is ready for harvest. Cutting the plants down and hanging them to dry will produce the best results. Once the plants are dry, you can trim and cure them in airtight jars.
Ideal Growing Conditions for Cannabis Plants Germinated for Indoor Planting
Planting cannabis seeds indoors offers many advantages, such as control over the environment and the ability to grow plants year-round. When growing cannabis indoors, you will need to provide your plants with 16-20 hours of light per day and keep the temperature between 70- and 80-degrees Fahrenheit. You will also need to provide your plants with plenty of fresh air and humidity levels between 40 and 60 percent.
You can use various methods to grow cannabis indoors, including soil or hydroponics. Using soil, you will need to fertilize your plants with a balanced fertilizer every two weeks. If you are using hydroponics, you will need to provide your plants with a nutrient solution every week.
The ideal spacing for indoor plants is 18-24 inches. You can use this spacing to allow your plants to grow large and produce a high yield. You will need to prune your plants regularly to keep them from becoming too tall.
Cannabis plants grown indoors will typically be ready for harvest after 8-10 weeks. The best way to determine when they are ready is to look at the color of the trichomes. The trichomes will be milky white when the plant is ready for harvest. Cutting the plants down and hanging them to dry will produce the best results. Once the plants are dry, you can trim the plants and cure them in airtight jars.
Grow Cannabis Plants Successfully
Seed germination is the first step in growing your cannabis plants. By following the steps in this guide, you will be able to germinate your marijuana seeds successfully and grow healthy cannabis plants. 420greenthumb has a wide range of information about planting cannabis seeds, weed farming, and production. Check out the website for more details, queries, and tips about weed farming.
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