How to Germinate and Plant Cannabis Seeds | EP4
Topics
Introduction — This Episode Is All About Action 0:06
Spring Arrives — The Timing of Germination 0:39
The Swami Select Germination Method 1:22
Sowing Seeds Into Soil — Mycorrhizae & First Transplant 2:32
Taking Seedlings Outdoors & First Leaves 3:09
Cotyledon Leaves & Early Seedling Development 3:29
First Feeding & The Joy of Spring Growth 4:14
Recap & What's Next — The Veg Stage 5:03
Video Transcript
Follow along using the transcript
[00:06] While our last episode covered preparation, this one is all about action. Germination and sowing your homegrown cannabis seeds is one of the most rewarding parts of growing, and we're going to show you how to do it in a Swami Select way.
[00:24] Welcome back to How to Grow Cannabis Outdoors with Nikki and Swami and Tipu.
[00:39] In late March, Mother Nature rubs her eyes and slowly wakes up, painting the land with colour. Light strokes at first — the grass on the meadow, an opening crocus, then daffodils and oak leaves. Birds return from their winter haunts and the buzzing of insects quickens. A universe of activity roused by the birth of spring.
[00:58] April soon arrives, and when the moon is waxing in a fertile earth or water sign, we begin the sacrament. We use the momentum of spring to germinate our cannabis seeds — the first step on our exciting adventure.
[01:22] By now, you'll know we do things a little differently from other breeders and growers. This is never more evident in the way we germinate our seeds. We put the chosen seeds in small jars of water, labelled according to cultivar, on a table in the dining room next to the window. It's important to place a pale-covered towel over the sprouting jars — this tricks the seeds into thinking they are a half-inch deep in soil.
[01:49] Into each jar, we add several drops of water from the sacred Ganges River in India. This water is called Amrit — the elixir of immortality. In this manner, we set the intention. This is a moment to offer your own prayer and state your intention for the healing and inspiration power of the plants to bless its eventual users. They also need to be in a place that's warm and exposed to the day and night cycle.
[02:18] After soaking in water for 24 to 48 hours, lift up the cover to see if the seeds have cracked their shells and stuck out the little white tendrils that will become the taproot.
[02:32] Now, the bursting seeds need to be put into small pots filled with the proper sprouting soil composition. For the first transplant, poke a half-inch deep hole in the pre-moistened soil, sprinkle a tiny amount of mycorrhizal — a fungal root stimulant — into the hole, then gently place the seed into the hole with the white rootlet pointing down. Tuck it in by covering it with a bit of soil, then water gently with a mister so as not to disturb the soil around the seed.
[03:09] After transplanting, some people keep their seedlings indoors under lights. We prefer to take them right outside and put them in pots in the garden so they get the sun. Many people make this first transplant into one-pint or one-quart sprouting pots, or even multi mini pot flats.
[03:29] In mid-April, after a few days outdoors in the soil and sun, it's a thrill to see the first of the little embryonic green leaves called cotyledon leaves. These first two leaves are uniquely rounded, showing bright green against the brown soil. Water as needed with a mister, but not too much. A few days later, the first set of pointed, serrated cannabis leaves show up at 90 degrees from the original set. You feel the joys of parenthood with a newborn — you're a part of bringing new green life into the world.
[04:03] Soon, another set of now three-fingered leaves comes out at 90 degrees to the previous set, each additional set increasing the height and forming a tier and a node, which will soon grow into a full branch.
[04:14] About 10 days to two weeks after this first transplant, you can sprinkle a teaspoon of chicken manure around each pot and water it in, then watch them jump a day later. Growing outdoors, you not only witness the bursting forth of plant energy — you're a part of it.
[05:03] Okay, let's recap. You need to expose the seeds to water, whether directly into jars or on paper towels. Once they've popped, you need to sow them into small pots with the correct soil composition and a little mycorrhiza. Take your pots outside and introduce them to the sun. Their journey has now begun.
[05:27] In the next installment, we'll show you how to care for your cannabis plants through their next stage of development — the vegetative stage.
[05:38] Hey home growers. I'm Parker Curtis from Homegrown Cannabis Co. Thanks for watching How to Grow Cannabis Outdoors with Nikki and Swami. Grab your seeds at homegrowncannabisco.com and use promo code SWAMI10 for 10% off. See you in the garden.
Getting germination right is the first critical step in any grow. In EP4 of the outdoor growing series with Swami Select and Homegrown Cannabis Co., Nikki and Swami share their distinctive approach — from water-soaking seeds in labelled jars and setting intention, to transplanting into mycorrhizae-prepared soil, introducing seedlings to the sun, and watching the first cotyledon leaves emerge. A poetic, practical guide to the most exciting moment in any grower's year.
