Mistakes Novice Horticulturists Make – So you’ve probably smoked enough cannabis to know that you want more out of the experience, and what other way is better than to grow a plant yourself? We’re talking legally, of course. But before you go out and start purchasing whatever hemp seeds you see on the market, remember that these are special plants and require extra attention to grow.
While the germination of these cannabis seeds can be quick and easy, obtaining a high germination rate includes considerations of a series of important factors. Remember that problems like fungal infections and low germination rates will kill your plant. It is in our best interest that the seeds you purchase bloom well into a healthy weed plant ready for a good 420 session with the lads (or lasses). Here are some of the common mistakes made when trying to grow a plant, starting with the usual mistakes with seed germination:
Letting The Germination Medium Dry Out
Just like any other plant, a seed needs constant moisture to germinate. Hemp seeds are sensitive to this, as a moist culture medium will lead to germination in a few hours or days. Regardless of whatever substrate used, a completely dried out substrate will cause the seed to cease germination and therefore killing it.
To prevent this, always make sure to keep the medium for planting moist with a spray bottle, especially if you are using a heat source to achieve higher temperatures. Higher temperatures are able to achieve a better germination rate but also causes the substrate to dry out quicker, so always be aware of the moisture on the planting medium.
Leaving The Seeds To Germinate For Too Long
A mistake that many beginner horticulturists make is letting the seed germinate until the cotyledons appear when doing the process on kitchen paper or something similar. Once this happens, the subsequent transplant becomes difficult to do, and it is likely that attempting to transfer it will damage the roots. It is notable that the longer roots are exposed to air and light, the worse the effect it has on the result.
To avoid this, transplant it before this occurs and plant the seeds when the root measures at most 2 centimetres at most. This makes it easier to transplant and won’t harm the development of the roots. Without damage, the roots can expand into the new medium without any issues.
Directly Germinating Into Soil
A common mistake made that results in non-germination is when the seed was planted directly into the soil without proper germination. This gets worse when the substrate has not been previously watered, but only watered after the seed was sown. If the seed is buried too deep, this can kill the seed because of the irrigation post-sowing.
For better results, germinate the seeds in kitchen paper, peat plugs utilized for rooting cuttings, and then transplant them to the soil once the roots have appeared and seedlings have been born. This also allows a large number of seeds to be germinated at a time, which is beneficial for smaller spaces such as tiny greenhouses.
Wrong Temperatures And Humidity For Germination
Cannabis seeds germinate correctly with high temperatures and humidity values. It is necessary, especially in places where some seasons have extreme drops and rises in temperatures, to have a heat source that gives a consistent temperature. Using thermal cables or heated greenhouses will allow the plants and seeds to germinate and grow properly.
Greenhouses are especially good to invest in if you plan on growing more plants in the long run, as these maintain humidity and temperatures best at optimal levels. Having fluctuating values for these two can make the plants rot or develop fungus.
Conclusion
While your favourite stoner movie may have shown you an entire apartment full of different weed plants and strains, achieving a setup similar to that is more than just planting. Remember that germination entails more care, especially because cannabis plants are sensitive to many things such as temperatures, humidity, growing mediums and others. So before you plunge into the world of growing your own weed and dropping money on seeds, look up the proper processes and consult the right people.
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