Properly germinating your cannabis seeds

-By Happy Dreams Genetics

When you purchase cannabis seeds online you are making an investment that you don’t want to take lightly. The goal of course is to have your precious (and fragile) seeds grow into beautiful cannabis plants that produce wonderful marijuana flowers. No matter where you source your cannabis seeds from, getting things off to a good start is very important. Here at Alpine Seed Group, we are very invested in your purchase of our seeds going well for you from the very beginning. That’s why we asked our good friends at Happy Dreams Genetics to give their best professional advice as experienced cannabis breeders and phenotype hunters. Let’s kick it off with their advice using good old fashioned hydrogen peroxide and take you from start to finish with their essential tips and tricks.

Place seeds in a glass of water with 3% H2O2 (Hydrogen peroxide) or 2-3 teaspoons per gallon. H2O2 sterilizes seeds and helps germination by softening the seed coat. Soak 12-48 hours till you can visually see seed crack and the small tail emerge.

At this point you can put directly into wet soil, just below the surface or the paper towel method described below. (Remember that seeds are packed with nutrients to get thru the initial process so it is best to use neutral potting soil with little or no fertilizer).

Paper towel method – place seeds between two wet paper towels, put in a zip-lock bag and tape the bag to the inside a dark cabinet at room temperature. By taping to the inside of a cabinet, gravity will cause tails to grow downward rather than spiraling as occurs when left on a plate.

Check daily, after 24-48 hours remove once tail is approximately 1 inch or longer. Place the germinated seeds gently in wet soil, tail downward with seed or small green leaf above surface and/or seed not more than 3-5 mm below surface.

Use a mister to avoid overwatering the soil. Treat the seed as a newborn with indirect lighting and comfortable temps between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit and not above 85 degrees. The best relative humidity is between 50 and 70%. Use a min/max thermometer and hygrometer to monitor these conditions continuously.

Mist or lightly water the plant once the seed is well established and give additional care as necessary.

Note: Achieving happy seedlings requires mastering the combination of temperature, humidity, and moisture. Missing the mark can be fatal for these small seedlings. The main causes of loss are overwatering and temperatures too high. Remember that the best relative humidity is 50-70%.

Key Considerations:
• Temperature: Consistent temperatures (60–70°F for germination, 70–80°F for seedlings) are critical.
• Humidity: 50–70% relative humidity supports healthy seedling development.
• Moisture: Overwatering is the most common mistake. Keep soil damp but not soggy.
• Sterility: Use clean tools, water, and soil to prevent contamination or mold.
• Patience: Germination and early growth require careful monitoring and minimal interference.