Seed germination: the perfect start to life

Successful seed germination lays the foundation for the entire grow:

**Recognise seed quality:**

*High-quality seeds:*

- Dark brown to black colour

- Firm, hard shell

- Shiny surface with tiger stripes

- No cracks or damage

- Heavy, full seeds

*Low quality seeds:*

- Light, green or white colour

- Soft, brittle shell

- Matt, dull surface

- Visible damage

- Light, hollow-looking

**Germination methods:**

*Paper towel method:*

- 2 damp paper towels

- Place seeds between them

- Enclose in plastic bag

- Warm, dark place (20-25°C)

- wait 24-72 hours

*Direct sowing:*

- Sow seeds directly into the substrate

- plant 1-2cm deep

- Point downwards

- Keep substrate moist

- Patience required (3-7 days)

*Water-glass method:*

- Lukewarm, distilled water

- Soak seeds for 12-24 hours

- Sink = good, float = bad

- Then place in substrate

- Accelerate pre-germination

*Jiffy Pellets:*

- Soak peat pellets in water

- Place seeds in well

- Uniform moisture

- Can be transplanted directly

- Beginner friendly

**Optimal germination conditions:**

*Temperature:*

- Optimal: 22-25°C

- Acceptable: 20-28°C

- Too cold: <18°C (delayed)

- Too hot: >30°C (harmful)

- Constant temperature important

*Humidity:*

- Substrate moist, not wet

- High humidity (70-90%)

- No waterlogging

- Do not allow to dry out

- Spray bottle for fine watering

*Light:*

- Darkness for germination

- After emergence: low light

- CFL or dim LED

- 18-24 hours daily

- Not too intense at first

*Ventilation:*

- Gentle air circulation

- Mould prevention

- Not directly on seedlings

- Fresh air important

- Enable CO2 exchange

**Germination schedule:**

*Day 1-2:*

- Prepare and plant seeds

- Ensure optimal conditions

- Wait without manipulation

- Control humidity

- Be patient

*Day 3-5:*

- First root tips appear

- Transplant carefully if necessary

- Maintain conditions

- No direct light yet

- Wait for further development

*Day 5-7:*

- Cotyledons (cotyledons) appear

- Introduce weak light

- Reduce humidity slightly

- First careful watering

- Growth observation

**Substrate for seedlings:**

*Seedling soil:*

- Low or nutrient-free

- Loose, airy structure

- Good drainage

- Sterile starting position

- pH 6.0-6.5

*Coco mixture:*

- 70% coco + 30% perlite

- Pre-treat with Cal-Mag

- adjust pH to 6.0

- Keep slightly moist

- Good oxygen supply

*Rockwool cubes:*

- pre-treat to pH 5.5

- Rinse in weak nutrient solution

- Not too wet

- Sterile conditions

- Simple transplantation

**Seedling care:**

*First 2 weeks:*

- Low light (CFL or low LED)

- High humidity (70-80%)

- Careful watering

- No or very weak nutrients

- Temperatures 20-25°C

*Watering:*

- Use a spray bottle

- Only when top layer is dry

- Never flood

- Lukewarm