Before we get to the topic at hand, let's look at germination, a sub-point of the cultivation season that must be approached with the utmost care, as this is how the plant is born, which is the first step in the life of cannabis. Since the early 1970s, breeders have been crossing varieties to increase the genetic diversity of the species that germination gives us. Yet too many breeders still do not know how to germinate their seeds properly. Therefore, it seems important to us to dwell for a moment on the different methods available.
Focus for the proper germination of cannabis plants.
- The importance of humidity, temperature and ventilation system for growing cannabis!
- LNutrients needed during the growing phase
- Pruning and other growing techniques
The most common germination method is to wrap the seeds in damp blotting paper, then store in a warm, dark place. Usually two layers of paper are used, which must be wet, but not so wet that they drip. This is because in order to germinate, the seeds need to be well oxygenated, and too much water would not only prevent contact with the air, but could also soften them.
One problem that often occurs with this method is the excessive growth of the primary root, which spreads too far in search of substrate and eventually gets stuck in the paper, making it overgrown. And as satisfying as it may be to see a long and vigorous primary root germinate, preventing it from taking the shape of a J is more complicated than it seems. As a solution, you can put them in a paper or plastic bag and place it vertically so that the root grows downwards, as it would inside a pot, and does not develop the dreaded J shape.
Another easy way to germinate the seeds, which I personally prefer to the other methods, is to place them in a glass with about 5 cm of water. Once the seeds are floating in the water, it only takes a few days for them to open and germinate the primary root; some even germinate before they have touched the bottom of the jar.
The method works even with old, hard-to-handle seeds and allows inoculation with Trichoderma fungi and drops of algae extract to speed up the process. Some seeds start to germinate within 6 hours of inoculation, others may take 3 to 5 days. As always, it is better not to rush things and remember that with a little patience things will always get better.
The importance of humidity and temperature
During the growth phase thanks to good cannabis fertilizers that you can find on Ethnic.ch, the plants develop their main structure and produce leaves and stems. During this phase, the lighting is set to a cycle of 18 hours of light and 6 hours of darkness, which mimics the outdoor climate in late spring and early summer, so that the plants can focus on vegetative growth. This is a crucial time when the final size of the specimens is determined, as well as the structure of their branches and roots and their flowering potential.
As in the sowing phase, warm temperatures and high humidity are required in the vegetative phase for the plants to reach their full potential. The ideal temperature is 24ºC during the day and 5-8 degrees less at night, while humidity should be 70-75%.
This mimics the warm, humid days of the outside environment and facilitates the work of the stomata, which are responsible for absorbing carbon dioxide from the air. These structures need to be in a humid environment because if the humidity is too low, they close and photosynthesis stops, causing the plant to wilt.
A good way to control humidity during the growing season is to connect a programmable timer to a humidifier that turns itself on and off as needed. This way you can leave the grow room knowing that the climatic conditions are under control and photosynthesis is taking its normal course.
Nutrients needed during the growing phase.
Nutrients are generally divided into two groups: Primary nutrients and trace elements. Primary nutrients include nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), which are the main elements of cannabis fertilisers. Those specified for the growth phase often have an NPK ratio of 5-2-2, while for flowering fertilisers a ratio of 2-7-8 is most common.
Nitrogen
In the growth phase, nitrogen contributes to the formation of leaves and stems. This is important because chlorophyll, which is important for photosynthesis, is found in the leaves. So the more chlorophyll there is in the tissue, the faster the exchange of oxygen and carbohydrates takes place.
Phosphorus
Phosphorus regulates protein synthesis, cell development and the production of new tissue, contributing to the formation of strong stems and branches and a strong root system.
Potassium
Potassium makes plants more resistant to diseases, pests and drought and, in combination with nitrogen, phosphorus and trace elements, contributes to healthy vegetative development.
To ensure that the plants have a sufficient amount of nutrients during the growth phase, an organic-rich substrate is recommended, which you can find online in our Growshop and which you can supplement with liquid fertiliser as needed. Another good choice is compost, a natural source of magnesium that is particularly suitable for growing Kush strains, which tend to absorb large amounts of this nutrient. Complete and balanced organic substrates are also rich in trace elements, which are just as important as the primary nutrients for healthy plant development.
Pruning and other growing techniques
These types of techniques should be used during the growing phase, as they stress the plants after flowering has begun and can be completely counterproductive.
Let us look at the different options below:
Cuttings: This involves cutting off the tip of the main stem to prevent apical dominance and force the plants to develop more horizontally. Once the tip is removed and the wound healed, two new shoots germinate in its place, developing symmetrically, limiting the height and increasing the width.
LST (Low Stress Training): LST is a great way to get started with this technique. It simply involves bending the main stem and tying it down to fool the plant into thinking that this is no longer the highest point of the vegetative structure, causing it to strengthen the horizontal branches. This creates a more shrubby shape with many main branches that can produce higher yields. After two to three days, the curved top grows back upwards.
Supercultivation: Consists of partially breaking off the branches and stems to damage the inner cell wall and obtain a more stable structure. To repair the damaged areas, the plant secretes hormones such as auxins, which not only form calluses in the broken areas, but also increase height and vigour. Superfarming is considered a high stress technique and requires some practice, but in the end the plants always recover and grow stronger.
Lollipop pruning: This type of pruning involves removing the lower branches of the plant to redirect energy to the top. It should be applied just before flowering so that the extra energy can be used for bud production. In general, it is recommended to remove 60-70% of the branches growing below the tip so that it uses the most light and produces only dense, thick buds.
