Introduction:
In the last post we discussed the fundamentals of Plant and Strain Genetics as well as Seed Differences and Seed Banks on the market. Understanding your seeds and genetics is critical to how the growers experience plays out. After acquiring your seeds and genetics it is time to begin Germinating and Cloning. Germination is the first step to growing any plant from seed. While plants have a natural way of germinating by being covered in a moist soil environment, we mimic this environment to stimulate faster and healthy development before transplanting into soil. The goal is to produce a taproot that is about 1 to 2 inches long. The 2 most popular ways of germinating is the Paper Towel Method and the Rockwool Cubes & Peat Pellets Method.
Germinating Seeds
Paper Towel Method:
The paper towel method is one of the simpler methods that seems to work the easiest for most growers. There are a few variations but all generally the same. The idea is to first get 2 clean pieces of paper towel and soak them completely with room temperature water. Wring out the water so it is not completely soaked and dripping wet. Open the paper towel completely and carefully lay the seeds individually on one half of the towel, giving each seed a little bit of spacing. Then fold over the paper towel and place inside a bowl with a plate over it to close in the humidity and prevent light from coming in. It is important that the seeds do not get any light during this time. So put the container in a dark cooler space like a closet. You can also place the seeds in a Ziploc bag, not fully sealed, then placed under a humidity dome with a towel or blanket over it to prevent light leaks.
After approximately 3 to 5 days, you will have roots between 1 to 2 inches long. Once the seeds have “Popped”, fill ½ or 1 gallon container with soil of choice. Then make a small ½ inch deep hole in the center of the soil and carefully place the seed root side down and lightly cover with soil. Place under a veg light and water the soil with water set to a pH of 5.5 to 5.8. The taproot will begin to set into the soil and grow a longer single stock stems.
Rockwool Cubes & Peat Pellets:
Rockwool and Peat Pellets are generally the same, just different compacted mediums for germinating. To prepare the pellets or cubes you have to first soak them in water that is set to a pH of 5.5 to 5.8, allowing them to fully expand looking like little pillows. Wring out the cubes so they are not completely dripping and place them in a tray with a humidity dome on top. If the medium is too wet it could suffocate the seeds and they will not germinate. Once the tray is set place the seeds in the little space in the middle of the cube and cover with the dome. Some growers like to soak their seeds for
24 hours in a glass of water. Put the tray in a completely dark space and wait for the seeds to sprout and produce a single stem about 1-2 inches in length. After sprouting, they can be transplanted into a soil or coco coir medium underneath a veg light.
Cloning Cannabis
Cloning cannabis is the process of taking a clipping from a healthy mother plant and forcing it to stimulate roots from the stem to create a new independent plant. One thing to know, when taking a clipping you have to cut as close to the intersection as possible to prevent any damadge or illness to the plant. Also, cut at a 45-degree angle to create more surface space for root development. Immediately after cutting the clipping place in distilled or reverse osmoses (RO) water to prevent any air bubbles entering the stem and stunting its root development. The two most common methods of cloning are using a propagator/power cloner or using the rockwool method.
Power Cloner (Propagator):
Power cloners are essentially mini hydroponics systems focused on rooting the plant. To set up the system you must ensure your cloner has all the necessary item:
1) Basin to contain the water and nutrients
2) Pump to push water through the system
3) Manifold (typically made out of PVC) that is attached to the pump with directional spray nozzles
4) Lid with holes to fit Neoprene pucks that will hold the clones
5) Air stone to aerate the basin
6) T5 light hanging over the plants
7) Osculating fan to ventilate above the canopy
Setting Up the Propagator with Clones:
The first step would be to add distilled or RO water to the basin and add base and grow nutrients while pH testing the solution between 5.5 and 5.8. Next, find a clipping ideally from the top of a healthy and mature mother plant. Clippings should be the entire stem counting down about 4 or 5 nodes from the top. Cut as close as possible to the node to prevent any possible damage or illness to the plant. It is said that beneficial hormones to the plant are at the intersection and if cut correctly, will help stimulate root development. After clipping, immediately put into distilled or RO water to prevent air bubbles from stunting root development. When ready, place the clipping into the neoprene pucks and add to the cloning machine. Some growers will dip the stem in some rooting gel even though it will wash off into the cloner. As well, some growers will lightly scrape at the wall of the stem to open up the cells and stimulate root growth. On average it will take between 10 to 14 days for roots to being showing signs of growth. About 1 week after showing signs, they are usually good to transplant into soil or coco coir.
Rockwool Cubes:
Rockwool cubes are very versatile as they are able to help seeds germinate and support a clone with new root development. All steps regarding cutting the clone are the same but instead of putting it into the cloner you will use the rockwool cube. Take the cutting, dip it into the rooting gel and place into the presoaked, pH balanced, rockwool cube. Place the cube and plant into a tray with a dome on top and underneath a T5 veg light until roots begin to sprout out of the sides of the cube. Once you see signs of roots, transplant into a soil or coco medium.
Stay tuned for our next blog where we discuss Growing Cannabis in Seedling and Vegetative Stage! Comment below what you would like to see from us in a future blog.
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