Germination

Germination is the first and most critical phase of the cannabis lifecycle. A viable seed contains a dormant embryo protected by a hard outer shell and an internal store of starches that fuel the first few days of growth. To initiate germination, the seed must absorb water (imbibition), which softens the shell and activates enzymes that convert stored starches into sugars the embryo can use. The standard methods: (1) Paper towel — fold seeds between damp paper towels inside a sealed plastic container, kept at 75°F in darkness; taproot typically emerges in 24-72 hours. (2) Direct soil — plant seed 5-10mm deep in pre-moistened seedling mix, keep covered until cotyledons emerge in 3-5 days. (3) Glass of water — soak for 12-24 hours then transfer to paper towel or soil. (4) Rockwool / jiffy pellet — pre-soaked plug method common in commercial nurseries. Critical success factors: water must be pH-balanced (5.8-6.5 for soilless, 6.0-7.0 for soil), temperature must stay 70-85°F (cooler kills germination, hotter cooks the embryo), seeds must not be exposed to light during the radicle emergence phase, and the seeds must not be allowed to dry out. Seeds older than 24 months show declining germination rates; proper cool dark storage at 40°F can extend viability to 5+ years. Royal King Seeds packages all seeds in moisture-controlled vials and guarantees 95% germination when proper protocol is followed.