Okay to all you paper towel heads and water nuts. I have been saying this for a long time now but found a site which states it nicely. Read this and don't lose any more of your precious seeds needlessly.

For an optimal germination result the seeds should be planted DIRECTLY into the substrate. We clearly advise against using pre-germination methods or soaking. Please do not place the seeds into a glass of water or in moist paper tissues. Fresh and healthy seeds prefer a nurturing and airy substrate to germinate in – just as mother nature has meant it to be. Cannabis is a plant species originating from semi-arid and temperate biotopes and the vast majority of modern cannabis hybrids contain a substantial percentage of these genetics. Cannabis seeds are not adapted to swampy wetlands, but they are suited for germinating in well drained soil/substrate. In nature they rot if they fall into a puddle of water...and there are no paper tissues lying around either. Taking into account these botanical facts, it is quite logical that by creating germination conditions that are similar to those of the natural habitat one can expect the best results.
What happens if one uses pre-germination methods?
1. Soaking seeds in water/wet paper towels is a method which can be used for old seeds (3+ years) that are drying up and losing germination power; and for pure land race equatorial strains such as from Africa. Both factors do not apply to our seeds. Fresh seeds have a healthy embryo whose cells are filled with water. But excess water causes the cells to bloat, depletes oxygen and leads to the tissue rotting away before the seed embryo can germinate. Old seeds have lost water in the cell tissue, the embryo starts to shrivel, which is why germination rates drop the older the seeds are. Therefore, old seeds (ie. 3+ years) can soak up more water before adverse conditions cause them to rot. This is one of the main reasons why various seed stock reacts differently to pre-germination methods. Especially novice growers make a lot of mistakes with pre-germination methods such as soaking seeds in water for up to 1-2 days. Even if one chooses to pre-germ seeds it has to be done correctly.
It is in a growers best interest to choose a germination method with the lowest risk of complications. Because we want customers to have the highest success rate possible we recommend the most convenient and safest method. This does not mean it is the only option. We simply believe it carries the lowest risk. In fact, planting seeds directly in the substrate is also the most plant friendly method for any type of seed stock. The reasons are explained below in paragraph 2 & 3.
2. Placing healthy & fresh seeds in water/wet tissue can lead to the development of fungi or bacteria on the seed hull. Lack of oxygen and contaminating substances in the water/wet tissue promote fungal growth which can be transported to the substrate later on. Often the seed simply rots away if left for too long in a glass of water, or wrapped up in wet tissue.
3. Once the seed sprouts in a glass of water or paper tissue it already has the taproot growing out of the cracked seed hull. While transplanting the germinated seed it is very difficult, indeed impossible, to prevent damage to the delicate taproot. Many sprouted seedlings handled in this way show retarded development, or even simply fail to appear out of the substrate after transplantation. Handling seedlings this way can impair the health & vigour of the plant for the duration of it’s life cycle - especially if other disturbing factors occur during the early stages of growth.
Professional horticulturists rarely use pre-germination methods to actually grow out the seedlings because of the shock suffered from transplanting them. For example, we use the paper tissue method only as a quick test for germination rates of aged seed stock from our genetic repository. This allows us to see beforehand how many seeds we have to put in soil to get the amount of plants we require for breeding projects.
Germinating cannabis seeds is not difficult. All you need is some basic information on what is important and everything should work out fine.




Like writing an english paper...keep it short and keep it simple.




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You haven't countered nothing, because the points you made are not valid, you are basing your counter on information you don't understand, regardless the accuracy of the information, because it does not state what you are saying.. (Brazko)

This is an interesting alternative perspective...+ rep

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A man should look for what is, and not for what he thinks should be.
-Albert Einstein

Yep, no paper tissue fairies out there in the woods.


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You haven't countered nothing, because the points you made are not valid, you are basing your counter on information you don't understand, regardless the accuracy of the information, because it does not state what you are saying.. (Brazko)

Bump so the info gets out there....



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You haven't countered nothing, because the points you made are not valid, you are basing your counter on information you don't understand, regardless the accuracy of the information, because it does not state what you are saying.. (Brazko)

Great info, very cool!

that same page says, "
Please use high quality soil or rockwool starter cubes for germinating seeds. Do not use jiffy’s/peat pellets/rooter plugs: the acidic pH of pure peat can inhibit germination of cannabis seeds. "
but so far i've got 100% germination

I think the paper towel method is just good so you can see which ones are actually popping and not have to plant no-good seeds.

That may be true, but the PH info is still correct, anecdotal evidence aside. They are trying to give you every edge possible.


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You haven't countered nothing, because the points you made are not valid, you are basing your counter on information you don't understand, regardless the accuracy of the information, because it does not state what you are saying.. (Brazko)

I figure to each his own. if it works for YOU go for it but personally, i lightly wet paper towel, put the seeds on it, place into baggie and put it under the light. they almost always germ within 24

How can I be right after being told I'm wrong so many times ?????????????

No one is saying that it cannot be done using paper towels, but the odds of fungal growth and transplanting contaminants INCREASES using the towel method.

So let's say you have some trouble later on down the line with your plant. It is highly unlikely to occur to you that it all began in the very first week. Although it very well might have.

Both methods work, but one is far simpler and SAFER. Weed does not need to be primed to germinate, unless you have crappy seeds. The moisture needed for the germ is already INSIDE the seed.

The more you futz with them, the more chances of screwing it up or retarding growth, again something which may happen but go completely unnoticed by you.
I have never used the paper towel method and I always get fantastic germ. So why bother with the extra steps?
I think part of it is trying to put a mystique around weed. I've grown out literally hundreds of other types of plants, and weed is by far one of the easiest to grow.

Just stick them in and they will grow. On the forums I am always running across posts with folks who are having trouble germinating using paper towels. One of the reasons I posted this up.
If you prefer the drama and the mystique, go for it. I've got better things to do with my time.

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You haven't countered nothing, because the points you made are not valid, you are basing your counter on information you don't understand, regardless the accuracy of the information, because it does not state what you are saying.. (Brazko)