[A Step-by-Step Guide] Germination method for noobs

Hey all - when I was first learning I tried many germ methods - I am not knocking other methods I know they work fine for some people but here is the method that has worked for me 100% of the time now with hundreds of seeds while the other methods only worked 70%-95% of the time. This is intended to help someone get started and it is intended for soil growers.

Items required: Two small cups, water, & your soil of choice - I use 16oz plastic party cups



Step #1 - Fill Cup with Water

Step#2 - Drop the seed in

Step #3 - Place in a cardboard box that is lightproof

Step #4 - Put it somewhere warm - avoid dry warmth you want humidity.

Step#5 - In 24 hours to 72hours your seed should pop out a taproot

Step#6 - Fill another cup of the same size with your soil of choice and poke good sized holes in the bottoms and on the side bottom - you want REALLY good drainage but don't let the soil fall out obviously.

Step#7 - Make a small hole 2 to 3 times the size of the seed in depth with your finger in the top of the soil

Step#8 - Gently & Slowly poor out all the water in the cup with the seed into the soil cup untill the seed drops into the hole you made - ideally you want taproot facing down but it really doesnt matter to be honest, if it is facing down it will usually be faster for the seedling to break soil.

Step#9 - Gently cover the hole with soil - do not pack it in - you can now use more water to water it in better if you want but it is unessecary.

Step#10 - Place under your light - Ideally a gentle light source some people say but I just put mine right under 1000W MH and never had any ill effect, infact I found it is better to just go ahead and put it under your strongest veg light just keep it a good distance, for 1000W MH I have the cups at about 1.5 meters from the light


Once seedlings are about 4 or 5 inches tall I transplant to next size pots.

Good info.Newbs will find this very helpful.

Dont forget about the drop of peroxide in the water. you only put one seed in each cup? I do em all in one and ive never had a problem with/from it. Good guide though, this is the best way to pop even the most stubborn seeds that wont pop any other way. If this doesnt do the trick you know its time to toss that seed.

darkdestruction420 said:

Dont forget about the drop of peroxide in the water. you only put one seed in each cup? I do em all in one and ive never had a problem with/from it. Good guide though, this is the best way to pop even the most stubborn seeds that wont pop any other way. If this doesnt do the trick you know its time to toss that seed.

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yes sometimes I do them all in one cup but with only doing one per cup you minimize/eliminate handling of the seed and reduce chance of taproot damage so I usually just do 1 so that I can pour the seed into its hole with the water without touching it.

I never used peroxide but that is a good precaution.

I get great results with peat pellets pre-soaked with 6.5 ph water and a little Fox Farm Big Bloom. I just set them in small tray and dome and keep them in a dark and warm spot for 48 hours and then I start checking every 6 hours, making sure the peat stays moist. Seeds generally emerge no later than 3 days and then I spray them down with water and replace the dome and place under 24 hour flouro's for 48 hours.

There are several great methods that all have good success, including the paper towel deal.

I think you presented your method very well, but if you included other methods, this could be a sticky perhaps? As not one method fits all needs.

Nice post +REP

Thank you very much for kind words Serapis - for me the jiffy cubes never worked that great but to each his own.