Are you stuck germinating your Duct Finest cannabis seeds? Try out the paper towel method for your next grow. It’s one of the most popular methods for sprouting seeds since most growers already have everything they need to get started. We’ll break down the steps so that you can successfully germinate your seeds and start growing your cannabis plant!
Why growers prefer the Paper Towel Method?
Germinating your cannabis seeds is the first step in the cultivation process. It’s how your cannabis seeds grow their initial tap root to begin absorbing water and nutrients to start growing into a mature plant.
The paper towel method mimics a natural growing environment for cannabis seeds, allowing growers to use it indoors or outdoors. It’s handy for growers in areas without the ideal climate for growing cannabis outdoors.
The three benefits of using the paper towel method are:
- It’s fast
- It’s cheap
- It has a high success rate
Let’s get started!
What you need
The paper towel method is an excellent way to germinate cannabis seeds for both beginners and seasoned growers. The best part is you already have everything you need to get started. These are the materials:
- Amsterdam Genetics cannabis seeds
- One paper towel
- One ziplock/sandwich bag
- Room Temperature water
Standard-size paper towels and sandwich bags work perfectly for germinating a few cannabis seeds.
Steps for Paper Towel Method
Now that you have all the materials you need, you’re ready to get started. The paper towel method can be used in any season, so you’re not limited to waiting on the next growing season—especially when growing cannabis indoors. So anytime you’re ready to start a new plant, you can use the steps below to germinate your seeds:
- Get a paper towel and fold it in half a couple of times. The size of the folded paper towel depends on how many seeds you’re germinating and the size of your plastic bag. It just needs to provide a cushion to hold the seeds without tearing the paper towel when wet. Leave enough room for one final fold after placing your seeds.
- Lightly wet the paper towel until damp with room temperature water (tap water or distilled water will work!) Do not soak the paper towel and squeeze out any excess water.
- Gently remove the seeds from their package and place them approximately 2-5cm apart on the paper towel. There should be enough room for the tap root to grow without touching neighboring seeds.
- Fold the paper towel one last time in half, enclosing all the seeds inside.
- Reapply water if needed to the paper towel to ensure that it remains damp.
- Gently slide the damp paper towel into the ziplock/sandwich bag and seal the bag. Be sure to remove the air from the bag before sealing it.
- Place the bag in a dark, warm location with little to no light exposure or fluctuating temperatures.
- Leave the seeds untouched for up to 36 hours
- Open the bag and gently remove the paper towel to examine the seeds.
- Cannabis seeds that have successfully germinated have a small, white tap root emerging from the shell.
- Carefully place germinated seeds into their growing medium and continue to the next stage of growth.
- Any seeds that haven’t germinated can be placed back into the ziplock/sandwich bag after reapplying water to the paper towel and stored in a dark, warm location for an additional 12-24 hours. Seeds that haven’t germinated after the extended period may be defective.
Alternative paper towel method
This alternative strategy works well for older cannabis seeds to help them germinate.
- Presoak your cannabis seeds for 12-24 hours in room temperature water to soften the shell. The seeds should sink to the bottom of the bowl or container due to absorbing the water.
- Continue the paper towel method from step 1 using the presoaked seeds.
Tips and tricks for the paper towel method
The paper towel method is effective for germinating all types of cannabis seeds—regular, autoflower, feminized, and CBD seeds. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when using this method for the best results>
- It works best with fresh cannabis seeds. Read more about properly storing your cannabis seeds
- Label your ziplock/sandwich bag for the seed strain and the date you began the paper towel germination process
- Avoid over-soaking the paper towel
- Monitor the ziplock bag every 24 hours. Reapply water to keep the paper towel damp if it gets too dry
- Prep your growing area before removing your germinated cannabis seeds so they can go directly into the growing medium
- Gently handle the seeds at every step to avoid damaging the seeds or breaking the tap root
Experiment with the paper towel method for your next grow
Follow the above steps to test out the paper towel method the next time you’re ready to plant cannabis seeds. Find quality cannabis seeds at Amsterdam Genetics, with a high germination rate for the best results using this method.