How to care for seedlings grown from marijuana seeds

Welcome to the next stage of life for your marijuana plant, the seedling stage, where many exciting things begin to happen to this delicate life that in a few short months will deliver many benefits, when your plants are nurtured with care.

Marijuana seedlings can be very vulnerable to death or diseases due to their inability to regulate temperature and humidity, which is why growers provide greenhouses for the plants or use hydroponics systems.

Marijuana plant life obviously has a span that is a lot longer than the marijuana seedling’s. As the marijuana seedling grows into the vegetative state, it grows many leaves that can regulate its temperature and humidity, necessary for its survival and providing the ability to engage in photosynthesis.

Factors that lead to healthy growth of Marijuana seedlings

Marijuana seedlings should be grown in a well-ventilated and cool environment. Temperatures that are too high will cause the plant to grow slowly and become stressed, eventually resulting in death.

If the seedlings are grown in an environment that is too cold, they will not be able to survive either. As the weather gets warmer, yet still it is not ready to put your marijuana seedling into the ground, it’s a good idea to harden the plant, which we will talk about later.

The main thing to remember is that marijuana seedlings require a high level of humidity, a clean environment, sunlight, filtered water, proper balance of elements in the soil, good air circulation and of course love.

What else do I need, to go from marijuana seedling to growing a marijuana plant?

Be prepared with plant containers, starter fertilizer, a potting soil mix, and diatomaceous earth. Diatomaceous earth causes insects and fungus to dry out. The powder has sharp edges that are abrasive, which speeds up the process. The material remains effective as long as it is kept dry and undisturbed, so apply it frequently to the top of the soil and sometimes even dust the leaves if infestation appears. Just a word of caution… wear a mask when applying the fine powder, as those shape pieces of dust can be inhaled and cause damage to your lungs.

Fill the container with soil mixture, making sure it is deep enough for the plant to grow in about two inches from the top. Use a water filter to sift out the chlorine and harsh water sediments. When you add water only add enough water until the soil is moist but not soggy, that will clump when squeezed. Be sure to test how much water is enough with a water meter.

Nutrients are helpful too, these are applied in stages as well. There are different variations for each phase, from veg and early growth , there are some for early bloom and late bloom stages, as well. This may require more research and some trial and error.

You also need to schedule time to give your marijuana seedling full attention as it grows into an adult. You really do need to look at your plants often to check for infestation or fungus, etc., so you can stop most things before it kills your plant.

Factors that lead to stunted growth of Marijuana seedlings

Here are a few factors that can lead to stunted growth of marijuana seedlings… incorrect temperature, too much fertilizer and/or water, or not enough light.

It is very important for the temperature to be in the range of 68 – 77 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature is too high, this can lead to stunted growth from a lack of chlorophyll production from photosynthesis, if its too low it will slow down the metabolism and the nutrients will not flow.

The problem lies in many outdoor growing situations, where a late freeze or heavy cold rains appear in spring time and if you put your plants in the ground too early , you face the risk of them dying.

If possible, it’s a good idea to provide a shield over your marijuana seedlings, when they first go into the ground. Construct a mini hoop house with PVC and a grow cloth covering that will let sun in and hold the warmth and moisture in at night when temperatures drop and winds can increase.

Problems with nutrients

Most marijuana growers find that the most common nutrient deficiencies are in either one or each of these nutrients , nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.

Nitrogen is essential for leafy growth; without it leaves will be pale green or yellowish-green and may develop a scorched appearance. When nitrogen is not present, the weakened health of the plant may attract infestation or even a fungus if not attended to. In the long run it will also have a negative effect on your yield.

Phosphorus is essential for root development; without it, roots will be stunted and discolored brown or red. Potassium provides the plant with the sugars that it needs to grow and develop. Every time you water your plants, use a high-nitrate fertilizer such as fish emulsion or compost tea, for best results.

The seedling is covered by the grow medium, so it has something to push off from.

The plant can be placed in a pot made for growing marijuana with proper drainage designed into it or container of any size as long as there are drainage holes in the bottom. The container can be made of any material, just know that pots with good drainage are recommended for marijuana seedlings and plants for the long run.

The grow medium, soil mix in this case, is placed on top of the drainage holes so that it is 2-4 inches from the top of the container. The grow medium should be an organic mixture that contains peat moss and vermiculite, perlite or sand.

The marijuana seedling is placed on top of the grow medium. The container is then filled with the mixture around the marijuana seedling up to just an inch below the top edge of the container.

The marijuana seedlings peels off its own shell when it comes out of the medium

Marijuana seedlings should be placed in a well lit area until they can handle being outdoors. They need to have at least 10 hours of light per day, and the temperature should be about 68-70 degrees Fahrenheit. The marijuana seedling peels off its own shell when it comes out of the medium and will need to be placed in a new, larger pot with moist soil.

Your marijuana seedling can grow into a plant that can become about 6 feet tall, but it will take a few months until the plant is mature enough for harvesting marijuana buds. So this next movement of your marijuana seedling should be into the pot, where it will grow into maturity.

Sometimes, the marijuana seedling will show up with yellow leaves

This could be an indication that your marijuana seedling needs more light and less water. The plant should be moved closer to direct sun light. It would be of good practice to use a meter to measure water and light content of the soil during the growing process, daily.

How do you care for your marijuana seedlings?

Trying to get your marijuana seedlings to grow successfully can be difficult because there are so many things you have to take into consideration. It’s important for them not only to look healthy, but to be healthy too.

When you purchase a water meter, get a meter that also reads soil levels of ph, conductivity and sun, as you do not want to underwater or over water your plants. You also want to be on top of the pH level and anything else you can measure.

At this time of your marijuana seedlings life you also want to begin staking them so they can get support, as sometimes the base stem can get very long as the plant begins to reach for the sun.

If you get a very long base stem, when it is time to transplant your marijuana seedlings into their permanent environment simply plant the whole marijuana seedling deeper into the soil, as more roots will grow off of the main stem when exposed to soil. Now the plant will not be as lanky as it could have been that could ultimately lead to difficulty supporting the leafy plant when it becomes heavy with buds. The extra root system will prove to be most beneficial, as well.

How often should I water my plants?

Marijuana seedlings need filtered water to survive, as all plants do, but they should not get too much. The right amount of watering will depend on the size and age of the plant, as well as the amount of light in your grow room or your garden. Generally speaking, a marijuana seedling’s roots needs to be watered lightly every two days, generally!

For marijuana plants that have been growing for more than six weeks, they may need to be watered every other day, unless you have drought resistant seeds. It also depends on the medium or soil you grow in, as well. Some soil mixes can be designed to hold water and therefore may need to be watered every other day or every 3 days.

If you are growing out doors consider the rain, if you live near the ocean consider the moisture that drifts in with oceanic condensation, if you experience weather conditions with lots of clouds and little or no sun realize that your plants do not dry out. The best thing is to have a water meter and test those lovely ladies daily.

How long does it take to grow marijuana seedlings into plants that you can harvest?

Marijuana plants can take anywhere from three months to one year or more to grow, depending on the type of marijuana plant you are growing, where you are growing it and how you are growing it, or how long you decide to keep your plant in veg state. There are so many variations to consider, however don’t let that get in your way of growing marijuana or confuse you.

Cannabis that is grown outdoors will usually be ready for harvest in about three to four months if autoflowering, five to seven if indica, or six to eight for hybrid, seven to ten if sativa…. roughly.

Marijuana that is grown indoors may take anywhere from six to nine months, but this can vary depending on the type of marijuana plant you are growing and how well your plants are fed and are maturing, the type of lighting they are exposed to, if you are growing with or with out soil, also consider there are multiple environmental conditions, as well as how much love and attention you give your ladies, during the whole life cycle process.

The green in plants is due to chlorophyll

As we learned in grade school, chlorophyll is created from a natural chemical reaction with the leaves exposure to light as it mixes with water. If your leaves turn yellow and the cloud cover has been heavy, then you may need to provide the plant with artificial light for a few days, until it begins to turn green. Your leaves should be dark green if the marijuana seedling is healthy.

Also, be sure to utilize an appropriate organic soil mix – one part potting soil, one part perlite, and two parts vermiculite and be sure the pH is around 6.7. The water in the soil mix should be kept moist, not wet. Test your soil frequently to prevent under and over watering.

When does the marijuana seedlings turn into vegetation phase?

The vegetation stage of marijuana plants can vary depending on the type of plant you are growing, how well your plants are fed and what condition they are in. Veg state will typically begin after the seedling grows and several rows of leaves form. In some cases it can range from week 7-week 10.

First true leaves

The first true leaves that emerge from a marijuana seedling are the cotyledons. The have different shapes to them and grow in pairs opposite each other with the main stem in between. It’s very cool to watch the rows of baby leaves begin to form and increase every day.

Most of the growth in the marijuana seedling phase is in the root zone

A marijuana plant has a life span of about 6-10 months. The growth phase during the veg stage is the fastest and most vigorous, with plants growing more than two inches per day, but that growth spurt only lasts about two-three months from the moment of germination.

Most of the growth of your marijuana seedling is in the root zone. The roots will swirl around your small container and need to be removed from that container and transplanted into a larger container where the permanent environment it will grow in for the duration of its life.

Ultimately, if you put your plant in the ground the roots should not be allowed to grow more than two feet down, as this will inhibit their ability to absorb nutrients and water from deeper soil.

Marijuana plants can grow 28-60 inches before they are harvested, but the roots should only grow down about a foot deep. It is also at this point that you want to construct a support system that will be able to support your marijuana plant through to the harvesting stage.

Important facts for growing marijuana seedlings outdoors

The main reason for wanting to grow cannabis outdoors is take advantage of the sheer power of nature. The sun and rain or manual watering give a plant everything it needs, in abundance. However, there can be disadvantages to growing outdoors when it comes to weather, which is unpredictable. You need a large, open space that can be secured from prying eyes. If you can secure a cover to protect from natural elements, all the better.

A cannabis plant is an annual plant which means it completes its life cycle in one year. Most marijuana seedling takes five to six weeks before it reaches early flowering stage.

Natural sun exposure gives the plant the energy and warmth it needs which leads to healthy growth of its leaves and flowers. being outdoors there is often a natural flow of air as well.

One thing for sure is that is the most cost effective alternative.

What is marijuana seedling plant transplanting?

Marijuana seedling plant transplanting is when you take a marijuana seedling and place it in another pot with soil or place it directly in the ground. It’s important to make sure the new container has enough space for roots, water drainage, and healthy oxygen circulation and is placed in a location that has the best sun exposure and protection form animals and natural elements.

What are marijuana seedlings?

Marijuana seedlings are small young plants, that will grow into fully flowering marijuana plants that will deliver extreme value once harvested. Marijuana seedlings can be grown indoors in small pots with soil, that can be easily moved at the time when marijuana seedlings need to be hardened to the colder weather outdoors to prepare them to be planted in the ground or their container for the rest of their life. The cooler temperature change can shock them if you do not harden them. Introduce them to a cooler temperature for a part of the day in preparation to their permanent placement outdoors.

Some of the most common plants to grow are marijuana indica, sativa, and hybrid of them both.

The lifespan of marijuana plants varies depending on their strain and type. The typical marijuana plant can live up to 16-40 weeks with proper care.

How to transplant marijuana seedlings

Marijuana seedlings are easy to transplant directly into containers of the right size or directly into the ground with the optimal location to get the amount of sun they need.

For a 24-36 inch marijuana plant at maturity should be at least 12 inches in diameter and deep enough to hold root system. A 5-7 gallon container is ideal, and obviously deeper than the original pot your cannabis seedling was in, so the roots can grow and spread out into organic soil.

The soil should be a well-draining mix that is low in nutrients and organic matter because marijuana seedlings are light feeders, and they like it a bit on the dry side. It’s key to ensure the roots are not sitting in water.

Aeration is important, so you want to be sure there are good spaces between the soil particles for air to get into the root zone and release gases.

Transplanting is best when done in the absence of bright day light, early in the morning at around dawn or early in the evening around dusk, either works. You can have a little amount of light to see what you are doing and it really is quite simple.

It also is suggested to have the containers all prepared with their soil, with a well hole in the middle of the container, ready and waiting for your marijuana seedling to be transplanted into.

If you are transplanting marijuana seedlings outdoors the best time to do it is when they reach 8-10 inches tall and they have at least 5 sets of leaves and the weather will remain above 68 degrees F during the night.

Marijuana seedlings that mature into plants will live for about 4 to 6 weeks in a the next stage, which is the vegetation stage, depending on the climate and how often it is getting watered and takes in nitrogen.

How to grow marijuana seedlings into harvest:

The best place for your marijuana plant is outdoors, if you wish to be most economical. When you place your marijuana seeding into its permanent location, plant your seedling at least 18 inches away from other plants or buildings so it has room to grow. Also, provide an area that is not exposed to heavy wind, with at least 8 hrs of direct sun during the day.

In most states, the law requires you to build a structure around your marijuana plants that can be secured and locked. This goes for both indoor and outdoor gardens.

What does the marijuana seedling stage look like?

In this very tender stage, the beginning of the marijuana seedling’s life where the plants have just sprouted from their medium/soil or rock wool block or starter pots with organic soil or Jiffy pellets and have emerged to have about 4-8 leaves. Enjoy this process during this 2-3 week period from the beginning of germination.

If you germinated marijuana seeds in Jiffy Pellets, which are small peat pellets that will expand when they get wet and have a soil medium in side the formation and are easier to transplant. The seed eventually develops roots on the inside, making them perfect for starting marijuana seedlings.

Pre-flowering time to identify the sex of your plant

This stage is when the plant will show its sex , male or female. Males are easy to identify because they develop long, narrow clusters of branches with long, skinny leaves. Male marijuana plants look different than female or feminized marijuana producing plants. Females have short, fat leaves and will produce flowers from the bottom of each branch.

Male marijuana plants are easy to spot as shown above. The appearance actually looks like seeds forming and there are not any hairs, like you see in the female plant.

Female plants will develop long clusters of branches with pointed leaves and lots of hairs. The early trichomes are the white hairs you will see popping out of the small balls as they cluster on the plant. Female marijuana plants will continuously produce flowers the entire time it is in the flowering phase.

If your goal is to produce valuable buds, male marijuana plants will not do anything good for your marijuana crop, they will ruin a good harvest.

Flowering

Marijuana flowers are the most desired part of a cannabis plant because they have high levels of THC, including CBD. Watching your crop mature through the flowering stage is pretty cool. Just know that you can get a seed that is male. The male signs can show up with female signs on the same plant, so as your flowers begin to show, watch very carefully for male signs and remove the plant immediately.

Harvesting and curing your marijuana plants

When it comes to harvesting, you need to be ready. Growers differ on when it is the best time to harvest, which also can be related to the specific strains. It’s best to begin trimming big fan leaves as you get closer to harvest day and to stop feeding plants nutrients. Some will actually flush the nutrients from their plants the last 2 weeks with plain water. Also, some will not water their plans at all for the last 5-6 days.

What ever you do, remove big leaves or dying leaves gradually as you must be careful not to shock the plant and take too many leaves too fast.

Before you cut your whole plant down, trim the majority of the rest of the leaves off, while still in the container it grew in. Then cut the plant into 4-6 sizable branches that you can hang in a dark area with lower humidity and good air circulation. Some growers hang the whole plant in tact to dry. However you choose to dry your marijuana plants monitor them closely so that they do not dry too fast and still remains sticky, however a bit dry.

If you grow marijuana plants outdoors, its best to cut them down before the sun comes up then get them into a dark room with the proper level of humidity and air circulation. This drying stage should last about a 4 days to 6 days depending on how the buds feel to the touch.

Then, when your marijuana plant’s drying time is complete, it is time to finish cleaning the rest of the leaves off and cut the buds off the stems to store in glass containers. Containers should be easy to take the lid off of and burp daily. It will be best to store these jars in a dark place, as well.

Curing Marijuana

This part of the curing process can take one to three weeks, however everyone’s experience can be different. Be aware that this is when mold can grow on your buds, so be sure to open the lid daily and rotate the bottle, as the buds will be sticking together. After all the months you invested into the process, you do not want to have your crop get afflicted with mold.

There are multiple ways growers cure and store their crops, based on if they will smoke the bud, cook with it, make dap with it or produce medicinal oils. We will cover curing marijuana in more depth in another post.

To assist you further, here are some common FAQ’s

What do seedlings like?

• Seedlings like a lot of light.
• They require a fair amount of water.
• They don’t need nutrients yet.
• They do well in organic soil.
• They will need to have support.
• The love attention.

Why is it so important to harden off seedlings?

It is important to harden the seedlings off because it will help them get used to their new environment with regard to temperature change. Start hardening , as weather permits, during the day for about a week before the final planting day.

Why not just start in a 5 gallon pot?

Inexperienced growers often make the mistake of starting their seedlings in a 5-gallon pot. The problem with this is the pot is so big, it takes a long time to fill with roots. It is best when you plant a 4-6 week old seedling in your 5-gallon pot.

How do I avoid germination problems?

No matter what type of marijuana seeds you purchase, it is important to make sure they are fresh. Test them by squeezing the seed in your hand and if there is any give at all then they are not good. Pick a place that is secure to engage in the process, and follow the experts. Also, at The Seed Connect, germination is guaranteed.

Where can I grow medical cannabis?

You can grow in any of the states that allow it. Be sure to check online which states allow it and what the guidelines are, so you can remain compliant with the law.

When does the vegetative stage for marijuana seedling begin?

Vegetation stage begins after the marijuana seedling has about 8 leaves and lasts a few weeks when growing outdoors. You will also feed nutrients to your marijuana seedling so that it can produce a good amount of leaves with strong stems, to produce plentiful and luscious buds.

If you have any questions about harvesting or curing cannabis feel free to reach out to us. As always, Happy growing!