5. Germination & Seedling Stage

Once you are all dialed in and you have seeds its time to germinate. Usually healthy seeds will germinate and sprout in about a week. This guide walks you through the germination process (paper towel method) and how to care for your seedlings in the first 1–2 weeks of life.

🔁 Germination: Paper Towel Method

My favorite germination method is simple, effective, and requires minimal supplies. Here’s how to do it:

🧻 What You’ll Need:

2 clean paper towels
Ziplock bag or Tupperware
Clean water (distilled or pH-balanced)
Warm, dark place (70–80°F)

🚀 Steps:

Wet the paper towels until damp (not soaked).
Place seeds between the towels.
Seal in a bag or container to retain moisture.
Store in warm, dark spot. Check daily.
Wait for a ¼” taproot to appear — usually 1–3 days.

🌱 Planting Sprouted Seeds

Once the taproot appears, plant seeds gently in small containers like solo cups or seedling trays. Plant root-down about ¼–½” deep in pre-moistened soil or coco. Don’t pack the medium too tight.

💡 First 1–2 Weeks: The Seedling Stage

This stage is all about balance and gentle care. Your seedling is forming roots and preparing for vegetative growth.

Light Intensity: Use 20–40% LED power, 24–30 inches above canopy. Run 18/6 light cycle.
Temperature: 77–82°F
Humidity: 70–85%
Watering: Lightly around seedling. Don’t overwater.
Nutrients: None if using soil. Coco may need ¼ strength seedling nutes.

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overwatering – kills more seedlings than anything else.
Too much light – can cause stretching or stress.
Messing with seedlings – hands off unless necessary.

💬 Final Thoughts

The germination and seedling stage is the foundation of your grow. Take it slow, monitor your environment, and stay consistent. Once your seedling is showing healthy growth and its first sets of true leaves — you’ve cleared the first hurdle.

🌿 Now it’s time to start planning for transplant and vegetative growth. Good Job!