Growing Marijuana Seedlings: Tips for Getting Through the Seedling Stage

Seedlings are the newborns of the plant world. As a first-time grower, you may understandably be nervous about nurturing your marijuana seedlings. But just like every anxious first-time parent out there, you too will be just fine. Simply follow the tips outlined below and you'll soon be on your way to growing some robust and healthy plants! We'll cover everything from when to transplant marijuana seedlings to problem dignosis and more.

6 Quick Tips for Taking Care of Your Marijuana Seedlings

1. Get Healthy Seeds

This one sounds like a no-brainer, but it's a common story: "I got these seeds from a friend. I'm not sure why they won't sprout..." Always buy your seeds from a reputable source or local dispensary. While your friends may have the best of intentions, they could accidentally be giving you seeds that produce male weed plants (which won't produce THC-containing buds). The seeds themselves may also be simply too old to sprout. So if you want a healthy plant, you need to ensure you have a healthy seed.

Can't decide where to find quality seeds? Here are several trusted options endorsed by Hey abby growers for their reliability.

2. Choose Your Germination Method

There are a few ways to go about germinating the seed. You can consider using a wet paper towel and sealing it into a bag-- ensure that the environment is warm enough. You could also use a sponge and red solo cup or go with something more sophisticated, like a convenient, reusable seed kit.

3. Proper Moisture and Temperature

Your cannabis seeds should be damp and warm to germinate. You'll want to keep the temperature between 70-90 degrees Fahrenheit. Some insist that 85°F is an ideal temperature to aim for until the seed cracks. You can then slowly shift 75-78 °F as it starts growing.

Once you've successfully germinated a seed and got that taproot poppin, things can get a bit tricky from here on out. Now you should seriously keep an eye on it in the coming days. Why? Well, cause that's when the seed's shell or "coat" cracks open, and you'll see the first signs of a real plant emerging.

Now you don't want to drown that seedling in water or let it dry out like a desert. Roots love water. They'll reach out and search for it. So, to help those roots grow long and strong, keep the growing medium just moist enough. Not sopping wet, not bone dry. Find that sweet spot of moisture. You might need to water it daily or every other day, depending on how the medium feels.

And never forget about the seed "coat." It should stay moist too, so the little seedling can break through, shed that coat, and start growing. During this time you can add a few drops of water to soften the coat up. Sometimes, that coat can be a real pain and your seedling might get stuck on developing the first set of leaves. If you notice that, it's alright to give it a gentle hand—grab a pair of fine tweezers and delicately remove that stubborn seed coat. But remember, be as light and gentle as possible with those seedlings. One wrong move, and you're back to square one.

Handle those seedlings with care, keep things moist but not drenched, and you'll be on your way to growing some amazing plants.

4. Proper Lighting

Once you start noticing that the coat is cracking and the little plant is eager to break free, it's time to provide it with some light. Plants have this amazing ability to grow towards the sun, it's like their natural instinct called phototropism. So, instead of worrying too much about the intensity of your marijuana grow light, what really matters is ensuring that the seedling gets proper coverage. If you're using natural sunlight or artificial lights, you might want to play around with the position of the seedling to make sure it basks in direct light and avoids any pesky shadows. Keep that little one shining bright throughout the day, just like it craves!

Marijuana seedlings will stretch when there's insufficient light-- this is a sign of stress and if they're lanky and weak they may topple over! Give them at least 300 to 500 micromoles of light on day one to greet them into the world.

5. Food. Food. Food.

You should start feeding your marijuana seedlings as soon as their first true leaves come in (not cotyledon leaves-we'll cover this in the following section). If you're looking for guidance on the world of cannabis nutrients, you can read our previous article on how to fertilize cannabis. Be aware that, during the first ten days, your marijuana seedlings may wilt as they adjust to their new environment. This is perfectly normal and the seedling should perk up in the second week.

6. Give Them Some Air

Overly humid environments will stress out marijuana seedlings, causing them to stretch. It's best to keep the environment humidity between 70 and 80% and incorporate gentle but indirect airflow.

Cotyledon Leaves Explained

Now that your little seedling has got everything it needs, get ready for a thrilling sight: you'll see two adorable, round leaflets unfold. These leaves are what we call "Cotyledons," and they have a crucial role to play: to help the plant grow, kickstart the process of photosynthesis, and even serve as nutrition for the plant itself.

But hold your horses, because at this stage, the plant is still fragile and delicate. Many new growers might jump the gun, thinking it's time for transplanting or fertilizing. But these practices usually stress the seedling to its demise. So actually there's no need to rush with the nutrients until the cannabis seedling has grown the second set of leaves and established a strong root system. Once that happens, it's okay to introduce a gentle feeding. Patience is key.

Cannabis Seedling Troubleshooting: How to Diagnose Common Problems?

If you happen to notice that your cannabis seedling has stretched and grown too tall, and it's looking all flimsy and "leggy," that's a clear sign of stress. Marijuana seedlings have their ways of expressing discomfort. So what could be causing this awkward growth? Let's break it down:

• Poor environmental conditions: It can be a real buzzkill for your plant. Keep the temperature in a cozy range between 74°F and 80°F, and aim for a relative humidity of around 50% to 60%. You can use Hey abby's smart USB humidifier to increase humidity if your environment is dry for the plant growth;
• Malnourishment: Too little or too much cannabis nutrients can cause trouble as well;
• Light exposure: Your precious seedling might not be getting its fair share of light. Make sure it's getting enough of that precious sunshine or artificial light.

Now, on the flip side, if you notice that your seedling isn't making any effort to grow upwards, that's usually a sign of overwatering. Yep, the media is way too moist, and the roots haven't had a chance to stretch and flex properly. But don't worry, I've got a little trick up my sleeve for you. Grab a couple of toothpicks and stick them into the media, crossing them to create a "X" shape for your seedling to lean on. Also add some gentle air movement, as it will give your plant a nudge to focus its energy on supporting itself.

When your plant displays about four sets of leaves, and the roots have stretched out of their original media, it's the right time for a transplant. Whether you choose hydroponic cannabis grow, rockwool cube, a pot of coco, or soil, it'll be great. Just take a moment to evaluate your marijuana seedlings to ensure they're ready before any big moves.

Simpliest Way to Grow Marijuana Seedlings? Go for Hey abby!

Hey abby is an automated cannabis grow kit that intelligently manages temperature, humidity, lighting, and other conditions throughout every growth stage of your cannabis plants, to make sure they survive and thrive.

Hey abby growing system parameters at different stage

How much light do my marijuana seedlings need? What about the temperature? How often to water them? No need to stress over these burning questions. Our advanced growing system automatically tailors the growth environment for the seedling stage (& more), as it's powered by cutting-edge algorithms. While if you prefer some hands-on control, just switch into Pro Mode for complete customization!

Concerned about when to transplant your marijuana seedlings? Relax. The hey abby APP (IOS/Android) comes with a user-friendly grow calendar that prompts you at the perfect time. Moreover, detailed instructional videos will guide you through each transplanting step.

By choosing Hey abby for your cannabis cultivation, success is practically guaranteed. As reported by local clone nurseries, those who grow cannabis in a tent alone achieve success at a rate of about 20%; while Hey abby growers see a remarkable success rate of 85%.

FAQs About 2 Week Old Seedlings

healthy marijuana seedling grown in Hey abby

At this age, your seedlings are a little fussy and it's important to have an idea what they need to get past this stage. After two weeks, your cannabis seedling is probably 2 to 3 inches tall and has a few sets of leaves, including the cotyledons we mentioned above.

1. How to Water 2 Week Old Seedlings?

It depends on the species you grow. While marijuana seedlings in particular will need to be watered once or twice a week. You should still check on your plant's medium throughout the week to make sure it doesn't get too dry or moldy though.

2. How Much Light is Too Much Light?

see the Seedling Transparent Bag

Lighting is crucial for proper plant development. But if you start to notice discoloration, you may be overdoing it. Signs of overexposure may include burnt marks on the edges of the leaves or they're changing color from green to pale yellow.

If you notice these signs in your 2 week old seedlings, you should either adjust the light setting, or you can place a transparent bag over the plant.

3. Are LED Lights Good for Cannabis Seedlings?

Absolutely! LED lights are a great option for indoor growing as they provide sufficient lighting for plant growth. If you're growing indoors with weed tents or any other smaller setups, consider investing in quality full spectrum LED grow lights, like the Samsung LM301H. Hey abby's line-up of gow closets come pre-installed with this lighting system to provide a balanced combination of red, blue, and white LEDs. The light intensity then gets adjusted by a smart algorithm throughout the growth stage to ensure your plant receives the exact wavelengths necessary for optimal growth and development.

4. Seedling vs clone: which one should I choose?

If you're all about enjoying the entire growth journey, go for seedlings—they bring that genetic diversity to the table. If you're after a more predictable outcome, marijuana clones are your buddies, keeping things consistent and easy. It's your call, depending on your time, resources, and what you're aiming for!

Conclusion

Like all seedlings, marijuana seedlings need to be handled with great care. While the process may seem daunting to a newbie, it's actually fairly straightforward. Simply follow the tips mentioned above and your plant will be on its way to a happy and healthy harvest.

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