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Cotton Pad Germination Method

Another great way to germinate your cannabis seeds. To be successful with the Cotton Pad Germination method it is very important to use the right type of cotton pads. They can be found in most pharmacies and drug stores. Don’t use paper towel, toilet paper or any other comparable materials, only the make-up cotton pad retains the right level of moisture to make this method successful. Germination can take 3-10 days, depending on environmental conditions and variety. Follow these steps for the Cotton Pad Germination Method, to ensure healthy germination rates of around 95-100%.

How to germinate cannabis seeds in cotton pads

Auto Kerosene Krash germination seedling seedshell

Step 1: Collect the correct materials

The five materials needed for cotton pad germination: cannabis seeds, cotton pads, a water spray bottle, perforated foil and a dish

Here are the five essential materials you will need to proceed with this germination method:

  • Cannabis seeds

  • Cotton pads

  • Water in spray bottle

  • Microwave foil with small holes

  • Dish

Step 2: Place the seeds on the cotton pads

Five cannabis seeds laid out in a dice formation on a cotton pad

Place the cotton pads on a plate (for every 5 seeds you will have to use 2 cotton pads). Place the seeds on the cotton pad (max 5 seeds per cotton pad) and lay them in a dice formation.

Step 3: Spray the seeds and cotton pad with water

Spray bottle misting water lightly over the seeds on the cotton pad

Take your spray bottle and put it on fine mist and spray the seeds lightly.

Step 4: Cover the first cotton pad with a second one

A second cotton pad being placed on top of the seeds

Put another cotton pad on top of the seeds and spray again lightly.

Step 5: Place the pads on a dish and cover with foil

Plate of cotton pads sealed with perforated microwave foil

Take microwave foil (with small holes – not normal cling film) and secure it tightly over your plate. Take the plate and put it in a dark place with a constant temperature of around 20 degrees Celsius (a closet in the living room is often a good place).

Step 6: Wait a few days for roots to develop

Germinated cannabis seeds on the cotton pad, taproots two to five centimetres long

Wait for 2-5 days (check your plate on day 3) Once the root is between 2-5 cm the newly born seedling is ready to be transplanted into the soil.

Step 7: Prepare the soil and make a hole

A small planting hole being made in the middle of moist soil in a pot

Take a pot of minimum 0.25 L and fill it with either Seedmix or Lightmix. Wet the soil and make a small hole in the middle. Place your setup in a room with stable temperature. 20-25 degrees is ideal. We often advice your living room.

Step 8: Place the root inside the hole

Germinated seedling being lowered root first into the hole in the soil

Spray again lightly and put the seedling in the hole. Make sure the root goes into the soil and the ‘head’ of the seedling, stays above the soil. Close the hole and move it to a grow room with at least 18 hours of light per day, with a temperature of 20-27 degrees Celsius and a humidity level of around 60-80%. Keep the soil moist daily.

Step 9: Let your seeds grow

Soil gently closed over the seedling root, leaving the seed head above the surface

Now the seeds will grow further and shed their shell.

Is the growing medium too wet, your seedling will rot. Is the growing medium too dry, the seedling will dry out and die down.