Q&A for How to Plant Cannabis Seeds Indoors

Initially, the process involves identifying the desired genetics or strain. Securing quality genetics is crucial, as the true characteristics may only be revealed during the flowering stage. Even then, certainty may require experience with the strain. After sourcing the genetics, the next step is acquiring a female plant, typically through obtaining a clone of your own or seeds, although clones are more common. The chosen female plant is then grown in a vegetative state, or vegging, without flowering or producing buds. This plant becomes the mother plant. Identical branches are cut from the mother plant—hence the term 'clone.' These cuttings are rooted in a medium, often rock wool. After a few weeks, the clones develop roots and can be further cultivated.

More than 12 hours of light a day for about 4-6 weeks as the plant matures will be enough. Once the plant is a decent size, you may induce flowering. Switch the plant to a timer of EXACTLY 12 hours of strong light (the more sunlight the plant gets, the more energy it can devote to flowering).

Yes, it is bad for the plant to have water constantly sitting at the bottom of the pot. It could make the roots rot over time.

You can actually find LED lamps made for growing plants online. If you don't want to bother with that, you can just get a purple light to grow them under. There are many articles online talking about the effects of colored lights on plants.

It varies, but it usually takes about 48 hours for the seeds to germinate well enough to be planted.

If you plan on growing short, fat plants, they should be at least 6' apart. You don't want the plants rubbing on each other or shading the other plants. You will also want to select a spot to ensure all plants will receive maximum sunlight.

You can start as soon as you see two little leaves budding. During that time, make sure to use distilled water when watering them.

Cannabis thrives in a comfortable room temperature when grown indoors, or a little warmer - not too dry, not too humid. If it feels too hot or too cold for you, it’s probably too hot or too cold for your cannabis plants.

You can't. You can try keeping it by a window, but you still won't have much success. Lights aren't that expensive, look on Amazon.

Yes, rain water is fine for any plant. The use of distilled water is to keep from adding tap water contaminants.

Keeping the plant from "stretching" is simple. Place the lights closer to the top of the plants. There are good video examples on YouTube showing two seeds started at the same time and placed under lights at different heights. The plant with inadequate lighting actually "reaches" for the light, growing tall and thin with longer internodal gaps. The seedling with closer light grows short and squat, with less stem between leaves (internodal distance), which means a better frame and plant structure for supporting the massive buds that you want to grow. As the plant grows, raise the lights with it. (Most folks suggest somewhere in the 16-30 inch range from source to canopy.)

You need to isolate the two varieties you want to cross pollinate. If the pollination is successful, the plants will produce seeds as a hybrid of the two parent plants. If the new variety shows unique characteristics, then you've created a new strain of cannabis. Congratulations!

As soon as you see signs of germination, put them in the soil.

Put a little soil in the bigger pot first, then carefully lift the plant out of its pot and set it into the bigger pot. Fill the bigger pot with more soil, and pat it gently. Water the plant, and let the soil drain.

The female goes past five leaves, and the male stops at 5 leaves.

I would use compost. It's a pretty simple process, do some research on gardening forums.

The plant will start to bud a few days after the dark period is routinely 12 hours. It is the length of the dark and not the light that is important. Consistency is very important; a timer is a must.

Cut a leaf that has a solid stem and looks nice. Then plant it like a normal plant.

Wait until the plant has at least two leaves. Leaves are what plants use to soak up sunlight energy, so if a plant does not have leaves yet, there's no point in turning on the lights.

Any good seed bank. You can search online or go to Amsterdam and browse through the various coffee shops there, which are usually linked to the seed banks.

It’s not a very powerful light. It will work marginally at the veg stage but the flower stage will under-perform and you'll be disappointed in the results.

Every strain and type produces different yields. You can increase yields by opening up the plant by tying ropes on branches, pulling them downwards and getting more light to the entire plant. Google techniques to increase yields and you will find a lot of interesting ideas.

You should use water with a ph between 6 and 6.5. Most drinking water is within this range.

No. Boiled water still contains impurities, but it is still better than water straight from the tap.

Plant them pointing up.

You could, but it could take a while for them to grow, and there is a chance that some of the seeds will not grow.

They sink as soon as you lay them on the water.

If you're in an area with dispensaries, most will sell seeds there. You can also do a online search for recent reviews listing reliable seed suppliers. Many good ones are based in the Netherlands, and will post the seeds to your address in most countries worldwide.

Transplant them when they're about 6 inches tall to prevent them from becoming root-bound.

The important part is the N-P-K, and 4-3-6 is a good ratio. Any plant fertilizer will do for the vegetative phase; specialist cannabis fertilizers are best, though, as they are designed specifically for cannabis. A good soil should impart all the vital food necessary for the first 4- 6 weeks of growth.