How Deep to Plant Cannabis Seed?

Wondering how deep to plant cannabis seed? You’ve come to the right place!

Before we learn about planting, we’ve got a quick question for you: are you still asking yourself, “What is the Highest Yielding Indoor Strain for Cannabis?“. If so, we urge you to check out our linked resource to finalize your decision before continuing to read this article. If you’ve decided already, well, congrats! Let’s dive straight into cannabis planting tips.

Planting cannabis seed is a critical step in growing your plants, and getting them right is important. The depth of your planting hole will determine how well your plant grows and how healthy it is.

The short answer for cannabis seed planting depth is 0.5 to 1.5 inches (1.3 to 3.8 centimeters) deep. However, if you’re growing cannabis plants in a pot, it’s best to pick a reasonable depth for the space.

Keep reading for additional insights into how deep to plant cannabis seed now. If you’re looking for a more comprehensive read, check out our post on how to grow cannabis from seed.

Interested in learning more about the cannabis space? Make sure to check out our post about choosing the right seed-to-sale software before you go!

Steps to Plant Marijuana Seed

Cannabis seeds need to be planted deep enough to germinate and grow properly. If you plant them too shallow, the seed may not have enough moisture to germinate. If you plant them too deeply, the seed may not be able to break through the living soil to reach the surface.

What Happens if Seeds Are Planted Too Deep

If cannabis, or marijuana seeds are planted too deep, they won’t have sufficient access to oxygen. The lack of oxygen hinders the seeds ability to break down its food stores, since all living organisms break down their food through a process called aerobic respiration, where oxygen is used to release energy from glucose.

However, equally important to note is that the depth you plant your cannabis seed at isn’t the only consideration. Here are some steps to plant marijuana seed outlined more in-depth:

Step 1: Germinating the Seeds

Inspect Your Seeds Before Planting

Before planting your seeds, it’s always recommended to visually inspect your seeds to gauge their quality. The reason is that darker-coloured seeds generally stand a better chance of germinating, and ultimately produce a higher-quality plant. In contrast, pale green, or white seeds are very likely to fail, so planting these seeds may be a wasted effort.

That being said, generally, seeds will germinate 90-100% of the time, according to Sensi Seeds.

Create the Ideal Cannabis Seed Germination Environment

Temperature and environment are some of the most critical components at this critical stage of plant development. Here are some general best practices that you can employ to increase the chances of successful germination:

• Maintain an optimal temperature between 22°C and 25°C (71–77°F).
• Ensure your growing environment is moist, but avoid excessive wetness.
• Keep relative humidity within the range of 70% to 90%.
• Use fluorescent lighting (Cool White code 33) for seed growth.
• Reduce the handling of seeds to a minimum.
• For hydroponic/rockwool plugs, maintain an ideal pH value between 5.8 and 6.2.

How long does it take to germinate cannabis seeds?

Germinating cannabis seeds involves soaking them in water until they sprout. This process can take anywhere from a few days to a week. There are also other germination methods such as:

• Placing seeds in a wet paper towel
• Planting seeds directly into the soil
• Planting seeds into stone wool blocks
• Using RQL soil plugs

The important components to keep in mind that will increase the chances of successful germination are the ideal germination environment, darkness, and seed quality.

Once the seeds have germinated, they need to be planted immediately.

Step 2: Planting the Seeds

Planting cannabis seeds requires two key things: soil and water. The soil should be loose and well-drained so the roots can easily grow through it. If the soil is too compacted, the roots will have difficulty growing and may even suffocate.

The water should be at room temperature and clean (preferably filtered or distilled). Too much or too little water can both be detrimental to the plant.

Depth of Your Planting Hole for Germinated Cannabis Seeds

Once you have your soil and water, it’s time to plant the seeds. The depth of your planting hole will depend on the seed size. As mentioned earlier, you should generally plant the seed 0.5 to 1.5 inches (1.3 to 3.8 centimeters) deep.

If you’re growing cannabis in a pot, the depth of your planting hole should be about one-third the height of the pot. So, for example, if you’re using a 12-inch (30.5-centimeter) pot, your planting hole should be 4 inches (10 centimeters) deep.

Loving this article? Give our other post defining cannabis software a quick read before you leave!

Step 3: Caring for the Seeds

Keeping your seeds moist but not waterlogged is essential now that your seeds have been planted. Water the soil lightly every day or two until the seedlings emerge. Once the seedlings have emerged, you can water them more deeply but less frequently.

Depending on your climate and grow setup, you’ll probably need to water your plants every four to seven days. However, this will vary depending on other variables in your grow room.

It’s also essential to keep the temperature in the room where your plants are growing consistently. The ideal temperature for cannabis plants is 68 to around 77 degrees Fahrenheit while in their vegetative stage. However, 65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit is perfect if your plants are flowering.

Finally, ensure the room where your plants are growing has good ventilation. Cannabis plants need a lot of fresh air to grow properly.

Cannabis Seed FAQ

Which way do I plant a germinated seed?

Your germinated seeds should be planted with the root down. Then, you’ll cover the seedling lightly with soil. Avoid overpacking the ground over the seed while providing a light, protective soil layer. After the seeds sprout over the next three days, make sure the seedlings have plenty of light.

Can you put seeds straight into the soil indoors?

Yes, you can put seeds straight into the soil indoors. This is called direct seeding or direct sowing. Sowing seeds directly into the soil is possible; however, some seeds might need to be germinated outside of the ground before being transplanted into this medium.

Should you water seeds right after planting?

Before your seeds sprout, it’s essential to maintain seedbed moisture, ensuring it doesn’t become dry. A fine-spray hose nozzle gives a fine mist spray that won’t oversaturate or disturb the delicate seed bed.

How many seeds do you put in one hole?

If you’re planting seeds without germinating them, it’s common to plan two or three seeds per hole. Since seeds don’t always germinate, all seeds don’t sprout. However, if you overseed holes, pots, or cells, you’re guaranteed to grow enough plants to fill all holes.

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