Paper Towel Method
Definition: The paper towel method is a popular way to germinate cannabis seeds by placing them between damp paper towels inside a covered plate or container kept warm and dark. Growers can check progress daily and plant each seed once its taproot appears, usually within 24 to 72 hours for fresh seeds.
How Paper Towel Method works
This method is popular because it shows you exactly which seeds have popped and when. It also uses things almost everyone already has at home.
Step by step
- Moisten: dampen two or three sheets of plain, unscented paper towel with room-temperature water, then squeeze until no water drips.
- Place: lay seeds an inch or more apart on one half and fold the other half over them.
- Cover: set the towel on a plate and cover it with a second upside-down plate, or slip it into a zip bag left slightly open for air.
- Warm: keep it at 70 to 80°F (21 to 27°C) in a dark spot.
- Check: look twice a day and re-dampen if the towel starts to dry.
When to plant
Transfer each seed once its taproot is about 0.25 to 0.5 inch long. Use tweezers on the shell and plant root-down roughly 0.5 inch deep in pre-moistened soil or a starter plug.
Mistakes to avoid
Soggy towels with standing water can rot seeds. Thick, quilted towels let roots grow into the fibers. Waiting too long to plant lets roots tangle and tear. Cheap, thin towels or unbleached coffee filters actually work better than premium brands.