🌿 Transplanting and Caring for Seedlings (Early Growth Stage)

After successful germination, your marijuana seeds will develop into delicate seedlings — small but powerful beginnings of your future plants. This early stage requires careful attention to light, moisture, and temperature to ensure strong root development and healthy growth. Think of this phase as laying the foundation for everything that follows.

🌱 When to Transplant Seedlings

Once the taproot is visible and your seedling has developed its first set of tiny leaves (known as cotyledons), it’s time to transplant it into its first pot or growing medium. Moving them too early or too late can stress the plant, so timing is key.

• Ideal Time: When the taproot is 0.25–0.5 inch long.
• Container Size: Start with small pots (2–4 inches wide) to help roots establish quickly.
• Soil Type: Use light, airy soil with mild nutrients. Avoid “hot” soil mixes rich in fertilizers — they can burn young roots.

🪴 How to Transplant Properly

1. Fill your pot with lightly moistened soil, leaving a small hole in the center.
2. Use clean tweezers or a small spoon to gently lift your seedling by the shell or leaf — never by the root.
3. Place the seedling in the hole with the taproot facing downward.
4. Lightly cover with soil and mist with water — avoid compacting the soil too much.

💡 Ideal Growing Conditions for Seedlings

• Light: 18 hours of gentle light per day. LED or CFL grow lights work best at this stage.
• Temperature: Keep between 72–78°F (22–25°C).
• Humidity: Around 65–70% to prevent leaves from drying out.
• Watering: Use a spray bottle to mist the soil lightly; overwatering can suffocate roots.

🌤️ Common Seedling Issues and Fixes

• Stretching: If your seedling grows tall and thin, it’s not getting enough light. Move lights closer (but not too close).
• Yellowing Leaves: Usually a sign of overwatering or nutrient imbalance. Allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings.
• Wilting: May occur from root damage or poor drainage. Ensure pots have holes for excess water to escape.

During the seedling stage, less is more. Avoid strong fertilizers or excessive light intensity. Focus on maintaining a stable environment and gentle care. Within 2–3 weeks, your seedlings will develop stronger stems and more leaves, signaling the start of the vegetative growth stage.

Up Next: In the following section, we’ll dive into “The Vegetative Stage: Building Strong, Healthy Plants” — where your cannabis plants truly begin to take shape and grow in size.