Activation of metabolism: As the seed absorbs water, enzymatic reactions facilitate the conversion of stored starches into sugars. These sugars act as energy sources for the emerging seedling, which are initiated by phytohormones such as Auxin and Gibberellin.

Emergence of the radicle: The first root, aka the taproot or radicle, pierces through the seed coat as it grows downward. This anchors the seed and facilitates the absorption of water and nutrients from the soil. The plant has a sense of up and down through a process called gravitropism – roots know to go down and shoots know to grow up!

Shoot Development: After the radicle, the shoot emerges and grows upward through gravitropic mechanisms searching for light; once it finds it, the draw to the light is known as phototropism. This shoot will then develop the first leaves, or cotyledons, crucial for photosynthesis.

Photosynthesis: As the cotyledons open and, later, as true leaves (fan leaves) form, the seedling starts producing energy through photosynthesis. Light absorbed by chlorophyll enables the plant to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose (energy) and oxygen. This glucose supports further plant growth and development.

Growth hormones: Plant hormones significantly influence seedlings' vigour and growth. For example, auxins promote cell elongation, guiding root and shoot development. Gibberellins promote cell division and elongation, influencing stem growth. Cytokinins play a role in cell division and differentiation, particularly in roots.

Environmental factors: Light, temperature, airflow, moisture, and soil nutrients are critical in seedling growth. Ensure seedlings receive enough light, as light affects photosynthesis rates and influences the direction of growth, again an example of phototropism. Temperature regulates enzymatic activities essential for metabolic processes. Moisture is crucial for germination and maintaining cellular functions, and soil nutrients provide the essential minerals for growth and development.

Genetic factors: The seed's genetic makeup determines its potential for growth and vigor. Some seeds naturally possess genes that make them more vigorous or allow them to grow faster than others.

Vigor: Seedling vigor is an observable quality that reflects the potential of a seedling to establish and grow under various conditions, including potential stresses. Vigorous seedlings typically exhibit rapid, uniform emergence, strong root systems, and robust early growth. In essence, the growth and vigor of seedlings are outcomes of the interplay between the seed's genetic potential and the external environment, regulated through intricate metabolic and physiological processes. The stronger and more vigorous a seedling, the better its chances of thriving and maturing into a healthy plant. 

Growing seedlings successfully

1. Start with high-quality cannabis seeds from reliable sources.

2. Ensure the seeds are properly stored in a cool, dark place until they're ready for use.

3. To germinate cannabis seeds, place seeds between moist/wet paper towels or directly sown in a growing medium.

   Once the seeds have germinated, begun to sprout, and seedlings appear, provide them with adequate hours of light, water, and nutrients.
4. Ensure they aren't exposed to extreme conditions or harsh climates.

5. Monitor the seedlings' growth, looking out for any signs of disease or pests.

6. Once the seedlings have grown sufficiently and have a robust root system, they can be transplanted from small pots to larger pots or directly to the ground to advance to the vegetative stage, depending on where they will be grown.

The benefit of using cannabis seedlings

Modern agricultural breeding practices can allow a certain level of uniformity from seed lots. However, not all seed batches are made equal. Using cannabis seedlings will enable growers to introduce genetic diversity to their crops. This diversity can lead to the discovery of new phenotypes with desired traits. Since seedlings aren't genetically identical like clones, there's potential for varied outcomes, which can be particularly useful in breeding programs. Also, because they grow from seeds, seedlings don't carry over diseases or pests, unlike infected mother plants, making them a clean starting point. Most high-quality seeds undergo rigorous testing to ensure they're free from pathogens like Hop Latent Viroid (HLVd).

How to recognize a high-quality seedling

Vigorous growth: A high-quality seedling should exhibit steady growth. While different strains may have varying growth rates, consistent development without stagnation is a positive sign.


Stem strength: A sturdy, upright stem indicates a healthy seedling. If the stem appears weak, thin, or leggy (stretching with a lot of space between nodes), it might indicate insufficient light or other suboptimal conditions.


Leaf development: Look for leaves that are bright green and turgid (full of water and standing out from the stem). Young seedlings will initially produce single-leaf structures, followed by true leaves. The true leaves should appear well-formed, without discoloration or deformities.


Root system: While not always visible, a robust root system is a key indicator of a healthy seedling. If transplanting, look for white, fibrous roots. Brown or mushy roots may suggest rot or other diseases.


Coloration: Healthy cannabis seedlings should have a vibrant green color. Yellowing, purpling, or brown spots might indicate nutrient deficiencies, pests, or diseases.


Uniformity: If you're growing multiple seedlings from the same strain, they should exhibit a degree of uniformity in size, shape, and growth rate. Significant deviations could indicate inconsistent genetics or varying environmental conditions.


Absence of pests and diseases: Check for any signs of pests like spider mites, aphids, or fungus gnats. Also, monitor for diseases like damping-off, which can quickly kill seedlings.


Cotyledon health: The cotyledons, or the "seed leaves," are the first leaves that appear in the cannabis seedling stage and provide early nutrition to the seedling. They should appear green and healthy. A premature yellowing or dropping off can be a sign of issues.


Responsive to environment: Healthy seedlings should respond positively to their environment. For example, they might exhibit phototropism, or growth towards light, indicating they are actively seeking optimal development conditions.


No signs of stress: Avoid seedlings that show signs of stress like leaf curling, wilting, or discoloration. These symptoms can arise from factors like overwatering, underwatering, excessive light, or temperature extremes.

Cannabis seedlings vs cannabis clones

Cannabis seedlings might take a bit longer to grow than clones because they have to undergo the germination process. However, they provide genetic diversity. This diversitymeans that each seedling might react differently to environmental conditions, making some moreresilient or adaptable than others.

Growing from seedlings ensures that new genetic combinations are explored, potentially leading to the discovery of  new elite strains. While clones offer a predictable outcome due to their genetic uniformity, seedlings offer potential and excitement due to theirvariability.

Seeds have genetic variations, and even within a single strain or batch of seeds, there might be slight differences in how the plants grow and the compounds they produce. Seedlings, therefore, allow growers to select and cultivate plants that showcase the best attributes, refining their crop over time.