Cannabis Indoor Growing Class of 2025 - Part One - Germination
I am showing Jackie aka @greens.gardener how to set up the Vivosun Germination kit. You can pick these up on Amazon for about $30 if you use code Ed420 - it comes with dedicated lights and a heat mat. A nice one stop solution.
Welcome to the 2025 Cannabis Indoor Growing Class! This course will guide you through every step of indoor gardening. We’ll start at the very beginning with germination, laying the foundation for healthy, thriving plants.
From there, we'll explore everything from choosing the right equipment to optimizing your indoor environment for success. Get ready for a hands-on, practical approach with plenty of scientific insights and sustainable practices to help you grow with confidence.
Let’s kick off this journey together and watch your plants—and your skills—grow!
Germination with A Vivosun Seed Starter Kit
It's always a good idea to get familiar with the product and process before diving in. We laid out all the parts, and I walked Jackie aka @greens.gardener through each step. For this first attempt, we’re using Purple Caper Autoflowers to focus on technique and identify potential pitfalls.
Autoflowers grow quickly, making them ideal for learning, even though they’re still not on par with regular cannabis plants in terms of quality.
I recently had the chance to experiment with the Vivosun 1-Pack 40-Cell Seed Starter Trays, which come with an LED light set and a seedling heat mat. It’s a solid kit, and I wanted to share my experience with it. If you're interested in the Germination Kit, click here! Use the code Ed420 at checkout to save 15%. 🌱
For germination, rock wool was used as the substrate. It’s sterile, which helps prevent contamination. Because it doesn’t decompose over time, this can be a downside in large-scale operations where organic materials are preferred for sustainability. While rockwool offers excellent air and water retention, its non-biodegradability means it can contribute to waste if not properly disposed of.
Alternatively, peat moss is an eco-friendlier option. It’s biodegradable and breaks down naturally, making it a sustainable choice for smaller grows. However, rockwell was used because peat moss disintegrates in hydro systems and this could interfere with water flow.
You can pick up rockwool or peat moss at any garden store or order it online.
Always have labels ready—good record-keeping is essential for becoming a successful grower. It helps you track both your successes and mistakes. When planting a row of seeds, label them immediately with the correct variety name. Don’t wait—it’s surprisingly easy to mix things up!
We're also germinating my Ed Rosenthal Superbud seeds. You can grab these for free with any 'Prisoner of Weed' pack on my website. I'll be sharing them as gifts with some friends!
Here’s how I set everything up:
Holes were poked ¼” - ½ “deep, in the rockwool and the seeds placed gently into each hole.
After watering lightly, any excess water was drained to prevent waterlogging, which can hinder the germination process.
The heat mat was set to 73°F (22.7°C), which is the sweet spot for seedling development. The LED light was dialed down to about two levels below full brightness—too much light can stress seedlings, so a moderate level is ideal.
The key to creating the right environment was adjusting the ventilation holes. I opened them slightly to let some airflow in while keeping enough humidity to help the seedlings thrive.
The light stayed on for 18 hours a day, and the timer included with the kit made managing this cycle effortless.
Here's the fully assembled kit—now it’s just a matter of waiting a couple of days. The process is mostly maintenance-free; just keep the seeds moist and warm, and be careful not to overwater, as rock wool retains moisture exceptionally well.
We checked the seedlings daily to monitor their progress. Once they developed their first set of true leaves and were strong enough, we transplanted them into clay pellets, the final growing medium. It’s crucial to wait until the seedlings are sturdy—typically when they have one or two sets of leaves and their growth begins to take off.
So far, this setup has worked beautifully—a simple yet effective way to give your plants a strong start. I’m excited to see how these seeds progress into beautiful flowers!
In my next blogpost, I’ll walk you through transplanting the seedlings and provide tips on properly setting up and maintaining your hydro system.
If you're interested in the Germination Kit, click here!
Use the code Ed420 at checkout to save 15%. 🌱
Check out these posts if f you want to learn more about other methods of germination :
GERMINATE YOUR CANNABIS SEEDS IN 3 DAYS