Cannabis Indoor Growing Class Part 1 - 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, rockwool 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%*.

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*Read Part 2 of my Cannabis indoor growing class here: **Choosing Your Grow
Tent and Setting Up a Hydroponic System*
------------------------------

*Check out these posts if f you want to learn more about other methods of
germination :*

*GERMINATE YOUR CANNABIS SEEDS IN 3 DAYS*

*THE BEST WAY TO GERMINATE CANNABIS SEEDS*

*HOW TO PROFESSIONALLY GERMINATE CANNABIS SEEDS: AWARD-WINNING SEED
BREEDER’S STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS*