Any grower, amateur or professional, strives to get a good, high-quality crop. The main factors that influence the quality of the crop are the choice of soil or substrate, lighting, ventilation, and proper watering.
When growing outdoors, the issue of lighting and ventilation is not relevant while for a grow box, it is necessary to create conditions close to natural. But in both cases, feeding cannabis pretty much plays a decisive role in obtaining a high-quality crop. Mark from 420growradar.com says that Not only the final result depends on the choice of the right nutrients for weed but also the general condition of the plants during the growing season and flowering.
What Are Nutrients?
Nutrients for marijuana plants are just like vitamins for people. Marijuana needs more than 20 nutrients for healthy growth. Fertilizers are categorized into macro and micronutrients, which are usually dissolved in a nutrient solution before being fed into cannabis plants. The plant needs macronutrients the most. All of the nutrients supply the elements which your plant needs and would easily get from the soil in the wild.
Macronutrients for Marijuana
Macronutrients that include nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus are elements that are vital in all stages of cannabis growth.
Nitrogen (N)
Nitrogen assists in promoting photosynthesis for chlorophyll production and is responsible for the size, growth, and resistance of marijuana plants. During its vegetative stage, the plant requires lots of Nitrogen regularly since it washes away easily.
Phosphorus (P)
It is one of the most important nutrients since the marijuana plant requires it during all its life. Phosphorus is a catalyst for the overall vigor of the marijuana plants and helps in the transfer of energy to the plants. It is vital for photosynthesis and for strengthening the root system. High phosphorus levels are beneficial for seedling growth and flower production.
Potassium (K)
The plant needs Potassium at all stages of its life. It helps in promoting strong root growth. It also helps the plant to combine sugars, carbohydrates, and starches, which is very important to growth by cell division. It also influences the oil content and the flavor of marijuana plants.
Micronutrients for Marijuana
To maintain the strength and health of marijuana, plants must also receive micronutrients. These elements can be found in fertilizers, though in lower amounts compared to the main macronutrients.
Calcium (Ca)
Calcium is essential for growth and cell production. It is also used to buffer excess nutrients in marijuana plants.
Magnesium (Mg)
Magnesium aids in nutrient intake and assists in neutralizing toxic substances and acids produced by cannabis plants.
Sulfur (S)
Sulfur plays a vital role in the production of chlorophyll, proteins, and in encouraging strong root growth.
Manganese (Mn)
Manganese speeds up the production of chlorophyll and acts as a catalyst for many plant enzymes to reduce nitrates and proteins.
Boron (B)
Boron plays an important role in seed production, cell formation, and water and protein intake.
Copper (Cu)
Copper can be used as a fungicide that prevents cannabis plants from being attacked by mold, insects, and various diseases. It is responsible for maintaining vigorous growth and strengthening of stems and branches.
How to Choose Nutrients for Marijuana
When selecting the nutrients for your cannabis plants, you need to take into consideration some of the important factors.
NPK ratio
It is the 3 numbers you see on the front of the fertilizer bag. These numbers provide information about the quantity of the three main elements (macronutrients): nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. So 3-2-4 means there are 3% of N, 2% of P, and 4% of K. Make sure the nutrients you buy contain the right NPK ratio, considering the plant’s stage of growth.
Method of growth
The nutrients that your marijuana plant will need depend on the method used to grow it. The plants that are grown in regular soil require different kinds of nutrients than those grown hydroponically.
Nutrients and supplements
Make sure to purchase nutrients, not supplements. The easiest way to differentiate them is to look at the ratio. The supplements’ ratio is more frequently determined in decimals (like 0.1-0.2-0.2) and the nutrients’ ratio is usually stated in whole numbers (like 3-2-4).
Grow Quality Weed!
When it comes to taking care of the plant and figuring out which nutrients it needs, things may become a little challenging. But remember that with enough water and nutrients, the right genetics, and lots of light you’ll be able to grow healthy and high-quality cannabis.