The best fertilizer for your cannabis grows will contain a proper balance of different nutrients. The basic ones to choose from are Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Sulfur, Potassium, and Magnesium. Depending on your needs, you may want to use different proportions of each. However, some growers prefer organic methods, which are more environmentally friendly. Organic fertilizers are readily available from sustainable sources. They can be used year after year, and can even improve your soil.
Nitrogen
It’s important to follow the instructions on the bag of your cannabis fertilizer if you want to maximize the yield of your plants. Cannabis fertilizers usually list the percent of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. But these numbers are just estimates. The actual percentages are based on phosphorus and potassium. Moreover, the fertilizer you choose should be highly soluble and greenhouse grade. Calcium nitrate is a good addition to your cannabis fertilizer, but you should keep it separate from other types of nutrients. Never mix calcium nitrate with other types of fertilizers, such as phosphates and sulfates.
Cannabis needs nitrogen during its entire life cycle. Hence, nutrients for “vegging” stages contain higher levels of nitrogen than nutrients for flowering. Without nitrogen, plants can’t produce chlorophyll, amino acids, and other essential substances for the growth of leaves, stems, and branches. If your plants don’t get enough nitrogen, they’ll have trouble growing and may even die. In fact, nitrogen increases the plant’s resistance to pests and diseases.
Phosphorus
As one of the three main nutrients in cannabis fertilizer, phosphorus is necessary for the plant’s growth. A lack of phosphorus can lead to poor growth, but cannabis plants do not get too much of the element. Plants that receive sufficient amounts of phosphorus are highly productive. The amount that is needed is dependent on the stage of growth and the genetic makeup of the plant. The correct amount for your cannabis plants will depend on several factors, but you can use a fertilizer that contains a lot of phosphorus.
When choosing cannabis fertilizer, make sure to choose a blend with all the elements your plant needs. Phosphorus is the highest ratio in a cannabis fertilizer, and a high concentration can cause the plant to flower prematurely. A good rule of thumb is to start with a solution of one eighth strength before adding more. Then, increase the amount of phosphorus gradually until the plant is at least half the recommended amount.
Sulfur
The first thing you need to know about sulfur in cannabis crops is that it’s extremely important for photosynthesis. In fact, cannabis plants can go months without the right amount of this mineral, which is present in trace amounts in most soils. However, it’s not enough to give your crop the nutrients it needs. Here are some signs that your cannabis plant is missing this mineral:
Sulfur is essential for plant growth, as it is a component of proteins and amino acids. In fact, cannabis needs sulfur throughout its life, from seedlings to flowering. During the flowering stage, sulfur is associated with fattening buds and maintaining branch strength. There are different causes of cannabis sulfur deficiency, so make sure to check all the parts of your setup before you make any changes.
Potassium
A cannabis grower should pay close attention to the proportions of the various macronutrients in their marijuana fertilizer. Potassium plays several roles, including promoting disease resistance and water efficiency. Potassium also helps increase the strength of plant cell walls, which deflect pathogens and reduce the likelihood of infections. The plant’s cell walls can be either flaccid or turgid, with turgidity being the opposite of flaccidity.
A cannabis plant can experience a potassium deficiency for several reasons, including stress. Potassium deficiency is easy to fix, however. Just add an organic fertilizer or a PK booster to your cannabis fertilizer. If that does not solve the problem, try flushing the roots. Once the plants have recovered from the stressful period, they will grow as healthy as ever. It will also benefit from a higher pH level and proper nutrients.