Cannabis Nutrients 101: What You Need to Know

You've chosen your growing medium and where you want to plant your cannabis. But let's talk about nutrients. Nutrients are just as critical as your medium or the setting you choose to plant your clones or seeds. They're responsible for providing food to your plants so they can grow healthy and produce more yields.

When talking about nutrients for cannabis, you're going to encounter many things, such as percentages, types of nutrients, supplements, among others. Let's take a look at the things that matter.

What are Cannabis Nutrients?
Types of Nutrients
Micro-nutrients
Nutrient Forms: Liquid vs Powder
What About Organic Fertilizers?
Nutrients vs. Supplements
Mixing Nutrients
Flushing Nutrients
Putting It All Together
When Should You Feed Cannabis Plants with Nutrients?
Conclusion
Frequently Asked Questions About Cannabis Nutrients

What are Cannabis Nutrients?

Cannabis nutrients are essential components that provide plants with the necessary nourishment to thrive. These nutrients are composed of naturally occurring or synthetic substances, which can be applied to the soil or added directly to the water used for irrigation.

Just like humans require a balanced diet for optimal health, cannabis plants need a consistent supply of essential nutrients to support their growth, development, and overall vitality.

These nutrients are not exclusive to cannabis plants and can benefit a wide range of other plants. Whether you're cultivating a vegetable garden, tending to houseplants, or growing cannabis, providing the appropriate nutrients is crucial for achieving optimal results.

Types of Nutrients

Cannabis needs different kinds of nutrients for it to grow healthy and yield quality buds during harvest. Each nutrient has a crucial contribution to the growth of your cannabis, making them non-negotiable. And during each phase of development, these nutrients have to be at a certain level for better optimization.

The three essential nutrients needed in cannabis growth are Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium. These three nutrients are used in high concentrations, with actual levels varying during the stage of development.

As a rule of thumb, you need a high concentration of Nitrogen and lower levels of Phosphorus and Potassium during vegetation, higher levels of Phosphorus and Potassium, and low levels of Nitrogen during flowering.

Nitrogen

Nitrogen (N) is one of the essential nutrients needed during the early stages of plant growth.

Nutrients designed for the vegetative stage of growth have higher concentrations of Nitrogen.

Nitrogen is crucial for chlorophyll, which is essential to convert sunlight into energy and push its growth. You also need Nitrogen as part of the amino acids to develop protein, which makes your cannabis plants stronger.

Nitrogen also allows a plant to control its use of energy, being part of ATP. It's also essential to develop nucleic acid, which is critical in letting plant cells grow and multiply.

Phosphorus

Phosphorus (P) is another essential nutrient needed by cannabis. While it's primarily for bud development, Phosphorus is also used during the vegetative stage, although in lower qualities.

When used in the vegetative stage, Phosphorus allows for a rigid growth of your plant, as it develops as a seedling. It helps the cannabis plant absorb nutrients so that it can grow stronger roots and healthier leaves.

You'll know that Phosphorus is low when you see a purple hue in the leaves.

Potassium

Potassium (K) regulates water and salt content in plants by controlling the opening of the stomata or the pores of leaves, which are responsible for absorbing CO2, oxygen, and water.

It also activates the production of ATP, which stores energy from photosynthesis and develops glucose. The glucose formed is used as plant energy during growth.

Potassium deficiencies are evident when plants are weak and appear burnt due to the inability to regulate CO2, water, and oxygen exchanges.

Micro-nutrients

While macronutrients form the foundation of a plant's diet, micronutrients are equally essential and are lower in concentration. These micronutrients play crucial roles in various metabolic processes, supporting the overall health and vitality of cannabis plants.

Here are some key micronutrients that cannabis plants require for optimal growth:

Magnesium
Calcium
Copper
Iron

But don't let the micro-tag fool you. While you need lower amounts, they still play a vital role in developing your cannabis plants.

Calcium

Calcium is a micro-nutrient that ensures the rigidness of cell walls in your plant. It helps plants grow and develop and ensure vital functions work as they should. When Calcium is low, the leaves curl, and you'll see brown spots on your plant.

Magnesium

It serves as the core molecule in chlorophyll that's responsible for developing glucose during photosynthesis. It also helps metabolize glucose for plant growth. Without it, your plants cannot convert energy from sunlight.

Iron

Iron is a vital component of chlorophyll, the pigment that gives plants their green color. It plays a crucial role in photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert sunlight into energy.

Additionally, iron is involved in the production of enzymes, which are proteins that catalyze chemical reactions within the plant.

Copper

While found in the soil, copper is crucial in developing plastocyanin. That is essential in triggering photosynthesis through electron transfers. While copper deficiency is uncommon, it is dangerous to your plants due to its role in photosynthesis.

Cannabis also needs air and water, as these are sources of Carbon, Hydrogen, and Water. With all things considered, let's take a look at the form of Nutrients.

Nutrient Forms: Liquid vs Powder

Cannabis nutrients come in two forms: liquid and powder. Liquid nutrients are often used indoors, while some are also capable of outdoor usage. It's a standard solution for a variety of growing mediums, including soil and hydroponics. Due to its state, growers may use liquid nutrients with drip lines, misting apparatuses, and hoses for efficient application.

The advantage of liquid nutrients is the ability to be absorbed faster. But, don't overdo it, as the fast absorption may be destructive when too much is applied. Liquid nutrients are used with a separate water tank for mixing. Each nutrient formula you buy has an ideal ratio per gram or teaspoon to the gallon. It's always best to follow the recommended proportions to avoid overfeeding.

Using liquid nutrients also entails having a watering schedule. That means knowing how much water you need, the kind and number of nutrients you apply, and how often you water your plants.

For optimal results, avoid adding nutrients every watering. Stagger applications every other watering, adjusting frequency based on soil type and plant health. Begin with a lower dosage and maintain the recommended nutrient ratios.

Observe seedlings closely for reactions to nutrient formulas. If necessary, switch to an alternative. Before mixing nutrients, verify the pH of your water. Cannabis thrives at pH levels of 6-7 (soil) and 5.5-6.5 (hydroponics). Deviations from this range can hinder nutrient absorption.

What About Organic Fertilizers?

As we all know, organic fertilizers are often sourced from animal or vegetable waste and may include sediments that have essential minerals. These work best for outdoor growing and are often in powder form.

Organic nutrients offer slower-releasing nutrients and benefit soil organisms. Purchase them at local nurseries and mix into the soil. This eliminates the need for frequent nutrient applications.

Consider using blood or fish meal for nitrogen, bone meal or bat guano for phosphorus, wood ash or kelp meal for potassium, and dolomite lime for calcium and magnesium.

To make your life easier, you can buy soil mixes that have these nutrients. While beneficial, organic nutrients also have flaws. First, your plant needs more time to absorb it, potentially damaging your plants if not absorbed fast. They also need microorganisms to break nutrients, which isn't ideal in cold climates. And they can also attract insects and pests.

Nutrients vs. Supplements

Nutrients and supplements are two different solutions, but both contribute to the growth of cannabis. Nutrients are non-negotiable and must be applied to your plants. Supplements serve as a support system to exponentially improve plant quality.

To know if a formula is a supplement or nutrient, anything with low concentrations of NPK is a supplement. While supplements have low concentrations of essential nutrients, remember that too much of it can still cause your plants not to absorb these nutrients.

If you want to use supplements, it's best to use one made from the same manufacturer as your nutrients. These are likely to be blended with the right amount to avoid overfeeding.

Mixing Nutrients

cannabisi nurtients (micro-nutrients and macronutrients)

If you buy off-the-shelf nutrients for your cannabis, the good thing about them is that they are already blended to the proper levels. That means vegetative nutrients will have the optimal blend of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium.

But suppose you plan to mix things yourself, such as the organic nutrients; as a guide, vegetative nutrients have high levels of Nitrogen, low levels of Phosphorus, and moderate levels of Potassium. For the flowering stage, you can start with low nitrogen levels and high amounts of Phosphorus and Potassium.

One might ask, is it okay to mix different brands?

And the answer is yes, but there are some risks involved.

First of all, mixing different nutrient brands may result in the non-absorption of nutrients. The measurements of each nutrient might not be the same with the two brands.

Second, the different nutrient formulas used by a brand are often tailored to fit with each other. You can easily add them without worrying about nutrient lockouts, provided that you follow the instructions on the packaging.

Flushing Nutrients

Flushing removes excess nutrients from plants and soil, improving bud quality at harvest. Stop fertilizing and switch to plain water for a period determined by your growing medium. Ensure water pH is appropriate. Flushing timing is crucial; avoid early flushing, as it can reduce yield.

Typically, flushing occurs two weeks before harvest, but timing varies by medium. Soil growers may need 1-2 weeks, while hydroponic growers require a few days. Expect reduced green coloration during flushing, which is normal. Begin harvesting when sugar leaves turn yellow. Flushed plants appear lighter. Act quickly after flushing, as plant quality declines over time.

Putting It All Together

You shouldn't feel overwhelmed with the nutrients available in the market today, considering all the pre-made formulas made available off the shelf. But if you want to be adventurous and try other things, this article should serve as your guide to know what works and how each element contributes to a plant's growth.

That said, if you want no-frills usage, go for the pre-made ones to avoid complicating things. Keep in mind that different strains have unique reactions to the nutrients in the market, as some need slightly lower levels of Nitrogen or Phosphorus.

When Should You Feed Cannabis Plants with Nutrients?

The timing and frequency of nutrient applications vary depending on the growth stage of your cannabis plants and the growing medium used. Here's a general guideline:

Seedlings:

Initial stage: No nutrients required.
After multiple leaves develop: Introduce nutrients gradually, starting with a low dosage.

Vegetative Stage:

Early vegetative: Use a balanced nutrient ratio, such as 2:1:2 (NPK).
Mid-vegetative: Increase nitrogen levels to a ratio of 10:5:7.
Late vegetative: Maintain a balanced ratio of 1:1:1.

Flowering Stage:

Early flowering: Continue using a balanced ratio, focusing on phosphorus and potassium.
Late flowering: Reduce or eliminate nitrogen, emphasizing phosphorus and potassium.

Growing Medium Considerations:

Soil: Ensure the soil pH is between 6.0 and 6.8.
Hydroponics: Maintain a pH of 5.5 to 6.5.

Note: These are general guidelines. Adjust nutrient levels and frequency based on plant health, growing conditions, and specific nutrient requirements.

Conclusion

Understanding cannabis nutrients is crucial for cultivating healthy and productive plants. By providing your plants with the essential elements they require, you can support robust growth, optimize yield, and enhance the quality of your buds.

Remember to consider the specific needs of your cannabis strain, the growing medium, and the stage of development. Carefully monitoring your plants and adjusting nutrient applications as needed to ensure that your cannabis plants receive the nourishment they need to thrive.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cannabis Nutrients

◄What are cannabis nutrients, and why are they essential for plant growth?: Cannabis nutrients are essential elements that provide plants with the nourishment they need to thrive. They support various metabolic processes, including photosynthesis, respiration, and nutrient uptake.
◄What are the main categories of nutrients that cannabis plants require?: Cannabis plants need macronutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) and micronutrients (calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, and others) for optimal growth.
◄How do macronutrients differ from micronutrients in terms of their role in plant development?: Macronutrients are required in larger quantities and form the building blocks of plant structure. Micronutrients are needed in smaller amounts but are essential for various metabolic processes.
◄How can you identify a nitrogen deficiency in your cannabis plants?: Nitrogen deficiency is often characterized by yellowing leaves starting from the older growth.
◄How can you tell if your cannabis plants are suffering from a potassium deficiency?: Potassium deficiency is often associated with weak stems, burnt leaf tips, and delayed flowering.
◄What are the consequences of over-fertilizing cannabis plants?: Over-fertilization can cause nutrient toxicity, leading to burnt leaf tips, root damage, and reduced yields.
◄How often should you feed your cannabis plants?: The frequency of nutrient applications depends on the growth stage, growing medium, and nutrient requirements. Generally, feed every 1-2 waterings during the vegetative stage and less frequently during flowering
◄What are the advantages of using organic nutrients?: Organic nutrients can improve soil health, support beneficial microorganisms, and reduce the risk of nutrient toxicity.
◄What are the potential drawbacks of using organic nutrients?: Organic nutrients may have slower release rates and can be less potent than synthetic nutrients.
◄When might it be beneficial to use a combination of organic and synthetic nutrients?: Combining organic and synthetic nutrients can provide a balanced approach, leveraging the benefits of both.