Whether you’re a fellow cannabis cultivator or green-thumbed enthusiast, our ultimate fertilizer guide will bring you one step closer to bigger, better buds. Prepare yourself for your plants to gift you with buds that pack a punch of aromas and potency.
Think of choosing a fertilizer, like picking the perfect meal for your leafy friends. The proper nutrients at the right time will transform your harvest into a veritable bud bonanza.
We’ll walk you through all you need to know about cannabis fertilizers, growth patterns, and how to monitor and adjust your nutrients.
Fertilizers for any plant are materials added to the growing medium or plant matter to boost yield and general health.
The main three plant food groups in all fertilizers are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). Different companies will mix different ratios of these three compounds into their product depending on what they believe is the optimum.
A fertilizer bag label typically contains information about the N-P-K ratio. This is shown as three numbers representing the percentage of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in the product. This ratio will vary depending on specific plants and what they need to thrive at particular stages of their growth.
Cannabis plants need specific nutrients at different growth cycle stages to become a thriving, resinous masterpiece. The cannabis plant goes through four major growth stages:
When fertilizing your cannabis plant, the two most important stages are the vegetative and flowering stages. This is when the plant needs the most nutrients to develop.
During the vegetative growth stage, fertilizers with a higher percentage of nitrogen are most beneficial. Then, look for a bigger percentage of phosphorus and potassium during the flowering stage.
Towards the end of flowering, many cultivators add a final step to their feeding schedule where they stop fertilizing altogether. This is called flushing, and any nutrient buildup is removed from the soil by simply watering plants with water.
Providing your plants with what they need by fertilizing them correctly will elevate your buds and give you a higher yield with more robust aromas and potency. And we all want that!
Think of your cannabis plants as little athletes training for a championship. And just like athletes need a balanced diet to perform at their best, cannabis plants need certain nutrients to thrive.
Plants rely on macronutrients and micronutrients. Macronutrients are needed in larger quantities to support primary plant functions. Micronutrients serve special roles but are needed in smaller, trace quantities.
Macronutrients are essential nutrients that plants need to support their primary growth and development. They include the main elements we mentioned above: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. These nutrients are necessary for functions such as leafy growth, root development, and overall health.
Plants obtain these nutrients from the air, so adding them to fertilizers is unnecessary. Hydrogen plays a crucial role in plant respiration and sugar synthesis.
Simultaneously, carbon serves as the fundamental element for building sugars, starches, lignin, and proteins. Carbon is primarily absorbed as carbon dioxide, broken down during photosynthesis.
Nitrogen is the “muscle builder” of the nutrient world. Mainly needed during the vegetative stage of a cannabis plant’s life, nitrogen helps your plant grow a leafy mass.
Nitrogen is responsible for the production of chlorophyll, which turns plants green and facilitates photosynthesis ( the primary energy source for all plants).
If your plant suffers from a nitrogen deficiency, it will have stunted growth and pale, yellowing leaves.
Potassium is the “all-round champion” of plant growth. It is needed mainly in the flowering stage of a cannabis plant’s life as it helps to develop dense, resinous buds.
However, potassium is pivotal throughout a plant’s life because it thickens plant walls and helps to withstand stress and resist diseases.
Phosphorus is the main ingredient in root growth and flower development. During the flowering stage, phosphorus plays a vital role in energy transfer and the production of flowers, where those cherished buds develop.
Both calcium and magnesium are secondary macronutrients.
Calcium plays a vital role in the structure and strength of the cell walls. Magnesium is a crucial component in chlorophyll.
Ensuring adequate levels of these nutrients is vital to prevent common issues like yellowing leaves, stunted growth, and poor plant stability.
Another secondary micronutrient that cannabis plants need is sulfur. It plays a critical role in the building of amino acids and vitamins. If your plant’s leaves are yellowing and it has decreased bud production, then it could be suffering from a sulfur deficiency.
Fertilizers also contain small amounts of micronutrients to help cannabis plants stay healthy. A few of these nutrients are iron, copper, zinc, and boron.
Micronutrients are essential for a host of biochemical processes without which cannabis plants will suffer.
Besides the ratio of nutrient concentrations, you need to consider what type of fertilizer suits you. Fertilizers are primarily either organic or synthetic.
Organic fertilizers comprise naturally occurring materials like compost, bone meal, fish emulsion, and manure. Without much processing, this organic matter provides all the nutrients cannabis plants need.
If you are looking to cultivate weed in a way that is sustainable and nurturing of the soil, then organic fertilizer is the way to go. It’s a common choice for outdoor growing because, when used correctly, you only need to mix it into the soil once.
One of organic fertilizer’s biggest strengths is its improvements to the soil. Over time, soil structure and microbial activity will improve, creating a healthier environment for your cannabis plant.
The nutrients in organic fertilizer are released slowly into the soil, which prevents your plants from risk of nutrient burn. Also known as fertilizer burn or chemical burn, nutrient burn happens when plants are exposed to excessive levels of nutrients, particularly fertilizers.
This excessive nutrient concentration can damage plant roots and disrupt their ability to absorb water and other essential nutrients. It often results in visible symptoms such as leaf discoloration (browning or yellowing of the leaf edges).
By releasing nutrients slowly, organic fertilizer also limits the risk of nutrient runoff when watering.
Many cannabis cultivars believe that using organic fertilizer also helps with the aroma and flavor of buds.
One of the advantages of organic fertilizer is also its main drawback in certain circumstances. Because its nutrients are released gradually into the soil, it also means that the uptake is slower.
If your plant already suffers from a deficiency, feeding it organic fertilizer might not work fast enough to prevent further damage.
It is also difficult to control the potency of organic fertilizers. If you aren’t sure what the problem is or haven’t used a particular brand before, it is impossible to carefully monitor the exact amount of nutrients you are feeding your plants.
Lastly, organic fertilizers can be more expensive than synthetic fertilizers, especially if you have a more extensive operation.
Synthetic fertilizers differ from organic fertilizers as they are chemically produced, often using by-products of the petroleum industry. This chemical manufacturing process allows for precise nutrient ratios.
They are applied more regularly than organic fertilizers, typically every two weeks, to sustain nutrient levels.
Synthetic fertilizers are often water-soluble and are favored by hydroponic growers. However, it’s important to note that these fertilizers contain mineral salts that can harm soil bacteria.
Synthetic fertilizer’s main strength is how fast it acts. Nutrients are available immediately and can help with any deficiencies before any further damage is done.
The precision of synthetic fertilizers’ ratios of nutrients makes it easy to tailor your feeding regimen to your cannabis’s plants specific needs. And, because they are absorbed into the plant so quickly, you will see its response soon after adding the fertilizer.
Because synthetic fertilizers are manufactured, the amount of nutrients stays consistent. Your plants will receive the same amount of nutrients each time, making planning how they will grow easier.
Synthetic fertilizers are also more compact than organic ones and are often cheaper. They can offer you more potency per milliliter for your money. So, if you have a large indoor growing operation, synthetic fertilizers can be a more manageable and effective option.
Synthetic fertilizers are potent boosters for your marijuana plant so they should be treated with some caution. It is easy to over-fertilize your plants, and this could lead to nutrient burn.
Another risk of excess use of synthetic fertilizers is potential nutrient runoff. When you water your plants, the soil may not be able to absorb all the nutrients, and some may pollute the water.
Environmentally, synthetic fertilizers don’t contribute to the soil’s microbial activity, and prolonged use may even damage it. They are less sustainable than their organic alternative, so we recommend using them with caution.
Manufacturing synthetic fertilizers is an energy-intensive process contributing to pollution and global warming. If you are interested in sustainable gardening, they may not align with your principles.
The choice between synthetic and organic fertilizer depends on your method of growing your cannabis plants and gardening philosophy. We recommend considering your gardening goals and acknowledging your experience before diving head-first into any decision.
It’s also worth mentioning here that some cannabis growers use a hybrid method. They amend the soil with organic fertilizers to create a healthy living environment for their plants but use synthetic ones for precise nutrient control during critical growth phases or if their plants suffer.
Cultivating marijuana is a journey. Along the line, you can experiment with different growing techniques to find what suits you and your unique garden best.
Cannabis cultivation is like conducting an orchestra. Think of the nutrients as notes composed to create a symphony of growth. We’re here to help you choose the right fertilizer to do just that, but it’s just as important to monitor and adjust nutrient levels.
If you’re attentive to your cannabis plants and ensure they receive the nutrients they need throughout their growth, they will reward you with bigger and better buds!
Your best tools when monitoring your nutrient levels are your eyes. Paying attention to the changes your plants undergo is essential for picking up any possible problems. Regularly inspect your plants for signs of distress.
Here are some common issues to keep an eye out for:
Another helpful indicator of your plant’s health is the pH of the soil or growing medium. This is because pH governs nutrient availability. You could feed your plant all the best nutrients, but if your soil is at the wrong pH, it could be stunted in the growing medium.
The optimal pH range for soil when growing cannabis in typical conditions is typically around 6.0 to 7.0. Cannabis plants tend to thrive in slightly acidic to near-neutral pH levels. This pH range allows for effective nutrient uptake and supports healthy growth.
Regularly monitoring soil, or any growing medium, is vital for keeping it within these parameters. Otherwise, you may experience a nutrient lockout when your plants can’t effectively absorb the nutrients you lovingly feed them.
You can test your soil using pH strips or a pH meter. If you find that the soil isn’t in its optimal range, there are pH-up and pH-down solutions you can use to solve the problem.
When it comes to growing cannabis, there are different approaches you can take. Some people like to stick to a strict schedule, feeding their plants nutrients at set times. Others rely on what their plants are telling them and adjust as they go.
In this approach, growers follow a carefully planned schedule for feeding their cannabis plants. They provide nutrients at specific intervals, often using commercial fertilizers with recommended dosages and schedules.
In this method, experienced growers closely observe their cannabis plants, making feeding decisions based on the plants’ appearance and behavior. They adjust nutrient levels as needed.
The choice between these methods depends on your experience and what you’re comfortable with. As you gain more experience, you’ll figure out which way works best for you and your specific cannabis garden.
Choosing the right fertilizer for your cannabis plants is a critical decision to make or break your harvest. It will significantly affect not only the yield but also the quality of your buds.
Most importantly, consider your personal goals, growing methods, style, and your plant’s specific nutrient needs according to its stage of growth and strain.
By understanding the life cycles of marijuana plants, the importance of compound fertilizers, and how to tailor your nutrient regime, you’re well on your way to becoming a successful cannabis cultivar!
At Embarc, we offer an exceptional range of high-quality cannabis products to enhance your journey. Explore our selection of top-tier cannabis products today.
