Having plant issues? Check out our identification charts later in this post.
Cannabis Nutrients 101
A question that I’m often asked and see many times on discussion forums is “how much bud can one plant produce.” There isn’t a simple answer to that question, in fact, it’s impossible to guess because of the number of variables that are at play. Some factors that can affect the final yield of your cannabis plants are soil quality, pH, amount and power of light, size of pots, strain planted and the nutrients that are provided and when.
Nutrients are broken up into three parts, primary nutrients, secondary nutrients and trace elements. All of the nutrients required by your plants come together to support healthy growth. The real secret to nutrients aren’t the ingredients but the timing of when they are added and what they are added with. If you can recreate the mixture of nutrients, water, and timing you can then grow one plant or a hundred plants, it will be the same.
It is critical that you view your plants each day for changes both positive and negative if something bad is going on you need to catch it early and deal with the issue immediately to avoid a reduction in your final bud yields. It is also crucial that when you water your plants with added nutrients that you check the run-off from your plants for pH levels. Remember keeping your plants as healthy as possible will increase the final yield and quality.
How Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium Effect Cannabis Growth (cannabis nutrients)
(N) Nitrogen: Healthy foliage growth is spurred by Nitrogen which helps plants produce proteins that are used to be the building blocks of your plant’s foliage. Too much Nitrogen will cause your cannabis plants to experience rapid growth but poor flowering. Not enough Nitrogen will cause stunted growth.
(P) Phosphorous: Phosphorous is important to the root system of your cannabis plant and later on during growth it helps produce big fat healthy buds. Too much Phosphorous will cause your leaf’s to bleach (turn yellow) while not enough will cause your leaves to die off.
(K) Potassium: Potassium is crucial to have overall healthy plants and plant development. Too much Potassium will cause your plant to not be able to uptake Nitrogen and Phosphorous, not having enough will cause poor plant health.
There is no perfect measurement of the amount of nutrients your cannabis plants require for healthy growth. Each maker of nutrients has their own formula. Cannabis nutrients can be bad if you use too much. I’m a firm believer that less is more when it comes to fertilizing my plants. I would much rather under feed than over feed my plants. Over-feeding will kill your plants, cause low yields and even produce terrible tasting end product. Don’t let this scare you too much, just use fewer nutrients than your manufacturer lists on the packaging. I usually cut it in half. Never underestimate the ability of cannabis plants to adapt to bad conditions and still thrive. Remember you are growing a weed.
Remember, use a cautious hand with your cannabis plants. The better schedule you keep for your plants the better they will respond. The right amount of light, water, Co2, and nutrients are the ingredients of perfect cannabis.
What Nutrients We have Been Testing
I’ve been growing cannabis in soil for over 10 years and in that time, I’ve tried a lot of nutrients. I’ve made my own, mixed and matched as well as used nutrient systems. I’ve found that the nutrient systems are easy to use and work better overall for my plants.
Here are some products that I recommend to other cannabis growers.
| PICTURE | MODEL | Rating |
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FoxFarm Soil Trio Big Bloom / Grow Big / Tiger Bloom
Product features
– Start with Grow Big for abundant green growth
– Switch to Tiger Bloom at the first sign of bud set or flowering
– Use Big Bloom throughout all growing cycles to heal root systems and increase nutrient cycling
– Ideal for mature, late-season flowers and fruit
– SIMPLE AND EASY TO USE! Great for beginners!
Dutchpro Starter Pack for Soil
Product description
– This great new starter pack by Dutch Pro really takes a headache out of choosing what to get for your first grow!
– This pack even includes a bottle of their famous Dutch Pro Explode
– 1 x Dutch Pro Original Grow Soil
– 1 x Dutch Pro Original Bloom Soil
– 1 x Dutch Pro Explode
– 1 x Dutch Pro Multi Total
– 1 x Dutch Pro Take Root
Advanced Nutrients Bloom, Micro & Grow
Product description
– Advanced Nutrients ph perfect grow
– No competitor offers this full spectrum of quality ingredients
– balance-free pH perfect technology works around the clock to calibrate and adjust the pH for you
General Hydroponics General Organics Go Box
Product description
– Bio Thrive Grow
– Grow and Bloom fertilizers
– GO liquid supplement
– Premium biological plant foods and supplements
Images By Jorge Cervantes
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Conclusion
The best way to prevent issues with your cannabis plants is to keep a close watch and to use nutrients carefully. Introduce nutrients slowly at low strength and build up the concentration over time. Feeding issues with appear rather quickly if there are nutrient issues.
Always keep a close watch on your plants daily. You should be examining the leaves and stems very closely to make sure they are healthy. Keep your grow area and tools clean and make sure that your plants have good ventilation. If you keep on top of these things your grow will be successful.
Marijuana Grows Indoors 101: How to grow cannabis indoors using LED grow lights
When to Harvest your Cannabis Plants
5 Tips When Buying LED grow Lights
Top 5 Beginner Strains For New Growers
Cannabis Nutrients Deficiencies & Excesses