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If you want your cannabis plants to reach their full potential, you need to make sure they’re getting the right nutrition. Learn how to feed your plants for optimal growth with our helpful tips.
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Introduction
Cannabis plants are heavy feeders and can quickly deplete the nutrients in the soil. To ensure your plants are getting the nutrients they need, it’s important to fertilize them on a regular basis. But with so many different types of fertilizer available, it can be difficult to know which one is best for your plants.
In this article, we’ll give you a crash course on cannabis nutrition and show you how to choose the best fertilizer for your plants. We’ll also share our top picks for the best fertilizers for cannabis plants.
Cannabis plants are heavy feeders and can quickly deplete the nutrients in the soil. To ensure your plants are getting the nutrients they need, it’s important to fertilize them on a regular basis. But with so many different types of fertilizer available, it can be difficult to know which one is best for your plants.
In this article, we’ll give you a crash course on cannabis nutrition and show you how to choose the best fertilizer for your plants. We’ll also share our top picks for the best fertilizers for cannabis plants.
The Different Stages of Plant Growth
Your cannabis plants will go through different stages of growth and they will need different types of nutrients at each stage. It is important to know what these different stages are and what your plants will need in order to thrive. This article will cover the different stages of plant growth and what you need to do to ensure that your plants are getting everything they need.
The Seedling Stage
The seedling stage is one of the most critical stages of a plant’s life cycle. It is during this stage that a plant will develop its root system, which is essential for the uptake of water and nutrients. The development of the leaves and stem will also begin during the seedling stage.
To ensure that your cannabis plants thrive during the seedling stage, it is important to provide them with the right conditions. They should be kept in a warm and humid environment, out of direct sunlight. They also need to be given plenty of water, but be careful not to overwater them. The best way to water seedlings is with a spray bottle or fogger, as this will help to avoid damaging the delicate leaves and stem.
It is also important to fertilize your seedlings during this stage, using a fertilizer designed for young plants. A good rule of thumb is to fertilize once every two weeks, at half the recommended dose. Once your seedlings have developed their first set of true leaves, they can be transplanted into larger pots or into their final growing medium.
The Vegetative Stage
After your cannabis plants have germinated and sprouted, they will enter the vegetative stage where they will spend the vast majority of their lives.
The vegetative stage is when your plants are growing and developing, and it’s the ideal time to give them the nutrients they need for a strong foundation. If you want your plants to thrive, it’s important to feed them a quality vegetative fertilizer during this stage.
As a general rule of thumb, you should fertilize your plants every two weeks during the vegetative stage. However, it’s always best to follow the directions on your fertilizer package, as some products may recommend a different schedule.
It’s also important to water your plants regularly during the vegetative stage. How often you water them will depend on a number of factors, including the type of soil you’re using and the size of your pots. As a general rule of thumb, you should water your plants when the top inch of soil is dry.
If you want your plants to grow big and strong, it’s important to give them everything they need during the vegetative stage. By feeding them a quality fertilizer and watering them regularly, you can give them a strong foundation that will help them thrive throughout their lives.
The Flowering Stage
The flowering stage is when your cannabis plants produce the buds that you’ll eventually harvest and smoke. This stage usually lasts 6-8 weeks, though it can be shorter or longer depending on the strain.
To initiate the flowering stage, you’ll need to change the light cycle of your plants from 18 hours of light to 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness. This simulates the fall season, when days become shorter and nights become longer.
Once the flowering stage begins, you should start feeding your plants a different type of fertilizer that’s high in phosphorus and low in nitrogen. Cannabis plants need more phosphorus during this stage to produce big, healthy flowers.
You’ll also need to increase the humidity level in your grow room during the flowering stage, as cannabis plants like it a bit more humid than other types of plants. A good range to aim for is 40-50% humidity.
The Different Types of Cannabis
Indica
Indica plants tend to be shorter and bushier than sativas. They have wider leaves and are denser than sativas. Indica strains typically have higher levels of CBD and lower levels of THC. CBD is a compound in cannabis that has medical benefits but does not make people feel “high” like THC does. Indicas are generally considered to be more relaxing, sedative, and effective for pain relief compared to sativas.
Sativa
Sativa is a type of cannabis that is mostly used for its cerebral and uplifting effects. It grows best in warm, humid climates and is often used to treat conditions such as depression, fatigue, and anxiety.
This type of cannabis can be difficult to grow, but the results are worth it. Sativa plants are tall and thin with long, narrow leaves. They take longer to mature than other types of cannabis, but they can produce large yields.
Some of the most popular sativa strains include:
-ACDC
-Green Crack
-Sour Diesel
-Cherry Pie
-Grapefruit
Hybrid
A hybrid cannabis plant is a plant that has been bred from two or more different strains of cannabis. Hybrid plants can be bred to produce different ratios of THC to CBD, or to produce different flavors, aromas, and effects. Depending on the parent strains used to create a hybrid, the ratio of THC to CBD can be anywhere from 1:1 all the way up to 30:1.
The most common type of hybrid is a 50/50 split between indica and sativa genetics. These plants are often called “balanced hybrids.” They offer the best of both worlds: the calm relaxation of an indica with the mental clarity and creativity boost of a sativa. Some popular examples of balanced hybrids are Blue Dream, OG Kush, and Girl Scout Cookies.
The Different Methods of Cannabis Consumption
There are numerous ways of consuming cannabis including; smoking, vaping, eating, and topical application. Each method has its own unique set of pros and cons. For example, smoking is the most common method of consumption, but it can also be the harshest on your lungs.
Smoking
Smoking is the most common and well-known method of consuming cannabis. It can be done in various ways, the most popular being through a joint (rolling tobacco and weed together in rolling paper), bong (water pipe), hookah (a Glass Pipe) or pipe.
Vaping
Vaping is a process of heating cannabis plant material to release the active compounds—namely THC—without burning it. When you vape, you’re drawing the already-activated cannabinoids into your lungs where they’re quickly absorbed into your bloodstream and put to work in your body. Vaping tends to be one of the most efficient methods of consuming cannabis.
There are two main types of vaporizers: desktop vaporizers and portable vaporizers. Desktop vaporizers are larger, more expensive, and require an external power source, but they tend to be more effective and offer more features than portable vaporizers. Portable vaporizers are smaller, cheaper, and battery-powered, making them more convenient for on-the-go use, but they’re not as effective as desktop vaporizers.
Edibles
Edibles are cannabis-infused foods or drinks. People have been making edibles for centuries, infusing honey, butter, oils, and other fats with THC. Now that cannabis is legal in many parts of the world, people are becoming more creative with their recipes, making everything from gummies to brownies to candy.
The effects of edibles can be very different from smoking or vaping cannabis. Edibles take longer to kick in — usually around 30 minutes to an hour — and the effects can last for several hours. Because of this, it’s important to start small and wait at least two hours before eating more.
When you smoke or vape cannabis, the THC enters your lungs and then your bloodstream, where it quickly goes to your brain. When you eat an edible, however, the THC has to go through your digestive system first. This process takes longer, which is why edibles can take an hour or more to kick in.
The Different Ways to Feed Your Cannabis Plants
Cannabis plants can be fed in a number of ways, including with water, soil, or a hydroponic system. Each method has its own set of pros and cons. Water is the most common way to feed cannabis plants, and it is also the easiest. However, water can also be the least effective way to feed your plants.
Soil
Just like any other plant, cannabis needs specific nutrients to grow properly. These needs change as the plant grows and enters different stages of life. While cannabis can technically grow in any type of soil, it will only thrive in soil that is alive and teeming with microorganisms. This is why we always recommend starting with high-quality, organic potting mix for your cannabis plants.
One of the most important things to remember when growing cannabis in soil is that less is more. It is very easy to over-fertilize your plants, which can lead to a number of problems such as nutrient burn, leaf curled, and stunted growth. If you are using a commercial potting mix, you probably won’t need to add any additional nutrients for the first few weeks of growth. After that, you can start to add a small amount of all-purpose fertilizer once every two weeks. Be sure to read the instructions on your fertilizer carefully, as too much can harm your plants.
As your plants grow bigger and start to flower, you will need to increase the amount of nutrients you are giving them. During the vegetative stage, a good rule of thumb is to give your plants 1/4 – 1/2strength fertilizer once every two weeks. When they start flowering, you will want to switch to a bloom fertilizer and give them 1/2 – 3/4strength fertilizer once a week. Remember, it is always better to err on the side of caution when feeding your plants – too much fertilizer can damage them beyond repair.
If you are growing in soil, you will also want to make sure that your plants are getting enough water. The best way to tell if your plant needs water is to stick your finger in the soil – if it feels dry more than an inch below the surface, it’s time to water them again. Be careful not to overwater your plants though, as this can also lead to problems such as leaf curl and stunted growth. The best way to avoid overwatering is to use a well-draining potting mix and bottom water your plants (water them from underneath so that the water doesn’t touch the leaves).
Hydroponics
Hydroponic cannabis cultivation doesn’t require soil, instead, the roots are suspended in a water and nutrient solution. Hydroponics can be done with different methods including Deep Water Culture (DWC), Nutrient Film Technique (NFT), Ebb and Flow (Flood and Drain), Drip irrigation, and Aeroponics.
Hydroponically grown cannabis typically grows faster and produces higher yields than cannabis grown in soil because the roots have direct access to both water and nutrients. Hydroponic systems can be more expensive to set up than growing in soil, but they use less water and you can recycle the nutrient solution, which saves money in the long run.
Deep Water Culture (DWC) is a type of hydroponic system where the roots are suspended in a nutrient-rich Solution. The solution is oxygenated with an air pump and stone. DWC is a good method for beginners because it is simple to set up and easy to maintain.
Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) is a type of hydroponic system where the roots are suspended in a nutrient-rich solution that flows past them. The solution is pumped from a reservoir into a growing channel where it flows past the roots before draining back into the reservoir. NFT systems are more complex than DWC systems and requires more frequent maintenance.
Ebb and Flow (Flood and Drain) is a type of hydroponic system where the roots are periodically flooded with a nutrient-rich solution then allowed to drain back into the reservoir. The flood and drain cycle can be automated with a timer so that the roots are flooded on a regular schedule. Flood and drain systems are more complex than DWC systems but offer some benefits, such as less frequent maintenance.
Drip irrigation is a type of hydroponic system where each plant has its own dripper that slowly drips water and nutrients onto the roots on a regular schedule. Drip irrigation systems are more complex than DWC or Flood and Drain systems but offer some benefits, such as less frequent maintenance.
Aeroponics is a type of hydroponic system where the roots are suspended in an airtight chamber and sprayed with water or nutrients on a regular basis. Aeroponics systems are more complex than DWC or Flood and Drain systems but offer some benefits, such as less frequent maintenance
Aeroponics
Aeroponics is a type of hydroponics that doesn’t use any growing medium. Instead, the roots are suspended in the air and misted with a nutrient-rich solution. This method of feeding cannabis plants is very efficient, since the roots have direct access to oxygen, water, and nutrients.
Aeroponic systems can be set up in a variety of ways, but they all have one thing in common: the roots are not submerged in water or any other type of growing medium. Instead, they’re suspended in the air and misted with a nutrient-rich solution.
The advantage of aeroponics is that the roots have direct access to oxygen, water, and nutrients. This makes it a very efficient way to feed cannabis plants. Aeroponic systems can be set up in a variety of ways, but they all have one thing in common: the roots are not submerged in water or any other type of growing medium. Instead, they’re suspended in the air and misted with a nutrient-rich solution.
Conclusion
To recap, cannabis plants need three main nutrients during the vegetative stage of growth: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. You can give your plants these nutrients by using a commercial grow fertilizer or by mixing your own homemade nutrient solution.
Cannabis plants also need other minerals in small quantities, including magnesium, calcium, sulfur, iron, manganese, and zinc. These nutrients can usually be found in most grow fertilizers.
Finally, remember that cannabis plants need more nitrogen during the vegetative stage and more phosphorus during the flowering stage. Be sure to adjust your nutrient solution accordingly!
