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If you’re wondering when to feed your cannabis seedlings, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog post, we’ll give you a few guidelines to help you get started.
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Introduction
Cannabis seedlings need very little attention or care in their first few weeks of life. In fact, it is possible to give them too much water or nutrients, which can actually hinder their growth or even kill them. With that being said, there are a few key things to keep in mind when it comes to feeding your cannabis seedlings.
First and foremost, you should never plant your cannabis seedlings in soil that has already been fertilized. This can shock the system of your young plants and hinder their development. Instead, start with a sterile, soil-less mix such as vermiculite or perlite. Once your plants have established themselves and are starting to develop a root system, you can then transplant them into a more nutrient-rich soil mix.
When it comes to watering your cannabis seedlings, be sure to start slow and gradually increase the amount of water as they grow. Cannabis seedlings don’t need a lot of water in the beginning; in fact, too much water can actually drown them. A good rule of thumb is to wait until the top inch or so of soil has dried out before watering again. As they grow bigger and their root systems develop further, you can then increase the amount of water they receive.
Cannabis seedlings also don’t need a lot of nutrients in the early stages of growth. In fact, providing them with too many nutrients can actually hinder their growth or even kill them. If you do want to provide your cannabis seedlings with nutrients, start with a very diluted solution and gradually increase the strength as they grow larger. You can also purchase special seedling mixes that are designed for young plants.
As always, pay close attention to your plants and make sure they’re getting the care they need in order to thrive. Every plant is different and will therefore have different needs; however, these general guidelines should help you get started on the right foot!
The First Two Weeks
During the first two weeks after your cannabis seedlings have germinated, they will be busy growing their first set of “true” leaves. These leaves are different from the seed leaves (or cotyledons) that they started out with. True leaves have a much more complex shape, and they are usually a darker green than the seed leaves. Your seedlings will also start to grow their first roots during this time.
The First Week
Cannabis plants need water as soon as they germinate. The seed coat breaks open and a small root becomes visible. Once the seedlings have 2-4 sets of leaves, they will need light feeding. Very young plants are susceptible to over- watering and over-feeding.
To water your plants, use pH’d water or let your tap water sit out for 24 hours to evaporate the chlorine. Use a finger to check the soil before watering. If the top inch of soil is dry, it’s time to water. Stick to a schedule of watering every other day or every three days.
The first week is also a good time to start using a fan to help circulate air around your plants. Stagnant air can lead to mold and mildew growth, so it’s important to keep things moving. You can also start using low levels of light during this period — just make sure not to overwhelm your little plants!
The Second Week
The second week is when you should start to see your first true leaves. These are the leaves that have the distinctive cannabis leaf shape. At this point, you can start feeding your seedlings with a very diluted nutrient solution. You should continue to water with just plain water, however, until your plants are a little larger.
The Third Week
By the third week, your cannabis seedlings should be big enough to start feeding them. You will want to start with a very dilute solution, about 1/4 teaspoon per gallon of water. You can gradually increase the amount of food you give them as they get bigger. Make sure you are monitoring the pH of your soil and adjust accordingly.
The Flowering Stage
Cannabis plants go through three main stages of life: seedling, vegetative, and flowering. Most growers are concerned with the vegetative and flowering stages, because that’s when the plants are actually growing buds. But the seedling stage is crucial, too. That’s when your plants are just getting started, and it’s important to give them the right care so they can grow up healthy and strong.
One of the most important things to do during the seedling stage is to feed your plants. You can start feeding them as soon as they germinate, which is when their roots start growing. At this point, you should give them a very light feeding of water or nutrient solution. As they grow bigger and their roots start to expand, you can start giving them more food.
Most growers wait until the third week to start feeding their cannabis seedlings. By this point, the roots have usually grown a lot, and the plant is ready for more nutrients. Just remember to start with a very light feeding, and gradually increase the amount of food as your plant grows bigger.
After the Flowering Stage
Cannabis seedlings need to be fed after they have flowered. This is because they need to be given nutrients to help them grow. The flowering stage is when the plant produces flowers. After the flowering stage, the plant will start to produce seeds.
The Drying and Curing Process
Once your Cannabis flowers have started to die back and the leaves are beginning to turn yellow, it is time to start the drying and curing process. This will take anywhere from 2-8 weeks, depending on how dry/humid your climate is.
The first step is to cut the plants down and hang them upside down in a dark, dry room with good ventilation. You can also use a fan to help circulate the air. Every few days, check on the plants and trim any large leaves that are still green.
Once the plants are completely dry, they can be moved into jars or containers. Make sure to label each container with the strain name and date. Curing helps to improve the taste, smell, and overall quality of your Cannabis, so it is worth taking the time to do it right!
