Cannabis Learning Center: Nutrients

All plants and animals need to consume food and nutrients in order to survive. Cannabis is no different and requires elemental nutrients in order to grow and thrive. Fertilizers pack these vital nutrients into a concentrated slurry to be used in the garden. Nutrients used strategically can also increase our yields and the quality of our buds. Plants need a balance of nutrients throughout their various cycles or stages. Some fertilizers are designed more specifically for a particular stage over another. Nitrogen, for example needs to be present throughout the plant's life, but less so towards the flower stage when potassium and phosphorus become more important. 

Beware! While Premium Nutrients can increase the size and potency of your buds, they can also cause irreparable damage or even death of your crop if not administered correctly. We urge new growers to take it slow when it comes to their nutrients, and follow manufacturer instructions to minimize their margin of error. 

The basic 3 nutrients you will want to be using are Nitrogen (N) Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K). Nutrients will display the "NPK" content in a series of three numbers, ex: 0-1-1 or 9-2-2. There are other minerals that your plant needs as well like calcium, magnesium, iron and more. Drip Hydro makes easy to use nutrient solutions that are especially good for beginners.

When growing cannabis, there are several essential nutrients that the plants need for healthy growth and development. The basic 3 nutrients you will want to be using are Nitrogen (N) Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K). Nutrients will display the "NPK" content in a series of three numbers, ex: 0-1-1 or 9-2-2. There are other minerals that your plant needs as well like calcium, magnesium, iron and more. Drip Hydro makes easy to use nutrient solutions that are especially good for beginners. These nutrients can be broadly categorized into macronutrients and micronutrients:

Macronutrients:

• Nitrogen (N): Nitrogen is crucial for promoting vegetative growth, leaf development, and overall plant vigor.
• Phosphorus (P): Phosphorus is essential for root development, flowering, and fruiting. It plays a critical role in the production of energy and the transfer of nutrients within the plant.

• Potassium (K): Potassium helps with various plant functions, including nutrient uptake, water regulation, and the synthesis of proteins and carbohydrates. It also contributes to flower development and overall plant health.
• Calcium (Ca): Calcium is important for cell wall structure, enzyme activity, and nutrient transport within the plant.
• Magnesium (Mg): Magnesium is a key component of chlorophyll, which is necessary for photosynthesis. It also aids in enzyme activation and overall plant metabolism.
• Sulfur (S): Sulfur is involved in protein synthesis, enzyme activation, and the formation of oils and secondary metabolites.

Micronutrients:

• Iron (Fe): Iron is essential for chlorophyll production and plays a crucial role in photosynthesis and overall plant health.
• Manganese (Mn): Manganese is involved in enzyme activation, photosynthesis, and the metabolism of nitrogen and carbohydrates.
• Zinc (Zn): Zinc is necessary for enzyme activity, hormone production, and overall plant growth and development.
• Copper (Cu): Copper is involved in various enzymatic processes and contributes to overall plant metabolism.
• Boron (B): Boron is important for cell wall formation, pollen development, and the transport of sugars within the plant.
• Molybdenum (Mo): Molybdenum is required for nitrogen metabolism and the conversion of nitrate to ammonia within the plant.

It's important to note that the nutrient requirements can vary depending on the growth stage of the plant. During the vegetative stage, higher levels of nitrogen are typically needed, while the flowering stage requires increased levels of phosphorus and potassium.

You can provide these nutrients to your cannabis plants through various sources, including organic compost, soil amendments, or specific cannabis nutrient formulations available in the market. It's recommended to follow the instructions provided by the nutrient manufacturer and regularly monitor the nutrient levels and pH of your growing medium to ensure optimal nutrient uptake and plant health.

Typically speaking most nutrients are fed every other watering. It is always best to follow the specific manufacturer instructions.

When growing cannabis in soil, it's important to provide the plants with the necessary nutrients at each stage of their growth cycle. Here's a general nutrient schedule for soil-based cultivation:

Seedling/Cloning Stage:

During the first 1-2 weeks after germination or rooting, the nutrient requirements are minimal.
Use a mild, balanced nutrient solution or a specialized seedling/cloning formula with a low concentration of nutrients.
Start with a quarter or half strength of the recommended dosage for vegetative growth.

Vegetative Stage:

Once the plants have established a strong root system and developed a few sets of leaves, they enter the vegetative stage.
Use a balanced, nitrogen-rich fertilizer to support healthy leaf and stem growth.
Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) are the primary macronutrients needed during this stage, with a higher emphasis on nitrogen.
Aim for a nitrogen to phosphorus to potassium (N-P-K) ratio of around 3:1:2 or similar.

Pre-Flowering/Transition Stage:

Towards the end of the vegetative stage, when plants are preparing to transition to flowering, you can introduce a flowering-specific nutrient formulation.
Adjust the nutrient solution to provide a slightly higher phosphorus content to promote bud development.
The N-P-K ratio during this stage can be adjusted to around 1:2:2 or 1:2:3, favoring higher levels of phosphorus and potassium.

Flowering Stage:

Once the plants enter the flowering stage, they require additional nutrients to support bud formation and development.
Continue using a flowering-specific nutrient formulation with higher levels of phosphorus and potassium.
Adjust the N-P-K ratio to a range of 1:2:3 or 1:3:3, favoring higher levels of phosphorus and potassium.
Some nutrient systems offer specific formulations for early, mid, and late flowering stages, so follow the manufacturer's recommendations for each phase.

Final Weeks/Flushing Stage:

In the last 1-2 weeks before harvest, it's common to perform a flushing process to remove excess nutrients and improve the quality of the final product.

Use plain, pH-balanced water without any added nutrients to flush the soil and remove residual salts.
Flushing helps to enhance the flavor, aroma, and smoothness of the harvested buds.

Always follow the specific instructions provided by the nutrient manufacturer, as different brands may have slightly different formulations and recommended dosages. Additionally, it's essential to monitor the plants closely and adjust the nutrient schedule based on the specific needs and response of your cannabis plants.

Hydroponics systems are continously feeding plants through their specific water delivery method. Nutrients in a hydroponics system will typically be at a lesser concentration than their soil counterparts, Drip Hydro's line up of liquid fertilizers work great in hydroponic applications. A watering schedule for a hydroponics system will depend on the plant, grow room climate, and stage of growth.

When growing cannabis in a hydroponic system, it's crucial to provide the plants with the appropriate nutrients at each stage of their growth cycle. Here's a general nutrient schedule for hydroponic cultivation:

Seedling/Cloning Stage:

During the first 1-2 weeks after germination or rooting, the nutrient requirements are minimal.
Start with a mild, balanced nutrient solution or a specialized seedling/cloning formula with a low concentration of nutrients.
Begin with a quarter or half strength of the recommended dosage for vegetative growth.

Vegetative Stage:

Once the plants have established a strong root system and developed a few sets of leaves, they enter the vegetative stage.
Use a balanced nutrient solution formulated for the vegetative growth phase.
The nutrient solution should contain higher nitrogen (N) levels to support healthy leaf and stem development.
Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for the specific nutrient product you are using.

Pre-Flowering/Transition Stage:

Towards the end of the vegetative stage, when plants are preparing to transition to flowering, you can adjust the nutrient solution to provide a slightly higher phosphorus (P) content.
Increase the phosphorus levels to promote bud development and transition the plants into the flowering stage.
The nutrient solution can be adjusted to a different formulation specifically designed for the pre-flowering/transition stage, following the manufacturer's guidelines. Foxfarms' Open Sesame is a great preflower solution to get your plants kicked into flower.

Flowering Stage:

Once the plants enter the flowering stage, they require a nutrient solution with higher levels of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) to support the development of buds and flowers.
Switch to a flowering-specific nutrient formulation that provides the necessary nutrients for this stage.
Adjust the nutrient solution to a formulation with a higher N-P-K ratio, favoring higher levels of phosphorus and potassium.
Follow the manufacturer's recommended dosage and adjust as needed based on plant response and nutrient uptake.

Final Weeks/Flushing Stage:

In the last 1-2 weeks before harvest, it's common to perform a flushing process to remove excess nutrients and improve the quality of the final product.

Use plain, pH-balanced water without any added nutrients to flush the hydroponic system and remove residual salts.
Flushing helps to enhance the flavor, aroma, and smoothness of the harvested buds.

It's important to closely monitor the pH and nutrient levels of the hydroponic solution, as well as the overall health of the plants. Adjust the nutrient solution accordingly based on the specific needs and response of your cannabis plants. Always follow the instructions provided by the nutrient manufacturer, as different brands may have slightly different formulations and recommended dosages for hydroponic systems.

Cannabis like a nitrogen dominant fertilizer during the veg stage. Foxfarms' Cultivation Nation Veg Formula is a great choice for a veg fertilizer. Adding beneficial fungi or bacteria is another great way to make sure the organic materials in your soil get broken down properly and can supply your plants with nitrogen. If you are using fresh high quality soil, you shouldn't need to fertilize with nitrogen as the soil will produce a good amount on its own.

Cannabis demands high amounts of potassium and phosphorus during the bud stage in order to reach its maximum potential. Both nutrients are important to trigger bud development and resin production and should be present in any bloom or bud fertilizer you get. Foxfarms' Open Seasame, Beastie Bloomz, and Cha Ching fertilizers do an excellent job with providing you a full feeding program for your budding cannabis. Drip Hydro's Base B is another great option for producing large flowers.

A heavy mid stage feeding schedule of potassium rich fertilizer like Foxfarms Beastie Bloomz or Drip Hydro Base B Formula will increase the size of your buds. Pair it with phosphorus and you will have giant sticky sweet smelling buds when it comes time to harvest!