What are the Best Nutrients for Growing Cannabis?
A green, leafy plant called “cannabis” dominates the medicinal landscape, not to mention the mainstream market. Use of the cannabinoid-rich Cannabis Sativa plant species – which belongs to the family Cannabaceae – dates back as far as 2800 BC, when Emperor Shen Nung (the "Father of Chinese Medicine") first documented its use in his pharmacopeia.
Related article: The History of The Cannabis Plant
Although cannabis has been enjoyed throughout history, it wasn’t always possible to buy tangerine dream online as you can nowadays! The rise of research, legalization, and cultivation is continuously contributing to cannabis evolving reputation as a multi-purpose plant, with cultivation being one of the most integral elements of the industry.
Based on a 2020 report published by analysts from Grand View Research, the global cannabis cultivation market size was valued at USD $123.9 billion in 2019. By 2027, this avenue of the cannabis market is predicted to inflate at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.3% to $358.8 billion by 2027.
The Benefits of Using Nutrients to Grow Cannabis
Whether you are planning on growing your cannabis or are simply interested in learning how to yield the highest quality plants, it’s worth knowing about nutrients and their importance. A mixture of base fertilizers and supplements will make a world of difference to the condition and grade of your plants. Much like the human body depends on various nutrients to thrive, stay healthy, and ward off disease, so does cannabis.
Cannabis Relies on a Plethora of Nutrients to Thrive
Expect higher yields when you grow cannabis with the proper nutrients. The quality, potency, and overall result of a cannabis plant are dependent on whether or not it receives the critical nutrients needed to thrive. Also known as "macronutrients," they are as follows:
- Nitrogen (N) - Cannabis requires nitrogen to turn leaves green and create energy using light during its entire life cycle.
- Phosphorus (P) - Phosphorus is a crucial nutrient needed for photosynthesis and carbohydrate utilization.
- Potassium (K) - This nutrient also contributes to photosynthesis and assists with water movement.
Related article: What Does Macronutrients Mean?
In addition to these essential macronutrients, the following are also necessary, albeit in reasonably minute quantities:
- Calcium - The expansion and structural purity of cell walls is assisted by calcium, which also plays a role in intracellular signaling.
- Magnesium - Magnesium, an enzyme activator, is the predominant atom of the chlorophyll molecule.
- Iron - Iron helps cannabis plants to form chlorophyll. A deficiency is noticeable when new leaves turn yellow.
- Copper - All plants rely on copper to build the blue-colored protein plastocyanin, which is an integral promoter of photosynthesis.
That's not all, because cannabis also pulls the following non-mineral elements from air and water:
- Carbon (CO2) - CO2 is sent to the chloroplasts—the plant organelles that regulate photosynthesis.
- Hydrogen - Found in organic matter, hydrogen binds with CO2 to produce the sugars required for plant growth.
- Oxygen (O2) - Besides providing the necessary metabolic energy required for nutrient uptake, O2 also improves root mass and root tip health.
Tips for Maximizing Plant Growth
Every cannabis grower is intrigued to find out how they can cultivate the best yield possible. A typical thought that runs through the mind of new growers is, “How much weed can one plant produce?”
The truth is that there could be many answers to this question since the outcome depends entirely on the growing conditions, type of seed sown, and whether the plant is a Sativa, Indica, or Hybrid. Nonetheless, certain factors will play a role in cannabis plant yield.
Let’s explore some tips for boosting cannabis plant growth:
1. Make a Wise Lighting Choice: Lights are an integral component of any cannabis growth. For experienced growers who know what they are doing, approximately a gram of weed can be produced per watt of light (1 gram = 0,035 oz). With that being said, a 400-watt HPS grow light has the potential to churn out 400 grams or (equivalent to 14 oz) of dried cannabis.
2. Consider Hydroponic Growing: The old myth that soil is necessary to grow cannabis can finally be put to bed, because going soil-free with hydroponic growing is believed to yield 20% more plant matter. Under absolute pristine conditions, it is possible to yield 500 grams (equivalent to 17.5 oz) of cannabis per hydroponic-grown plant.
Related article: Brief of Cannabis Growth in Hydroponics system.
3. Select a Suitable Space: Don’t forget about the space, too, which should cover at least two meters, be equipped with water, and be designed in a pest-resistant way. Should you opt to grow cannabis inside containers, make sure they are not smaller than 50 liters or 15 gallons.
4. Use Organic Cannabis Fertilizers: Adding organic fertilizer to soil can help enhance the soil's bacterial and fungal activity and improve water retention and soil texture. Renowned for being cheap and promoting healthy root development, organic fertilizer is an environmentally friendly choice for growing cannabis. It is made from many natural sources, such as vegetable and animal waste, domestic sewage, and organic compost.
5. Create Compost Tea: Last but not least, on the list of tips for growing top-grade cannabis plants is to add compost tea to the soil. Made of water-steeped compost, compost tea is thriving with an assortment of active microorganisms and nutrients – including fungi, protozoa, nematodes, and specific types of bacteria – that help support the leaves, roots, and soil with healthy fungal colonies.
Conclusion
Before growing cannabis with the nutrients mentioned in this article, brush up on your local ordinances. While certain places on the map will allow vertical integration to be carried out on agricultural land, others may demand that cannabis be processed, dried, and manufactured off-site.
If you reside where it is legal to grow from home, here’s a tip: know thy neighbor! Cannabis has a potent scent, and while many people love it when the terpenes tickle their nose hairs, others do not. For this reason, it’s essential to be transparent with the people who live next door.
