When to Start Using Fertilizer with Cannabis? Cannabis is an annual plant; once flowering is over, it no longer needs all its nutrients. Plants need nutrients to grow and thrive, and if they’re not getting enough of them, it will show in the form of burnt tips and decreased growth. When starting with fertilizer, start with macronutrients such as potassium and phosphorus. Potassium improves resistance and energy.
Synthetic fertilizers
Synthetic fertilizers are available in a variety of forms, depending on the stage of the growth cycle the plant is in. Some contain high levels of nitrogen, which is necessary for flowering plants. Others are low in nitrogen and can only be used during the vegetative phase. Regardless of type, it is essential to use cannabis-specific fertilizer amounts to ensure a healthy plant. During the vegetative stage, the plant will need higher levels of nitrogen and potassium than it will during the flowering stage. In both cases, the plant will display signs of the required nutrients.
Regardless of the plant nutrition type, cannabis plants need plenty of nutrients to produce high yields. The right blend of nutrients will depend on your growing style and goals. Fortunately, the science behind both synthetic and conventional fertilizers has advanced dramatically over the past few decades. You can rest assured that synthetic and conventional nutrients have been thoroughly researched. Using these products correctly can yield excellent results.
Organic fertilizers
One of the most critical questions is, “When should I start using organic fertilizers with cannabis?” You may think this question is easy, but it isn’t, especially since cannabis requires high amounts of nutrients in its vegetative and flowering stages. Here’s what you should know to use organic fertilizers safely on your cannabis plants. You can use compost tea as organic fertilizer by applying it directly to the roots of the plants, or you can also spray it on the leaves of the plants. The ratio of compost tea to water is one part to two parts.
Fish fertilizer is derived from small ocean fish and is beneficial for plants because it provides nitrogen and helps with photosynthesis. However, be careful, as fish fertilizer will burn your crop if you overfeed it, leading to nutrient burn. Ground animal bones are also organic nutrients that are useful for cannabis. They are rich in calcium and phosphorus but only work when the soil pH is under seven. Finally, you can also use bat guano, which is excellent for improving the quality of your soil and increasing your yields.
Chemical-free fertilizers
There are several benefits to using organic, chemical-free fertilizers when growing Cannabis. First, these nutrients feed soil organisms and are better for the environment. Likewise, synthetic fertilizers are not only bad for the environment, but they may also bring back plants that are lacking in certain nutrients. In this article, we will explore both sides of the debate. In addition, organic fertilizers have the advantage of being soluble and are more efficient at increasing the growth rate of your cannabis plants.
Organic cannabis nutrients are easy to mix and apply to the soil. They are labeled with the ratio of N-P-K. For example, a 10-4-4 fertilizer contains ten percent nitrogen, four percent phosphorus, and four percent potassium. When you use organic fertilizers during the vegetative stage of your plant, use lower ratios of N than when the plant is in flowering mode. The recommended dose is too high; try to increase it by only a third or half before fertilizing.
Fish meal
You can use fish emulsion as a foliar fertilizer to boost your cannabis crop. It contains high levels of NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) and is elementary to dilute. Most marijuana growers use fish emulsion to improve the nutritional value of their plants. However, you should read the labels carefully before using this product for cannabis. This type of fertilizer can contain traces of harmful contaminants, and you should not use it as the sole source of nutrients for your cannabis.
You can also use fish meal fertilizers. They contain phosphorus and are great for root development. However, this type of fertilizer has a strong smell. Hydrolyzed fish meal is more water-soluble and ideal for foliar and dripper applications.
Fish emulsion
Often used as a foliar spray, fish emulsion is a highly effective fertilizer for cannabis. It gives your cannabis plants a rapid boost of nutrients and corrects nutrient deficiencies. But, if you want to avoid any risk associated with cannabis and its high THC levels, you should avoid using fish emulsion during flowering. Instead, it’s best to apply fish emulsion fertilizer only during vegetative growth. Then, you can use a hose-end sprayer to apply the fertilizer, often equipped with dials that adjust to your specific needs.
In my research, I began using fish emulsion fertilizer on my cannabis plants while growing weed in my basement. I had never used supplemental fertilizers on my plants before, but during the first month of growth, I noticed legginess and other symptoms of aging. After that, I saw a noticeable difference in the quality of the last harvest, which was much better than my previous crop.