The best marijuana seeds come from those plants that received everything they need. These include the nutrients they need.
For them to stay healthy and strong, marijuana plants need proper care and nutrition. If you are new to cultivating cannabis, then you should know the most important nutrients that you should give to your growing cannabis plants and the symptoms to look for if you suspect marijuana deficiency.
Nitrogen
Nitrogen is the most important nutrient in the life of cannabis. The lack of nitrogen is the most typical nutrient deficiency in marijuana. Nitrogen is very important. It’s essential across the plant’s lifecycle, especially during the vegetative phase.
The signs of nitrogen deficiency include small growth, red stems, pale look of the cannabis plant, and a fast yellowing of the leaves on the bottom. A simple remedy to this issue is adding a natural fertilizer. Choose the fertilizer that contains nitrogen and keeps an eye on the plant.
Phosphorus
This nutrient is important in the photosynthesis and in the release of the stored energy in the carbs. While phosphorus deficiency is not common, its result can be so devastating for a young cannabis plant. Phosphorus deficiency can result in stunted growth, low yield, delayed flowering, and poor production of resin in the mature plants.
The signs and symptoms of phosphorus deficiency include stunted, slow, or deformed growth, and red stems. A cannabis plant that suffers from this nutrient deficiency may develop darker green leaves on the bottom and yellow leaves. If left untreated, the plant will eventually die.
The best solution to this issue is adding an organic fertilizer that contains phosphorus. This will fix the issue. The damaged areas might not improve but newer growth will look normal.
Potassium
Potassium is important in the production and transfer of carbohydrates and sugars. Likewise, potassium is indispensable to the cell division process and in root growth, transpiration, & water uptake. Therefore, a cannabis plant cannot grow if there’s no potassium.
The lack of this nutrient can result in increased internal temperature in the plant’s foliage that causes the shrub to disperse more moisture through the leaves to cool. The signs and symptoms of potassium include curling of the leaf tips while they die and stretching of the affected plant.
Again, this deficiency can be corrected by using an organic fertilizer that is rich in potassium. Also, you can fix the issue by flushing the affected plant with water and a half of the regular amount of a well-balanced NPK nutrient solution.
Calcium
Crucial to cell growth and integrity, calcium helps in the flow of sugar and nitrogen through your plant. Deficiency in calcium is typically present in the cannabis plant grown in a hydroponic garden and outdoors under cool and wet climate with acidic soil.
Plants that are low in calcium can be fixed through foliar feeding. Do it by adding a teaspoon of dolomitic lime for each quart of water until the condition of the plant improves.
Sulfur
This nutrient is vital to plant respiration and in the blend and breakdown of the fatty acids. Sulfur has a big role in the terpene and oil production. Sulfur deficiency is not a common issue in cannabis, though this problem is often the consequence of the lack of phosphorus because of the high pH level within the root zone.
When the new growth has a yellowing part, it can mean the plant is suffering from a sulfur deficiency. You can fix the problem by mixing a tablespoon of Epsom salts in every gallon of water until the condition of the plant improves.
Magnesium
Magnesium is a central atom within each chlorophyll molecule. This means the plant uses it in extremely high amounts. This is crucial for the absorption of energy from the light and also in helping the enzymes create the sugars and carbohydrates which are essential in flower production.
Magnesium deficiency often begins in the plant’s center which will spread to younger leaves. These leaves will turn to yellow or white with their veins still in dark green. It is the most common sign of magnesium deficiency. You can take care of this by spraying a 2% Epsom salt solution.
Iron
Iron is crucial for sulfate and nitrate reduction & assimilation. Iron is also the catalyst for the production of chlorophyll. Iron deficiency in cannabis is typically the result of incorrect pH levels and excessive levels of zinc, copper, and manganese. Pale leaves and dark green veins indicate iron deficiency. You can fix it through foliar feeding with a natural fertilizer that contains iron.
Manganese
Manganese is the nutrient that uses iron and nitrogen in the production of chlorophyll. It also helps in oxygen reduction. Nutrient deficiency involving manganese is rare. It is often a result of high pH level or excessive iron.
If there is more magnesium in the soil, the upper leaves will likely develop necrotic or yellow spots. The best remedy for this problem is foliar feed with a chemical fertilizer that contains manganese.
Boron
Greying or dead shoots which look burnt indicate this kind of nutrient deficiency. You can get this solved with a teaspoon of boric acid for each gallon of water.
Molybdenum
A player in 2 main enzyme systems which convert nitrate into ammonium, this nutrient should be used on cannabis in smaller amounts. Deficiencies associated with this vitamin is rare and may take place as a result of a bad, cold climate.
This nutrient deficiency involves yellowing of the center leaves that can be relieved by adding an organic fertilizer that contains molybdenum.
Zinc
Zinc is important for protein and sugar production and in chlorophyll creation and retention. Zinc deficiency is somewhat common, particularly in dry and alkaline soil climates. It is often the result of increased pH levels. If the white areas form in the leaf ends or in between the veins, or through burying the galvanized nails within the soil.
Overfertilization Does Not Product the Best Marijuana Seeds
Indicated by burnt or yellow leaf tips, over fertilization can be overcome by flushing three gallons of water for each gallon of water. For them to survive, cannabis plants should receive an adequate amount of nutrients. The Wikipedia.org said cannabis generally needs more nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in all life stages. Still, you have to know the limits because too much or fewer nutrients can harm cannabis. Also, in this way, the young plants will eventually grow healthy and generate the best marijuana seeds.