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Cannabis Nutrients
Plant foods have 3
main ingredients that will be the mainstay of the garden,
Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium. These 3 ingredients are
usually listed on the front label of the plant food in the order
of N-P-K. A 20-20-20 plant food has a Nitrogen level of 20%.
Secondary
nutrients are Calcium, Sulphur and Magnesium. In trace
quantities, boron, copper, molybenum, zink, iron, and manganese.
Depending on stage
of growth, different nutrients are needed at different times.
For rooting and germination, levels of high P nutrients with
less N/K are needed. Vegetative growth needs lots of N, and
human urine is one of the better sources, (mix 8 ounces to 1
gallon water), although it is not a complete fertilizer unto
itself. 20-20-20 with trace elements should do it; I like
Miracle Grow Patio food. Watch for calcium, magnesium, sulfur
and iron levels too. These are important. One tablespoon of
dolomite or hydrated lime is used per gallon of growing medium
when a hydroponic medium is first brought on-line, to provide
nitrogen, calcium and magnesium. Epsom salts are used to enhance
magnesium and sulphur levels in solution.
Tobacco grown with
potassium nitrate burns better. Plant foods with PN (P2N3) are
foods such as Miracle Grow. This is an excellent fertilizer for
vegetative growth, or through the flowering cycle as well.
Consider however, potassium nitrate is also known as Salt Peter,
and is used to make men have less sexual desire or impotent,
such as in mental institutions. So if certain plants are
destined for cooking, you might use Fish Emulsion or some other
totally organic fertilizer on these plants, at least in the last
weeks of flowering.
Most
hydroponic solutions should be in the range of 150-600 parts per
million in disolved solids. 300-400 ppm is optimum. It is
possible to test your solution or soil with a electrical
conductivity meter if your unsure of what your giving your
plants.
Keep in mind
most disolved solids readings are usually on the low side, and
actual nutrient levels are usually higher. It is possible with
passive hydroponics, to get nutrient build-up over several
feedings, to the point the medium is over saturated in
nutrients. Just feed straight water now and again, until you
notice the plants are not as green (slightly), then resume
normal feeding.
"Pumping" is
when you use more waterings to make the plants grow faster. This
is dangerous if you proceed in a reckless manner, due to
potential over-watering problems. You must go slowly and watch
the plants daily and even hourly at first to be sure your not
over-watering the plants. Use weaker plant food mixtures than
normal, maybe 25%, and be sure your leaching once a month and
running straight water through the plants at least every other
time you water. This applies mainly to plants grown in soil
mediums.
Use of light
strength Oxygen Plus plant food (or Food Grade Hydrogen
Peroxide) allows the roots to breath better and prevents
problems with over-watering. Check soil to be sure there are no
PH anomalies that might be due to Hydrogen Peroxide in the
solution. (One experienced grower told me he would not use H3O2
(HP) due to possible PH problems. This should not be a problem
if your checking PH and correcting for it in watering
solutions.)
Be sure your
medium has good drainage. At this point, if your watering soil
based plants once a week, you can water every 3-5 days instead
if you plant them in a medium with better drainage. Pearlite or
lava rock will greatly increase the drainage of the medium and
make watering necessary more often. This will pump the plants;
they will tend to grow faster because of the enhanced oxygen to
the roots. Make sure the plant medium is almost dry before
watering again, as the plant grows faster this way.
An
alternative is to use a standard plant food mixture (stronger)
once every 3 waterings. The nutrients are suspended in the
medium and stored in the soil for later use. The nutrients are
washed out by 2 straight waterings afterward and there is no
salts build up in the soil. (Does not apply to hydroponics.)
Stop all
plant food 2 weeks before harvesting, so that the plants don not
taste like plant food. (This applies to hydroponics as well.)
WARNING: Do
not over-fertilize. It will kill your plants. Always read the
instructions for the fertilizer being used. Use 1/2 strength if
adding to the water for all feedings in soil or hydroponics if
you are unsure of what your plants can take. Build up slowly to
higher concentrations of food over time. Novice soil growers
tend to over-fertilize their plants. Mineral salts build up over
time to higher levels of disolved solids. Use straight water for
one feeding in hydroponics if it is believed the buildup is
getting too great. Leach plants in pots every month. If your
plants look REALLY green, withhold food for a while to be sure
they are not being over-fed.
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