Cannabis plants will always have adequate levels of nitrogen, but they may not use it right away. This is because microbes in the soil can break down nitrogen before they can be used by plants. Therefore, the plants must first go through a process called nitrogen fixation to convert molecular nitrogen into a plant-available form. If you use organic fertilizer, you will not need to worry about nitrogen deficiency.
The other ingredients in marijuana fertilizer include nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and Selenium. Those are the essential elements needed by marijuana plants, but these are not enough alone. Cannabis also requires a host of micronutrients, and nutrients for weed seeds are important for them. These nutrients are beneficial in both plant growth and reproduction.
Potassium
In addition to nitrogen and phosphorus, potassium is a key nutrient in the growing process of marijuana. Potassium plays numerous roles in the plant, including disease resistance and water use efficiency. Plants with high potassium levels tend to have thick cell walls, which help deflect pathogens and reduce susceptibility to infections. They also grow tall and hard and have turgidity – the opposite of flaccid.
Selenium
The use of Selenium as a marijuana fertilizer is gaining popularity as a popular method of growing cannabis. Its high concentration can increase the size of buds. This mineral is often found in low-grade fertilizers made of phosphate rocks. Its use is not required in most states. It can also be used to propagate the plant through sowing or dividing sod. However, this method is expensive and requires manual work.
Cobalt
Cobalt is a micronutrient that plays an important role in plant growth. It is essential for the formation of plant stems, expanding leaf discs, and elongating coleoptiles. It also helps plants absorb carbon dioxide and can boost bud development and maturity. Without adequate amounts of cobalt in soil, plants can grow slowly or die before maturity. To prevent this, growers should use cobalt in marijuana fertilizer.
Silicon
Studies have shown that plants grown with Silicon have tougher cell walls. This makes it difficult for pathogens and sucking insects to penetrate. Because of this, they produce antifungal compounds to combat the damage. In addition, Silicon makes the leaves and stems of plants more resistant to disease and pests. And when the plant has thicker leaves and stems, the yields are higher. These are just a few of the benefits of using Silicon as a marijuana fertilizer.
Phosphorus
Phosphorus is a macronutrient, meaning that it was used by Mother Nature before it could be used by plants. It participates in the metabolism of all plants, including cannabis crops. This process is known as a biogeochemical cycle, and it occurs in a closed loop in a given ecosystem. In addition, phosphorus is found naturally in a variety of plant nutrient supplements.
Side Notes
An experiment conducted in a study was designed to assess the effect of different nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium concentrations on cannabis yield and growth. The research used a central-composite design to account for potential interactions between nutrients. Using a potassium-rich solution decreased Ca and Mg concentrations in cannabis leaf tissues, which indicated an antagonistic relationship between positively charged ions. This is important knowledge to help in developing recommendations for commercial cannabis production.
However, the best fertilizer for marijuana plants is a mix that consists of all three elements.
Fresh human urine has high amounts of nitrogen. The ratio between the phosphorus and nitrogen in your urine will vary. The ratio for urine, phosphorus, and potassium in a blood meal is 11:1, while the ratio for urine in Western diets is 12:1. For cannabis, you should dilute urine before applying it to the plant. The ratio should be 1 part urine to 10 parts water. Never urinate directly on the plants. This will kill them.