Welcome to the world of cannabis cultivation! If you’re new here, navigating the vast sea of information can seem daunting, but worry not. As a beginner, understanding the role of nutrients in growing healthy and potent cannabis is key.
In this guide, we’ll break down what makes the best cannabis nutrients for beginners, why nutrients are important, and how to make feeding your plants as straightforward as possible.
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Understanding Cannabis Plant Nutrition
Just like any other plant, cannabis requires a mix of essential nutrients to flourish. These nutrients are often split into two main groups: macronutrients and micronutrients. Macronutrients include nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K)—you’ll often see them referred to as N-P-K on fertilizer packaging. They’re needed in larger quantities and play a critical role in plant growth and development. Nitrogen is vital for leaf and stem growth, phosphorus for root development and flowering, and potassium for overall health and disease resistance.
Micronutrients, while only needed in trace amounts, are still essential. They include elements like calcium, magnesium, sulfur, and iron, among others. These nutrients aid various plant processes, such as the formation of vital proteins, the synthesis of chlorophyll, and the strengthening of plant structures.
Each stage of the cannabis life cycle has different nutritional needs. For instance, during the vegetative phase, your plant will crave more nitrogen to develop its foliage. In contrast, during the flowering stage, phosphorus and potassium become more critical to develop those sought-after buds.
The image here shows the NPK on an original prototype bag of Reefertilizer Grow. It was designed to be simple for first time growers.
The Importance of Feeding Your Weed Plants Correctly
Feeding your cannabis plants correctly isn’t just about throwing any fertilizer at them and hoping for the best. It’s about understanding what your plants need and when they need it. Proper nutrition is vital for your plants to reach their full potential. Think of it as providing a balanced diet to ensure strong growth, resilience against pests and diseases, and, ultimately, a bountiful harvest.
Overfeeding can lead to nutrient burn, characterized by yellow or brown burnt tips on the leaves, which can significantly hinder growth and yield. Underfeeding, on the other hand, can leave your plants struggling, stunted, and unable to develop correctly—which means less impressive buds for you.
The trick to feeding your cannabis plant correctly lies in the balance and timing. By providing the proper amounts of nutrients at the right times, you can encourage your plants to grow vigorously and healthily throughout their lifecycle, from seedling to harvest.
General vs. Cannabis-Specific Nutrients
When you walk into a garden store, you’re met with shelves of fertilizers, each promising lush growth and bountiful plants. However, not all nutrients are created equal, especially when it comes to cannabis. General plant nutrients (think Miracle Gro) often lack the precise balance of macronutrients and micronutrients that cannabis demands. Using these can lead to subpar results, as cannabis has a unique nutrient uptake that differs from other plants.
Many generalized fertilizer are made to be as cheap as possible. Using nutrient sources like urea for cheap nitrogen can lead to a lot of wasted nutrient in your garden run-off. Saving a few bucks and steps might sound great but can have a negative environmental impact. General fertilizers are made for all sorts of plants including ornamental ones, they aren’t concerned about how that affects the taste of your final product.
Cannabis-specific nutrients, on the other hand, are formulated with the cannabis plant’s specific needs in mind. These formulations consider the ideal N-P-K ratios for cannabis at various growth stages and incorporate the right amount of micronutrients for optimal health and productivity. By choosing nutrients designed for cannabis, you reduce the risk of imbalances that can lead to nutrient deficiencies or toxicities.
Choose Dry Cannabis Nutrients Over Liquid If You Want Something Easy
When selecting the best nutrients for your cannabis, you’ll likely come across liquid nutrient kits. While they are commonly used, there are several reasons why you might want to avoid them and consider alternative options, like dry nutrients.
Liquid nutrient kits often come with a base nutrient solution and then offer a range of additional supplements that are sold separately. This approach can quickly become complicated and time-consuming as it requires precise measurements using pipettes from multiple bottles, increasing the chance of errors. Even a small mistake in measuring can lead to overfeeding your plants, which not only harms their health but also leads to wasting expensive nutrients.
Also, liquid nutrients typically come in plastic bottles, and with the multiple products that you’ll potentially use throughout the growth cycle, this can result in an accumulation of plastic waste. For those trying to maintain a more environmentally conscious grow, this is an important factor to consider.
Dry nutrients, on the other hand, are often more concentrated and can make the feeding process much simpler. They’re usually mixed with water according to the specific stage of growth—seedling, vegetative, or flowering—eliminating the need to juggle several bottles and reducing the likelihood of feeding errors. Plus, they tend to come in less packaging, which can significantly reduce plastic waste.
Reefertilizer offers a straightforward dry nutrient system tailored specifically for cannabis. Our products make it easy to provide the right balance of nutrients at each growth phase without the clutter of multiple liquid bottles. With dry nutrients, you can achieve excellent results while keeping the process simple and eco-friendlier.
The Simplicity of the Reefertilizer Nutrient System
For new growers, figuring out the right nutrient mix can seem challenging. This is where the Reefertilizer nutrient system steps in. We’ve created a hassle-free solution that condenses the complexities of plant nutrition into an easy-to-use system. Our products are designed to accompany your cannabis plants through each growth stage.
Starting with our base nutrients, you set the foundation for your plant’s growth. Then, as your plants transition from the vegetative stage to the flowering phase, our bloom boosters step in to support and enhance flower development. We provide clear, beginner-friendly instructions that take the guesswork out of feeding your plants. You won’t need to be a plant scientist to get professional results.
Comparing Cannabis Nutrient Kit Feeding Schedules
On the left you will see the feeding schedule of a popular cannabis nutrient brand. These are great nutrients but can be complicated for beginners. You might think buying their base three nutrients would be enough and a cheap option. What they don’t tell you about are all the additional nutrients they recommend and sell. In total you would be paying hundreds and measuring out many liquids with a little dropper.
Here you will se the Reefertilizer Feeding schedule which was designed to be as simple as possible while proving all the essential nutrients and micro nutrients your plants will need from seed to flower.
By using dry nutrients we can pack more into one powder instead of separating nutrients in multiple packages.
How Reefertilizer Products Work Together To Grow Weed The Easy Way
Reefertilizer offers a streamlined suite of products that work together to nourish cannabis plants from seed to harvest. It begins with ‘Start,’ a perfectly balanced mix to support your seedlings and cuttings. As your plant matures, ‘Grow’ provides a boost in nitrogen, encouraging lush vegetative growth.
Transitioning to the flowering stage, ‘Bloom’ delivers the higher phosphorus and potassium levels necessary for robust flower formation. Finally, to aid in the crucial flush before harvesting, eliminating residual nutrients and enhancing final flavors, our straightforward guides leads you through a clean and simple finish.
Every product is created to complement each other, and when used together following our recommended schedule, they ensure your plants get precisely what they need at the right time. With the Reefertilizer system, feeding your cannabis becomes a simple routine, setting you up for a rewarding harvest.
Step-by-Step Guide to Foolproof Cannabis Nutrient Feeding
Feeding your cannabis plants doesn’t have to be complicated. Follow this straightforward guide to ensure your plants get the nutrients they need without the fuss.
- Start with the Right Soil: Begin your grow with soil that has been prepped with compost or a quality soil mix. This provides your young plants with initial nutrients.
- Introduce ‘Start’ for Seedlings and Cuttings: Once your plants establish their first set of true leaves, use Reefertilizer ‘Start’ to encourage strong root development. This will build a solid foundation for future growth.
- Switch to ‘Grow’ at the Vegetative Stage: As your plants enter the vegetative stage, transition to using Reefertilizer ‘Grow’. Apply this formula to promote a sturdy stalk and accelerate foliar growth. Stick to the recommended schedule, keeping an eye on your plants’ reaction to adjust if necessary.
- Change to ‘Bloom’ when Flowering Begins: When your plants show signs of flowering, it’s time to switch to Reefertilizer ‘Bloom’. This will provide higher levels of phosphorus and potassium to support flower size and quality.
- Adjust Nutrient Strength as Needed: Not all strains or plants are the same. Observe your plants for any signs of distress and adjust the strength of nutrient solutions accordingly. Less can be more, especially with strains that are sensitive to nutrient overfeeding.
- Flush Before Harvest: Stop giving nutrients about one to two weeks before you plan to harvest. Instead, water your cannabis with plain water. This step helps to flush out any remaining nutrients from the soil and the plant, which improves the taste and quality of your final product.
Remember, the key to successful nutrient feeding is consistent observation and adjustment based on your plant’s response. Happy growing!
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Mike Drouin is the co-founder of Reefertilizer. He’s an experienced craft cannabis grower and a writer of many articles regarding the process. Mike lives on Vancouver Island and enjoys cycling and camping and will sometimes combine the two.