Cannabis is one of the most versatile plants for nutrient uptake.
It can grow in various soils, hydroponic systems, and climates and has been known to thrive both indoors and outdoors.
However, to ensure maximum cannabis growth, you need to know the plant's specific nutrient needs and how nutrient uptake works.
The root system of a plant is often misunderstood. And this is mainly due to the fact that it's not a visible or easily measured aspect of your plants' health. But maximizing the nutrient uptake of your plants is vital for healthy development.
In this blog post, we'll discuss some tips on how to provide your cannabis plants with the nutrients they need for optimal growth.
The Nutrient Uptake Process
Nutrient uptake is a process that is not fully understood by most growers. The process works similarly between soil and hydroponic-based growth systems. But the main difference between the two grow styles is the root zone volume.
Soil-based plants are often free to scour a large area of volume for nutrients and require less nutrient management than a hydroponic system. They can also take advantage of the natural microorganisms in the soil to break down minerals and make them more available to the plant.
Hydroponic plants, on the other hand, have a restricted root zone. This is because their roots are constantly submerged in water that contains dissolved nutrients.
The water and nutrients are delivered manually or automatically to the plants at intervals. And this depends on the type of growth system you're using to cultivate your plants.
The process of nutrient uptake can be further broken down into three main steps:
- Soil or water contains (or is delivered) dissolved nutrients
- The roots of the plant take in these nutrients through osmosis
- The plant uses the minerals to support its growth
Additionally, nutrients travel to the root system in one of three ways:
- Diffusing through the substrate by a concentration gradient
- Being carried by a nutrient solution to the root surface
- By roots growing towards the nutrients
Note: you can expedite the above processes in hydroponics by irrigating or utilizing solution culture systems that pass nutrients over the root system.
It's important to note that not all plants are created equal when it comes to nutrient uptake. Some plants are able to absorb nutrients at a much faster rate than others. This is due in part to the type of root system they have.
For example, cannabis plants have a fibrous root system that is efficient at taking in nutrients. They are also able to quickly and easily access nutrients that are in the uppermost layer of soil.
This is one of the reasons why cannabis plants are often able to outcompete other plants when it comes to nutrient uptake.
Root Health
The size of the root system affects how much area is available to absorb nutrients. If the roots are damaged or restricted, it will limit how many nutrients the plant can take in.
If you see deficiencies on the leaves of a plant, this could be due to a lack of functioning root cells. This means the plant is not able to absorb enough nutrients, even if it is regularly given a balanced nutrient solution.
To absorb nutrients effectively, a plant's root system needs a regular supply of essential nutrient ions and enough moisture and oxygen.
The nutrient solution provides moisture for the roots, and the roots respire by taking in oxygen from the air in the substrate. The dissolved oxygen in the nutrient solution and water surrounding the roots helps to provide enough oxygen for root respiration.
If you want to make sure your plants have enough oxygen, you can do one of two things. You can use a well-aerated substrate, or you can make sure the water you are using is not too deep so that the roots of your plants will not be sitting in water.
Helpful Microorganisms
Studies have shown that some bacteria can help plants grow better. These bacteria provide crops with nitrogen and iron. They also help to make phosphate available to the plant.
You don't always have to add bacteria to a system to help with nutrient uptake. If you're starting a new hydroponic system, the bacteria will come in time. As soon as there is moisture and something for the bacteria to eat, they will start to grow.
In most hydroponic systems, there are a few types of helpful microorganisms that are commonly found.
These include bacteria like:
- Bacillus spp
- Gliocladium spp
- Trichoderma spp
- Pseudomonas spp
Cannabis Growth Stages
The growth cycle of cannabis can be divided into four stages:
- Germination
- Vegetative
- Flowering
- Harvest
Germination is the process of a seed sprouting and developing into a plant. The time it takes for a cannabis seed to germinate can vary depending on the type of seed, but it usually takes between three and ten days.
The vegetative stage is when the plant starts to grow leaves and stems. The length of the vegetative stage depends on the type of cannabis plant, but it usually lasts between 3-16 weeks.
The flowering stage is when the plant starts to produce flowers (also called buds). The length of the flowering stage also depends on the type of cannabis plant, but it usually lasts between 8-11 weeks.
The harvest stage is when the flowers are harvested and dried. The length of the harvest stage also depends on the type of cannabis plant, but it usually lasts between 2-3 weeks.
Cannabis Nutrient Requirements
Cannabis plants need specific nutrients to grow in each stage of their life. Hydroponic product companies have created complex fertilizers to meet the nutrient demands of cannabis during every stage of growth.
If you've ever read the label on a nutrient bottle, you may have seen the N-P-K ratio. This number shows how much nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) are in the fertilizer. When it comes to feeding cannabis plants, the number of nutrients will change depending on the growth phase.
Cannabis plants need a lot of nitrogen when they are growing. If you give them the right amount of nitrogen, they will stay green and healthy. You also need to provide them with some phosphorus and potassium to make sure they grow well.
As cannabis plants enter their flowering phase, they need less nitrogen and more phosphorus and potassium. If you look at any flowering nutrients for cannabis, you will see this shift represented in the N-P-K ratio on the bottle.
To help people understand the N-P-K ratio, nutrient companies have developed calendars that show when to change the nutrient regime for a cannabis plant during its life cycle. The calendars are easy to follow and show when the N-P-K ratio changes from vegetative growth to flowering.
Bloom Boosters for Cannabis Growth
Some companies make products that help flowers grow. These products are called bloom boosters. They can have high levels of phosphorus and potassium, which help flowers grow bigger and better.
Some cannabis growers think that bloom boosters are necessary for a big harvest. Others believe that they are not required and that the plant can only handle specific amounts of phosphorus and potassium.
The Best Nutrients for Cannabis Growth
The best nutrients for cannabis growth meet the specific needs of the plant at each stage of its life. For example, during the vegetative stage, the plant needs more nitrogen than it does during the flowering stage.
But when it comes to nutrients, more is not always better. Cannabis growers need to be aware of the nutrient needs of their plants and purchase fertilizers accordingly.
The best cannabis nutrients for maximum growth are:
Phosphorus
Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for plant growth. It can be found in every living cell of a plant. Furthermore, phosphorus helps with photosynthesis, metabolism, and nutrition acquisition.
Only a few countries have large rock phosphate deposits mined for commercial agriculture. Unfortunately, the demand is growing, while the supply is gradually declining.
Potassium
Potassium is a critical nutrient for the cannabis plant. It doesn't usually occur in plant tissue, but it aids in protein and amino acid production. It is necessary to have robust, resilient plants during droughts.
Potassium is essential for the long-term health of a cannabis plant. It also aids in increasing the size, density, and volume of buds.
Magnesium
Magnesium is one of the important plant nutrients because it is a mineral that your plant requires in all phases of its life in substantial quantities.
Magnesium is important for turning light into energy in plants. This element is present in leaves, and it helps the plant absorb light and create sugars and carbohydrates.Â
Calcium
Calcium is another fundamental nutrient that is required for the normal development of a cannabis plant. It is needed during all phases of growth.
Calcium is essential for the health of your plants, and it aids in the development of healthy cell walls. This helps your plant resist diseases, pests, and heat stress by increasing the strength of its tissue.
FloraFlex Helps You Grow With Your Garden
Maximizing your plants' nutrient uptake is vital for healthy development, especially when it comes to cannabis growth.
Our FloraFlex products are designed with the modern grower in mind, and they incorporate all of the latest advances in hydroponic technology and nutrient science.
If you're looking for nutrients that will help you maximize your cannabis growth, shop our FloraFlex line of nutrients today!
