House & Garden Growers Journal 2017 May 2017 | Page 10

As your seedlings or cuttings develop, their root mass expands and lateral roots grow thin root hairs to more
efficiently uptake nutriment and water from the substrate. Your plant is currently in a vegetative state of growth
as the roots, a stem and leaves progress. For photoperiodic plants that depend on the light/dark cycle to
determine their growth stages, they can usually be kept in a vegetative state as long as they receive a minimum
of 16 hours light per day.
A healthy, happy green vegetative plant will always yield the most delicious fruits or flowers. To achieve the
best results with your vegetative crops, always ensure to follow our 5 helpful tips for vigorous results:
1. Environmental Control:
Maintain a healthy airflow throughout the growroom, this prevents stratification of air surrounding the leaves,
ensures adequate CO2 and encourages stronger stems through the production of lignin and cellulose. Keep a
slightly higher humidity during the vegetative period; between 60-70% is generally ideal for lush green growth.
2. Nitrogen Power!
The plant uses high levels of Nitrogen during vegetative growth but lower levels are required during the
seedling, clone and flowering stages. N is mainly responsible for leaf and stem growth and is most active in
young buds, shoots and leaves. Being mobile within the plant, N deficiencies are easily remedied with a foliar
application of Nitrogen N27% or Magic Green.
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