Nutrition for
Mother Plants
Some growers think
mother plants simply
need a good vegetative
fertilizer. Vegetative
fertilizers usually contain
a high ratio of nitrogen to
promote accelerated growth.
This is great in the vegetative
stage, but it is not ideal for
maintaining the health of mother plants over an
extended period. Again, the goal of cultivating
mother plants is promoting the healthiest growth
possible, not the fastest growth possible. Healthy growth
begins with the use of the highest-quality potting soil.
When the organic ingredients within the soil become
depleted, growers can supplement a liquid fertilizer.
A good rule of thumb is to use a diluted mixture of
vegetative and blooming fertilizers. A mix of quarter-
strength vegetative fertilizer and quarter-strength
blooming fertilizer can be a great mother plant fertilizer
regimen. For mother plants kept in hydroponic solutions,
a good rule of thumb is to balance the nitrogen and
potassium in a 1:1 ratio. An N-P-K with a 1:1:1 ratio is a
great general nutrient solution for mother plants in a
hydroponic system. In many cases, the calcium contained
in the base nutrient may not be enough to support the
continued healthy cell development in mother plants.
So, it is always a good idea to use a specific calcium
supplement for mother plants.
In addition to the base nutrients and calcium, it is advis-
able to supplement the mother plants’ feeding program
with enzymes, micronutrients, and trace elements. All these
supplements, when used in addition to a base fertilizer,
will help maintain general health. Many growers also use
some sort of foliar application program for general health.
A fulvic acid or seaweed extract can be used as a foliar
spray to help stimulate healthy development. It is important
to remember that all grow spaces and plants are slightly
different. All growers should attempt a little experimenta-
tion to develop their own specific feeding regimen for main-
taining the health of their mother plants.
Maximum Yield
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