specialized bloom products come into play . They can really be broken down into five categories , each with a particular combination of ingredients formulated to induce a specific response from a flowering plant .
; Site promoters : A heavy dose of P combined with micronutrients such as Sulfur , Iron , Manganese , and Zinc . Used in early flowering to help increase the total number of bud sites and decrease their proximity to one another .
; Size enhancers : Lots of P and K with added Magnesium and Sulfur to help transport the primary nutrients to each bud site . Used up until the last two weeks of flowering to build bigger buds .
; Sweeteners : Usually involve one or more sugars ( including molasses ), fruit extracts , amino acids , vitamins , or carbohydrates , combined with Magnesium and Sulfur to help transport those ingredients to each bud site . Used through harvest to intensify the sugary taste and smell of each bud .
; Resin boosters : Naturally occurring vitamins , fermented acids , and other micronutrients . Used through harvest to improve the plant ’ s ability to form more terpenes , essential oils , and resin per gram of flower . Especially helpful if your goal is extraction or making concentrates .
; Ripening / hardeners : Yet another extreme concentration of P and K , mixed with various vitamins , amino acids , and micronutrients to help balance the stress of such a heavy macronutrient feeding . Used for only a feeding or two approximately three weeks before harvest to add density and tightness to your buds .
Nutrient Availability
Nutrient availability is one of my favorite topics when it comes to cannabis — or any plant , for that matter ! Even if you provide every bit of nutrition your plant demands , it doesn ’ t do any good if the plant can ’ t consume it . It ’ s like sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner with tape over your mouth and your hands tied behind your back . The food sure looks great , but NONE FOR YOU !
The first thing to check is your water or nutrient solution ’ s pH ( Potential of Hydrogen ). The ideal pH range for growing cannabis in soil is typically 6.0 to 7.0 . In hydroponics , it ’ s 5.5 to 6.5 . Fall too high or too low , and your plant will lose the ability to uptake certain nutrients from the soil or solution . It ’ s not an “ all-or-none ” deal , though , so your plant may not instantly die , but it will certainly show you that it ’ s hurting with discolored or damaged leaves and stunted growth .
Probably worthy of an entire article all its own , chelation can also have a tremendous impact on a plant ’ s ability to absorb nutrients . Metal micronutrients critical to healthy cannabis such as Calcium ( Ca ), Magnesium ( Mg ), Iron ( Fe ), Cobalt ( Co ), Zinc ( Zn ), and Manganese ( Mn ) are all prone to leaching , run-off , or other issues that limit them from reaching the plant . Chelation is a process where “ chelating agents ,” typically in the form of amino acids , surround the micronutrient and then slowly release it once inside the plant . These chelating agents occur naturally in decaying organic matter ( although synthetic versions have been created over the years ). So , if you ’ re growing in soil , you ’ re often reaping the rewards of this process without even thinking about it . Of course , it never hurts to have a little boost from a nutrient that ’ s been pre-chelated . In hydroponics , this becomes a much bigger issue since there ’ s a lack of organic matter in the grow media . That means , if you want chelated nutrients , you ’ ll need to choose a fertilizer brand where this has been performed by the manufacturer . While plants can absorb nutrients without chelation , they do so at a much less efficient rate .
Another way to improve nutrient uptake is by including microbial life in your grow medium or nutrient solution . Microorganisms like beneficial bacteria and fungi form symbiotic relationships with plant roots ; trading nutrients gathered from the surrounding environment for energy in the form of carbohydrates . As with chelation , beneficial microbes aren ’ t necessary to grow cannabis , but if your goal is to improve the quality of your buds , they can provide an extra boost in getting the right nutrients to your plants at the right times .
Organic vs . Synthetic
Maybe a little of both ? Either way , I don ’ t usually think of this as a “ good vs . evil ” matchup , although it could certainly be fuel for a fiery debate ! Instead , it comes down to what you , as the grower , value . Both methods can ( and have ) produced extraordinary cannabis over the decades . Organic growing relies heavily on the soil food web and the relationship between microbial life surrounding your plant ’ s roots . It can be a bit more forgiving , tends to produce less waste , and creates an opportunity for sustainability . In organics , you ’ re essentially feeding the soil so the plant can take what it needs when it needs it . With synthetics , you ’ re feeding the plant directly . When synthetic nutrients are fed to the plant , you ’ ll notice quicker results , but they ’ re easier to overuse accidentally and can often build up in your grow media . They can also have a negative impact on any existing microbial life in the soil , and even the process of creating them at the manufacturer can be detrimental to the environment .
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