Why use a flowering fertiliser for cannabis plants?
Cannabis responds well to fertilisers, enabling growers to maximise both the quantity and quality of their harvest by supplying the necessary nutrients at each stage of cultivation. While cannabis needs a lot of nitrogen (N) during the growth phase to support leaf development and photosynthesis, less nitrogen is needed during the flowering stage to produce high-quality flowers. During flowering, fertilisers rich in phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) are essential for achieving larger, denser, and more aromatic buds.
Without a doubt, flowering is one of the crucial stages in cannabis cultivation. In this article we tell you everything you need to know about the bloom period of marijuana plants so you can get the most out of your crops.
Organic or mineral: choosing the right fertiliser for cannabis cultivation
The wide range of fertilisers available can be overwhelming for novice growers. A key factor in choosing the right fertiliser is your growing method and substrate. Different fertilisers are designed for soil, coco fibre, rockwool, or aeroponic systems.
Fertilisers generally fall into three categories: organic, mineral, and organo-mineral, which combine both organic and mineral ingredients.
- Organic fertilisers are broken down by the micro-organisms in the soil, so they take time to be absorbed by the plants.
- Mineral fertilisers are readily absorbed by the plants and are often used to correct nutrient deficiencies quickly.
Let’s explore which fertilisers are compatible with various growing methods:
- Soil cultivation: In soil-based cannabis growing, both organic and mineral fertilisers can be used. Organic fertilisers are commonly preferred as they help the plant fully express its flavour and aroma. However, mineral fertilisers are also an option.
- Coco cultivation: Coco was traditionally grown with mineral fertilisers, as it is an inert substrate. Nowadays, many growers inoculate micro-life into the substrate, allowing to use organic fertilisers and enhance the taste and aroma of the harvest.
- Hydroponic and soilless growing: Organic fertilisers can be tricky to use in hydroponic systems as they may clog pipes and disrupt the pH and EC levels. Mineral fertilisers are usually preferred for these methods.
Choosing the right cultivation system for your needs can be a real challenge, especially when you are new to the world of home cultivation. Today we want to make things easier for you with a summary of the most commonly used cannabis growing techniques, and their main characteristics, so your choice is much easier to make.
Which type of flowering fertiliser to choose: liquid or solid?
Depending on your growing method and the time you can dedicate to caring for your cannabis plants, you will need to choose between two formats of flowering fertilisers: liquid or solid fertilisers:
- Liquid flowering fertilisers: The most commonly used, liquid fertilisers are diluted in irrigation water and are suitable for all types of growing systems, from soil with manual watering to hydroponics using an automatic irrigation system connected to a nutrient solution tank.
- Solid flowering fertilisers: These slow-release fertilisers are ideal for soil and coco, as they provide nutrients over several weeks. They are particularly suitable for outdoor and guerrilla grows where the grower may have limited time to tend to the plants, simplifying the watering process.
