Base nutrients are essential to the growth ability of your plants. These nutrients are made up of various levels of nitrogen, calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, zinc, sulfur, manganese, and other minor elements. Usually listed first on fertilizer products, base nutrients are usually applied to plants throughout the growing phase.
TheseĀ nutrients can be bought in liquid or granular forms, although there are manufacturers that sell nutrients shaped like stakes, which are placed in the soil surrounding the plant's base.
The weed nutrients are usually a combination of micro and macronutrients, and these primary and secondary nutrients are all a plant needs in most cases. However, some growers add special formulas for seedlings and flowering stages.
Other products can be added to the base nutrients, sometimes even customized, depending on the needs of the plants being cultivated.
Essential Nutrients For Growing Plants
You will need three nutrients in large quantities to ensure maximum yield for your plants. These primary nutrients, also called macronutrients, are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). These are considered the front and center of all fertilizer products and are indicated by the NPK ratio. The higher the ratio for each value, the greater the specific nutrient concentration.
But plants need more than these to thrive. You will also have to provide secondary nutrients vital to plant growth and avoid the chances of them having nutrient deficiencies. These include:
Calcium
Calcium is essential for the plant's cell wall development and helps reduce the soil's salinity. This improves water penetration when the nutrient is used as an amendment for the soil.
Magnesium
Magnesium is essential for the process of photosynthesis and carbohydrate metabolism in plants. The nutrient also plays a role in stabilizing the plant cell walls.
Sulfur
Sulfur helps in chlorophyll formation and the production of amino acids, proteins, vitamins, and enzymes for the protection of plants against diseases.
Then there are micronutrients, which are other nutrients in small quantities, that will help your plant growth reach its full potential. These micronutrients include chlorine, iron, copper, boron, and zinc.
How Nutrients Vary From Each Other
Four areas can distinguish a nutrient product from another. These are:
Nutrient Ratio
Different brands of nutrients use different ratios, depending on what they regard as optimal.
Ingredients
These brands use entirely different ingredients to achieve the same nutrient ratios. These ingredients range from natural ones (organic) to chemical varieties (artificial).
Soil Or Hydro
Growers can opt to grow their plants either in soil or non-soil. Non-soil methods include hydroponics. Each method has its own set of appropriate nutrients, and you should strictly use the fertilizers made especially for your growing method.
Supplements
Manufacturers also produce supplements, which are products that typically have low NPK ratios. They are made to give your plant other nutrients that can boost plant growth in other aspects. Molasses is one common example of such a supplement.
The key is to prioritize providing macro and secondary nutrients for your marijuana plants before looking for supplements. Keep in mind that more isn't necessarily better in this case - you risk giving your plants nutrient burn or chemical imbalance if you go overboard with the nutrients. You don't want to give too little either since this can result in nutrient deficiency.
Nutrient Requirements For Plants - Seedlings, Vegging, And Flowering Stages
The nutrient requirements of your plants will depend on the growth stage they are in. Either your plants are in the seedling, vegging, or flowering stage. You must use the type of fertilizer specifically made for the stage of life involved and follow the correct feeding schedule for the different nutrient ratios.
Nutrients For In The Seedlings Stage
If your plants are still seedlings, remember that they are dependent on the seed for all the nutrients. They absorb water through their leaves as the root system develops. This is also why it's necessary to keep your seedlings somewhere warm and humid.
You have to wait until your seedlings are already three to four weeks old before you can start feeding them. Your seedlings have already developed around three to four true leaves during this time. This means that they are about to enter the vegetative growth stage.
Nutrients For In The Vegetative Stage
You can introduce your plants to a light fertilizer with a 2:1:2 NPK ratio when the seedlings are about to enter the vegetative growth phase. Put them on the fertilizers for one week, which should be a great way to let your plants know their fertilizer and avoid nutrient burn.
Some growers prefer to start their plants on fertilizers with a 4:2:3 NPK ratio to kickstart growth since they see great results right away. Once your plants enter the mid-vegetative phase, which is around six weeks after germinating, you will have to aggressively increase your plant's nutrients. This nutrient ratio will help your weed plants develop strong and healthy foliage.
The best nutrients for this stage are at the 10:5:7 NPK ratio, and this will produce elevated levels of nitrogen that are enough to make your vegging plants grow lush, green foliage and ensure the growth of plenty of buds when your plants reach the flowering stage.
Nutrients In The Flowering Stage
Plants in the flowering stage will need more potassium and less nitrogen to develop those big, resinous flowers. Most growers feed their flowering plants with a 5:7:10 nutrient ratio during the first two weeks of flowering.
You can now increase the level of marijuana nutrients and nutrient uptake from all angles and make sure that your potassium concentrations are always higher than the rest of the nutrients. The recommended NPK ratio for your nutrient solution for this stage is 6:10:15.
When your plants reach their last weeks of flowering, you have to lessen the nutrient ratio of your fertilizers to make a smooth transition to the pre-harvest flush. For this purpose, you need to use a milder fertilizer with a 4:7:10 NPK ratio.
Get The Best Deal On Base Nutrients at Canada Grow Supplies
You have many choices for high-quality and affordable base nutrients for your marijuana plants at Canada Grow Supplies. We offer everything you need for growing, from nutrient brands to growing kits, plus other supplies for cultivation designed by no less than the top professionals in the growing industry.
Whether you are looking for organic fertilizers, chemical nutrients, or synthetic nutrients, we have your plant health covered. We also got nutrients that will cater to your growing medium, whether soil nutrients for hydroponic nutrients.
Canada Grow Supplies offers not just the most competitive prices in the market for the best nutrients, and we also provide free shipping for Canada-wide orders over $199. Visit our online shop and find the best base nutrients at prices you love for the best plant nutrition and growth.
