Introduction:
In this next blog we will review the basics to understanding how nutrients work within the world of growing cannabis. It is important to learn what plants crave and what you should be looking for when reviewing a potential nutrient system. Then we will break down what it means to cultivate with Organic vs Synthetic nutrients, along with their benefits and draw backs. Knowing your nutrients and how they work best is very important since it is a variable that needs to be monitored and maintained on a daily and weekly basis throughout the plant’s life cycle
Plant Variable #4: Nutrients (Organic vs Synthetic):
First, the three main ingredients within nutrients are as follows: Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K) or better known as N-P-K. Then there are micro nutrients and supplements like B-Vitamins, Calcium, Magnesium, Iron enhancers and so on. Growing a healthy cannabis plant will mean learning and understanding how each nutrient affects the plant and its growth in different stages.
(N) Nitrogen- Helps the plant turn sunlight into energy, supporting cellular development while strengthening its structure. Important for veg cycles but reduced in flower.
(P) Phosphorus- Supports healthy plant growth through a process called osmoregulation, regulating the concentration of salt and water. Also provides and stores glucose for sustainable plant energy as it metabolizes carbohydrates, leading to thicker buds in flower.
(K) Potassium- Promotes heavy bud growth, producing large colas by supporting the transfer of nutrients from the roots to the bud site and structural development.
When it comes to choosing your nutrient system, it is better to focus on your desired outcome. For example, some people are looking for bigger and fatter buds with high potency while others are willing to sacrifice those outcomes for a tastier product with more terpenes, a cleaner, smoother and more wholistic experience. Still, it is important to actually understand what it means to grow with Synthetic and Organic Nutrients.
Meaning of Synthetic Nutrients:
Beginning with synthetic nutrients, they are the most common in the market place although they have been stigmatized by unknowing cannabis consumers. Synthetic nutrients are simply the process of isolating specific nutrients like nitrogen or potassium and balancing the blend. Many times, these synthesized nutrients are derived from organic sources but the process may not always be organic; introducing certain chemicals to facilitate the scientific process. Depending on the brand of nutrients the process can be done by using base minerals like sodium or calcium.
Advantages:
Increased bio availability allows for plants to eat more and faster, while increasing bud sizes and yields.
Increases potency and lasting effects
Allows for precise measurements, tailoring specific N-P-K ratios to individual strains
Doesn’t need microbes to break down the nutrients since they are already synthesized
Can be more cost effective
Higher versatility allowing for usage in a variety of mediums like soil, coco coir, and hydroponics
Is the only option for hydroponic cultivation
Disadvantages:
Since most blends are mineral based, it can be much easier to burn the plants, mainly while dealing with sodium-based nutrients.
Salt builds up and increased bio availability can leave pockets of nutrients and sodium, leading to a nutrient lock out where the buds will stop growing
Needs proper flushing to purge excess minerals and nutrients from the cannabis plant
Does not sustainably improve soil health and will need to be disposed
Plants can easily be over fed
Water needs to be closely monitored for pH levels
Meaning of Organic Nutrients:
When discussing organic nutrients there is a common misconception that if you are growing organic you are growing buds similar to an FDA style, approved product from a vendor like Whole Foods. This is not the case, cultivating cannabis through an organic method means that you are sourcing the necessary nutrients from its organic form like compost, animals, and vegetable waste. For example: bat or seabird guano, kelp, sea weed, certain composts like lobster compost etc. These nutrients are not as bio available as synthetics, creating a slower process of nutrient breakdown and absorption. Also, organic nutrients are not always 100% organic as the blend will sometimes need to be buffered with other nutrient supplements.
Advantages:
Feedings are easier to maintain as many organic nutrients are just top soil dressings, allowing the grower to simply water
Produces a higher quality taste and smell
Appealing to people looking to cultivate sustainably
Ideal for outdoor growing
Works wonderfully with soil, perlite and worm casting mixtures
pH does not need to be closely regulated as the nutrients do that itself throughout the process
Protects plants from overwatering as nutrients are slowly released
Overtime, the quality of soil will increase as it has high reusability, creating a sustainable microbial and soil eco-system
Disadvantages:
Can become expensive trying to create high bio diversity of nutrients from their organic forms
Requires microorganisms to break down nutrients and promote bio availability
Since nutrients are absorbed slowly by the plant it can be difficult and sometimes too late to identify nutrient deficiencies
Can introduce unwanted diseases and pests
Cannot be used in hydroponics cultivation systems
Stay tuned for our next blog where we discuss Seeds, Genetics, & Germination! Comment below what you would like to see from us in a future blog.
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