Cannabis growing maybe a journey with two possible outcomes- it has the potential to be among the most satisfying experiences of your life. On the other hand, frequent cannabis nutrient deficiencies can easily make growing the herb frustrating. The only secret to producing the most potent cannabis plants is following fundamental growing guidelines. Cannabis plants, like all living things, require specific conditions and essential nutrients to thrive. Your weed requires the proper temperature/humidity range and appropriate lighting, environment, and balanced food, including the needed minerals and nutrients in the proper pH level.
The first step to dealing with cannabis nutrient deficiencies is understanding the problem, the signs, and the root cause. Below we discuss cannabis nutrient deficiencies in detail; let’s begin.
What are the nutrient deficiencies of a cannabis plant?
A weed plant deficiency occurs when a vital nutrient or mineral required for proper development is unavailable to the cannabis plant. Even if your plants are fed a balanced diet, the lack of a single essential vitamin can significantly impact their health. This has the potential to have a significant influence on output and quality. A cannabis deficiency might put your plant’s vitality in peril in the worst-case scenario.
For optimal health, marijuana requires three significant nutrients- Nitrogen (N), Phosphorous (P), and Potassium (K), or N-P-K. The percentages of these three components are displayed as N-P-K levels on all plant-food labels in numerical form.
Micronutrients are necessary as well, but only in trace levels. These trace elements should be present in most N-P-K solutions if you’re growing hydroponically. Boron (B), Zinc (Zn), Magnesium (Mg), Iron (Fe), Molybdenum (Mo), Sulfur (S), Selenium (Se), Manganese (Mn), Calcium (Ca), Copper (Cu), Cobalt (Co) and Chlorine (Cl), are the micronutrients required by a weed plant.
Dealing with cannabis deficiencies does not always have to be a ‘boil the ocean’ kind of task. Thankfully for marijuana farmers, the cannabis plant can convey to us many of the prevalent deficiencies and challenges its facing. That is if you know how to read the clues. The skilled grower may learn a lot from visual indications in the leaves and the overall look of the plant. Therefore, let us discuss the signs, causes, and possible solutions to the most common weed plant deficiencies. A cannabis deficiency is seen when the cannabis plant is unable to access a key nutrient or mineral essential for healthy growth.
Dealing with Cannabis Nutrient Deficiencies
Nitrogen Deficiency
Nitrogen is a mobile macronutrient essential in plant proteins, photosynthesis, and vegetative development. Nitrogen deficit can cause leaves to become pale, yellow, curl, and fall off. The leaves closest to the plant’s base may be the first to show it.
Your plant may not be able to take nitrogen if the pH is too low. The most accessible approach towards preventing such deficit is by feeding your weed plant enough nitrogen and maintaining optimum pH.
Phosphorus Deficiency
Phosphorus deficiencies in the marijuana plant are uncommon, although they do happen. Phosphorus is required for optimal photosynthesis and the making of plant proteins and DNA. It’s most likely due to a phosphorus deficit when aged leaves on the plant start to show brown spots or dark hue, development has halted, and new leaves are pretty small.
When the pH level is more than 7, this deficiency is more likely to arise. It’s best to keep the pH of the soil closer to 6 and to use a well-aerated pot with well-rotted manure.
Potassium Deficiency
Sugars and simple carbohydrates require potassium for synthesis and transportation. Potassium is essential for cell division, transpiration, and water intake. A lack of potassium causes dull, excessively green leaves and rusty-brown leaf tips, chlorosis, and brown patches, especially on older leaves.
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Potassium shortage is caused by a lack of potassium in the growth media. Make sure to start your plants with enough nutrients so that everything goes smoothly as they develop.
Boron Deficiency
Young leaves tainting with yellow spotting, and unusually thick and brown growth tips on mature leaves are the earliest signs of boron deficiency. The top leaves will develop slowly or abnormally if there is a boron shortage.
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Boron is more easily absorbed at lower pH levels; thus, your weed plant may be lacking if your pH is not within the optimal range. The most straightforward strategy to overcome the boron deficit is maintaining a steady pH level of 5.5-5.8 for hydroponic plants.
Magnesium Deficiency
Magnesium is a nutrient required for photosynthesis and produces the essential chlorophyll pigment. This deficiency is caused by low pH, and it leads to yellow dots on the leaves, which then become brown, causing the leaves to perish.
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Interveinal chlorosis occurs when the areas between the veins of older leaves become yellow and reveal rust-colored patches. A cannabis plant needs a soil pH of 6.0-7.0 levels for effective magnesium absorption.
Iron Deficiencies
Iron is required to utilize nitrates and sulfates and the synthesis of chlorophyll. If the pH is too high or too low, iron deficiency might ensue. Excess Zinc, Manganese, or Copper can also cause it.
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Iron is a vital mineral for metabolic and energy-forming activities in general. Iron deficiency is indicated by a general yellowing of the leaf veins and the complete yellowing of new leaves.
In Summary
Maintaining the health of a cannabis plant necessitates paying close attention to its environment as to how you feed the plant. Over-feeding and pH fluctuations can be detected by keeping a garden notebook and writing down feeding information and plant observations. When done correctly, the benefits can be as sweet as tropical fruit.
