Cannabis Nutrients and Water

Pot legalization in Canada has given us the freedom to grow up to four plants at home! But, what’s the key to growing lots of big, beautiful buds?

Growing weed is a daunting task when you’re a beginner, and it’s easy to make some mistakes along the way. But if you’re up for the challenge, it’s time to look into the art of cannabis cultivation!

You don’t have to worry about reading research articles and reviews because we’ll give you all the information you need to grow like a seasoned pro. We’ll also give you advice on how to make sure you increase your chances of success. Read on to check out our feature on the best nutrients for weed!

It would be best to have the proper NPK levels for both flower and veg to produce the best possible cannabis plants. A PH and PPM meter is needed to achieve the best NPK levels.

In some cases, the water source for your grow may contain too many natural unbalanced minerals, a Reverse Osmosis system may be needed. 

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How To Choose Ingredients For Your Grow

Welcome to our crash course on weed nutrients for beginners! Just like humans, plants need to absorb nutrition from their food or environment—and it’s our job to give them everything they need. Plant nutrition is an essential part of growing anything in the garden, and studies show that fertilizers make a dramatic difference in more ways than one. High-grade marijuana requires a lot of care to produce the best flavour and potency, so giving them lots of TLC is a must if you want to get your precious THC!

Whether you’re growing at home, at a farm, or at a greenhouse, creating optimal conditions for plant growth is only possible with the correct amount of plant nutrients. Choosing and using the wrong nutrients can lead to irreversible damage, nutrient burn, or worse, plant death. But before we talk about the best nutrients for growing weed, let’s cover everything you need to know about what to look for in cannabis nutrients.

What To Consider When Buying Good Nutrients For Weed Plants

Cannabis can be grown organically, but they can’t absorb all the right nutrients from plain water, soil, air, and sunlight. Whether homegrown or produced by a manufacturer, plants without fertilizer won’t give you the best quality and quantity for your efforts. To get the most out of the seeds you sow, here are some aspects to consider before getting nutrients for your grow:

• Setup – It’s important to figure out setups and whether you’ll be growing indoors, outdoors, or in a greenhouse.
• Growing Mediums – Whether you want to go with coco coir, soil, or hydroponics, pick the most compatible one.
• NPK Ratio – Always check for the right percentage on all nutrients bottles before purchasing anything.
• Organic vs Chemical – There are pros and cons to using either, so choose the one that suits your method.

UPDATED FOR 2022! Strive Nutrients – Our New Top Choice For Best Overall Cannabis Fertilizer

Have you had enough of mixing 9 different bottles like a chemist, only to see more problems then you started with, and be “sold” a solution in the form of another bottle of different fertilizer to add to the mix?

Are you tired of average-at-best flowers that have little flavor or fragrance, no matter what additives your nutrient company tells you to use?

We have the answer and now strongly recommend – Strive Nutrients

Their slogan is “Grow Bigger, Faster, Stronger”… and they aren’t lying.

These Nutrients use innovative proprietary technology, developed in their labs, and are solely focussed on increasing terpene production. This means significantly bolder aromas, and tastebud melting flavors just from switching nutrients.

We have tested this fertilizer over and over, and they are changing the game, for real. We have yet to see, hear, or read anything negative about them.

They use an innovative 2-part plant nutrient system start to finish. As crazy as it sounds, they use the same two bags from seed to harvest. No need to buy any additives, boosters, or any other products.

This eliminates a TON of plastic waste, keeps costs low boasting the “lowest cost per grow on the market”, and frankly from what we have seen they produce some of the best cannabis we have witnessed in our 30 years of growing.

We now recommend Strive over all other nutrients on the market.

Our Top Choice: The Best Overall Liquid Nutrients For Weed

There are tons of cannabis nutrients and products out there, but there’s only one that truly stands out from the rest! Not only is it stoner-friendly and easy to use, but it also helps plants reach their fullest potential so you can get the resinous results you deserve. Your plant will get all the nutrient requirements it needs in one convenient package that you can get for a great deal on Amazon. Remo Nutrients has the best liquid nutrients for weed in the country, and the company guarantees you can grow buds the size of your head with it!

Remo Nutrients Supercharged Kit

Trusted by many growers in the biz, Remo’s revolutionary kit comes with everything you need to grow 4 full plants from seeds to buds. The box includes a total of seven 1-litre jugs of Remo’s Grow, Bloom, Velokelp, Magnifical, Astroflower, and Nature’s Candy solutions. The kit even comes with a free lighter leash plus a cup to help you measure each ingredient properly. To figure out the correct amount per jug, all you have to do is plug in your water reservoir size and numbers into the Remo Nutrients online calculator then you’re all set!

This product is our top choice because it gives you the highest chance of increasing your quantities with ease. You’ll notice your bud volume growing like crazy in no time!

Best Organic Nutrients For Growing Cannabis

Sometimes, working with the earth is the best way to go, and there’s a wide variety of organic nutrients for weed that you can use to your advantage. They’re typically mixed into soil or coco coir to create a balanced symbiosis within the growing environment, but it’s all up to your preference. Two studies in 2017 have shown that organic fertilizers during the vegetative and flowering stage can provide optimal yield depending on the strain!

Gaia Green Organic All Purpose Fertilizer

Gaia Green Power Bloom

Gaia Green makes some of the best organic nutrients for weed because of its high phosphate levels and GMO-free ingredients. As a bonus, you can use their products for different vegetables while gardening! The 2-kilo tub of All Purpose Fertilizer and the 2-kilo tub of Power Bloom both come at very reasonable prices. The only catch is that you have to purchase these as a couple to experience the actual benefit of your regular application.

Best Nutrients For Hydroponic Cannabis Grows

Going the soilless route means you’ll need hydroponic nutrients for weed, but the catch is hydroponic growing is less forgiving. You need to be precise in your measurements to make sure you don’t exceed the recommendations listed on the nutrient bottles. In case you’re wondering, you can also use these when watering a plant in soil!

General Hydroponics Calimagic & Flora Gro Micro & Bloom Combo

This brand comes out on top as one of the best hydro nutrients for weed on the market—but don’t confuse General Organics for General Hydroponics! Calimagic is packed with a concentrated formula of cal-mag to boost the rate of growth during the veg stage. Combined with the Flora Gro Micro & Bloom combo during flowering, you’ll create a potent mixture to get the best results possible. This General Hydroponics pack comes with four 1-litre bottles that you can use depending on what stage your plant is in. It’s also one of the best cheap nutrients for weed out there!

Best Nutrients For Soil Cannabis Grows

If you have the space to spare, growing in soil is the classic way to grow! Back in the day, finding the right soil nutrients for weed was difficult—but now we’ve got plenty of options to choose from. If you’ve ever used Miracle Gro nutrients for weed, you should know that it isn’t ideal beyond the initial stage of growth. Instead of using an all purpose plant nutrient, go for brands that have special formulations specifically for planting weed.

Mega Crop Hydroponics & Soil Nutrient Fertilizer

Whether you’re growing indoors, in a greenhouse, or in a tent, this doubles as a versatile option for soil and hydroponic nutrients. Packed with chelated (water-soluble) trace elements, amino acids, and minerals, this Mega Crop powder fertilizer comes in a 9.9-kilo bag that can make over 9000 litres when mixed with water! You can also cut down on costs by using this for any space, medium, and growing conditions. But keep an eye out for human error—having to mix it all yourself could cause inconsistent measurements if you aren’t careful.

Best Nutrients For Flowering Weed To Get Bigger Buds

Your flowers are the most prized parts of the plant, and there are a number of ways to kick your flower development into high gear! Here are the most reliable nutrients for flowering weed and getting the juiciest nugs ever.

Advanced Nutrients Overdrive Fertilizer

Give your ganja some gains with the help of Advanced Nutrients! Weight is an important part of your harvest—the heavier your plant is, the more you’ll get out of it. The Advanced Nutrients fertilizer works by increasing the uptake of nutrients to grow buds with larger dimensions. You’ll make your money back in no time, especially since you can extract oils from all the trichome-filled cannabis you’ll be growing.

Fox Farm FX14049 Liquid Nutrient Trio Soil Formula: Big Bloom, Grow Big + Fox Farm Big Bloom Liquid Concentrate Fertilizer

Fox farm nutrients for weed are some of the best organic-based concentrates and trace minerals for your grow. The Trio Soil Formula is one of the best nutrients for veg stage weed, and as a bonus, it even helps with nutrient cycling! Just combine the grow Big Hydro and Big Bloom together during vegging, then use tiger bloom when the buds start to form. With a balanced blend of micro and macronutrients, you’ll notice a huge spike in your vegetative stage until flowering.

Best Soil Amendments

If your base nutrients don’t have enough micro and macronutrients in them, it helps to add an amendment or additive supplement. This will introduce beneficial bacteria, organisms, and mycorrhizae fungi into the soil and their presence helps with the natural composting process. Soil microbes can help regulate nitrogen levels, potassium nitrate, and make sure the compounds are broken down properly into compost.

Thrive Professional-Grade Soil Amendment Ultimate Soil Booster

Thrive Professional has given us one of the best nutrients for outdoor weed with its ultimate soil booster formula! Made with high-quality organic matter, this product is an all-in-one solution to any nutrient deficiencies. This product will save you all the trouble of finding organic fixes for your outdoor grow! Your soil quality will improve so much that you can grow anything you want with minimal effort and maximum results!

Organic Kelp Meal

Ocean kelp nutrients for weed do wonders for healthy leaves and protection from unwanted problems like powdery mildew and parasites. This Organic Kelp meal is locally sourced from Nova Scotia and gives your soil significant amounts of complex, hormones, and proteins. This 5-pound bag of kelp will last you a long time for its very reasonable price.

Earthly Matters Worm Castings

Strengthen your root systems and improve aeration in your soil with premium Canadian earthworm castings! They’ll add some nutritious goodness into your substrate to help keep the moisture intact and prevent the risk of root lock. A 3-litre bag of this odourless and non-toxic worm humus can go a long way, and it’s safe to use indoors or outdoors. Simply make a nutrient mix with 1 part earthworm castings and 3 parts soil and let it do its thing!

What Are The Best Nutrients For Growing Cannabis?

The basic nutrients for growing weed will help aid vegetative growth, root growth, and bud development. There’s a wide range of formulas to choose from, and you need to use nutrient solutions during the phases of growing marijuana. So, what’s the difference between all the nutrient brands on the market?

What Different Types Of Nutrients Are There?

There are two popular types of nutrients that a grower needs to know about. What you choose to go with depends on your setup and growing medium, but they all have their benefits and disadvantages. The components and concentration will vary, so it’s best to pick substances that your plant needs instead of picking out stuff based on advertising or packaging alone.

• Organic nutrients – Made from organic matter, these are nutrients you can find at your local garden center in the fertilizer’s section. Sometimes, they can be pre-mixed into potting soil or sold in ready-to-use bags.
• Hydroponic nutrients or synthetic nutrients – Made from concentrated mineral salts, these water-soluble formulas come in liquid or powder form that you mix in with soil or dissolve in water. These tend to have a longer shelf life compared to organic alternatives.

What Elements Do Cannabis Plants Need?

The main nutrients for cannabis plants are nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, but there are other micronutrients and minerals that you need to use for optimal plant health and results. The growth cycle of cannabis is relatively simple and they’re divided into three stages:

• Seedling stage – After seed germination in rockwool, seedlings with sprouts are placed into potting soil or coco coir to provide organic seedling nutrition. You don’t need to add any nutrients as it develops baby leaves and small roots.
• Vegetative stage – Once you have a solid root system, the plan will start to grow more leaves—this is when you can begin feeding them your chosen nutrient solution. During the vegetative stage, you need to use high nitrogen, medium phosphorus, and high potassium.
• Flowering stage – Remember that the nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels are different for the vegetative stage and the flowering stage. During the boom phase, you need low nitrogen, high phosphorus, and high potassium.

Just remember that less is more, and you don’t have to increase your dose unless you see signs of a nutrient deficiency or an overdose. Pay attention to what your plant is telling you—if you suspect something is wrong, check out this page of symptoms to diagnose the problems. Here’s a cheat sheet on what ingredients to look for in fertilizers and what they’re for:

Macronutrients:Micronutrients:

• Nitrogen (N) – Increases vegetative growth.
• Phosphorus (P) – Helps nutrient uptake and photosynthesis.
• Potassium (K) – Builds resistance and energy.

Secondary nutrients:

• Magnesium (Mag) – Improves light absorption.
• Calcium (Ca) – Increases cellular growth.
• Sulphur (S) – Boosts hormone and vitamin production
• Zinc (Zn) – Aids in chlorophyll production.
• Iron (Fe) –  Produces enzymes, photosynthesis, and chlorophyll.
• Manganese (Mn) – Involved in chlorophyll regulation.
• Chlorine (Cl) – Helps cellular division and foliage growth.
• Copper (Cu) – Stabilizes root development.
• Cobalt (Co) – Boosts nitrogen absorption.
• Silicon (Si) – Balances iron and magnesium levels.
• Molybdenum (Mo) – Transforms nitrate into ammonium.
• Boron (B) – Boosts calcium absorption.

What Is NPK?

Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are the base nutrients for weed that help it establish a root system and stimulate bud growth. NPK nutrients for weed are essential to their development during the vegetative state all the way to flowering. However, the nutrient ratio has to change depending on what phase your plant is in and whether it has any nutrient deficiencies or not. Here’s everything there is to know about NPK and how to tell whether you lack a certain element or use it more than necessary.

Nitrogen

This is one of the most crucial elements during the vegetative stage of weed growth. The amino acids found in nitrogen are a source of proteins and building blocks for the cannabis plant. These typically come from the production of chlorophyll, and photosynthesis cannot occur without it. When you have the right nitrogen level, you’ll have a strong plant that knows how to direct its energy to the parts that matter.

• High Nitrogen: Bottom foliage changes colour from green to dark green.
• Low Nitrogen: Yellowing leaves from the bottom up.

Phosphorus

Phosphorus functions to give a much-needed boost in nutrient uptake and maximize absorption, which allows the plant to move energy from the roots to the buds. Its importance lies in making sure the plant has enough strength to fight pests and other health issues.

• High Phosphorus: Old leaves curl and get brown spots.
• Low Phosphorus: Purple veins on the stems and leaves change to dark colours.

Potassium

Potassium helps your plants regulate oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon which is essential to your plant’s ability to use its stored energy. Without enough potassium, the leaves will start wrinkling up and yellowing from the edges because it can’t breathe. If you aren’t careful, the root zone can get acidic and trigger root rot.

• High Potassium: Lower leaves curl and get brown spots.
• Low Potassium: Leaves turn rusty and have a burnt appearance.

What Are Good Homemade Nutrients For Weed Plants?

Household nutrients for weed plants make a great addition to your soil if you’re working within a budget. If you want to learn how to add nutrients to soil for weed, you can check out tutorial videos on YouTube for super soil mixtures and combinations. Plants grown in soil use organic nutrients in the form of soil blends and you can use the following examples as additives and buffers:

• Manure
• Wood ash
• Clay pebbles
• Bat guano
• Blood meal
• Fish meal
• Bone meal
• Epsom salts
• Dolomite lime

Basic Growing Tips

It’s time for you to practice the techniques and knowledge you’ve learned from experienced cannabis growers! But in case you still have questions about what to do for each stage of plant growth, here are some basic growing pro-tips to follow:

• Pick a strain that suits your climate or setup—look for examples online to see how resilient the genetics are.
• Follow the nutrient feeding schedule as indicated on the label or company website.
• General rule of thumb is to use only 1/4 to 1/2 of the recommended nutrient dosage.
• Growing in soils is more forgiving than hydroponics because they help delay any negative effects.
• Underfeeding is better than overfeeding for producing better yields and taste.
• Use a water PH level pen—this handy device checks for the right PH levels in your water. The ideal level for nutrient uptake is between 5.8 to 6.5.
• Use a PPM meter measure to achieve the correct nutrient levels and nutrient ratios when mixing.
• Your base nutrients are different from supplements, and you don’t always need to use both.
• Supplements come in low doses of specific nutrients that are safer to use for nutrient deficiency.
• For a large grow, you can measure by the gallon using buckets before pouring everything into your reservoir.
• Always read the labels to learn about proper applications and proportions for each kind of product.
• Be wary of the health risks involved in using synthetic fertilizers, and always wear protective gear.

Conclusion

Congratulations, you’ve finally made it to the end of the article! We covered a majority of the info you need to get on the right track, and now you can move onto gaining experience. Don’t forget, though, you’ll need to pick appropriate grow lights and ventilation systems to get the most out of your grow!

Thanks to the best cannabis nutrients, anyone can grow some proper pot if they put their heart and mind to it. Take control of your grow with the best nutrients for weed and we guarantee you’ll achieve majestic marijuana plants in no time!

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