Cannabis Sativa is a well-known plant throughout the globe due to its nutritional, medicinal, and industrial benefits. However, its good growth, development, and high-quality production require the right care and management practices. Cannabis plants have high optimal nutritional requirements, and these nutrients must be supplied by safe, and good quality external sources to avoid any negative effect on growing plants and the environment. Growers can choose the best available organic and inorganic nutrients according to cannabis variety, prevailing environmental conditions, soil type, and physical, chemical, and biological health of the soil.
Macronutrients for Cannabis
Cannabis requires 3 essential nutrients (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium) for optimal growth and development. These nutrients are provided in the form of single or compound fertilizers, but an optimal ratio of N, P, and K must be maintained in the soil system or other types of growing media. Usually, these nutrients are required in the higher concentrations and must be applied in the recommended amounts at different growth, and developmental stages of plants to avoid any adverse effects or direct death of plants.
Cannabis requires 3 essential nutrients (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium) for optimal growth and development.
Moreover, the cannabis plant also needs secondary micronutrients such as Calcium, Magnesium, and Sulphur for their survival and metabolic reactions. Calcium plays a significant role in the development of the cell wall and helps to improve water penetration and nutrient intake by reducing soil salinity. While magnesium has a key role in carbohydrate metabolism and photosynthetic processes. Moreover, it also helps to stabilize the cell walls of plants, and thus plants can survive and grow better.
Sulfur is essentially important for the production of vitamins, enzymes, amino acids, proteins, and chlorophyll. Therefore, it plays an important role in all the growth and developmental processes of plants. Moreover, healthy plants can fight better against various biotic and abiotic stresses. The provision of the right number of fertilizers at right time and from the right sources is greatly beneficial to improve plant vigor and immunity.
Micronutrients for Cannabis
Other than macronutrients cannabis plants also need an optimal amount of micronutrients such as zinc, molybdenum, manganese, iron, copper, chlorine, and boron. These nutrients also have a good contribution to the growth, developmental, and metabolic reactions of cannabis and plants will not be able to produce vigorous growth and healthy produce without their optimal application.
Growth Enhancers for Cannabis
Growth enhancers are the specific amendments or products mainly intended to improve plant growth, and health by providing essential nutrients and minerals. Typically, these enhancers are added to the soil system, plant surface, or growing environment to supplement plant growth.
Different kinds of growth enhancers are available in the market for cannabis vegetative growth, buds, and flowers, and growers can purchase any enhancer as per the requirements of growing plants. The use of registered and recommended products by agricultural organizations and extension workers helps to protect from various risks and hazards. Usually, the labels of these products are provided with the registration numbers and ISO standardization. These products are properly assessed during the production, and marketing processes and therefore help to produce the desired quality and quantity of cannabis.