Cannabis. Additives and Nutrients. Outdoor cultivation

In this article, we will detail the importance of nutrients but also of other no less important elements for outdoor growing.

The most important elements are water, sunlight hours and ventilation.

Plants feed on organic matter and through sunlight, which they convert into food, they transform light energy into stable chemical energy.

Basically, the main sources of energy for plants come from the sun, water and carbon dioxide. Therefore, no matter how much fertilizer the plant receives, without the minimum sunlight hours it will not achieve the desired production.

Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium.

In growth, we will have to use fertilizers rich in nitrogen (N), in bloom, rich in phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), avoiding fertilizing during the last two weeks before the harvest.

Even so, throughout the whole cycle, it will need all the nutrients to a greater or lesser extent.

From the moment the growth stops until 2 weeks before harvest, the plant will demand above all phosphorus and potassium.

At the end of flowering, it will feed on its own reserves.

We must be very careful not to provide nutrients in the last 3 weeks because we could lose in a short time what we have achieved for months.

Other elements to take into account:

Trichoderma: The Trichoderma develop above the roots feeding on organic matter. When the organic matter starts decomposition the plant will take advantage of the nutrients obtaining a greater vegetative growth, and at the same time, it prevents it from possible radicular diseases.

Mycorrhizae: Mycorrhizae live in symbiosis with the plant, colonizing the roots and making their mycelium available to increase the capacity of the roots to absorb water and minerals. Mycorrhizae also prevent root diseases and are applied by mixing them both in the substrate and at each transplanting.

Amino acids are also very necessary for the plant either when it is saturated with food or in times of stress or disease. Adding amino acids to the crop will increase chlorophyll production, stimulate growth and promote better absorption of fertilizers.

One of the most important moments for the use of amino acids is 4 weeks before harvest, because although the plant is feeding from its reserves, this contribution will be of great help for the final stage of flowering.

Extracted from José T. Gallego. Softsecrets 2014.Nº 4 Pag. 21-23.