The third week is when things get hairy for a soil grow. Your plants look great, and you’re freaking out that they’ve been drowning, or starving; underneath the surface. Should I add more nutrients? Will that make things better, or worse? Don’t worry, it’s normal to hesitate. With soil cultivation, it’s less about chemistry and more about rhythm. Remember: Plants breathes through their leaves, and they also breathe through their roots. Trust the routine, and don’t deviate from the feeding schedule.
Most growers make dangerous assumption that maximum nutrients lead to maximum yield. The bacteria and fungi in the soil need oxygen to live. “If you dump on heavy salts every day, you suffocate them. That’s why the chart says feed-feed-water. The third watering isn’t time off. It is a crucial maintenance step to flush away built-up salts so they don’t cause toxicity that blocks nutrient uptake. Let soil breathe. Otherwise your plants will exhibit yellowing leaves and stunted growth.
How to Feed Your Plants in Soil
Once in their first stages of vegetative growth, it’s all about getting those roots established. That’s when products such as Voodoo Juice realy come into play, promoting colonization by beneficial bacteria in the root zone. These beneficials increases the root surface area capable of taking up nutrients. As your plants reaches the peak of vegetative development, silica support begins to ramp up, strengthening cell walls for greater resistance to both environmental stresses and pests. Strong stems is vital for supporting the big blooms they’ll bear later.
As soon as the plant starts flowering it switches gears in terms of nutrition. Potassium and phosphorus increases to feed buds; nitrogen decreases. Boosters such as Overdrive and Big Bud are meant to increase yield at certain stages of accelerated growth. But you can’t add these boosters too early or they’ll burn your plants. You also shouldn’t add them too late or waste nutrients. The schedule outlines exact markers for adding boosters to ensure they align with the plant’s biology. It takes away any mystery from an otherwise dicey attempt.
If you’re growing in soil, it’s still important to test both EC and pH. While hydroponic systems buffer changes better than soil, the soil does absorbs them a bit. For most types of cannabis, a target range is between pH 6 and 7. When inside those boundaries, the plant will be able to obtain any minerals it needs. Outside of these ranges, some of its needed nutrition won’t be available. This results in what appears to be disease, deficiencies caused by chemical locks. Test regularly so you can adjust accordingly before permanent damage happen.
In the last week of the grow, the plants is prepared to be harvested. To get rid of any residual salts left on the plant tissue, we use products such as Flawless Finish to flush out the system. This will improve the smell and taste of your final product. Clean flushing produces quality buds with a smoother smoke that doesn’t have a harsh chemical aftertaste; it’s just pure.
Mastering soil cultivation is a process of trial-and-error, of learning by watching the plants’ reactions to changes in care, including feedings. Don’t be afraid to take notes. Don’t expect every solution that worked for you in a similar location to be successful in another spot. Humidity, temperature, and light levels differs. The chart above is a good starting point, but follow your own observations and experience, your hands and eyes are the ultimate guides. Begin gently: Follow through on the routine of regular waterings, and don’t feed too much! Give plants what they want, when they want it, and then enjoy the rewards of heavy bloom and strong plant growth.