As someone who is just beginning their cannabis growing journey, something you might not know about are what all of the nutrients for cannabis are. The simple reality is that cannabis plants require many different nutrients, which can come from organic fertilizers and synthetic sources.
However, the main point of today is that there are both primary nutrients and secondary cannabis nutrients that you need to be aware of. These secondary nutrients are very important for both the vegetative stage and the flowering stage of cannabis growth.
With that being said, you also need to make sure that you don’t give your plants too much of these secondary nutrients, as it can inhibit plant growth and cause cannabis nutrient burn.
Simultaneously however, you need to make sure that you also give your plants more than enough of these primary nutrients and secondary nutrients, or else your marijuana plants may start to suffer from a nutrient deficiency. What it really comes down to is that plant health is directly linked to having the right nutrients, both primary and secondary.
Secondary Nutrients for Cannabis Plants
As you are about to find out, there are many different secondary nutrients that cannabis plants require in order to be healthy and happy. Right now, we’re going to take a look at the 10 most important secondary nutrients that cannabis plants need to survive.
However, we want to do more than just talk about the various secondary nutrients that cannabis plants require for growth, but also what your plans might look like if they aren’t getting enough of these specific nutrients. Let’s take a closer look.
Calcium
Perhaps one of the most important secondary nutrients for cannabis growth is calcium. Calcium is required to provide cannabis plants with stable cell wall structure and strong growth in general. Calcium is also extremely important to have cannabis plants uptake nutrients.
Signs of a Calcium Deficiency
If you’re marijuana plant is suffering from a calcium deficiency, you may notice that the edges and tips of new leaves may be yellow, brown, or even necrotic. Leaves may also develop what is known as blossom end rot, where many of the lower parts of fruits and flowers turn black and brown, and become very dry.
You may also notice that the leaves affected by calcium deficiency are now irregularly shaped and feature distorted growth. If you notice that the plant structure is very weak, then this qualifies as a severe case of calcium deficiency.
Magnesium
Second on the list is magnesium, which is an essential component of chlorophyll, which means that magnesium is required for your cannabis plants to engage in photosynthesis, which is essentially how they grow. Furthermore, magnesium is also an important element for both nutrient uptake and enzyme activation.
Signs of a Magnesium Deficiency
If your marijuana plant has a magnesium deficiency, you may notice what is known as interveinal chlorosis, where the tissue between the veins of the leaf turns yellow, with the veins themselves staying green. This usually appears on the older leaves.
The yellowing can then turn to red or purple discoloration on the tips of the leaves. Leaves may also start to curl upwards or just become very brittle. If the magnesium deficiency is left untreated, it can quickly result in reduced photosynthesis and significant loss of leaves.
Sulfur
We then have the sulfur, which is a crucial component of vitamins, proteins, and amino acids, all of which your marijuana plants need to grow big and strong. Furthermore, sulfur is also very important for the formation of chlorophyll, and for overall plant health.
Signs of a Sulfur Deficiency
If your marijuana plant is suffering from a sulfur deficiency, you might notice that the youngest leaves are yellow or light green, that they are narrow and small, or have a twisted or cupped shape. You might just notice overall bad plant health and reduced growth as well.
Iron
Iron is an essential component of cannabis plant growth. First and foremost, it is an important component of chlorophyll, which is required for photosynthesis.
Iron is involved in the transfer of electrons during the photosynthetic process, plus it is also very important for both nitrogen fixation and enzyme activation. It’s important during both the vegetative stage and the flowering stage of growth.
Signs of an Iron Deficiency
If you notice that your cannabis plant has what is known as interveinal chlorosis, which is where the tissue between the veins turns yellow with the veins themselves remaining green, this is a surefire sign that your cannabis plant has an iron deficiency.
Manganese
We then have manganese, another important mineral that is crucial for enzyme activation and photosynthesis in marijuana plants.
It’s very important for breaking down water during photosynthesis, and it also helps to form proteins, chlorophyll, and amino acids. As you can tell, this particular secondary nutrient is extremely important for all stages of cannabis plant growth.
Signs of a Manganese Deficiency
Distinguishing between an iron deficiency and a manganese deficiency can be somewhat difficult because both often result in what is known as interveinal chlorosis, but with manganese deficiencies, it generally affects younger leaves, whereas in an iron deficiency, the interveinal chlorosis usually affects older leaves.
Zinc
We then have zinc, yet another mineral which is very important for marijuana plant growth, as it helps to form what are known as auxins, a special type of hormone that produces plant growth and other benefits .
Zinc is also involved in both DNA synthesis and enzyme activation, plus it is one of the most important secondary nutrients that a marijuana plant needs for root development and overall growth.
Signs of a Zinc Deficiency
If you notice a combination of symptoms including interveinal chlorosis, very small leaves, and overall stunted growth, your cannabis plant may very well have a zinc nutrient deficiency.
Copper
Copper is yet another one of these extremely important substances that cannabis plants need for effective growth. First and foremost, it is required for various enzyme systems that are involved in plant respiration, photosynthesis, and metabolism. Furthermore, it also plays a crucial role in the formation of lignin overall, copper is a crucial substance for cannabis plants, and without it, they really won’t survive.
Signs of a Copper Deficiency
If you notice that your cannabis plant has reduced growth, is stunted, has distorted leaves with necrosis or necrotic spots, as well as wilting in general, then it is very likely that you are suffering from a copper deficiency.
Boron
Boron is yet another essential element that all cannabis plants need to grow properly. In fact, boron is associated with a variety of processes, including the metabolism of carbohydrates, pollen tube growth, cell wall formation, and more. Even more, boron is also required in marijuana plants to help absorb calcium, which is of course another important mineral.
Signs of a Boron Deficiency
If you see that your cannabis plant has very brittle and distorted leaves, has very poor flower development, and a condition known as bud abortion, which is where buds or flowers usually just stop growing in the middle of their growth, then it is very likely that your cannabis plant is suffering from a boron deficiency.
Molybdenum
We then have molybdenum, which is an important component of the enzymes required by cannabis plants for nitrogen metabolism. As you might know, nitrogen is one of the big three nutrients that cannabis plants require to grow, and without it, they can’t grow properly at all. Molybdenum is essential for converting nitrates into amino acids as well as other organic compounds.
Signs of a Molybdenum Deficiency
If you notice that your cannabis plant seems to be suffering from impaired nitrogen utilization, combined with the older leaves turning yellow, it may very well be a sign that your cannabis plant is suffering from molybdenum deficiency.
Chlorine
Although it might sound odd to say that cannabis plants require chlorine to grow properly, it is actually very important, as it is an essential component of photosynthesis. It is essential for splitting water, plus it also helps to maintain osmotic pressure in plant cells.
Signs of a Chlorine Deficiency
If you see that the tips of the leaves are burned, that the plant is growing poorly in general, and that the leaves are wilted, then it may have a chlorine deficiency.
The Three Essential Nutrients for Cannabis Plants
OK, so we have covered what the ten secondary essential nutrients for cannabis plants are, but of course, there are also three primary nutrients that all marijuana plants need to grow big and strong.
If you want to support healthy plant growth, you need to provide your cannabis plants with the three primary nutrients, nitrogen, phosphorus, and, otherwise known as the NPK nutrients. Let’s take a quick look at each of these three nutrients to see exactly what they do and what the deficiency in those nutrients might look like.
Nitrogen
Nitrogen is one of the most important factors for vegetative growth, overall plant structure, and leaf development. Nitrogen is an important component of chlorophyll, proteins, and amino acids, all three of which are crucial for your cannabis plant and its photosynthetic process.
It’s all about being able to produce energy. If you notice that your plant has stunted growth, that the older leaves at the bottom start turning yellow, and that the leaves are small, there is a very big chance that your marijuana plant is suffering from a nitrogen deficiency.
Phosphorus
The second of the big three nutrients is phosphorus, which is crucial for the storage and transfer of energy within the marijuana plant. Phosphorus is also very important for other roles, such as cell division, photosynthesis, and for the formation of both RNA and DNA.
Phosphorus is essential during the flowering stage, and without it, it’s likely that your cannabis plant won’t grow nice flowers. If you notice that your cannabis plant is not flowering properly, that the buds are small, and that the stems and leaves are reddish or purple, chances are your marijuana plant is suffering from phosphorus deficiency.
Potassium
Finally, we have potassium, which is important during both the vegetative stage and the flowering stage of growth. Potassium is essential for improving disease resistance, developing good cell walls, and for resisting stress. It’s also an essential component in a variety of metabolic processes within the marijuana plant, including the synthesis of proteins and carbohydrates, water regulation, and nutrient uptake.
If you notice that your marijuana plant has brown leaf edges, weak stems, and that the leaves are curling, chances are that it is suffering from a potassium deficiency. If this is the case, providing your plant with some bloom and nutrients is essential, because this potassium is also pretty important for flowering.
Synthetic vs Organic Nutrients for a Cannabis Plant
An issue that many people have with providing their cannabis plants with the proper nutrients is that they don’t know whether to go for synthetic nutrients or organic nutrients. Let’s take a quick look at both.
Synthetic Nutrients
Synthetic nutrients are ideal because they are precisely formulated, so you can have a whole lot of control over concentration and ratios.
Furthermore, synthetic nutrients are designed to be available to plants, so that they are very easy to absorb material there’s also the fact that synthetic nutrients tend to be very pure, stable, and they help control pH levels as well.
Organic Nutrients
You then also have to consider organic nutrients, which are made from natural sources and are much more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Organic nutrients also help to enhance soil health, microbial activity, and the overall structure of the soil.
With organic nutrients, they’re also released very slowly, which helps provide your marijuana plants balanced and steady supply.
Many people also believe that organic nutrients are the best way to enhance both the aroma and flavor of your cannabis plants. Perhaps the biggest advantage however of using organic nutrients is that there is a much lower risk of nutrient burn occurring.
Final Thoughts
There you have it folks, you should now know everything there is to know about providing your cannabis plants with the proper essential secondary nutrients.
