Cannabis Fertilizers & Supplements
Determining the best Cannabis Fertilizers & Supplements for growing cannabis can be a daunting task. This is due to the multitude of options available on the market. While some nutrient lines and supplements excel, others may fall short. It can be challenging to discern which nutrients are truly the best for cannabis cultivation. Whether costly supplements are worth the investment. To help clarify these choices, we offer our recommendations. They are based on our firsthand experience using these products in our own cannabis grows.
When selecting nutrient lines, we advise considering certain factors to ensure optimal results. These factors include nutrient balance, quality ingredients, compatibility with different growth stages, and ease of use. Additionally, we provide insights into the benefits and effectiveness of specific supplements. Helping you make informed decisions regarding their inclusion in your nutrient regimen.
Rest assured that the products we recommend are the ones we personally use in our cannabis grows. Our recommendations are based on real-world experience, ensuring that you can trust their quality and effectiveness.
Fertilizers & Supplements
Base Nutrients
Base nutrients serve as the fundamental building blocks of plant nutrition. It is crucial to select stable nutrients that offer a well-balanced formula and do not necessitate frequent flushing. While there are numerous nutrient lines available, it is essential to carefully examine their recommended feeding schedules. It is advisable to steer clear of nutrient lines that require high electrical conductivity (EC) levels or regular flushing. These practices can potentially disrupt the plant’s nutrient uptake and overall health. By choosing base nutrients that provide stability and balance, you can lay a solid foundation for successful plant growth and development.
General Hydroponics Flora Trio
We personally utilize and highly recommend the General Hydroponics Flora Trio for growing cannabis in coco. These nutrients are well-balanced and specifically formulated to cater to the needs of cannabis plants. It is worth noting that General Hydroponics Europe offers two versions of Flora Micro. One for hard water and another for soft water. When growing cannabis in coco, it is crucial to select the soft water version. The hard water version may lack adequate calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) levels required for optimal plant growth. Ensure you choose the appropriate version based on the water type you are using. Ensuring you provide your plants with the essential nutrients they need.
Cal-Mag Supplement
This is an absolute requirement for both buffering coco and mixing with nutrient solutions. For information on the importance of using CalMag in your nutrient solution see our article titled, “The Importance of using CalMag in Coco“.
General Hydroponics CaliMagic
It is highly recommended to utilize the Cal/Mag supplement provided by the same nutrient supplier as your base nutrients. This ensures compatibility and balance within your nutrient regimen. If your chosen nutrient supplier does not offer a dedicated Cal/Mag supplement beware. This could indicates that their products may not be specifically designed for use in coco coir growing medium. Opting for a nutrient supplier that provides a Cal/Mag supplement tailored for use in coco coir will help ensure that your plants receive the necessary calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) levels required for healthy growth in this specific growing medium.
Silicon
Silicon provides remarkable advantages to cannabis plants. While it is not typically included in base nutrients and does not naturally occur in coco coir, we strongly recommend incorporating a Silicon Supplement into your regimen. If you can only afford to add one supplement to your routine after the base nutrients and Cal-Mag, Silicon should be your top choice. Its application offers substantial benefits and plays a crucial role in enhancing plant structure, strength, and overall resilience. Investing in a Silicon Supplement can significantly contribute to the health and vitality of your cannabis plants.
General Hydroponics Armor SI
Silicon generally does not cause adverse reactions when used alongside other nutrients. This means it is not necessary to obtain it from the same supplier as your base nutrients. However, it is important to note that Silicon supplementation can notably increase the pH of your nutrient solution. Therefore, caution should be exercised when handling it, as it possesses high alkalinity. Paying careful attention to safety protocols while handling Silicon is crucial to prevent any potential harm.
Bloom Booster
During the flowering stage, cannabis plants exhibit enhanced growth with higher levels of potassium (K) and phosphorus (P), while requiring lower levels of nitrogen (N). Base nutrients alone may not provide solutions with sufficiently high ratios of P and K to N. This is where Bloom Boosters come into play. Working in conjunction with base nutrients, Bloom Boosters elevate the levels of phosphorus and potassium in the nutrient solution. By incorporating Bloom Boosters, flowering is stimulated, essential oil production is enhanced, and both yield and quality are improved. The use of Bloom Boosters during the flowering stage is an effective strategy. They help to optimize the growth and development of cannabis plants.
General Hydroponics Liquid Kool Bloom
I personally utilize and highly recommend Liquid KoolBloom as a Bloom Booster. However, it is crucial to exercise caution when dosing it, as KoolBloom has a potent impact on electrical conductivity (EC). Regrettably, I have yet to discover a suitable substitute for Liquid KoolBloom in the UK market. In such cases, I would advise against mixing different nutrient lines and instead suggest forgoing a Bloom Booster altogether to maintain consistency within your nutrient regimen.
Humic Acids
Humic acids are soluble compounds derived from organic matter present in soil. They hold great significance in plant nutrition as they enhance nutrient absorption during fertigation processes. Since coco coir does not naturally contain soluble organic matter, incorporating a humic acid supplement becomes essential to reap the benefits they offer. By adding humic acid as a supplement, you can ensure improved nutrient uptake and utilization by your plants, compensating for the lack of soluble organic matter in coco coir.
General Hydroponics Diamond Nectar
We use and recommend General Hydroponics Diamond Nectar. In the UK, the comparable product is called “Diamond Black”.
Root Enhancer
Root enhancers help promote root development and branching.
General Hydroponics RapidStart
While Rapidstart can be quite costly, it is understandable to skip it if you are working with a limited budget. However, it is worth noting that Rapidstart does play a significant role in promoting the development of a robust and healthy root mass. If you do decide to invest in Rapidstart, it is advisable to keep the plastic stopper that comes with the bottle and reuse it for subsequent applications. This practice ensures a secure and airtight seal, maintaining the quality and efficacy of the product over time.
We use and recommend General Hydroponics Diamond Nectar. In the UK, the comparable product is called “Diamond Black”.
Wetting Agent/Surfactants
Wetting agents reduce the surface tension of the water. In coco, this is important to promote the lateral movement of water in the media.
RAW Yucca Powder
Given the unavailability of SM-90, I have turned to using RAW yucca powder as a suitable alternative. Yucca serves as an excellent wetting agent and brings additional benefits to the plants, including improved adaptability to climate variations and increased resistance to pathogens. It’s important to note that the required doses for yucca powder are incredibly small. I typically use 1/8 teaspoon per 5 gallons of water. To ensure accurate measurements, I recommend measuring out 1/8 teaspoon and dividing it into five equal piles. Once you have a sense of the appropriate amount, you can simply estimate a pinch without the need for precise measurements. While exact precision isn’t crucial, it is still advisable to aim for a reasonably close dosage for optimal results.
Anti-Bacterial
When operating an Auto-Watering System with a reservoir, it becomes essential to employ an additional product to effectively manage anaerobic bacteria. There are two viable approaches to address this concern. The first method involves adopting a sterile approach by introducing Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) into the nutrient solution. This helps to control the growth of anaerobic bacteria within the reservoir. Alternatively, you can opt to include beneficial bacteria, which will out-compete and suppress the harmful bacteria, effectively limiting their proliferation. Both approaches are considered effective strategies to mitigate the growth of anaerobic bacteria in the reservoir, ensuring a healthier and more balanced environment for your plants.
Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide
When using H2O2 (Hydrogen Peroxide), it is crucial to acquire food-grade H2O2. This designation is important because lower grades, such as pharmaceutical H2O2, often contain stabilizers that are unsuitable for use in nutrient solutions. It is strongly recommended to use only food-grade H2O2 for this purpose.
Full-strength food-grade H2O2 typically has a concentration of around 35%. However, for safety reasons, it is commonly diluted to 12%. It is important to handle even the diluted 12% solution with care, as it is significantly stronger than the 3% H2O2 used in First Aid applications. When using 28-35% H2O2, the recommended dosage is 2.5ml per gallon. If you are working with 12% H2O2, it is advisable to double the dosage accordingly.
When incorporating H2O2 into the nutrient solution, it should be added as the last step, just before introducing the nutrient solution to the reservoir. H2O2 does not have an impact on electrical conductivity (EC) or pH levels.
We recommend purchasing H2O2 locally, preferably from hydroponic stores, as they often offer better prices compared to online sources.
Botanicare Hydroguard
Hydroguard is an alternative to Hydrogen Peroxide. Rather than killing all bacteria and creating a sterile reservoir, this product supplies an army of beneficial bacteria, which will out-compete the bad bacteria.
Flushing Agent
General Hydroponics Flora Kleen
Flushing agents play a crucial role in minimizing the water requirements for the flushing process. Additionally, they can assist in addressing nutrient lockout issues through a simple rinse instead of a full-fledged flush. When encountering nutrient-related problems during the growth cycle, incorporating a flushing agent can expedite and simplify the process for both growers and plants. By utilizing a flushing agent, you can effectively enhance the efficiency of nutrient solution management and alleviate nutrient-related challenges that may arise during cultivation.
Mother Plant Fertilizers
The nutritional needs of mother plants, which are maintained for clone production, differ significantly from those of plants intended for regular production. Mother plants benefit from a specific nutrient balance that entails lower levels of nitrogen and potassium. This balanced approach helps prevent excessive vegetative growth (leggy growth) and enhances the carbon to nitrogen ratio. By achieving this nutrient balance, mother plants can store higher amounts of carbohydrates in their leaves and stems. These stored carbohydrates play a crucial role in root development during the cloning process.
Conversely, excessive nitrogen application to mother plants can result in rapid growth, depleting the carbohydrate reserves and yielding thin and weak cell walls. Therefore, it is important to maintain an appropriate nutrient balance for mother plants, ensuring that their carbohydrate stores remain intact and supporting healthy rooting during the cloning phase.
Hydrodynamics Two-Part Mother Plant Fertilizer
For growers regularly involved in cloning, we highly recommend the use of Hydrodynamics’ two-part Mother Plant Fertilizer. Specifically formulated for mother plants, this fertilizer offers a balanced nutrient composition featuring low levels of nitrogen and potassium, while providing elevated levels of phosphorus and calcium. The carefully designed nutrient element ratio supports the development of ample carbohydrate stores within the plants and fosters the maintenance of healthy cell walls.
By employing Hydrodynamics’ two-part Mother Plant Fertilizer, you can ensure that your mother plants receive the optimal nutrient balance required to promote robust growth, carbohydrate accumulation, and the production of strong and resilient cell structures. This specialized formulation is an excellent choice for maintaining healthy mother plants and facilitating successful cloning endeavors.
Mother Plant Fertilizer Part A
Mother Plant Fertilizer Part B
Measuring Nutrients
10ml Oral Syringes
In my personal opinion, there is no superior method for measuring and mixing nutrients than utilizing small oral syringes. I find it highly effective to assign one syringe to each nutrient product and securely attach them to the respective bottles using Velcro. These syringes are designed to measure in both milliliters and teaspoons, allowing for precise measurements, even in fractions of a milliliter. The US and UK sets typically include 10 syringes, while the Canadian options may differ. However, the recommended option is an 8-pack of curved tip syringes, which offers great value for Canadian growers. For any grower involved in nutrient mixing, I strongly believe that these small oral syringes are an essential investment. They simplify the process, ensure accuracy, and contribute to achieving optimal nutrient solutions.
Ph & EC/Ppm Tools
For information on these EC and pH see the following articles:
- Setting EC Targets
- Managing EC Using Run-off
- Measuring and Adjusting pH
- Fertilizers, Micro-Nutrients, and pH
pH Meter
The measurement of pH involves a sensitive and sophisticated technology. While there may be numerous inexpensive pH meters available in the market, it is important to note that these cheaper options often lack durability and reliability. Although you don’t necessarily need the most expensive models, investing in a quality pH meter is certainly worth considering.
By opting for a reliable and accurate pH meter, you can ensure precise pH measurements, which are essential for maintaining optimal nutrient solutions and providing the best growing conditions for your plants. While higher-quality pH meters may come at a slightly higher cost, their durability and accuracy will offer long-term benefits and reliable performance. Investing in a quality pH meter is a prudent decision that ensures accurate monitoring and adjustment of pH levels throughout your growing process. The importance of setting the proper pH is examined in our article titled, “Measuring and Adjusting pH“.
Bluelab PENPH pH Pen
I have personally utilized and highly recommend the Bluelabs pH meter. This pH meter stands out due to its user-friendly interface, reliability, and accuracy. I have been using this pH meter for over two years, and it has consistently delivered precise readings without requiring frequent calibration. Additionally, it includes small jars of calibration fluid, which provide convenience compared to the traditional powder form. The Bluelabs pH meter strikes a great balance between quality and price, making it an excellent choice for pH monitoring in home cannabis cultivation.
pH Control Kit
Ensuring proper pH adjustment of your nutrient solution is absolutely crucial. Having a reliable method to adjust the pH is an essential requirement for successful plant growth. We highly recommend using a product specifically designed and engineered for this task. These pH adjustment products offer significant pH correction capabilities with minimal dosage requirements. Moreover, they have a minimal impact on the electrical conductivity (EC) of the nutrient solution, allowing for precise control over pH levels without adversely affecting the overall nutrient balance. Investing in a pH adjustment product tailored for this purpose is vital for maintaining optimal pH levels in your nutrient solution and supporting healthy plant development.
General Hydroponics pH Control Kit
In the US and Canada, we have provided a link to the General Hydroponics pH Control Kit, which includes both pH up and pH down solutions. Additionally, the kit includes a color test kit for pH measurement. This comprehensive kit equips you with all the necessary tools to effectively manage the pH of your nutrient solution. While we recommend using a pH meter (mentioned below) for more accurate and precise pH measurements, the color test kit serves as a valuable tool for periodic verification.
By using the General Hydroponics pH Control Kit, you can confidently regulate and maintain the pH levels of your nutrient solution, ensuring an optimal growing environment for your plants.
pH Calibration Solution
As a user, it is important to understand that all pH meters will require calibration at some point to maintain their accuracy. The Apera pH meter we recommended earlier includes convenient small bottles of calibration fluid that are sufficient for multiple grow cycles. This eliminates the hassle of dealing with calibration powders, which can be challenging to mix accurately.
To ensure reliable pH measurements and avoid using an inaccurate meter, it is highly advised to acquire pH calibration fluid and learn the proper calibration procedures. By regularly calibrating and maintaining your pH meter, you can ensure consistent and precise readings, enabling effective monitoring and adjustment of pH levels in your nutrient solutions. Investing time in learning how to keep your pH meter accurately calibrated with the help of calibration fluid is a worthwhile endeavor for successful cannabis cultivation.
Electrical Conductivity (EC)
Accurate measurement of Electric
al Conductivity (EC) is crucial for effectively managing your fertigation strategy and determining the strength of your nutrient solution. Fortunately, the technology involved in measuring EC is relatively straightforward, meaning that you do not necessarily need to splurge on an expensive meter. However, if you do opt for a dedicated EC meter, it is important to note that the water being measured should ideally be at a similar temperature to that which is applied to the plants, typically around 68°F (20°C).
By investing in an EC meter or utilizing alternative methods of measuring EC, you can ensure precise monitoring of nutrient solution strength. This information is invaluable for adjusting your fertigation strategy and maintaining optimal nutrient levels for your plants. Remember to take temperature into account when measuring EC to obtain accurate and reliable readings for effective nutrient management.
Bluelab Truncheon Nutrient Meter
The BlueLabs Truncheon Pole nutrient meter allow you to quickly monitor for precise up and down adjustment of your nutrient (TDS) level in solution to maximize your grow and ensure plants get the balanced feed they need; Measures while mixing nutrients in your tank. General uses include gardening, hydroponics growing tent and reservoir. Comes factory calibrated (no calibration required) and is fully waterproof; Automatic Temperature Compensation provides consistent reading regardless of any fluctuations in temperature. Combine with pH tester and other meters for full garden nutrients monitoring in water. Other features include auto off function, no buttons or switches; The kit includes AA batteries and Truncheon case.
EC/PPM meter
The meter I personally use is the BlueLabs Truncheon Pole, but this meter is pricy so if you are not ready to invest in this meter here is a low-cost alternative that does the basics very well. I have conducted thorough accuracy checks and comparisons with other meters, and this meter has consistently delivered reliable performance throughout testing.
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Growing Cannabis
- Cannabis Seeds
- Fertilizers & Supplements
- Propagation Supplies
- Plant Training & Care
- Harvest & Processing
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About Our Product Recommendations
Here at 420 Grow Help, our primary goal is to assist growers in achieving the utmost success with their cannabis crops by providing accurate scientific information and sharing proven cultivation techniques. The products we recommend are the very ones we have personally chosen to purchase and use ourselves. We maintain a strict policy of not accepting sponsorships or advertising, and we only endorse products that meet our own high standards. For detailed product recommendations, please refer to our Product and Equipment Guide.
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Disclaimer:
The information presented on 420GrowHelp.com should not be regarded as financial, legal, or medical advice. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with and abide by the local laws and regulations pertaining to the cultivation, possession, and use of cannabis. Decisions regarding cannabis cultivation should be made in consultation with a lawyer or qualified legal advisor, while decisions regarding cannabis use should be made in consultation with a doctor or medical professional.
