I’m a little worried that I may be over-fertilizing my plants. Can too much fertilizer harm my cannabis plants, and if so, what are the symptoms to look out for?
One answer “Can too much fertilizer harm my cannabis plants?”
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Over-fertilizing your cannabis plants can have drastic consequences for your plants, and even potentially ruin your entire crop. Unfortunately, this is a common mistake that inexperienced gardeners make and can lead to many on-going issues.
The most common symptom of over-fertilization is nutrient burn, which is marked by yellow or brown discoloration of the leaves. The edges of the leaves will start to look brown and crispy and this is a good indication that the plant has received too much fertilizer. Too much nitrogen can also cause the leaves to appear overly-dark green and can even cause new growth to be stunted. In some cases, overwatering in combination with over-fertilizing can cause stem rot or root rot, which can be fatal for your plants.
To avoid over-fertilizing, it’s important to make sure you’re using the right fertilizer for your particular strain of cannabis. Different types of fertilizer may require different application rates; some may need to be applied more often than others. Additionally, make sure you’re using the correct amounts of fertilizer for the size of your plants. If you’re using a liquid fertilizer, you should use half the prescribed amount for young and small plants, as they require less fertilizer than larger, mature plants.
When it comes time to fertilize, always start with a small amount of the recommended fertilizer and then gradually increase the dose as your plants grow. This way, you’ll be able to continually monitor the reaction of your plants to the fertilizer and adjust the amount accordingly.
It’s also important to remember that your plants don’t need fertilizer all the time. During certain growth stages, your plants may not need any additional nutrients. During the vegetative growth stage, for example, your plants may not need any additional fertilizer, as they’re already receiving plenty of nutrients from the growing medium.
Finally, always pay attention to your plants’ reactions to the fertilizer. If you do notice an issue such as nutrient burn, stop fertilizing for a few weeks and then start again, this time using half the recommended dose.
Over-fertilizing your cannabis plants can have disastrous consequences. To avoid this, be sure to use the correct fertilizer for your particular strain, always start with smaller doses and gradually increase, and pay close attention to your plants’ reactions. With a bit of time and practice, you’ll be able to get the fertilizing levels just right, and your plants will be healthy and thriving.