Importance Of Nitrogen For Cannabis Plants
Nitrogen is a crucial nutrient for cannabis plants, playing a pivotal role in their overall health and development. It’s essential for photosynthesis, the growth of leaves, and the production of proteins. However, nitrogen deficiency is a common issue that many growers encounter, which can significantly affect the yield and quality of the plant if not addressed promptly.
Nitrogen is a key component of chlorophyll, the green pigment responsible for photosynthesis, allowing plants to convert light into energy. It also contributes to the growth and development of vital plant structures. In the early stages of growth, cannabis plants are particularly nitrogen-hungry, requiring ample amounts to develop strong stems and lush foliage.
How To Identify A Nitrogen Deficiency
- Yellowing Leaves
- Stunted Growth
- Weak Stems
This is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies found in all cannabis plants, it will start initially in the lower leaves and cause them to turn a pale green color. Following this the leaves will turn yellow and start to die as the new growth in the plant siphons off the remaining nitrogen. Your plant will start to appear droopy and growth will slow.
The nitrogen deficiency will progress steadily up the plant and only the very top of the plant where the new growth is present will it be a vivid green color, the rest of the plant will be wilted and yellow as a result of the nitrogen deficiency.
You also need to know if the deficiency is down to underfeeding or an incorrect soil pH. It is more likely that your pH is incorrect which stops the plant getting the nitrogen it needs.
How To Fix A Nitrogen Deficiency
Maintaining Proper pH Levels
Ensuring the growing medium had the correct pH level is the most important thing. Cannabis plants absorb nitrogen best in slightly acidic conditions, so I aim for a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. If you go outside of this range, your plant will struggle to uptake nitrogen resulting in a deficiency.
Adjusting the Nutrient Solution
The next step, after checking pH, is to adjust the nutrient solution. I ensured it had a higher nitrogen concentration suitable for the vegetative stage of growth. Products labeled as “Grow” or “Vegetative” are typically higher in nitrogen and will help your plants flourish during their vegetative phase.
Monitoring and Adjustment
After adjusting the nutrient solution and pH levels, it is essential to monitor the plants closely. Improvement will be gradual, but within a week, you should notice that the yellowing had stopped, and new growth appears vibrant and healthy.
How To Prevent A Nitrogen Deficiency
Regular Nutrient Checks
To prevent future deficiencies, start to conduct regular checks on the nutrient solutions and soil to ensure they are within the correct ranges for that specific part of the plants life. Examples of this are checking the ppm of your feed. Another good way to keep an eye on the pH of the medium is to collect some run off after watering and check the pH.
Additional Information
While this article is focusing on a lack of nitrogen, you should be aware that an excess of nitrogen is not good for your plant either. It will produce a more plump greener plant, however it will be more vulnerable to diseases and pests. Furthermore the stalks will lose flexibility and begin to turn brittle.
Any high quality soil or cannabis friendly nutrients should provide you with all the nitrogen you need so if you are using both of these and still experiencing yellowing leaves then you should start looking into other deficiencies because it may not be a nitrogen one. If you have not been using any additional nutrients or high quality soil then you should acquire a nitrogen booster so that you can enrich your plants feed to the required level.
It is also normal to see a small amount of yellowing leaves on a large cannabis plant so do not be too hasty to diagnose your plant with a nitrogen deficiency as that could result in you giving it too much nitrogen.
When enter the flowering stage you can worry less about your plants nitrogen levels. A slight nitrogen deficiency is actually ideal during this stage. High levels of nitrogen can prevent proper budding and also reduce the smell and taste of your final product.
