Nutrients
ChatGPT said:
For Sativa plants, proper nutrient balance is crucial for healthy growth, high yields, and potent cannabinoids. Here’s a breakdown of the essential nutrients needed throughout different growth stages:
1. Primary Nutrients (Macronutrients)
These are the most important for Sativa plants:
Nitrogen (N) – Vegetative Growth
Supports leaf & stem development.
Deficiency: Yellowing leaves, slow growth.
Sources:
Organic: Blood meal, fish emulsion, compost tea
Synthetic: Veg-specific nutrients (NPK 3-1-2 or 5-2-2)
Phosphorus (P) – Root & Flower Development
Essential for root strength and bud formation.
Deficiency: Stunted growth, purple stems.
Sources:
Organic: Bone meal, bat guano, rock phosphate
Synthetic: Bloom nutrients (NPK 1-5-4 or 0-10-10)
Potassium (K) – Overall Plant Health & Bud Density
Improves resistance to stress, trichome production, and bud quality.
Deficiency: Brown leaf edges, weak stems.
Sources:
Organic: Wood ash, kelp meal, banana peel tea
Synthetic: NPK with high K ratio (0-5-10 or 2-7-15)
2. Secondary Nutrients (Micronutrients & Additives)
While needed in smaller amounts, these are essential for maximizing Sativa growth:
Calcium (Ca) – Strengthens cell walls (Use dolomite lime, gypsum).
Magnesium (Mg) – Essential for chlorophyll production (Use Epsom salt, Cal-Mag supplements).
Sulfur (S) – Aids enzyme activity (Use langbeinite, gypsum).
3. Feeding Schedule (General Guide for Sativa Strains)
Growth Stage N-P-K Ratio (Synthetic) Organic Nutrients
Seedling Light 2-1-2 Compost tea, mycorrhizae
Veg Stage 4-2-3 or 5-2-2 Blood meal, fish emulsion
Pre-Flower 3-5-4 or 2-5-5 Bone meal, bat guano
Flowering 1-5-4 or 0-10-10 Kelp meal, wood ash
Late Flower 0-5-10 or 0-7-15 Molasses, banana tea
4. Organic Boosters for Resin & Terpenes
Unsulfured Blackstrap Molasses – Provides carbohydrates and micronutrients.
Seaweed/Kelp Extract – Enhances stress resistance and terpene production.
Aloe Vera & Coconut Water – Supports microbial life and nutrient uptake.
5. Water & pH Considerations
Optimal pH for Sativa in Soil: 6.0 – 7.0
Optimal pH for Sativa in Hydroponics: 5.5 – 6.5
Always adjust pH after mixing nutrients to prevent lockout.
Would you like a specific DIY nutrient recipe or a feeding chart for your setup?
You said:
I sprouted and then potted using miracle grow
Miracle-Gro soil contains slow-release fertilizers, which can make nutrient management tricky for Sativa plants. Here’s what you need to keep in mind:
### 1. **Nutrient Considerations with Miracle-Gro**
– **Pre-Fertilized Soil**: Miracle-Gro already contains synthetic nutrients, primarily nitrogen-heavy, which can cause nutrient burn if additional feeding is done too early.
– **Slow-Release Formulation**: Nutrients release over time, so supplementing should be done cautiously, especially during the vegetative stage.
– **pH Management**: Check the soil pH regularly, as Miracle-Gro can sometimes drift toward an imbalanced pH.
### 2. **Feeding Strategy**
– **Seedling Stage (First 2-3 Weeks)**: No additional nutrients needed. Just water with pH-balanced water (6.0-7.0 for soil).
– **Vegetative Stage (After 3 Weeks)**: If growth appears healthy, avoid additional feeding. If deficiencies appear, consider a mild supplement like fish emulsion or diluted compost tea.
– **Pre-Flowering & Flowering (4+ Weeks In)**: Miracle-Gro is nitrogen-heavy, so you may need to add phosphorus and potassium boosters (e.g., bat guano, kelp meal, or bloom-specific nutrients). Avoid overfeeding to prevent lockout or burn.
### 3. **Potential Issues with Miracle-Gro**
– **Excess Nitrogen in Flowering**: Can lead to excessive foliage growth at the expense of bud development. You may need to flush the soil later in the cycle.
– **Nutrient Lockout**: If deficiencies appear, check soil pH before adding anything else.
Would you like a recommended amendment plan to adjust for Miracle-Gro’s nutrient balance?