Cannabis plants, like all plants, require a range of chemical elements, both macro and micro, for successful growth.
Here are the 17 essential chemical elements necessary for successful cannabis cultivation:



Macronutrients:



Nitrogen(N): Essential for vegetative growth, chlorophyll production, and overall plant health.



Phosphorus(P): Important for root development, flowering, and fruiting.



Potassium(K): Supports overall plant health, regulates water uptake, and aids in flowering and fruiting.



Calcium(Ca): Crucial for cell wall structure and integrity.



Magnesium(Mg): A component of chlorophyll and essential for photosynthesis.



Sulfur(S): Necessary for the formation of amino acids and proteins.



Micronutrients:



Iron(Fe): Required for chlorophyll synthesis and overall plant growth.



Manganese(Mn): Essential for photosynthesis, nitrogen metabolism, and enzyme activation.


Zinc(Zn): Aids in enzyme function and hormone production.



Copper(Cu): Important for various enzymatic reactions.



Boron(B): Critical for cell wall formation, flowering, and fruiting.



Molybdenum(Mo): Necessary for nitrogen utilization in plants.



Chlorine(Cl): Involved in photosynthesis and osmotic regulation.



Nickel(Ni): Essential for some enzymatic processes.

Non-mineral Elements: (Mother Nature Supplied)



Carbon(C): Obtained from carbon dioxide (CO2) during photosynthesis, it's essential for the production of organic compounds.



Hydrogen(H): Obtained from water (H2O) during photosynthesis, it's essential for building organic molecules.



Oxygen(O): Also derived from water and carbon dioxide during photosynthesis, it's essential for respiration and organic compound formation.

Plants can defend themselves against infections, viruses, pathogens and other disease-causing organisms by stimulating the receptors that recognize pathogen molecules, triggering a long-lasting defense responses. This triggered response is called Systemic Acquired Resistance (SAR).

Salicylic Acid (SA) is the endogenous signal responsible for the activation of SAR, which ultimately provides for a healthier plant with thicker cell walls and a more robust root foundation, improving the plant’s ability to recognize and defend against these invaders. SA also acts as a stimulant or transmitter of the cell to withstand environmental stress conditions such as dryness, coldness, heat and increases the plant’s ability to withstand salt stress.

Cannabis growers have various grow media options – the four most popular being Soil, Coco Coir, Rockwool and fully Hydroponic. Each substrate has its pros and cons, so you need to pick the one that best suits your facilities environment & capabilities. All of the above grow media are effective and used regularly in the cannabis marketplace. One is not better than the other. It really comes down to what your specific growing needs and goals require and matching them with the best grow medium. Soil is the easiest and most “natural” way to grow; Coco & Rockwool will accommodate a more confident, hands on grower who wants to upgrade their process and yields; Hydroponic growing will offer faster growth with higher yields,, but requires the most attention/work.

An A/B feeding uses 2 different macro nutrients to feed your plants in both their “Vegetative" phase and their “Flowering” phase. The reason for an A/B regimen is to keep Phosphorous separate from Calcium, as these two inputs are not compatible. When they are mixed in the same solution tank, they will combine and fallout of solution, making them unavailable to the plant and clogging water emitters in the process. So the “A” will typically be a Nitrogen/Calcium-centric formula, referred to as the “Base”, and the “B” will typically be a Phosphorous/Potassium-centric formula with micros included.

Biostimulants are substances or microorganisms that are used in agriculture to enhance soil composition, plant growth, yield, and stress tolerance. They differ from traditional fertilizers in that they don't provide essential nutrients but instead stimulate plant physiological processes by enhancing microbial activity that stimulates and improves nutrient uptake. Seaweed Extract, Beneficial Bacteria and Mycorrhizae fungi are just a few examples.

It's important to note that the effectiveness of biostimulants can vary depending on the specific inputs used and the growing conditions, so careful selection and application are crucial.

Although feeding your plants a basic A/B macronutrient program should yield success, supplements help to increase desired outcomes, such as terpene development and increased yields, and can also help correct disorders within your plant. The best and most efficient way to amend nutrient deficiencies is through tissue and sap testing with a lab. If that isn’t an option, then listening/looking at your plant is your best indicator. There are multiple online sites that can help steer you to the right diagnosis, but sometimes it’s hard to tell a Calcium deficiency from a Zinc deficiency. Sometimes you can diagnose specific disorders based where they develop on the plant because there are 2 kinds of nutrients: mobil and immobile. Mobile nutrients, such as N, P, K, typically show up in the older leaves nearer the bottom of the plant. Immobile nutrients, like Calcium & Iron, remain where they are initially deposited in the cell walls and will show up in newer growth leaves, or toward the top of the plant, as they can’t access nutrients stored in older plant tissue.

Nutrient Availability: Nutrients need to be in a soluble form to be taken up by plant roots. If they are not soluble, plants cannot access them, leading to nutrient deficiencies and poor growth.

Precision and Control: Fertigation systems rely on precise mixing and delivery of nutrients to plants. Highly soluble fertilizers ensure that the desired nutrient concentrations are accurately achieved.

Reduced Clogging: Fertigation systems, such as drip irrigation, are prone to clogging if insoluble particles are present in the nutrient solution. Soluble fertilizers reduce the risk of clogs and system maintenance.

Silicon (Si) plays a significant role in plant nutrition and can have several important benefits for plants.

Improved Disease and Pest Resistance: Silicon enhances the structural strength of plant cell walls, making them more resistant to pathogen penetration and herbivore attacks. This can reduce the need for chemical pesticides.

Enhanced Abiotic Stress Tolerance: Silicon can help plants withstand various environmental stresses, including drought, salinity, and heavy metal toxicity, by regulating water uptake and nutrient absorption.

Increased Nutrient Uptake: Silicon can facilitate the uptake of certain essential nutrients, such as phosphorus and iron, improving overall nutrient availability to plants.