Every grower should be able to tell whether his crops are sick. Since these problems may risk the lives of your plants, you must be able to detect them just by looking at your plants. This is especially critical for marijuana farmers, who are often unable to get support and guidance from others when it comes to nutritional shortages in their plants.

You’ll need not only the ability to properly identify the issue but also the skills and resources to cure whatever is wrong with your plants. If you are able to properly manage this, you’ll have a lot better chance of success on your first weed growing attempt.

Nutrient problems may frequently arise with weed. You’ll be concerned with three main nutrients: potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen. Other nutrients, such as calcium, zinc, or magnesium, may, of course, contribute to nutritional deficiencies. Keeping an accurate pH equilibrium in the soil and water would be the most difficult challenge for marijuana growers. The amount of nutrients absorbed by cannabis plants is primarily determined by the pH value.

Having the pH equilibrium more alkaline or acidic is the most common way to change it. The pH level should fall around 6.0 to 7.0. A nutrient you introduce or remove from the soil has an effect on the pH value and the number of nutrients the plant needs. Understanding this will assist you in maintaining stable cannabis plants for a lengthy period of time.

Marijuana Plants’ pH Levels

A substance’s acidity or alkalinity is calculated using a pH scale. It has a spectrum of 1.0 to 14.0, with 7.0 being neutral. The lower the value of something is on the meter, the more acidic it is and vice versa. When it comes to watering cannabis, ensure sure that the pH of the soil and the water you’re using is well-balanced. The optimum pH for cannabis plants grown in soil lies between 6.0 to 6.5, and although marijuana can thrive with a lower pH level of 5.5 when grown hydroponically, for higher nutrient absorption, you still must maintain the pH between 6.0 and 6.5 range.

Buying test strips is all that is needed to determine the pH value. To prevent nutrient loss, it’s critical to maintain your plants’ pH at an optimal amount. You should buy industrial soil mixes that are designed to remain at optimal pH levels to prevent pH issues. Buying specific products such as pH-Down and pH-Up can bring you into the desired range if you don’t have any other options.

Nutrient Deficiency in Marijuana – Calcium

Outside-growing marijuana plants seldom have calcium deficiency, although it does happen when you are growing hydroponically or in some other plant mix. Since certain forms of water do not have enough calcium, they are unsuitable for hydroponic use. If you’re just using a nutrient solution with water, your cannabis plants may probably not be receiving enough calcium. Big, necrotic spots on your plant’s leaves are the most common sign of calcium deficiency.

Calcium deficiency does not damage fresh growth and instead damages older growth the most. Also, the branches are damaged so badly that they may break easily. If left untreated, a calcium deficiency may cause problems with your cannabis root system. A calcium deficiency must be treated with a calcium-rich material such as lime. Incorporating that into your cannabis system (probably hydroponic) will assist it in regaining strength in branches, roots, and older growth.

Nutrient Deficiency in Marijuana – Iron

It’s not uncommon for cannabis plants to suffer from iron deficiency. It will impact the new growth of your cannabis plants, such as leaves. Top leaves will be influenced the worst, and you will see a clear yellowing of certain leaves. The veins will remain green. However, the chlorophyll content of your plant’s leaves will be insufficient. In reality, iron is essential for the production of chlorophyll in cannabis plants.

Iron deficiencies may resemble a magnesium scarcity, with the exception that iron affects only new growth. As a result, the problems would only affect the higher leaves, not the midrange or lower leaves. Since iron deficiencies are often associated with an uneven pH value, you must account for this while treating the deficiency. That may even happen when you’re deficient in manganese and zinc at the same time.

Nutrient Deficiency in Marijuana – Manganese

Manganese deficiency in cannabis plants is relatively rare. They nearly always exist in the presence of zinc and iron shortages, so bear that in mind while handling the plants. Fresh leaves will show signs of the deficit. These leaves can turn yellow as well as have many necrotic patches on them. If manganese is not available in sufficient amounts, the plant’s vigor may be severely reduced. On the other hand, excessive manganese will lead to iron deficiency.

Manganese is needed for the development of chlorophyll and the formation of nitrates. As a result, it’s critical to make sure that the nutrient solution or soil you’re giving the plants has enough manganese amounts. Manganese can be infused into the soil using a water-soluble fertilizer. Manure and greensand are also viable alternatives.

Nutrient Deficiency in Marijuana – Nitrogen

Since nitrogen is among the most commonly identified nutrients in cannabis, it’s also likely to be the most defective in any way. Nitrogen is needed for a variety of purposes in plants, such as the development of amino acids or the viability of photosynthesis. The discoloration of the leaves would be the first sign of nitrogen deficiency in the cannabis plant. If you do not act immediately and treat the deficiency, the leaves may curl up and die.

It’s just about having the correct nutrient and the correct ratio of NPK to fix a nitrogen shortage. When your plants are in the vegetative phase, you want them to have higher nitrogen concentration.

Nutrient Deficiency in Marijuana – Potassium

Potassium deficiency is very widespread in cannabis plants. When utilizing natural fertilizers such as guano, it’s important to remember that potassium is one of the least available of the three major macronutrients. At first sight, a potassium deficit will seem to render the cannabis plant look bigger and more robust, yet the lower leaves might well be dying. In certain areas, the leaves will be changing to brown or tan color and forming necrotic patches.

If the deficiency continues, chlorotic patches may appear. Potassium deficiency may cause slow or even stunted development. Potassium is essential for the movement of water within the plant as well as the later growth of buds. Small flaws, on the other hand, are purely superficial.

Nutrient Deficiency in Marijuana – Sulfur

While sulfur deficiency is uncommon, it does occur occasionally. With the discoloration of younger plants, the cannabis plant can show symptoms of sulfur deficiency. The leaves may appear to be thinner and more fragile than before, and the growth may be stunted. Sulfur is essential for a variety of processes in plants, such as chlorophyll formation and root growth, so it must be kept at an appropriate amount.

The fact that most fertilizers and soils contain a naturally reasonable quantity of sulfur means that sulfur deficiencies are uncommon. As a result, you’ll seldom come across plants that are sulfur deficient. If you ever end up with sulfur-deficient cannabis plants, fixing the issue is relatively easy. If you’re suffering from some of the effects of sulfur deficiency, potassium sulfate, Epsom salts, and a variety of other treatments may help.

Nutrient Deficiency in Marijuana – Boron

Boron deficiency is uncommon in marijuana cultivation, although it can impair the plant’s capacity to survive. The first symptom of such a deficiency is the browning or graying of the emerging tips. The only effect of a boron deficiency in the cannabis plant is stinted new growth. The tips that were growing would die eventually, but there will be dead patches strewn around the leaves as well. The dead patches, on the other hand, aren’t particularly big.

In either case, boron is essential for plant activities such as seed forming, pollen processing, and other photosynthetic functions, so you should treat the issue. Using specific irrigation practices is usually enough to solve the issue. The only method is the utilization of boric acid, but you may also use borax, compost teas, or manure to restore natural boron levels.

Nutrient Deficiency in Marijuana – Copper

While copper deficiency is rare, it can have a significant impact on your cannabis plants’ new growth. Necrosis in newly grown leaves is caused by a deficiency in this form of factor. The leaves can often transform to a coppery or bluish-gray color at the tips as a result of this. When flowers begin to bloom, new growth may be disturbed as well. If copper is scarce, you can see limp flowers, leaves, and other plant pieces.

You’ll want to feed your cannabis plants something that can eliminate the copper deficiency and restore the copper because it’s so critical for regeneration and growth.

Nutrient Deficiency in Marijuana – Magnesium

When cultivating weed outdoors, magnesium deficiency is uncommon, although it does occur in indoor plant systems such as hydroponic systems. A magnesium deficiency first impacts the lower leaves of your plants, resulting in discoloration and causing them to lose vigor. These leaves will ultimately die. The deficiency will progress to the mid-range and finally the top-most layer of leaves. Magnesium is a key component in the development of chlorophyll in plants, so if you have certain effects, you can give your weed plant a magnesium boost.

The simplest and safest way to cure a magnesium deficit is with Epsom salts. It’s also crucial to know the difference between an iron and a magnesium deficit so that you don’t over-fertilize the plants.

Nutrient Deficiency in Marijuana – Molybdenum

While molybdenum deficiency is uncommon, it may have some odd consequences on the cannabis plant. If your plants have insufficient molybdenum, you’ll find that your middle leaves appear to discolor. The new leaves’ growth will begin to appear distorted or will be completely halted. The plant shoots may begin to curl, and the points of the leaves may develop red staining. The role of molybdenum is to help in the development of ammonia, which is needed for many other processes in plants.

Since cannabis plants do not need a large amount of the material, molybdenum deficiency is uncommon. You should apply molybdenum-infused products to your hydroponics cannabis system or foliar spray on a soil system to cure this deficiency.

Nutrient Deficiency in Marijuana – Phosphorus

Growing weed produces phosphorus-deficient plants infrequently, although it is possible. The plant will begin to show signs such as darkening leaf colors and sluggish growth. The leaves will curl back and discolor into tan or brown color with time. Petioles, along with other plant sections, begin to take on a deeper, bluer, or redder hue. Phosphorus is most effective as a fertility agent throughout the flowering season, but it also serves to stabilize the roots. If the cannabis plants don’t receive sufficient phosphorus during cultivation, they won’t be able to produce at their full potential.

To correct the phosphorus shortage, look for a fertilizer that contains a high P content in the NPK ratio. Phosphorus shortage can be successfully mitigated with guano rich in phosphorus, or you can use bloom fertilizers. For better outcomes, use a water-soluble form.

Final Thoughts

Remember to keep a close eye on your plant’s progress. If you detect an issue, check for typical signs and see if a deficiency exists. Regardless of the kind of deficit your plants have, fresh growth would reveal whether or not they are growing. Know that it can take a couple of days for your plants to fully recover from the deficiency once you’ve followed the necessary measures to regain balance.

If you’re worried about the health of your plants, start with good seeds. Plants with good genetics have a lower risk of being ill, which is why you should always purchase cannabis seeds from a reputable seed bank.