Watering, Feeding & Nutrients
Feeding
Feeding is the act of providing plants with nutrients needed for growth, health, and development.
What Feeding Means in Cannabis Cultivation
Feeding refers to the process of supplying essential nutrients to plants through water, soil amendments, or nutrient solutions. In cannabis cultivation, feeding is a core practice that directly affects plant growth rate, structure, yield, and overall health. Unlike wild plants that rely solely on natural soil nutrient cycling, cultivated cannabis often depends on intentional feeding to meet its high nutritional demands.
Types of Nutrients Plants Require
Plants require a balance of macronutrients such as Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium, secondary nutrients such as Calcium, Magnesium, and Sulfur, and micronutrients such as Iron, Manganese, Zinc, Copper, and Boron. These nutrients support critical processes including Photosynthesis, energy transfer, enzyme function, and cell structure.
Scientific Foundations of Plant Feeding
The scientific understanding of plant feeding expanded in the 19th century with the identification of essential plant nutrients, leading to the development of modern fertilizers. In controlled-environment cannabis cultivation, feeding strategies became increasingly precise as growers learned to tailor nutrition to specific Growth Stages.
Feeding Methods by Growing System
In cannabis cultivation, feeding methods vary by growing system. Soil-grown plants may be fed through top-dressed amendments, Compost Teas, or liquid nutrients. Coco Coir and Hydroponic Systems rely on nutrient solutions delivered through irrigation. Feeding frequency and strength change throughout the plant’s life, with heavier feeding during Vegetative Growth and Flowering, and lighter feeding during early Seedling Stage and late Finishing Stage.
Problems Caused by Improper Feeding
Improper feeding is a leading cause of plant problems. Overfeeding can result in Nutrient Burn, toxicity symptoms, and pH Imbalance, while Underfeeding leads to Nutrient Deficiency and slow growth. Environmental factors such as light intensity, temperature, and Root Health strongly influence how much nutrition a plant can actually use.
Observation and Adjustment in Feeding
Successful feeding involves observation and adjustment rather than rigid adherence to charts. Monitoring leaf color, growth rate, runoff, and pH helps growers fine-tune nutrient delivery and avoid stress.
Feeding as a Cultivation Skill
Feeding is closely related to Feed Schedules, Nutrient Management, deficiency, overfeeding, and root health. For cannabis growers, feeding is both a science and an art—balancing precision with responsiveness to plant signals.
Related terms:
Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Growth Stages, Coco Coir, Hydroponic Systems, Vegetative Growth, Flowering, Overfeeding, Nutrient Burn
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