Pay attention that growing marijuana may be subject to special restrictions and regulation in your country or state. Please contact your attorney to obtain advice before cultivating cannabis.
Disclaimer
Pay attention that growing marijuana may be subject to special restrictions and regulation in your country or state. Please contact your attorney to obtain advice before cultivating cannabis.
Growing cannabis is not only an interesting process but also quite laborious. It includes many nuances, subtleties and requires certain knowledge. Today we are going to tell you about one of the most important aspects of growing marijuana - choosing the right medium.
Basic requirements for soil mixture
The soil in which your cannabis bush grows will have a decisive influence on the quality of your crop and the success of your grow in general. Improperly selected soil can not only stress the plant but also ruin it in the bud. On the other hand, the right choice of soil for growth will improve the quality of the finished product and affect the amount of the crop. To make the right choice, you need to consider four main indicators:
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Soil acidity level - pH
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Soil conductivity level - EC
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Soil structure
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Nutrients and their presence in the soil.
The keystone is soil acidity
Any soil contains many ions of various substances necessary for the healthy development of plants. Depending on their quantity, the acid-base balance of the soil changes. This ratio is called the pH level. This indicator is measured in the range from 1 to 14. The minimum indicator - 1, indicates a completely acidic environment, while 14 - indicates an alkaline soil environment. The optimum pH for the healthy development of cannabis is between 5.5 and 6.5. Store-bought land usually has a pH label on the package. If you prepare the soil mixture yourself, you should use a special pH meter.
Please note that for the full absorption of all nutrients by the bush, the pH value should not be at the same mark, even if in a favorable range. The acid-base balance should constantly “walk” within the comfortable values for cannabis.
Soil conductivity
The EC indicator indicates the presence of nutrients in the soil, or rather, their concentration. The constant level of electrical conductivity throughout the entire period of development of marijuana eliminates the possibility of deficiency or excess of nutrients, which can cause stress in cannabis. Depending on the intensity of plant nutrition (fertilizer use), the EC level changes. A soil conductivity meter can be found in almost any gardening store. Optimal values for cannabis range from 0.75 to 2.0.
Soil for growing hemp: varieties and features
As a rule, store-bought universal mixtures are already optimally "tuned" for growing. Different types of soil retain heat and water in different ways. Excess moisture in the soil is very dangerous and can cause rotting of the root system. Lack of fluid will also stress the bush and prevent it from developing normally. Therefore, the soil for cannabis should be loose and well-drained to get rid of excess moisture. But be aware that most universal mixtures consist of different ratios of these soil types. Which soil is better for hemp than others - depends on the characteristics and growing conditions, as well as on what marijuana seeds to buy.
There are 6 main elements that can be used to prepare a high-quality soil mixture:
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Silt and sand. They are good for drainage, as they dry quickly and do not retain moisture. Usually poured into the bottom of the pot.
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Clay. Dense, viscous, coarse-grained substance, consisting mainly of hydrates of aluminosilicates. It is characterized by poor water permeability and poor ventilation. It is used in small quantities so that the soil mixture retains water and nutrients better.
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Humus. It is one of the main parts of a high-quality soil mixture.
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Coconut fiber. Helps to loosen the soil, promotes aeration and an even distribution of moisture in the pot.
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Perlite and vermiculite. Like the previous component, they help the roots to breathe, they also retain moisture, keeping it in the soil longer.
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Expanded clay. Used as drainage.
Soil with the right structure and the optimal content of the necessary substances can be easily found in a garden store, but why, if it is much cheaper to prepare it yourself?
Here is a universal recipe that allows you to create a soil mixture, which contains enough nutrients for a full cycle of growing an autoflower:
25% vermicompost
25% black soil or garden soil
30% coconut fiber
10% perlite
10% vermiculite
Be sure to rinse the coconut fiber until the draining water is crystal clear. It is worth remembering that such a substrate is organic, therefore, the use of mineral fertilizers is unacceptable. But in the case of an auto-flowering variety that grows in a similar soil mixture, you will not need them.
You now have a basic knowledge of what requirements a potting soil should meet and how to prepare it yourself.
