Did you know that cannabis magnesium deficiency can harm your crops? You should be aware of this problem because you could lose lovely buds if it’s left unsolved. This compound is important for a plant’s survival as it’s necessary for photosynthesis. Without magnesium (mg), your plant can’t process sun rays and convert them into energy for its development, so no mg means no growth.
While it may sound scary, you can easily solve magnesium deficiency in weed. Read on to learn more about the problem, how to identify it early, and ways to treat it. Discover simple treatments to get your plant producing a bountiful harvest.
The importance of magnesium
It’s important to know the chemical element’s role to appreciate the seriousness of magnesium deficiency in weed. Cannabis crops, like all green plants, undergo photosynthesis to thrive. The process involves chlorophyll, which gives the crops their hue and helps them absorb the sun’s energy.
Magnesium is a key component of chlorophyll, helping photosynthesis and absorbing vital nutrients, including nitrogen and phosphorus. When you experience a magnesium deficiency in your cannabis, its leaves can’t draw light and process it into energy. Without photosynthesis, your cannabis plants could starve to death.
Common symptoms of magnesium deficiency
Knowing the signs of cannabis magnesium deficiency is vital. Here are indications of a shortage or depletion of mg.
Interveinal chlorosis
Interveinal chlorosis refers to discoloration that appears on parts of the leaves except for the veins. The hue of the older leaves lower down the stem start yellowing while the veins remain green.
This is one of the most common signs of a magnesium deficiency and happens when the plant draws the nutrient from the older foliage. They then use it to feed the new leaves higher up, sacrificing the old ones to keep the young alive. The depletion causes the marijuana leaves to change color. Brown or black spots appear on the plant when the condition worsens. It may also wilt as if it’s tired.
Stunted growth
As magnesium deficiency in weed retards photosynthesis, the lack of energy can lead to stunted growth. You get shorter than normal crops, which may be more at risk from any disease. If left untreated, the depletion causes the leaf tips to die. Leaves higher up the plant turn yellow as the cannabis magnesium deficiency worsens. New shoots display a pale green hue, and their stalks turn purple. Depleted leaves begin to curl upwards and die.
There are other causes of chlorosis, so it’s important to distinguish between them and cannabis magnesium deficiency in your cannabis. Treat your crops immediately when you notice the signs of a magnesium deficiency. Taking quick action gives your plants a better chance of survival.
What causes magnesium deficiency and how to help your cannabis plant?
Along with looking at the signs of a magnesium deficiency in your crop, it’s important to understand why they happen. Here are the most common causes and what you can do to help your plant recover. Of course, prevention is better than cure, so this information may help you keep magnesium deficiency symptoms in your cannabis at bay.
Solving root issues to boost magnesium absorption
The cause of magnesium deficiency in weed plants generally doesn’t lie in the soil, where there’s a sufficient supply of the nutrient. When your cannabis plant doesn’t absorb mg, it might be due to plant root system issues.
Here’s how to fix magnesium deficiency in weed plants:
pH too low for cannabis
An ideal soil pH is necessary for nutrients to absorb through your plant’s roots. It mustn't be too acidic or alkaline. If the soil pH is too low, your crops’ roots can’t absorb mg. Test the pH and adjust it accordingly before adding fertilizers and supplements. This step can help solve your cannabis magnesium deficiency problem.
An optimal level for mg uptake in the soil is between 6.0 to 7.0, and for hydroponic systems, 6.0 to 6.5. Use a soil test kit for enhanced accuracy. Flush your plants with pH-balanced water twice to correct magnesium deficiency in cannabis due to pH problems. Include fertilizer with magnesium the second time you do it. Having the best soil for outdoor weed is a significant step toward a balanced pH for your plants. The nutrient ratio depends on the plants’ growth stage. It should have more nitrogen in the vegetative stage and phosphorus during flowering. Calcium is also necessary as depletion occurs in tandem with magnesium deficiency in cannabis .
Constant moisture in the soil
Cold and moist soil can lower your plant’s ability to absorb mg. Heavy rain can carry it away, making the earth deficient. Besides causing magnesium deficiency in marijuana, wet soil can potentially lead to root rot that kills your plant. When watering your cannabis plants, be careful of giving them too much—allow the soil to dry before adding more water. Do a quick test by inserting your finger about an inch into the earth. If it’s dry, hydrate it. Direct a fan to the soil to reduce moisture buildup for indoor gardens.
Low temperatures at the roots can cause magnesium deficiency
Marijuana plants prefer a warm climate to thrive. When the temperature drops below 60ºF, their roots don't function properly and absorb nutrients. A cold growing space is another possible cause of magnesium deficiency in weed. To solve it, keep the temperature of your indoor garden at an optimal level. A heating device, such as an electric blanket, does the trick. Set it on an automatic timer to make it easy for yourself.
It takes more effort to prevent cannabis magnesium deficiency in your outdoor plants. If you grow them in pots, bring them indoors during cold weather. For crops you can't move, cover them to prevent night dew. A tarp is a great option. If you have money or time, building a greenhouse serves the same purpose. A simple option to overcome this cause of magnesium deficiency in your weed is to grow autoflower seeds. Their ruderalis genetics make the plants hardy, thriving in lower temperatures.
The excess of nutrients during flowering
Magnesium deficiency in cannabis plants can occur during blooming due to excess minerals from flowering fertilizers. Potassium competes with magnesium to be absorbed by your plant. To prevent this, make sure the potassium content isn’t too high when buying fertilizers. For this reason, it’s essential to know how to choose the best cannabis nutrients for your crop.
To fix this problem of magnesium deficiency in weed plants, flush the roots. Check the nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) ratio on the label to get the right mix when adding nutrients.
Using magnesium supplements
Before adding magnesium supplements, confirm magnesium deficiency in your cannabis. Excess amounts of any substance may harm your crop. Make sure to check the following conditions:
- pH is not overly acidic
- Nutrient levels are optimal
- You’re not over-watering your plants
- The temperature is not too cold
It’s best to use compost first, as it restores nutrients and replaces organic material in the soil. When adding magnesium, start with a small amount and increase if necessary. Here are other ways to solve magnesium deficiency in weed issues:
Cal-mag supplement
When cannabis magnesium deficiency occurs, your plants usually lack calcium. Fix the calcium deficiency in your crops by feeding them a calcium and magnesium supplement.
Epsom salts for magnesium and sulfur
Another treatment for magnesium deficiency in your weed plant is finding the best soil mixes. Using a mixture with magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt) will help keep this problem at bay. Apply the water-soluble compound as follows:
- Add the salts to your soil and use a shovel to mix them thoroughly. Plant your seeds or transplants into the revived medium.
- Make a foliar spray with one tablespoon of Epsom salt and four liters of water. Spray your plants every three days, covering every part of the leaves. Be careful not to have them dripping wet. Use clean water every ten days to wash residue buildup.
When foliar feeding to solve a magnesium deficiency in cannabis problem, exercise extra care if you’re using a grow tent. The extra humidity can attract fungi that could destroy your crop. It’s also important not to wet the buds under any circumstances. Spray when it’s dark because the absorption process is better in low temperatures. This phenomenon applies to indoor and outdoor plants. During the day, you risk water droplets on the leaves acting as a magnifying glass, allowing the sun’s rays to burn them.
Solve cannabis magnesium deficiency like a pro
Now you’ve learned about cannabis magnesium deficiency, you realize that it can pose a serious threat to your plants. Luckily, it’s preventable. Pay close attention to your plants, identify signs of infection, and nip them in the bud. Early detection is important to treat your plants before growth is affected. When you’ve corrected magnesium deficiency in weed, the yellowing ceases in affected leaves and won’t spread. Normal growth resumes, and your plant develops new and healthy green shoots.
Unfortunately, the discolored leaves won’t revert to their natural hue. Don’t remove them until you’re certain the problem is solved. Once that’s sorted, the magnesium deficiency in your weed will be a thing of the past.
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