The most effective flowering fertilizers for big buds (best bloom boosters). Get the high yields & save money by knowing what they’re made of. Best nutrients for flowering cannabis.

Organic Fertilizers

Organic fertilizers are made of natural ingredients. The highest concentration of plant nutrients come from mineral powders, manures and animal parts. Seaweed and molasses are also used in organic bud foods to promote beneficial bacteria and aide in growth processes. The presence of mycorrhizal fungi can help plants absorb organic nutrients like Phosphorus easier.

Maxicrop

Overview: A lot of “secret” bud enhancers for sale are simply kelp derivative and soluble potash. Seaweed-derived products have been widely used in marijuana fertilizers for their growth stimulating compounds. Save money on expensive liquid formulas by using kelp meal like Maxicrop, made of harvested Norwegian kelp (Ascophyllum nodosum).

How it benefits flowering: NPK 0-0-17. A natural source of potassium and powerful biostimulants, Maxicrop contains more than 70 minerals, micronutrients, amino acids and vitamins to help with bigger, more prolific blooms. Studies have shown that Maxicrop application increased plant root growth by 53–63%. It is also used for cloning and transplanting solutions due to the presence of vitamin B12.

Application: Dissolve 3 tablespoons of Maxicrop powder per gallon of water. Suitable for all cultivation methods. Don’t spray buds, it will stick.

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Jobe’s Organics Bulb Food Fertilizer

Overview: Jobes Organics Bulb Fertilizer granular plant food is made from an all-natural blend of bone meal, poultry manure and sulfate of potash. It comes loaded with beneficial bacteria and Endomycorrizae.

How it benefits flowering: NPK 3-5-4. The Archaea is a unique beneficial micro-organism that plays a role in soil carbon and nitrogen turnover. Calcium and Magnesium help strengthen plants and promote photosynthesis—combined they make an effective bud hardener.

Application: Mix in 1 ½ cups of fertilizer granules per each 10′ of soil area for transplants or 1 ½ tablespoons per each 4″ of area for seedlings.



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BioThrive Bloom

Overview: Vegan plant food. BioThrive is packed with a myriad of organic substances including alfalfa meal, cane sugar, copper sulphate, glacial rock powder, iron sulphate, kieserite, manganese sulphate, molasses, plant extracts, potassium sulphate, rock phosphate, sodium borate, sodium molybdenate, soybean meal and zinc phosphate.

How it benefits flowering: NPK 2-4-4. Bio Thrive contains the essential nutrients with a hearty dose of carbohydrates (sugars) known to stimulate beneficial microbial activity.

Application: Dilute 4 teaspoons of BioThrive per gallon of water. This liquid fertilizer is convenient for all types of growing from hydroponics to in-the-ground soil application.

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Happy Frog Bulb Food



Overview: FoxFarm’s Happy Frog dry fertilizer is a mix of granular organic bud food ingredients such as bone meal, bat guano, and kelp meal. It’s alive with beneficial soil microbes and mycorrhizal fungi inoculant that expand root development, helping plants feed more aggressively. How it benefits flowering: NPK 3-8-8. Happy Frog Bulb Food adds humic acid (a natural byproduct of organic matter decomposition) as an organic chelating agent to help release the long-term nutrients contained in this fertilizer for plant absorption. Application: Follow dosage instructions on label for plant size. It can be mixed into potting mix before final transplant, probed into the root system or layered onto the topsoil. VIEW PRICE ► Dr. Earth Organic Bud & Bloom Fertilizer Overview: Dr. Earth Organic Bud & Bloom fertilizer is made from a blend of fish bone meal, alfalfa meal, feather meal, soft rock phosphate and mined potassium sulfate. Includes beneficial soil microbes and Mycorrhizae. How it benefits flowering: NPK 3-9-4. This well-rounded dry fertilizer is suitable as a stand-alone flowering supplement. Application: Use roughly 2 cups per inch of trunk diameter. Follow the label directions for detailed guidelines. Mix it into soil medium during transplants, apply as a probe around the roots or use as a topdress. VIEW PRICE ► Synthetic Fertilizers Synthetic fertilizers are made of various elemental compounds, mostly derived from the chemical chelation of minerals. The chelation process transforms these minerals into nutrients that are easily absorbed by plants. Synthetic nutrients work best in hydroponics, aeroponics or in an easy-flush, low-retention potting mix like 50% perlite, 50% vermiculite. Jack’s Classic Blossom Booster Overview: J R Peters Jack’s Classic Blossom Booster provides the essential NPK nutrients for flowering plants—plus micronutrients—all in an inexpensive water-soluble powder. How it benefits flowering: NPK 10-30-20. This classic 1:3:2 nutrient ratio has proven to be the standard for blossom enhancers. A lot of hydro growers are ditching the expensive bottled nutrients and switching over to Jack’s to save money. Application: One tablespoon of powder per gallon of water. Can be used in any grow setup including hydroponics and aeroponics. VIEW PRICE ► Flower Fuel

Overview: Flower Fuel is a heavy-duty, high PK blossom booster that contains over 40 ingredients: nutrients, vitamins, hormones, amino acids, essential organic components and every single micro and trace element. How it benefits flowering: NPK 0-39-25. This type of high PK bloom booster is used throughout flowering to promote loads of resinous bud sites that develop into big buds right down to the stem. Application: ¼ teaspoon per gallon of water. The 250 g container treats 200 gallons of water. Suitable for any soil, coco, hydroponic or aeroponic system. VIEW PRICE ►

Grow More Hawaiian Bud Overview: A hard-hitting nutrient “boom!” for plants, Grow More Hawaiian Bud is packed with extremely high amounts of phosphorus, a hearty dose of potassium, a little nitrogen and chelated micronutrients. How it benefits flowering: NPK 5-50-17. Potent PK fertilizers like Hawaiian Bud will help plants stack up heavily with multiple bud sites. This contributes to heavy yielding, big bud harvests when applied with caution. Application: Suggested use varies at ¼–1 teaspoon per gallon of water. Be careful of burning plants by overfeeding. VIEW PRICE ► FoxFarm’s Liquid Bloom Trio

Overview: The liquid bloom trio by FoxFarm are very popular fertilizers in the cannabis growing community. Big Bloom is all organic while Tiger Bloom and Grow Big contain synthetic nitrates and phosphates. How it benefits flowering: These three bottles are sold together in a fully-balanced bud flowering formula. They contain readily available nutrients combined with organic ingredients and active microbes. Application: 2–4 teaspoons per gallon of water. FoxFarm liquid fertilizers can be used in soils, pots, hydroponics and aeroponics. VIEW PRICE ► Osmocote Smart-Release Plant Food Overview: Most synthetic fertilizers are readily available, meaning they do not last long after application and need to be reapplied regularly for best results. Osmocote Smart-Release Plant Food is a controlled release granule fertilizer that feeds plants for up to 4 months. How it benefits flowering: NPK 14-14-14. Balanced, long-term synthetic fertilizer high in nutrients. Each granule is coated with a resin that controls nutritional release. A favorite of old-school guerilla growers. Application: For 4″ plants 1 teaspoon worked into topsoil or mixed into potting medium.

VIEW PRICE ► What Nutrients Does Cannabis Need to Grow? Nutrients are used like food by plants. Cannabis requires large amounts of mineral nutrients to compose its leaves and dense flowers. The best nutrients for cannabis are in fact the nutrients which are used by the plant to support growth. Well-fed cannabis plants are green and healthy, which can lead to increased flower production and higher yields of bigger buds. Well-fed plants have a stronger immunity to disease than underfed plants.

Underfed cannabis plants are often slow to grow, stunted, yellowing and frail. The buds develop sparsely and produce a lower quality and yield than well-fed plants. Underfed plants have a weak immune system due to lack of nutrients. There are six major nutrients that cannabis plants require to grow—three of which are obtained from the air and water: Carbon Dioxide (CO 2 ) – Plants simply absorb CO 2 from the air, combining it with water and light, to make carbohydrates—a process more commonly known as photosynthesis.

– Plants simply absorb CO from the air, combining it with water and light, to make carbohydrates—a process more commonly known as photosynthesis. Hydrogen (H) – Hydrogen is a part of water ( H 2 O). As plants absorb water, they split the water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen using the energy from the sun.

– Hydrogen is a part of water ( Oxygen (O) – Along with what has been described above, plants consume oxygen through their pores—even at night. This is what’s called respiration. Respiration combines oxygen and the food created during photosynthesis to produce usable energy for plants. The other three nutrients are Nitrogen (N), Potassium (P) and Phosphorus (K). These nutrients are mostly obtained though a plant’s roots but can also be absorbed through tissue (i.e. foliar feeding). Major Nutrients (N-P-K) What are the three numbers labeled on fertilizers? NPK (short for Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium) are the major nutrients that plants absorb though their roots or vascular tissue. NPK are the three numbers you see labeled on the front of commercial fertilizers. The numbers represent the percentage of a nutrient a fertilizer is made of. For example, a 50-kg bag of 12-24-12 fertilizer is composed of 12% N, 24% P, and 12% K. To figure out how much K that is you can multiply the weight by the percentage: 50 kg x 0.12 = 6 kg of K. Nitrogen (N) Nitrogen (a gas) is a major component of amino acids (the building blocks of proteins) and chlorophyll (the energy substance made by plants through photosynthesis). Nitrogen is the most utilized nutrient of a plant’s life-cycle, especially during its early stages of growth.

Organic sources of N are plant litter, compost, manures, blood meal, feather meal, etc.

Synthetic derivatives of N include formulations of urea and ammonium nitrates. Using Nitrogen for flowering cannabis: High nitrogen fertilizers have a pronounced effect on cannabis plants, often triggering vertical growth. This is why only moderate levels of nitrogen are applied to blooming cannabis plants in order to keep their buds hard, dense and compact. Cannabis fertilizers with a high ratio of nitrogen are usually ‘veg’ nutrients, intended for the early stages of growth. Phosphorus (P) Phosphorus (a mineral element) is a component of the complex nucleic acid structure of plants, which regulates protein synthesis. It is important in cell division and development of new tissue, also associated with complex energy transformations in the plant. Phosphorus lets plants use the energy harnessed by photosynthesis to drive its metabolism.

Organic sources of P include soft rock phosphate, bat guano, steamed bone meal, fish bone meal, and crushed granite.

Synthetic derivatives of P are made by treating rock phosphate with either sulfuric acid or phosphorus acid. Using Phosphorus for flowering cannabis: High phosphorus availability to plants can lead to additional flower (bud) sites and a healthy root system. The most critical time for cannabis plants to utilize phosphorus is during the beginning of their blooming process (first white hairs), as this is when a big energy change happens in the plant. Cannabis fertilizers with a high ratio of phosphorus are often used as flowering nutrients, meant for the mid–late stages of growth. Potassium (K) Potassium (a mineral element) triggers the activation of different growth-related enzymes important in many chemical processes taking place during flower production. It also regulates the opening and closing of stomata (pores) during photosynthesis, in part controlling CO 2 uptake. Potassium is attributed to playing a major part in the absorption and movement of water, nutrients, and carbohydrates in plant tissue.

uptake. Potassium is attributed to playing a major part in the absorption and movement of water, nutrients, and carbohydrates in plant tissue. Organic sources of K include soluble potash (ashes), manures, compost, molasses and kelp meal.

Commercially-used K like muriate of potash and sulphate of potash are salts that make up part of ocean saline deposits. Using Potassium for flowering cannabis: Potassium is a catalyst for carbohydrate metabolism, so when you want your marijuana plants to pack on the carbs, high levels of K are important. Potassium rivals nitrogen as the nutrient absorbed in greatest amounts by plants. It’s best to increase K levels during the midst a plant’s flowering cycle, healthy amounts of potassium will lead to hard, thick and heavy bud yields. Cannabis fertilizers containing a high ratio of potassium are usually flowering nutrients, used in the mid–late growth stages. Minor and Micro-Nutrients Minor and micro-nutrients are essential for healthy plant growth, just used in smaller amounts by plants hence the name. There are three nutrients classified as minor nutrients. These are: Calcium (Ca) – has a regulating effect in the cells and contributes to the stability of the plant, important in the development of cell walls.

– has a regulating effect in the cells and contributes to the stability of the plant, important in the development of cell walls. Magnesium (Mg) – is a building block of chlorophyll, essential to the process of photosynthesis. Without magnesium, plants cannot process sunlight.

– is a building block of chlorophyll, essential to the process of photosynthesis. Without magnesium, plants cannot process sunlight. Sulfur (S) – is used in the formation of amino acids, proteins, and oils. Sulfur helps develop and activate different vitamins and enzymes. Seven elements are needed in tiny amounts, these are dubbed micronutrients. These include boron (B), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni) and chloride (Cl).

Being deficient in any of these micronutrients can impair growth. What are Effective Flowering Fertilizers? The best bloom boosters, bud foods and flower fertilizers are terms for the right nutrient additives meant to be used when a plant is producing flowers (buds). These nutrients are available to plants in the form of organic material (organic fertilizers) or are derived though chemistry procedures (synthetic fertilizers). What do the best bloom fertilizers have in common? High proportions of Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K), to maximize bud formation & growth-related enzymes in the plant.

Low proportions of Nitrogen (N), to prevent bud stretching.

Calcium (Ca) and Magnesium (Mg) are utilized to aid in dense flower clustering, along with other minor nutrients, micronutrients, and trace minerals. Cannabis Fertilizer Ratio NPK ratio recommendations for crops are typically provided to farmers via a university extension office. As a rule of thumb, cannabis may follow similar NPK guidelines as those given for tomatoes. A high-N starter fertilizer is provided during the early growth (veg cycle) to promote vigorous growth while a high-PK bloom fertilizer is given during the later growth (flowering cycle) to support budding. Cannabis growers tend to ween off nitrogen as the plant gets closer to harvest time. For example, a low-N, high-PK fertilizer near 1:3:2 ratio (2-6-4, 4-12-6, etc.) will be used for early and mid flowering cycle while a PK-only fertilizer (0:1:1 or 0:3:2 NPK ratio) is applied towards the end of flowering. Organic vs. Synthetic Nutrients

Organic cannabis fertilizers

Synthetic cannabis fertilizers Cannabis Fertilizer Burn Overapplication of fertilizer nutrients on cannabis plants can lead to “fertilizer burn” or “tipburn”—a desiccation of plant tissues seen as a leaf scorching, due to the osmotic stress caused by over fertilizing. Avoid fertilizer burn by following the recommended application guidelines on fertilizer product labels. Cannabis plants that show signs of fertilizer burn should be ‘flushed’ with a long watering to rid excess nutrients from the root zone. Nutrient Lockouts When applying high amounts of fertilizer it’s important to take into account the possibility of a nutrient lockout. This can occur from pH imbalance or excess nutrient buildup. Buildup often happens in mediums that can not be flushed clean of P, as this nutrient has a tendency to cling to other particles in soil. When too much P is present in soil it binds up calcium, copper, iron, magnesium and zinc making these nutrients unusable. Excess P also has harmful effects on beneficial soil organisms such as mycorrhizal fungi. Compost and Worm Castings as Fertilizer? There are benefits to using organic matter in soil like increasing water and nutrient holding capacity of the soil, improving soil structure and promoting beneficial microbes. Compost is often analyzed as a 1-1-1 dilutant fertilizer. However, all compost varies in composition. The nutrient profile of compost depends on what was used to make it. Worm casting compost made with egg shells (calcium) and banana peels (potassium) are a great DIY organic bud food that you can make at home. Best Fertilizer for Cannabis Buds Shortlist Fertilizer Type NPK Link Maxicrop Organic 0-0-17 VIEW PRICE ► Happy Frog Bulb Organic 3-8-8 VIEW PRICE ► Biothrive Bloom Organic 2-4-4 VIEW PRICE ► Jobe’s Organics Bulb Food Organic 3-5-4 VIEW PRICE ► Dr. Earth Organic Bud & Bloom Organic 3-9-4 VIEW PRICE ► Jack’s Blossom Booster Synthetic 10-30-20 VIEW PRICE ► Flower Fuel Synthetic 0-39-25 VIEW PRICE ► Hawaiian Bud Synthetic 5-50-17 VIEW PRICE ► Liquid Bloom Trio Mixed Mixed VIEW PRICE ► Osmocote Synthetic 14-14-14 VIEW PRICE ►

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