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For those looking to grow marijuana, getting quality fertilizers at affordable prices can be quite challenging. However, the good news is that you can make your own natural and homemade fertilizers that are cost-effective and effective for your plants. Instead of purchasing expensive commercial fertilizers from growshops, you can use everyday household items to create natural fertilizers.
These homemade fertilizers are eco-friendly, easy to make, and are just as effective as commercial fertilizers in providing your cannabis plants with the necessary nutrients for growth. Not only do natural fertilizers save you money, but they are also a sustainable and organic option for growing cannabis.
In this article, we’ll explore some natural and homemade marijuana-growing fertilizers that are cost-effective alternatives to growshop products. Dive in to learn more about these cheap alternatives for growing your marijuana plants today!
Organic Versus Synthetic Marijuana Fertilizers
When it comes to growing marijuana plants, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is choosing the right fertilizer. Let’s gain a deeper understanding of these two types:
Organic Marijuana Fertilizers
As its name suggests, organic fertilizers for marijuana plants are made with all-natural sources like bone meal, compost, manure, and the like. This type of fertilizer is slow-acting compared with synthetic or commercially produced ones. It is because they are natural, thus, organic fertilizers promote the growth of beneficial bacteria and fungi in the soil. The process itself takes time and requires much of your patience.
Synthetic Marijuana Fertilizers
Synthetic fertilizers, on the other hand, are commercially made products undergone various tests, and research, and can be made of various chemicals to help your marijuana plant grow in its optimal health. Most synthetic fertilizers are quick-acting and can swiftly boost nutrients to your marijuana plant as soon as needed. Unlike organic ones, synthetic fertilizers do not promote the growth of bacteria or fungi to help your marijuana gain nutrients and achieve optimal health. Instead, it uses chemicals such as ammonium nitrate and phosphoric acid that conveniently improve soil quality to benefit your plant.
Natural and Homemade Fertilizers for Marijuana Plants
Growing marijuana plants can be quite challenging not just physically, and emotionally, but also financially. Commercially produced fertilizers can be quite pricey if you are not wise enough. If you are looking for savvy options without spending a dime, opting for natural and homemade fertilizers is your best bet! Here are some natural and homemade fertilizers you can use for your marijuana plants:
Compost
One of the most common natural fertilizers you can use to save money in growing your marijuana plants is compost. It is easy to use and make, all you have to do is to mix green wastes such as dried leaves, fruits or vegetable scraps, and grass clippings and allow them to decompose for several months. It may take time and patience in making this, but it is a worthy mix to add to your potting soil to improve quality and help your marijuana plant achieve its optimal growth.
Fish Emulsion
Another impressive natural fertilizer that you can conveniently make at home is fish emulsion. It helps your marijuana plant thrive because of its high nitrogen content. All you need to do is to mix a spoonful of fish emulsion with one gallon of water. You can put it in your potting soil once a week or once every two weeks. Monitor closely how your plant reacts to it and adjust the dose accordingly.
Vinegar
Another natural fertilizer you can use that helps lower pH levels in your potting soil is vinegar. As marijuana plants normally require a range of 6.0 to 7.0 pH levels, some soil types may contain too high pH levels that can cause harm to the overall plant health and development. With that, vinegars are impressively good to mix on soil with too much alkaline content in it causing pH levels to soar high.
Eggshells
Eggshells are known to be an excellent source of calcium and other nutrients that your cannabis plant needs. Calcium is best for strengthening your plant’s cell walls, allowing your marijuana plant to prosper and produce high-quality buds.
Compost Tea
Compost tea is a natural liquid fertilizer that you can use to boost yields and help your marijuana plants produce high-quality buds. It is primarily made with decomposed materials like leaves, fruits or vegetable scraps, and others. It looks the same with compost but the only difference is that those are soaked in water. You can then spray this liquid in your plant’s leaves, and buds, or directly water it on their potting soil.
Epsom Salt Solution
Epsom salt is an all-natural compound that is easy to make at home. This natural fertilizer is commonly used by many cannabis growers because it contains high levels of magnesium and sulfur that are helpful in boosting plant growth and bud quality. A mix of this salt solution paired with a gallon of water can be added directly to your plant’s potting soil once every two weeks. Though it may sound easy and hassle-free, you still need to closely monitor your plant’s reaction after doing this to ensure they are coping with the mixture.
Banana Peel Fertilizer
Banana peels are said to be high in potassium which helps boosts bud quality and promote flowering for feminized cannabis strains. That is why it is no surprise that many cannabis growers make use of this natural fertilizer in growing their marijuana plants, whether it’s indoors or outdoors. To create banana peel fertilizer, dry out banana peels and grind them into a powder. Spread this powder on your soil or mix it with water to create a liquid fertilizer.
Worm Castings
Worm castings which are commonly known by others as vermicompost are one of the best all-natural fertilizers for cannabis plants. They are the excrement of worms and are rich in essential nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. They can be purchased or made by creating a worm bin at home.
Worm castings or vermicomposts are preferred by many cannabis growers for various reasons such as:
- They are packed with nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium
- Worm castings offer a slow-release formula that does not overwhelm your marijuana with unwanted supplies of nutrients
- They are also beneficial not only to your marijuana plants but even to your soil’s health
- They are easy to make and use
Wood Ash
Wood ash is rich in potassium and can help raise the pH of acidic soil. For that reason alone, many cannabis growers prefer wood ash as their main organic fertilizer as potassium helps promote the development of strong stems and roots while also improving stress resistance. Other than that, it also contains a good dose of phosphorus and calcium, which are additional nutrients required by cannabis plants.
Diluted Urine
While it may sound strange, diluted urine can be an excellent source of nitrogen that helps promote healthy foliage and stem growth for your marijuana plants. When you are looking for the most cost-effective and sustainable choice, nothing beat this one.
But before you decide to use diluted urine as fertilizers for your marijuana plants, it is essential to understand that you need to follow these steps:
- Ensure that you never go beyond the recommended concentration of water and that urine is at a 10:1 ratio; this means 10 cups of water for every 1 cup of urine. Following this is important as too much nitrogen concentration can affect your marijuana plants negatively.
- Stir the solution thoroughly to ensure that the urine is fully diluted in the water.
- Use this mixture to water your cannabis plants directly. You don’t need to use this every time you water, only once a week as part of your fertilizing routine will be enough.
- Be sure to monitor your plants for any signs of nutrient burn, which can occur if you over-apply the fertilizer.
Pros and Cons of Using Natural and Homemade Marijuana Fertilizers
Despite the soaring popularity of using all-nature and homemade marijuana fertilizers to grow marijuana in the most cost-effective ways, it is imperative to weigh down the pros and cons of using it. From its cost-effectiveness to environmental friendliness, here are the pros and cons of using natural and homemade marijuana fertilizers:
Pros of Using Organic Marijuana Fertilizers
- Cost-effective: The primary advantage of using natural and homemade marijuana fertilizers in growing your marijuana plants is it’s the cheapest choice you can opt for. Instead of commercial products, organic fertilizers can be easily made by yourself in the comforts of your home.
- Environmentally friendly: Natural fertilizers are made from wastes or materials that occur naturally. Thus, it is safer and sustainable for long-term usage.
- Nutrient-rich: Compared with commercially produced fertilizers, organic ones are rich in nutrients that you marijuana plants need. They do not contain any harmful additives, fillers, or artificial contents that may harm or affect your plant’s yield.
Cons of Using Organic Marijuana Fertilizers
- Inconsistent nutrient level: One disadvantage of opting for organic fertilizers over growshop products is that it does not guarantee the same and consistent levels of nutrient supply. This is because essential ingredients and nutrients present in natural fertilizers you made or found at home vary. In worse scenarios, this may result in uneven growth and development of your marijuana plants.
- Slow acting: Unlike commercial fertilizers with quick results, organic fertilizers made at home take time. Even the making of these fertilizers is different. When growshop fertilizers are readily available anytime you need them, organic ones need time to break down slowly.
- Risk of contamination: Homemade and natural fertilizers are also prone to contamination. This is because it is not sealed and had not undergone a proper preservation process to keep it away from microorganisms, insects, or weeds.
Conclusion
Growing marijuana plants can be expensive, especially if you are purchasing fertilizers from a grow shop. But, there are natural and homemade alternatives that are just as effective and more affordable. Compost, fish emulsion, bone meal, compost tea, Epsom salt solution, and banana peel fertilizer are all excellent options for growing healthy, nutrient-rich marijuana plants.
While growshop products are impressive on their own, weighing down the pros and cons to determine which suits your needs is important. Whether it is a growshop or homemade fertilizers, ensuring that you use them correctly and in moderation is imperative. Always remember to only provide what your plants need to support their optimal growth and development.