The effects of different types of water on cannabis growth are crucial to the success of any cultivation operation. Whether you’re growing for profit or pleasure, it’s essential that you use the right water to get the most out of your crop.
While some growers may err on the side of overwatering their plants, this can be detrimental to their growth. It also can result in root rot, which will reduce their final yield.
Water Temperature
Water temperature is one of the most important factors in cannabis cultivation, as it affects all aspects of growth and yield. It is crucial to keep your incoming water supply in a consistent range of temperatures to maintain the optimal levels of oxygen and nutrients for all stages of plant growth.
Temperature plays an important role in the nutrient uptake of marijuana roots and is particularly significant during flowering stage when buds are developing. During this phase, it is essential to keep your grow room temperatures slightly cooler than they are during the vegetative stage.
The ideal water temperature for cannabis is 67-68degF (21-23degC) as this provides the best balance of dissolved oxygen, optimal uptake of nutrient elements and maximum root zone vitality. However, if the root zones are too cold, a variety of issues can arise including stress to the root tissue, poor cell biochemistry and slow overall plant development.
Many large scale licensed growers regularly conduct their incoming water quality tests independently to ensure they have the optimum mineral content in their nutrient solution. This allows them to fine tune their nutrient ratios and mineral additions, which may otherwise vary greatly from season to season.
Some water suppliers will include an online EC (Electrical Conductivity) meter with their supply which can be used to track the mineral composition of the incoming water. This is particularly useful for large-scale growers who want to be sure that their nutrient solutions are optimised and contain the correct levels of each mineral element from the start of growth until harvest.
It is also worth testing the pH of your incoming water supply as it can vary from source to source and is a critical component in ensuring your water is at the right nutrient balance from seed to harvest. The optimum water pH is around 5.8-pH 6, but if your incoming water is outside this range it can lead to nutrient lockouts which can be devastating to your plants.
Water with PPMs that are too high can be filtered out or treated with cal-mag supplements, so make sure you test your water regularly to check its pH. You can also use a pH up and down solution to ensure you get the right pH each time you water your plants.
Water pH
Water pH is a key component of the hydroponic environment that affects nutrient availability and cannabis growth. As such, all growers should regularly test their water pH to ensure the right level of dissolved minerals is present.
There are many different types of water on the market, each with their own effects on cannabis growth. The most common is tap water, but other sources such as rainwater are also beneficial.
One type of water that can cause problems is hard water, which is typically rich in minerals such as Calcium and Magnesium. These minerals may be problematic for cannabis nutrient absorption. They can also block irrigation tubing and prevent weed from blooming properly.
The use of fluoride in some water supplies can also cause issues. While this chemical is a good disinfectant, it can also adversely affect plant biochemical pathways and enzyme function.
Another type of water is spring-fed or well water, which can contain a high concentration of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS). This can make essential nutrients difficult to metabolise and create problems for cannabis growth.
For the most part, it is recommended that growers test their incoming water to determine the pH, and then adjust the pH as needed to achieve the best possible yields. Some growers even opt for systems that remove almost all of the dissolved minerals from their water using de-ionised water treatment or reverse osmosis.
Some growers may choose to add lime to their soil or hydroponic solution to boost the pH. However, it is important to follow the directions carefully and to only add small amounts.
As an alternative, growers can try mixing a little of their nutrient solution with distilled water to see how the pH changes. This can help them to monitor the pH of their solution without having to purchase an expensive pH meter or probe kit.
As an added precaution, growers should always have two fully calibrated pH meters on hand and never rely on only one to get accurate readings. This can be especially important for those who use a digital pH pen or measurement stick.
Water Nutrients
Water is one of the most varied and important components of growing cannabis. It can be soft or hard, treated, osmosis filtered and a multitude of other options.
A key aspect of growing cannabis successfully is making sure that the water you give your plants is of high quality, which will have a significant effect on their growth. You can achieve this by taking into account the temperature, pH, and moisture content of your water as well as its EC levels.
EC is a measure of how much soluble material your water contains and it’s vital for cannabis growth as it means that your plants can absorb the nutrients you’re providing them with. Too low a EC level will prevent your plants from absorbing the nutrient you’re giving them, while too high a EC will mean that they’ll only be able to absorb the smallest amount possible.
If the EC level of your water is too low, then it’s likely that you’re not adding enough soluble nutrients to your soil or nutrient film technique (NFT) grow medium. This is because cannabis requires the nutrient nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium at different ratios during different stages of growth.
Another crucial nutrient is calcium. This is needed to build and maintain strong roots that will support healthy leaf development.
Magnesium is also essential to plant health. It plays a role in the production of protein, carbohydrates, and fats that are necessary for cannabis plants to thrive and reach full maturity.
A mineral deficiency can cause a variety of problems for the plant, including stunted growth and a reduction in flowering time. This can have a significant impact on the final product and may result in a lower than optimal yield.
You should make sure to use a phosphate and nitrate-free foliar spray. These are a great way to keep your plant healthy while still getting the essential nutrients it needs.
It is a good idea to use water that has been de-ionised, reverse osmosis or distilled, as these systems remove the majority of dissolved minerals from the water before it reaches your grow system.
Water Moisture
Water moisture is a key factor in determining whether cannabis plants are healthy and strong. It can help growers know if their plants are thriving or not, and it can also be a good indicator of nutrient imbalances that may hinder growth.
Depending on the stage of plant growth, different amounts of water will be required by the plant. During the vegetative phase, cannabis plants will need less water than they do during the flowering stage. This is because during this time, cannabis plants develop a robust root system that absorbs water through their leaves instead of taking it from the soil.
However, this is a temporary solution and the plant still needs a source of water, which can be delivered to the plant via drip irrigation. Ideally, the plant’s water supply should be low in mineral concentrations (osmosis is ideal) to prevent unwanted minerals from building up in the roots and substrate.
This can block the plant’s ability to absorb nutrients and will affect the health of the crop. If you are using tap water with high mineral concentrations, it is recommended to use enzymes to remove any excess mineral salts from the water, allowing the plants to better absorb nutrients and thrive.
Another important factor in determining the health of your cannabis crop is the amount of humidity. Too much humidity can impede the plant’s ability to absorb water through its leaves and may cause them to wilt or die.
The best way to keep the plant’s humidity levels balanced is through monitoring, as the right levels of humidity encourage stronger leafy plants with optimal growth. This can be done through the use of a humidity monitor and by making sure that your grow room’s VPD is optimal, which means that the stomata on the leaves are open and allowing more water vapor to be released into the air.
Managing the moisture in your cannabis crop is crucial to its success, as overly dry or over wet conditions can lead to problems like bud mold/rot and white powder mildew. These diseases can be prevented if growers manage the moisture in their growing environment properly.
