All plants need three essential elements for growth, among others that also need to be provided. The primary nutrients your plants will need are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). Each one can be found in certain types of fertilizers and must be used during specific growth stages.

Nitrogen can be found in grow fertilizer and is also found in all plant cells, plant proteins and hormones, as well as chlorophyll. This lends itself to improved stem and leaf development during the vegetative stage of a plant’s growth cycle. Incidentally, it also helps give plants their green color. Thus, we recommend using grow fertilizer during your hemp plant’s seedling stage up until the end of its vegetative stage.

Phosphorus can be found in bloom fertilizer, helping to transfer energy from sunlight to plants, stimulate root and flower growth, and hasten maturity. It also improves plant resilience against disease and environmental stress. Because phosphorus is key in flower development, bloom fertilizer is recommended to be used during the flowering stage up until your plant is ready for harvest.

Potassium strengthens plants, contributing to early growth while helping retain water, and can be found in both fertilizers as it is needed throughout the entire plant’s life cycle. 

In addition to these primary nutrients, your hemp plant will also need secondary and micronutrients in smaller quantities to round out the nutrient base. Calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S) only need to be present in smaller quantities, contributing to your plant’s health, resiliency, and growth. Your hemp plant will also need trace amounts of the following elements: Boron (B), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), and chlorine (Cl). Micronutrients help facilitate the plant’s metabolism and the maintenance of plant tissue function.