One of the greatest pleasures in the world of marijuana is growing your own plant. Starting with just a bunch of seeds or a clipping and nurturing it right through to the flowering stage gives a joy that can’t quite be replicated any other way. The resulting crops most definitely smell and taste a little bit better as a result of your hard work. Who knows, perhaps they even get you a little higher, too.
If you are looking to grow your own cannabis plants, it makes sense that you want to give your babies every possible benefit. Just like parents with their children, your plants quickly become your pride and joy, which you want to see grow big and strong. As such, you may be tempted to use a little Miracle-Gro to lend a boost. After all, it’s bound to help. It’s in the name, right?
Well, hold your horses for just a second there. Miracle-Gro might not be the helping hand you hope it will be. Throughout this article, we will investigate the suitability of using Miracle-Gro with your cannabis plants. Read on for all the information you need.
What Is Miracle-Gro?
Miracle-Gro is probably the most famous plant food in the world. The fertilizer was first developed in the late 1940s by Horace Hagedorn and Otto Stern, who also created the distinctive packaging and name, which are still in use today. From here, it has become a household staple in the fertilizer market, beloved by horticulturalists around the world.
Miracle-Gro is used to help houseplants and gardens by providing additional nutrients that soil naturally loses over time. It also boosts plant growth rate by providing the material needed to produce new cell structures.
The fertilizer contains mainly nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus, and there are different options with different combinations of the three available.
Due to all of this, it would make sense to think that Miracle-Gro would help with the cultivation of marijuana plants. Is this the case, though? We find out in the next section.
WAYOFLEAF’S CHOICE – Homegrown CannabisCo
Homegrown CannabisCo are the masters when it comes to seeds. Offering a massive variety of cannabis seeds that are well categorized, not only does this company create a resource for superb quality options including feminized seeds, it also provides extensive growing information for those looking for some support along their journey.
Can Miracle-Gro Help with Growing Marijuana?
A lot of first-time growers use Miracle-Gro when cultivating their first plants. Don’t! Miracle-Gro is not recommended for use when growing marijuana. We will explain why.
The main issue with Miracle-Gro is that it provides one formula of nutrients used throughout a plant’s life cycle. Weed plants go through several different stages through their growing cycle, from seedling to full flowering. In each of these stages, the plant needs a different combination of nutrients to ensure the best possible growth. Miracle-Gro doesn’t offer various combinations of nutrients; rather, it provides a one-size-fits-all approach. Initially, this may help your plant, but it won’t help at all stages of the plant’s growth cycle.
Miracle-Gro has an extended release of nutrients. This means it will continue to release nitrogen for up to six months, leading to deficiencies or even burning your marijuana plant in the flowering stage, which would reduce your yield dramatically.
Some growers report using Miracle-Gro successfully, but it is a minority. Those who find success commonly use vastly watered-down amounts of Miracle-Gro. Overall, it is just easier and safer to avoid using it altogether. You don’t want to ruin all of your hard work when you don’t have to.
What Can You Use Instead of Miracle-Gro?
You can minimize the use of fertilizers in marijuana cultivation to a point by picking breeds with strong genetics and utilizing as perfect a growing environment as possible. Despite this, you will most likely need some fertilizer at some point, especially when you are just starting out.
When choosing your fertilizer, it is essential to avoid extended-release options and use different fertilizers for different stages. One option is to make your own. Do a little research online to find out what balance of nutrients your weed needs at each stage and then make your own fertilizer uniquely tailored to this. A lot of experienced growers prefer this as it allows them to take further control of the growing process and gives them a greater sense of accomplishment.
If you don’t fancy the DIY method, there are plenty of other options out there. Some of the best on the market are:
- Fox Farms Trio: Easy to use and suitable for all strains, Fox Farms Trio is especially recommended for newbie farmers. Just remember, you will need all three types.
- Bergman’s Plant Food: Another easy-to-use option designed specifically for marijuana plants, this fertilizer is specific for seedling, growing, and flowering periods.
- Perlite and vermiculite fertilizers: This helps give professional quality soil and is best suited for more experienced growers. You will need a different concentration of perlite or vermiculite, depending on whether you are using hydroponic or soil growing methods.
Final Thoughts on Using Miracle-Gro When Growing Marijuana
Perhaps surprisingly, Miracle-Gro is not a marijuana farmer’s friend. It is a common mistake many rookies make, as the fertilizer is so ubiquitous in the world of plant growing. You can utilize Miracle-Gro successfully, but it is challenging to get right, and you risk ruining your grow for benefits that are easily gained from using a better alternative.
Miracle-Gro works wonders for plants with simple grow cycles. Marijuana is not one of these plants. Cannabis goes through several different stages, each requiring its own blend of nutrients. This is one of the reasons why growing marijuana is so fulfilling. It offers even the most experienced of horticulturists a new challenge.
When choosing the right fertilizer for your marijuana plant, do some research online and find a more suitable one, such as the ones we mentioned above. Stay away from Miracle-Gro!
What do you think of using Miracle-Gro to fertilize cannabis? Are you one of the few who have used it successfully? Do you have a better fertilizer not mentioned here? We’d love to hear about it in the comments below.