How to Maximize Your Cannabis Harvest: Finishing
Moose and Lobsta (pheno2) by Dynasty Genetics
Understanding essential cannabis plant anatomy
Budding stage cannabis plants require large amounts of nutrients. Using an enriched soil or nutrient solution dissolved in water ensures that the plant is getting enough nutrients. In order to understand the finishing process, it helps to know how the plant absorbs nutrients.
The roots of the cannabis plant are connected to the two vascular (think circulatory) systems: the xylem and the phloem.
The xylem carries water from the roots to the branches and leaves. A combination of surface tension and adhesive forces, formally known as capillary action, allows the plant to pull the water up the stem against gravity.
The phloem is the part of the system that carries sugars, hormones, enzymes and wastes from the upper canopy down to the lower portions of the canopy, the stem and ultimately the roots. The roots flush and exude sugars, enzymes and wastes that are digested by micro-organisms in the rhizosphere, the area surrounding the roots that supports micro-organisms including mycorrhizae. There is no indication that the phloem carries raw nutrients, the dissolved solids that make up fertilizers, out of plants.
Since cannabis is such a valuable crop it is sensible that farmers try many methods and techniques for enhancing crop quality and yield. Fertilizer companies have introduced dozens of products for bud enhancement, many of which are described below. The companies have followed two paths, nature and science.
Well-known growth and flower enhancers such as humic acid, kelp, molasses and sugars, guano, and mycorrhizae increase crop performance by enhancing the root environment, which increases ability to absorb water and nutrients that stimulate the plant’s growth.
Formulas dependent on the new botanical sciences include: amino acids, vitamins SAR stimulators, as well as plant hormones to increase quality and yield while shortening ripening time.
Finishing products for your cannabis plants
All finishing companies keep their formulas proprietary. However, they all work based on one of two theories:
They either bind the nutrients so they are no longer available to the roots (whether they remain or are washed away).
They make the salts more soluble so they flush out of the soil easily.
The following chart lists a range of finishing products readily available in stores and online. This chart and the appendix that follows list the specific ingredients comprising various finishing formulas.
Glossary of common marijuana finishing ingredients
Cannabis breeder / photo Purple Caper Seeds
Salmon River OG by Dynasty Genetics
Vanilla Kush.
Partially pollinated Watermelon OG Kush Breeder: James Loud. Photo Lizzy Cozzi
Glossary of common marijuana finishing ingredients
Ripe cannabis Bud: Photo by https://www.instagram.com/daviddowns/ at Ganja Ma Garden
AlpenGlow (Cherry Vanilla Cookies x Oregon Huckleberry5) by Dynasty Genetics
Cannabis breeder / photo Purple Caper Seeds
Purple marijuana bud.
Beautiful bud.
ALGAE EXTRACT: Kelp extract
AMINO ACIDS: Primarily glutamine and cysteine, but includes others. May be absorbed through the root system, increasing stress tolerance, growth, yield and vitality.
AMMONIUM MOLYBDATE: Molybdinum (Mb) micro-nutrient
AMYLASE: An enzyme that acts as a catalyst for breaking down starches, turning them into sugars. These sugars provide a source of energy for the plant
ASCORBIC ACID: Vitamin C
AZOMITE: A natural mineral complex that stimulates growth.
B VITAMINS: Use of B Vitamins noted in literature or practice.
B1 VITAMIN: Touted as a stress relief for plants. Proven to have no value.
B2 VITAMIN: Also known as Riboflavin. There is no direct literature or note of its use in plants, which produce it in abundant quantities. However, it is known to protect some organisms from UV light
BAT GUANO: Source of organic N or P
BONE MEAL (STEAMED): Moderate release source of P (N:1.6-2.5, P:21, K:0.2)
CACO3: Calcium carbonate, source of Ca
CARBOHYDRATES: Simple sugars such as glucose or dextrose that plants can uptake
CARROT (WILD, AKA QUEEN ANNE’S LACE): Ferments into amino acids that stimulate flower growth
CHARCOAL: Soil conditioner that stimulates plant growth.
CHELATED: Many micro-nutrients are metals that have little availability. When bonded with other elements (chelation) they become much more available.
CHITOSAN: Found in crustacean shells, insect exoskeletons and fungus cell walls. Plant growth enhancer, and bio-pesticide substance that boosts the innate ability of plants to defend themselves against infections .
CITRIC ACID: Vitamin C. When sprayed under stress conditions, improves growth and internal citric acid concentration, and also induces defense mechanisms by increasing the activities of antioxidant enzymes. May play a positive role in stress tolerance.
CYSTEINE (L): An amino acid high in sulfur. Effective against bacterial infections in plants and may stimulate terpene production.
DOLOMITE: Mined combination of Ca (lime) and Mg
EXTRACT: A preparation containing the active ingredient of a substance in concentrated form FE Iron
FESO4: Iron sulfate
FISH MEAL: Made from ground fish byproducts and non-food fish, 60-70% protein. A rich source of amino acids
FISH PROTEIN: Concentrated fish meal
GLUTAMINE (L): (Glutamate) An amino acid involved in plant growth. Supplementation may increase stress resistance and growth
GUANO: Seabird or bat poop
HUMIC ACID: A complex of acids that result from the decomposition of plant matter. It contains humic and fulvic acids as well as other molecules. It
JASMONIC ACID: Regulates plant growth and development processes including growth inhibition, senescence, flower development and leaf abscission.
K2CO3: Potassium carbonate, a common fertilizer
KELP: The seaweed, ascophyllum nodosum.
Kh2PO4: Potassium phosphate, a common fertilizer
KhSO4: Potassium hydrogen sulfate (potassium- bisulfate); a common fertilizer
K2O: Potash, a common fertilizer
Kh2PO4: Potassium phosphate, a common fertilizer
KNO3: Potassium nitrate, a common fertilizer
K2SO4: Potassium sulfate, a common fertilizer
K: Potassium, always used as a compound
MGSO4: Magnesium sulfate aka Epsom Salts
MICRONUTRIENTS (MICROS): Elements used by plants in small quantities. They are: boron (B), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo) and chlorine (Cl). In total, they constitute less than 1% of the dry weight of most plants.
MNSO4: Manganese sulfate- Micro-nutrient helps to regulate the bio-availability of nutrients to the roots.
MOLASSES: Sugar concentrate made from sugarcane
MYCORRHIZAE: Fungi that grow in association with plant roots in a symbiotic relationship. Ectomycorrhizae form a cell-to-cell relationship with the root hairs. Arbuscular mycorrhizae penetrate the root cells. Both provide nutrients and protection in return for root exudate containing their food, sugars.
MG: Magnesium, an essential element
MGHPO4: Magnesium phosphate
N: Nitrogen
*NIPACIDE: Biocide. Kills all living organisms. Made from formaldehyde. DO NOT USE.
P: Phosphorous, Always used as a compound
*PARABEN: Widely used in cosmetics as a preservative and bactericide and fungicide. Weak association as an estrogen simulator and with endocrine interruption. DO NOT USE.
PHOSPHATES: Phosphorous compounds
PO4: Phosphate
P2O5: Phosphorous pentoxide, commonly used fertilizer
*POTASSIUM SORBATE: Preservative and fungicide commonly used in foods and cosmetics
PHYTO-ACIDS: (Bloom Master, Earth Juice). Undetermined plant products.
RADISH: Ferments into amino acids which are growth stimulators
SAPONINS: Derived from Yucca. Reduce water surface tension and loosens minerals from around roots
SEAWEED: Kelp
SUGAR: Plant food supplement absorbable by roots
TRIACONTINOL: Plant growth stimulator. Large quantities are found in alfalfa.
TRYPTOPHAN (L): Boosts flower hormone production *DO NOT USE
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