The importance of PK Fertilizers

The basis of marijuana plant nutrition lies in three fundamental elements that the soil needs to develop: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK). The combination of these three macronutrients forms the foundation of the fertilizers available in the market, enabling plants to thrive during their different stages. In this specific case, we will focus on PK fertilizers and their role in marijuana cultivation.

What is PK fertilizer?

Specifically, PK refers to the ratio of the chemical elements Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K), which are the core of products used to fatten marijuana buds. These elements are crucial for several reasons:

• Phosphorus is linked to the production of resin and seeds during the flowering phase, while during the growth stage, it aids in photosynthesis. High phosphorus concentrations in these products are vital to ensure proper metabolism in our strains.

• Potassium, during the growth phase, helps develop strong roots and stems; while in flowering, it boosts terpene and essential oil formation, enhancing the flavor intensity of the plants. This leads to lush, high-quality flowers.

When to start using PK fertilizer?

Knowing the right time to start using a PK booster is a question many growers ask. It’s important to understand the exact period to apply it to enhance bud growth, including its size and weight, as well as resin and aromatic terpene production.

PK additives should be introduced when the first buds appear during the flowering stage, as this is when the plants stop growing and focus on bud production and fattening. However, for this to happen, it’s essential to have provided good nutrition during the growth phase to ensure the marijuana plants have a strong, well-formed structure to support the buds on their branches.

However, if you’re looking for an exact week to begin adding your bud booster, this will vary depending on the PK levels of each fertilizer.

Generally, fertilizers and flowering stimulants, as well as boosters and other nutrient additives, can be applied starting from the second week of flowering. If the PK booster has high PK levels, it should be used in the final flowering phase.

These PK boosters help produce plenty of resin- and terpene-rich buds.

Types of PK fertilizers

There are many brands on the market focused on increasing the productivity of our marijuana plants. All these fertilizers can be divided into two main categories:

Chemical Fertilizers

Chemical fertilizers are mineral-based and primarily produced by the fertilizer industry. These products come in solid or liquid form and are popular among novice growers who want large yields from their first crop.

This type of fertilizer is also widely used by commercial growers, as they increase bud size significantly and quickly. Notable products include Bloombastic by Atami. One of the most in-demand chemical fertilizers is Big Boom PK 52-34, which contains high phosphorus and potassium levels, doubling bud thickness at harvest.

Organic Fertilizers

Organic fertilizers are made from animal or plant-based sources and are the most popular for home cultivation. They are typically made from composted waste, rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and trace elements. These fertilizers stimulate plants to produce more terpenes and sugars, increasing bud size while maintaining proportional density. Leading brands include fertilizers Biobizz and Top Crop, with products like Bio Bloom and Top Bud, both 100% natural fertilizers for fattening buds.

How to use PK fertilizer?

As mentioned earlier, bud fattening fertilizers should be introduced at the beginning of the flowering phase. This timing can vary between the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th weeks, depending on the manufacturer and PK concentration.

For proper use, it’s best to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines precisely. Generally, a PK-rich booster should be applied once a week in one watering, as these are highly concentrated products that need time to be metabolized. In some cases, you can increase the dosage frequency, but this depends on the manufacturer. This practice also prevents over-fertilization without harming the crop at the last moment.

It’s important to note that not all PK fertilizers deliver the same results for every grower. It’s crucial to consider each grower’s experience, as well as the substrate and pH and EC regulation of the irrigation water, like with Big Boom, to fully utilize the product’s potential.

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Finally, it’s essential to always perform a final root flush in the last weeks of flowering to ensure clean, high-quality buds and to eliminate any fertilizer residues.