Potassium

A Cannabis plant needs potassium to grow to its full potential. Without it, the plant can not make the proteins and starches it needs.

Finding the right balance, can be a difficult task. This guide will help you keep things balanced, and fix any problems that may arise.

If you have any questions about how potassium is used by a cannabis plant, then feel free to ask for help in our cannabis growers forum

Potassium.

Potassium is the “K” in N/P/K Ratio. Like Nitrogen and Phosphorus, it is known as a “Macro nutrient”, and is one of the three main elements needed in plant growth.

Potassium ( K ) is responsible for many things in plant growth. Its main function is to help water move around the plant, carrying nutrients with it. It also activates enzymes and processes in the plant that will make proteins and starches. The plant uses these proteins and starches for energy to grow.

What is Photosynthesis

Without potassium, your plants will not have the energy to grow. So maintaining a steady level of it is crucial to keeping a happy cannabis plant.

Flower boosting foods are usually high in P and K. This is because the flowers are built out of phosphorus, but the plant needs a lot of energy to build those flowers, so it needs more potassium.

Potassium Deficiency.

If a plant is lacking in "K" it will display these symptoms:

If a plant is suffering these symptoms, check out Percys Grow Guides to get it fixed:

Plants need "K" to grow, healthily and happily. Without the right levels, leaves will start to lose colour because the plant is taking it from the lower leaves, to feed the top.

A cannabis plant, uses "K" to transport water and nutrients around the plant. It also activates the plants metabolism. A deficiency will mean the plant has less energy to grow, and support itself. This will make the stems weak and brittle.

As the deficiency gets worse, the leaves will develop rust spots in the leaf margins, and the edges of the leaf will begin to show "burn".

Potassium Excess.

If your plant has eaten too much "K", it will display these symptoms:

Check out Percys Grow Guides to fix a potassium excess problem in a cannabis plant,

How to fix Potassium Excess

“K” excess will display itself in many ways. The excess will show itself as Iron, Zinc, or even a cal/mag deficiency. It fights with magnesium to get into the roots of the plant so, too much, will cause a magnesium deficiency. Potassium excess will not harm the plant, but it will lock out other nutrients. This is why you must fix a potassium problem straight away.

If issues arise, it will depend on the medium and what foods the plants are eating. But these problems are easily fixable. Just remember, when feeding your plant:  It is easier to fix an under fed plant, than it is to fix an over fed plant.

Thanks for reading! You can find more information on anything related to growing in our cannabis grow guides. All of our guides are written by experienced growers, and members of our cannabis growers forum. If you have any questions, sign up. It is free, and we are always happy to help!