5 Tips to Grow Strong and Healthy Cannabis Roots

This is a list of 5 tips to help you grow healthy strong roots within your garden.

5 TIPS TO GROW STRONG AND HEALTHY ROOTS 

Every cannabis grower should consider it vital to learn about root health, as this is going to be critical for their cannabis plants to thrive. Being underground, we often do not pay attention to the problems that may arise at the base of the plant or the needs of the root system. For this reason, here we leave you a complete guide to deal with any complications and keep the roots as healthy as possible. Every cannabis grower knows that cannabis roots are extremely important for a healthy harvest. We offer five killer tips to grow healthy, strong roots for your cannabis plants.   

The importance of oxygen and Water for Cannabis roots 

As we previously mentioned, the roots absorb oxygen during the cellular respiration process, the photosynthesis of cannabis. In fact, without oxygen, the plant could not create the energy needed by the roots to grow. To maintain adequate oxygen flow through the roots of your cannabis, follow these tips: 

Cannabis roots are in constant search of water, and this is evident in their constant movement within the pot. When your plants get big, the watering radius should also grow. By doing this, you will help the roots to move to the ends of the pot, which encourages good root distribution and better absorption of nutrients. However, watering too far from where the roots are, can create water deposits that could eventually cause the appearance of fungi, root rot, and even mold in cannabis. 

When the soil is saturated with water, the root cannot breathe properly. As soon as it dries, the roots begin to introduce oxygen into it. Dry periods between watering and watering are essential for oxygen uptake. 

Here we offer five killer tips to grow healthy, strong roots for your cannabis plants.

1. Properly water your plants 

Make sure the water is always at a correct PH that your plant requires. Do not over water, let that substrate dry out before you water again. You can buy a moisture pen to check the soil more accurately. 

2. Use a fabric Pot 

These types of pots are easy to wash and reuse. They are made of a porous material that favors the circular growth of the roots and provides more oxygen to the substrate, which prevents the roots of the cannabis from overheating. As cannabis roots are extremely important for a healthy harvest.

3. Use substrates rich in perlite or vermiculite 

These elements help oxygenate the soil and establish a flow within the substrate. Use cannabis substrate that encourages the appearance of beneficial fungi, insects, and microbes, or that benefits that the soil is not too compact and the roots can grow without problems. Also, adding clay pebbles to the bottom of the pot can help keep the base of the roots free and oxygenated. 

If you are growing in a hydroponic system, make sure that the cannabis roots are always submerged in the water. It would be best if you also made sure that the plants get the necessary dissolved oxygen. 

4. Add Microbes & Maintain Temperature 

The temperature of the soil is essential for the development and operation of the roots. Using beneficial microbes for your Cannabis plants will also help that root growth. Too much heat can cook the roots and cause them to stop working. On the contrary, we can create nutrient lock-in in cannabis if the temperature is very low. That is why maintaining a stable temperature and adding microbes is essential for the development of the roots. The activity of the root system of cannabis occurs at night, and its activity is better if they are at 24ºC.

To ensure this, indoors, we can establish an airflow through a ventilation duct that connects the upper part of the crop and another with the lower part. It allows a cycle of fresh and healthy air. 

If we are growing outdoors, and the temperature is very high, we can cover our crops with a cap that prevents the temperature of the substrate from varying a lot, while we will take care of the surface layer of our farmland. Spreading mulch on the base of the plants also helps to regulate the temperature, although you should bear in mind that it is necessary to leave a radius of approximately 15 cm around the stem of each plant, as it could spoil it. 

As we mentioned earlier, the soil must be dry enough before watering the plants again. Lift the pot with your hands and feel the weight to check if the substrate is suitable to be watered again. When there is still water, you feel the weight, and when almost all the soil is dry, it hardly weighs anything. It is a better way to know when to water. For more on this topic, check out our article on how to water cannabis. 

5. Manage Space 

Every cannabis grower knows the roots of cannabis need enough space since they do not stop growing in search of nutrients, water, and oxygen. With insufficient space, a root system can strangle itself. The roots of cannabis can begin to die or get sick if you do not have enough space for growth, which can eventually kill the plant. 

Make sure to place the plant in a pot large enough. Anticipate the size that your plant will have by consulting its characteristics sheet. In any case, if you notice that the plant is growing a lot for the pot you have put in it, you can always transplant it to a larger pot, adding more substrate. If we plant directly outdoors, on the ground, it is more important if it is possible to leave enough space, that is, not to plant them in places where there may be obstructions since it will be more difficult to transplant it. 

How do we see if the pots are too small? A good method is to observe the roots of the cannabis from the drainage holes of the pot. If you notice that the roots are crossing between the holes, then it is time to transplant the cannabis into a more spacious pot. 

Conclusion 

We are not exaggerating when we say that the most important part of the plant is the roots. From germination to harvest, they are the foundation that sustains the cannabis plant, playing a vital role in its health and development. Its main function is to absorb nutrients and water from the soil and transport all this to the rest of the plant until it reaches the leaves. The more space the roots have to develop, the greater the height and spread of the plant, which can easily be seen in outdoor crops, where they have greater freedom to grow, and cannabis plants can become trees.  

Using compost for cannabis, we can help our soil to have more beneficial microorganisms, which help the oxygenation of the soil and help the Cannabis roots grow properly and absorb and transport the nutrients better. Every cannabis grower knows that cannabis roots are extremely important for a healthy harvest. We offer five killer tips to grow healthy, strong roots for your cannabis plants.