10 Major Symptoms Of Deficiency In Cannabis

Just like humans need nutrients, light, and water to survive, so do plants. The pH levels of the water solution play a crucial role in keeping the cannabis plants healthy. Knowing the cannabis deficiency chart is essential for a cultivator as it will enable him to take the necessary treatment steps. ........

10 Major Symptoms Of Nutrient Deficiency In Cannabis Plants

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Nitrogen Deficiency Symptoms

Nitrogen is necessary throughout the lifecycle of cannabis plants. Especially during the vegetative phase. The symptoms due to lack of nitrogen are as follows:

• The mature and older leaves near the base of the plants get lighter and yellower.
• Plants may become tall with weak branches.
• In case of severe deficiency, brown spots and discoloration appear on leaf margins. The leaves may get curled and fall off.
• Early flowering may occur with substantially reduced yields.
• Decreased bud sites also take place in case of extreme deficiency.........

Phosphorus Deficiency Symptoms

Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for photosynthesis and the liberation of stored energy in carbohydrates. Such deficiency is generally rare and occurs due to a pH level above 7.0. The result can be hazardous for young plants and cause stunted growth, low yields, delayed flowering, poor resin production & lower crop production in older plants. Some of the phosphorus deficiency symptoms include: ........

• The leaf stems of older leaves turn purple, and the leaves take on a dark blue-green hue.
• As the deficiency increases, the outward and upward growth of the plant slows down.
• Dark copper or blackish-purple color spots arise on leaves, and dead spots develop on leaf stems. The leaves of the plant curl and fall out.
• In some cases, the leaves become dark bronze or metallic purple.
• Such deficiency can lead to weakness in plants, highly impenetrable to diseases and pests, and a decreased flowering stage. ........

Calcium Deficiency Symptoms

Calcium assists the transmission of sugars and nitrogen throughout the plants. Calcium deficiencies are generally found in wet outdoors with a cool climate and hydroponic growing medium with acidic soil. Some of the top symptoms of calcium deficiency are as follows:

• The lower leaves of the plant distort and bend downwards. Irregular brownish-yellow spots appear on the leaves with brown borders. The brown borders keep increasing over time.
• The root tips will begin to fade away and die. The plant will have stunted growth with reduced yields. ........

Magnesium Deficiency Symptoms

Magnesium is an essential element in every molecule of chlorophyll. That means the plants utilize it in large amounts. It is necessary to absorb energy from light and help the enzymes in creating sugars and carbohydrates that produce flowers.

• Signs of magnesium deficiency will be visible in plants after 3 to 6 weeks. At that time, the areas between the veins of mature/older leaves become yellow. Also, rust-colored spots will appear in those areas.
• Larger and more frequent spots appear on the interveinal areas, leaf tips, and margins when the deficiency of magnesium progresses throughout the plant.
• Some leaves will curl, expire, and fall out. On the other hand, the whole plant looks droopy and sickly.
• Symptoms of magnesium deficiency will surge quickly during the flowering phase causing a decreased harvest. ........

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Sulfur Deficiency Symptoms

Sulfur plays a crucial role in the production of terpenes and oils. It is rare to observe a sulfur deficiency in cannabis. These deficiencies are usually a result of phosphorus loss due to higher pH levels in the root zone. Some of the symptoms of sulfur deficiency are as follows:

• Young leaves become lime green and then yellow with reduced plant growth. Also, the leaf veins turn yellow and become dry and brittle.
• Continued sulfur deficiency leads to slow, weaker flower production with decreased potency. ........

Copper Deficiency Symptoms

Copper assists in carbohydrate metabolism, nitrogen fixation, and oxygen reduction. The symptoms of copper deficiency in cannabis plants:

• The new growth slowly twists, turns, & wilts slowly.
• Dead spots arise on leaf margins and tips. In some cases, the whole plant droops. ........

Iron Deficiency Symptoms

Iron is necessary for nitrate and sulfate reduction and assimilation. It also acts as a catalyst for the production of chlorophyll. Iron deficiencies are generally due to excessive zinc, copper, or manganese levels. Some symptoms of iron deficiency are given below: ........

• The preliminary symptoms arise in younger growth. Interveinal chlorosis will take place at the base of new leaves.
• The yellowing will occur between leaf veins as the symptoms progress through the older growth and leaves. ........

Manganese Deficiency Symptoms

Manganese aids in using iron and nitrogen in chlorophyll production and oxygen reduction. Such deficiency is uncommon and rarely occurs due to excessive iron or high pH. 

• Like iron deficiency, symptoms begin in new growth. Interveinal chlorosis occurs along with necrotic spots. The symptoms gradually spread to older & mature leaves.
• The leaf veins and margins remain green around the yellow interveinal areas. ........

Molybdenum Deficiency Symptoms

Molybdenum plays a crucial role in converting nitrate to ammonium. Cannabis plants use this nutrient in small amounts. Some of its deficiency symptoms are:

• The older and mature leaves become yellow, sometimes evolving interveinal chlorosis. Also, discoloration occurs at the edges of leaves.
• The leaves bend inwards before dying, twisting, and falling. ........

Zinc Deficiency Symptoms

Zinc is essential for protein and sugar production. It also helps in the retention and formation of chlorophyll. Such deficiency is usual in dry climates and alkaline soils. The reason behind this is high levels of pH. Symptoms include: ........

• New growth and young leaves reveal interveinal chlorosis. The leaf blades become thin and small with wrinkles and distortion.
• The leaf tips will burn and become colorless, along with brown spots and leaf margins.
• Due to zinc deficiency, sometimes the leaves revolve 90 degrees sideways.

Bottom line

Micronutrients & macronutrients are equally essential for the growth of cannabis plants. Cultivators can prevent nutrient deficiency by being careful and attentive regarding the pH level of the nutrient water solution. Another cause behind such deficiency is that the nutrients are not getting absorbed.  ........