Buffering Your Soil: A Step-by-Step Guide
If you’re looking to optimize your growing medium and ensure your plants have access to all the essential nutrients they need, you might have heard about the importance of buffering your soil or coco with cal-mag. In this guide, we’ll dive into the details of why cal-mag is crucial for your plants, and provide a step-by-step guide on how to properly buffer your growing medium.
What is Cal-Mag and Why is it Important?
Cal-mag is a supplement that contains calcium and magnesium, two essential nutrients that play a vital role in your plant growth and development. Calcium is crucial for cell wall formation, root development, and nutrient uptake, while magnesium is a key component of chlorophyll and aids in photosynthesis.
In the context of homegrown cannabis, cal-mag is particularly important when using an inert and neutral growing medium like coco coir. This medium often has a limited capacity to hold onto calcium and magnesium though, which can lead to deficiencies in the long term if not supplemented properly. Most of the crafted cannabis soil mixtures including our own are buffered with a cal mag solution already so this guide generally only applies to untreated dried and compressed bricks of coco or native soil.
Why Buffering is Crucial for Compressed Coco Bricks
Compressed coco bricks are a popular choice among growers due to their affordability and ease of long term storage. However, some of these bricks are untreated and can come with some hefty challenges.
Coco coir has a natural tendency to bind to calcium and magnesium ions, making these nutrients less available to plants. Compressed coco bricks can also contain high levels of salts and a less-than-ideal pH levels, which can further impact nutrient availability.
By properly buffering your coco brick first, prior to use, you can address these issues and create a more hospitable environment for your cannabis roots. The buffering process helps to release excess salts, balance the pH, and preload the coco with calcium and magnesium, making sure your plants have access to these essential nutrients from the start.
When purchasing compressed coco look for brands that have already been pH balanced and buffered.
Signs of Calcium and Magnesium Deficiencies
Before we get into the buffering process, let’s quickly review the signs of calcium and magnesium deficiencies in cannabis plants: read more Here
Calcium deficiency:
- Stunted growth
- Curled or twisted leaves
- Brown or yellow spots on leaves
- Weak stems and branches
Magnesium deficiency:
- Yellowing of older leaves, starting on leaf edges leaving leaf veins green
- Leaves curling upwards
- Rusty brown spots on leaves
- Leaves eventually turning crispy and falling off
If you notice any of these signs in your plants, it’s a good indication that your growing medium might benefit from a cal-mag supplement
Step-by-Step Guide to Buffering with Cal-Mag
Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of how to actually buffer your soil or coco with cal-mag:
Step 1: Choose a fast absorbing Quality Cal-Mag Supplement: When selecting a cal-mag supplement, look for a reputable brand that contains both calcium and magnesium in a form that’s easily absorbed by plants. Some popular options include dolomite lime, gypsum, granules or liquid cal-mag concentrates.
Step 2: Determine The Right Supplement Rate: The amount of cal-mag you’ll need to add to your growing medium will depend on factors like the size of your pots, the type of medium you’re using, and the specific cal-mag product you’ve chosen. As a general rule of thumb, aim for the 1 teaspoon of cal-mag concentrate for every 2 liters of water, however, always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for the most accurate dosing guidelines.
Step 3: Incorporate Cal-Mag into Your Growing Medium: For coco coir, you can either mix the cal-mag concentrate into your nutrient solution with each watering, or pre-buffer your coco by soaking it in a cal-mag solution before use.
Incorporating Cal-Mag into Your Coco Coir:
When it comes to growing cannabis in coco coir, one of the most important steps is to properly buffer your growing medium with cal-mag. This is especially true when using a cheaper, untreated compressed coco brick, which can be less forgiving than pre-buffered, store-bought coco blends. In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at the process of buffering compressed coco bricks to create an optimal growing environment for your cannabis plants.
Step-by-Step Guide to Buffering Compressed Coco Bricks
Now, let’s walk through the process of buffering a compressed coco brick step by step:
Step 1: Hydrate and Rinse the Coco Brick: Begin by placing your compressed coco brick in a large container or tub. Slowly add water, allowing the brick to absorb the moisture and expand over time. As the coco expands, break it apart with your hands to ensure an even hydration.
Once the coco is fully hydrated, thoroughly strain and rinse it with fresh water to help flush out any excess salts, powders or debris. Continue rinsing until the water runs clear.
Step 2: Prepare Your Cal-Mag Buffering Solution: In a separate container, mix a cal-mag concentrate according to the manufacturer’s instructions. A typical ratio is around 3-5 milliliters of concentrate per liter of water, but this can vary depending on the product you’re using.
Aim to create enough buffer solution to fully saturate, soak and rehydrate the coco coir. As a general rule, you’ll need about 1 liter of solution for every 5 liters of expanded coco.
Step 3: Soak the Coco in the Buffer Solution: Add your cal-mag buffer solution to the rinsed coco coir. Make sure the coco is fully submerged, stirring it gently to eliminate any air pockets.
Allow the coco to soak in the buffer solution for at least 6-8 hours, or overnight for best results. This extended soak time gives the coco ample opportunity to absorb the calcium and magnesium ions, ensuring a more even distribution throughout the medium.
Step 4: Drain and Rinse the Buffered Coco: After the soaking period, drain the excess buffer solution from the coco. Give the coco a final rinse with fresh, pH-balanced water to remove any residual salts.
The runoff water should be close to the ideal pH range for coco (5.5-6.5). If it’s still outside this range, you may need to repeat the buffering process or adjust the pH of your water accordingly.
Step 5: Plant and Monitor Your buffered coco is now ready for use! Fill your pots or containers with the coco, and proceed with planting your cannabis seeds or clones. Remember to add perlite and other amendments for hydration and nutrients
As your plants grow, continue to monitor them closely for any signs of calcium or magnesium deficiencies. While the initial buffering process should provide a solid foundation, you may still need to supplement with additional cal-mag throughout the growing cycle, especially during periods of rapid growth or flowering.
Tips for Success
Here are a few additional tips to keep in mind when buffering your soil or coco with cal-mag:
- Start with a lower dose and gradually increase as needed to avoid overloading your plants with these nutrients.
- If using a liquid cal-mag concentrate, always shake the bottle well before measuring and applying.
- Consider using a cal-mag supplement in conjunction with other nutrient-rich amendments like worm castings, compost, or kelp meal for a well-rounded fertilization program.
- Remember that while cal-mag is important, it’s not a cure-all for every growing issue. Always considering factors like watering, temperature, humidity, and overall nutrient balance.
Conclusion:
Buffering your compressed coco brick with cal-mag is a critical step in creating a healthy growing environment for your cannabis plants. By following the steps outlined above and monitoring your plants closely, you can avoid common pitfalls associated with untreated coco and set your grow up for success.
While store-bought coco blends offer a more streamlined approach, buffering your own coco allows for greater customization and cost savings in the long run. Ultimately, the choice between the two comes down to your personal growing style, budget, and preferences.
With a solid foundation of properly buffered coco and a watchful eye, you’ll be well on your way to cultivating thriving cannabis plants and enjoying massive harvests.
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