How often to add guano to marijuana plants

Cannabis cultivation, an ancient practice, has evolved over time, integrating innovative techniques and materials to improve the quality and efficiency of harvests. Among these, guano has emerged as an essential component, providing growers with a natural and powerful tool to nourish their plants. But how often should you add guano to marijuana plants ? This question, crucial to optimizing the growth and flowering of cannabis, reveals the importance of understanding not only how, but also when to use this resource. Guano, known for its high content of essential nutrients, plays a vital role in the healthy development of marijuana plants. Its proper use can make the difference between a mediocre harvest and an exceptional one.

Guano can be applied every 2-4 weeks during the vegetative growth phase and until the beginning of flowering. During flowering, you can reduce the frequency to every 4-6 weeks. It is crucial to follow the manufacturer's instructions and observe the plants' response to avoid overfeeding.

What is guano and what is it for?

Guano is a type of organic fertilizer that is made up of the excrement of seabirds, bats and seals. This material, accumulated for centuries in certain regions, is highly valued in agriculture for its rich nutritional composition. Its content varies slightly depending on its origin, but it is generally rich in nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, three key elements in plant growth.

In marijuana cultivation, guano plays a crucial role due to its unique properties :

• Nutritional Richness : Guano is a complete fertilizer, providing not only essential macronutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, but also micronutrients necessary for optimal plant growth.
• Improves Soil Quality : Being an organic product, guano improves the structure of the soil, increasing its capacity to retain water and nutrients. This is particularly beneficial in sandy or heavily worked soils.
• Growth Stimulation : The nitrogen present in guano is crucial for the vegetative growth of cannabis, promoting larger leaves and stronger stems.
• Promoting Flowering : Phosphorus and potassium are essential during the flowering stage. They help in the development of dense and resinous flowers, desired characteristics in marijuana plants.
• Improved Plant Health : Guano contains beneficial microorganisms that help protect roots from disease and stimulate greater nutrient absorption.
• Positive Environmental Impact : Being a natural product, the use of guano is an ecological alternative to chemical fertilizers, reducing the carbon footprint of the crop.

Best guano products for cannabis

Selecting the best guano products for growing cannabis involves considering its origin, nutrient ratio, and specific use recommendations for marijuana plants.

Aspects to consider

• NPK Analysis : Check the nutrient analysis (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) on the packaging to ensure that the product meets the needs of your crop in its current phase.
• Certified Organic : Opt for products certified organic, which guarantees that the guano is high quality and free of contaminants.
• Reputation and Reviews : Look for reviews from other cannabis growers to see how the product has performed in situations similar to yours.
• Instructions for Use : Choose products that offer clear instructions on how and when to apply guano to your marijuana plants, as this can vary significantly between different types of guano.
• Application Versatility : Some guano products come ready to be applied directly to the soil, while others may require brewing as guano tea. Consider which method you prefer and choose a product that suits your needs.

Grow Industry Recommendations

At Grow Industry we want to recommend the following products:

Plagron's Bat Guano

The Bat Guano product from Plagron is an organic fertilizer designed for the flowering stage of plants, helping their growth and the fattening of the fruits. Available in 1KG and 5KG presentations, it is a slow-acting fertilizer that is mixed with the substrate or applied around the stem. 100% organic, contains high levels of phosphorus and potassium (PK), essential during flowering. To apply it, it is recommended to mix 1 or 2 tablespoons per 7L pot, repeating the dose every 15 or 20 days for long-flowering plants.

Top Crop SuperGuano

SuperGuano from Top Crop is a 100% ecological powder fertilizer, designed to improve the formation and development of flowers, offering greater quality, flavor and aroma. Composed of natural bat guano, it contains 1% nitrogen, 10% phosphorus, 0.1% potassium, more than 30% calcium, 1.5% magnesium, 14000 ppm iron and 3000 ppm manganese. Recommended for both indoor and outdoor cultivation, its dosage varies depending on use, and can be complemented with other products to optimize results.

Plagron Bat Mix 50L

Plagron's Bat Mix 50L product is a substrate specially designed for autoflowering plants and other varieties that require high levels of phosphorus and potassium. It is 100% organic, including ingredients such as high-quality peat moss, worm castings and bat guano. This substrate helps plants absorb the necessary nutrients until the sixth week of cultivation, guaranteeing better growth and water retention.

How Often to Add Guano to Marijuana Plants

The application of guano in marijuana cultivation must be carefully programmed to coincide with the different stages of plant development. Each stage requires different types and amounts of nutrients for optimal growth. Here we detail the recommendations for each phase:

• Germination : In the germination stage, guano is usually not applied directly, as cannabis seeds have enough nutrients to germinate and begin growth. Soil that is too rich in nutrients can be counterproductive.
• Seedling : Young plants are still sensitive and may suffer if too much fertilizer is applied. It is advisable to wait until the plant has at least a couple sets of true leaves before introducing guano in small amounts.
• Vegetative Growth : During the vegetative growth phase, guano can be applied every two weeks. You should opt for a guano richer in nitrogen, as it is crucial for the development of the plant's structure and foliage.
• Pre-flowering : As the flowering phase approaches, a gradual change towards a guano richer in phosphorus and potassium is recommended, reducing the nitrogen content. The application can continue to be biweekly, adjusting the amounts according to the plant's response.
• Bat Guano for Flowering : In the flowering stage, guano rich in phosphorus and potassium is vital. It can be applied every two to three weeks, depending on the specific needs of the plant. The objective is to support the development of dense and resinous buds.

Guano Application Methods

Applying guano effectively is essential to maximize its benefits when growing marijuana. Here are some techniques and tips to ensure a safe and efficient application:

• Direct Soil Application : This is the easiest way to use guano. It can be spread directly on the soil surface around the plant. To be effective, it is important to incorporate it lightly into the soil or cover it with a thin layer of soil. This helps nutrients percolate to the roots and not be lost to wind or surface water.
• Making Guano Tea : Guano tea is a liquid solution that allows for faster and more direct absorption of nutrients. To prepare it, mix guano with water and let it sit for several days, stirring occasionally. Then, strain the mixture and use it to water the plants. This technique is especially useful during the flowering phase, as plants require rapid nutrient uptake.
• Mixing with the Soil in Planting : When preparing the soil for planting, you can mix guano into the soil. This ensures that plants have access to nutrients from the beginning, promoting a strong root system and healthy growth from the initial phase.
• Top Dressing : This technique consists of applying a layer of guano on the surface of the soil, around the plant. It is an effective way to provide additional nutrients during the growth and flowering stages.

Tips for a Safe and Effective Application

• Proper Dose : Do not exceed the recommended amounts of guano. Too much can burn the roots and damage the plant. It is always better to start with a lower dose and adjust according to the plant's response.
• Application Consistency : Maintain a regular application schedule to ensure plants receive nutrients consistently.
• Plant Observation : Pay attention to how your plants react after applying the guano. Changes in leaf color or growth rate may indicate whether you need to adjust the amount or frequency of application.
• Use Protective Equipment : When handling guano, especially in its dry form, wear gloves and a mask to avoid inhalation of dust and direct contact with the skin.
• Proper Storage : Store guano in a cool, dry place to maintain its effectiveness. If it gets wet, it can lose its properties or generate fungus.

Factors to Consider When Using Guano in Cannabis

The use of guano in cannabis cultivation involves considering several factors to ensure that its application is as effective as possible. Here we analyze the main elements to take into account

Soil Type

• Sandy Soils : These soils have a low nutrient retention capacity. In them, guano can be applied more frequently, but in smaller quantities, to avoid the accumulation of salts.
• Clay Soils : They have a high nutrient retention capacity, so guano should be applied less frequently to avoid overfertilization.
• Organic Soils : These are usually balanced and would only need moderate applications of guano to maintain their fertility.

Climate

• Hot and Humid Climates : In these climates, the nutrients in guano are broken down and released more quickly, which may require less frequent application.
• Cold or Dry Climates : Decomposition and release of nutrients is slower, which may justify more regular application to maintain a constant supply of nutrients.

Guano Type

• Bat Guano : Generally rich in phosphorus, it is ideal for the flowering phase. The frequency of application will depend on the growth stage and soil type.
• Seabird Guano : It usually has a higher nitrogen content, perfect for the vegetative growth phase. It should be applied with caution to avoid excess nitrogen.

Adjusting Application Frequency

• On Sandy Soils : You may need to apply guano more often, but in smaller amounts, to ensure that plants receive nutrients continuously without saturating the soil.
• On Clay or Rich Soils : Reduce the frequency of application to avoid nutrient buildup, which could lead to an imbalance in the soil and damage plants.
• In Warm and Humid Climates : The frequency may be lower since guano decomposes more quickly, releasing nutrients at a faster rate.
• In Cold or Dry Climates : It may be necessary to apply guano more regularly, since the decomposition and release of nutrients is slower.
• With Different Types of Guano : Adjust the frequency and amount depending on the plant's growth stage and the specific type of guano you are using.