Hey Growie,
Do you know this? Your indoor cannabis plants look kind of pale, the leaves are yellowing between the veins, or are showing brown spots? Then a CalMag problem could be the cause. Don't panic, this is a common problem with indoor grows, but we'll show you what the causes are and how to get it under control sustainably – and why Living Soil is often the best solution!
What is the CalMag problem anyway?
CalMag stands for calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg), two essential nutrients for your cannabis plants. They play a key role in many metabolic processes, the formation of cell walls, photosynthesis, and the absorption of other nutrients. If these elements are lacking, your plants can exhibit deficiencies that negatively impact their growth and ultimately your yield.
Typical symptoms of a CalMag deficiency are:
- Yellow or brown spots on older and younger leaves
- Yellowing between the leaf veins (interveinal chlorosis)
- Rolled or upwardly curved leaf edges
- Slowed growth
- Reduced flowering
The causes: Why is CalMag missing?
There are several reasons why your plants may suffer from a CalMag deficiency, even if you fertilize:
- Incorrect watering: Water that is too soft or has an unbalanced pH can hinder the absorption of calcium and magnesium.
- Certain cultivation methods: Especially when growing on coconut or in hydroponic systems, deficiencies can occur more quickly, as these media store fewer nutrients than soil.
- Fast-growing strains: Some modern cannabis strains, like many of our new seeds from renowned breeders, have higher nutrient requirements and can show deficiencies more quickly if inadequately supplied.
- Lockout: An incorrect pH value in the root zone can prevent plants from absorbing nutrients properly, even if they are present (nutrient lockout).
- Over-fertilization with other nutrients: An excess of potassium, for example, can block the absorption of magnesium.
Sustainable solutions: More than just CalMag boosters
Sure, you could simply use a CalMag booster now. That might solve the problem in the short term, but it's rarely a sustainable solution. Here are a few approaches that work better in the long run:
- The right water for watering: Pay attention to the quality of your watering. A pH value between 6.0 and 7.0 for soil and 5.5 and 6.5 for coco/hydro is ideal. For very soft water, you can use special CalMag products, but be careful when using them.
- Living Soil is the key: This is where the magic bullet comes into play! Living Soil mixes , like the ones you can find in our shop (be sure to check out our BioTabs Living Soil mixes !), are living ecosystems. Microorganisms decompose organic matter and make the nutrients available to your plants in a balanced and plant-available form – completely natural and sustainable. This means that a CalMag deficiency is generally not an issue.
- Organic fertilizers: If you don't use Living Soil, use organic fertilizers. They release slowly and naturally buffer the soil pH.
- Promote soil life: Even in conventional soil, you can activate soil life with compost tea or microorganism preparations and thus improve nutrient availability.
Living Soil: The most sustainable choice for healthy cannabis
We're convinced that Living Soil is the best and most sustainable way to grow great cannabis. Why?
- Natural nutrient supply: Your plants get everything they need in a balanced form.
- Healthy soil life: Active soil life protects against diseases and pests.
- Better taste and aroma profiles: Many growers report more intense terpenes and a better taste in cannabis grown from Living Soil.
- Less effort: Once properly installed, Living Soil often only requires water.
- Sustainability: You reduce the use of synthetic fertilizers and protect the environment.
So if you're looking for a long-term and natural solution for healthy cannabis plants, you should definitely try our BioTabs Living Soil mixes in the shop!
Discover our variety: New seeds and auto highlights!
And while we're on the subject of healthy plants: The foundation for a successful grow is, of course, high-quality seeds. With us, you'll always find the latest and best cannabis seeds from the most renowned breeders. And for those who like things fast and uncomplicated: Be sure to check out our first four exciting autoflower varieties from Mischseeds ! These little powerhouses are perfect for beginners and anyone who wants to harvest in a shorter time.
And don't forget: There are always new varieties to discover in our sale – so it's worth checking back regularly!
Put an end to the CalMag drama and rely on sustainable solutions for your indoor grow. With the right foundation, like our BioTabs Living Soil mixes , and high-quality seeds, nothing stands in the way of a successful harvest!
Happy Growing!
