Pros and cons of synthetic fertilizers for weed

• INDOORS

Most growers, even soil growers, will use at least one or two chemical fertilisers or supplements. The majority of hydroponics cultivators swear by incremental doses of synthetic feeds starting at 10-25% dosage from the very beginning. In contrast, the mostly organic soil grower sparingly adds synthetic bloom boosters to bulk up harvest weights without compromising flavour.

• OUTDOORS

Chemical fertilisers are not favoured by most outdoor cultivators these days. They work just fine, but organics is in these days. Some synthetic stimulants can be added to speed up blooming and fatten up colas but that’s as far as most go. Generally, chemicals are associated with last stand struggles to fight off a pest invasion in the weed garden.

ADVANTAGES OF SYNTHETIC FERTILISERS

Unlike organic fertilisers, synthetic-based ones have strong and specific content, allowing you to know exactly what you are giving your weed plants in term of nutritional content and ratio – a big advantage to veteran grows trying to control a grow right down to the last detail.

Because of their composition, the nutrients within synthetic fertilisers are available for immediate absorption, allowing you to ensure your weed is getting what it needs when it needs it. Thanks to the greater levels of control offered by synthetic fertilisers, it is often easier for beginners to produce an overall better quality grow

DISADVANTAGES OF SYNTHETIC FERTILISERS

As touched upon in the organics section, it is believed that chemically-based synthetic fertilisers leave a residue within hemp plants. Connoisseurs can always tell the difference between organics and hydroponics. Even if the grower has thoroughly flushed the weed and harvested with the greatest care, hydro weed tastes like hydro weed. Similarly, soil-grown hemp tastes better and can be more easily flushed when fed organic nutes.

Synthetic fertilisers are often very acidic, and leave salt residue in the soil. This effects pH drastically and often requires active maintenance to keep soil safe, healthy and salt-free. If left with a salt build-up, nutritional absorption can be affected, resulting in malnourishment.

If you happen to be using exclusively inorganic fertilisers, it can sometimes be difficult to keep pH and EC levels within optimal parameters. Organics are much simpler and usually require far fewer bottles of nuts to mix coming feeding time.