What growers need to know about marijuana roots
The quality, quantity and taste characteristics of hemp buds are directly dependent on the roots. In our article, we will talk about this relationship and tell you how to properly develop the root system to get the expected result.
The root system of cannabis and its features
The harvest of marijuana depends on the impact of two factors at once: external and internal. The ground part of the bush develops due to sunlight and carbon dioxide, which saturate the plant with the necessary energy.
The underground part is responsible for the absorption of water and nutrients in the soil. In addition, it is engaged in the supply of necessary substances to the above-ground region and accumulates in itself the energy received as starches.
The depth of the cannabis root can reach 2 meters, but the bulk is concentrated at a depth of 40 cm. Interestingly, female plants have heavier roots than male plants.
Root Development Tips
When growing hemp, you need to create favorable conditions for the above and below ground parts. The most common mistakes cannabis growers make are:
Oversaturation of moisture due to abundant watering;
Overheating of the roots due to prolonged or constant exposure of the plant to the sun or lamp;
Poor ventilation of the soil leads to a limited supply of oxygen to the rhizome.
These errors can provoke diseases of the root system, most often mold and rot.
The temperature in the root zone should be 10 °C lower than in the stem area. The optimum temperature range for the root system is 18-22°C. At a lower value, the plant absorbs the useful components necessary for life.
Please note that the root contains few cannabinoids that have a psychoactive effect on humans. In some varieties, they are no more than 0.004, while in cones the figure can reach 2.4%. But in the root system there are other healthy components: friedelin, epifriedelanol, hopanoids, alkaloids and others. Therefore, many alternative medicine advocates use the rhizomes to make decoctions, as they are effective in fighting inflammation, infection, and have antioxidant effects.
What growers need to know about marijuana roots