To guarantee an abundant yield, it is vital to provide Terp & Tonic with a well-balanced nutrient regime. Maintain a constant irrigation program, avoiding excessive watering, which can cause root rot: it is best to water frequently, but in small quantities, to avoid saturating the substrate.
It is common for rookies to load their plants with too many nutrients, which can lead to them getting burnt. Photo-dependent plants have larger roots, but those of autoflowerings are comparatively smaller, so nutrients need to be adjusted accordingly. For instance, if your nutrient table recommends 5 ml/L, start with 2.5 or 1.25 ml (i.e. ½ or ¼ concentration) and see how the plant responds.
You can make nutrients for cannabis at home using organic matter (for instance, compost), or you can buy them at a gardening store. Terp & Tonic Auto needs variable amounts of NPK at different stages of development, but these are typically as follows:
Vegetative growth phase: NPK ratio: 2:1:1 or similar (for example, 10:5:5). During this stage, plants need more nitrogen to promote growth and branching.
Early flowering phase: NPK ratio: 1:2:2 or similar (for example, 5:10:10). As plants start flowering, they need more phosphorus to promote the development of flowers and shoots.
Late flowering or ripening phase: NPK ratio: 0:3:3 or similar (for example, 0:15:15). During this stage, the plants need more potassium to support flower development and promote bud ripening.
You should also monitor pH levels regularly to ensure optimal nutrient absorption. Terp & Tonic Auto grows better with a pH range between 6.2 and 6.8 (vegetative) / 6.5 and 7 (flowering) when grown in substrate; and 5.8 – 6.2 (vegetative) / 5.5 – 6.5 (flowering) when grown hydroponically. Of course, you can still get good crops even with slightly lower or slightly higher pH measurements… but always making sure the pH remains below 7!