Soil Feeding Schedule for Cannabis

Soil feeding mindset

Soil holds nutrients in the root zone — you feed less often than coco. Many growers alternate feed and plain water (or feed / water / water) to prevent salt buildup.

Pre-charged soils (Ocean Forest, etc.) may need only water for 3–6 weeks. Hot super soils may need water only until mid-flower. Read the plant, not just the calendar.

Seedling to early veg

First 1–2 weeks: plain pH'd water in most soils. When second set of true leaves is mature, start ¼ strength grow formula every other watering.

Ramp to ½ strength over 2 weeks as leaf count builds. Dark green, glossy leaves mean hold strength; pale new growth means inch up slowly.

• Week 1–2: water only (non-hot soil)
• Week 3–4: ¼ → ½ strength grow, every other watering
• Week 5+ veg: ½ → full strength grow per schedule below

Flip and flower transition

Switch to bloom formula over 1–2 weeks while reducing nitrogen. Some lines use a single base with different grow/bloom ratios; others swap bottles entirely.

Mid-flower (weeks 4–7): full bloom strength if plants drink aggressively. Back off if tips burn or leaves claw.

• Flip week: ½ grow + ½ bloom or transition formula
• Weeks 2–4 flower: full bloom per label at 50–75% if needed
• Weeks 5–8: maintain or taper nitrogen; watch cal-mag demand
• Last 2 weeks: optional flush with plain water if using synthetics

Feed / water rhythm

Common pattern for bottled nutrients in soil: Feed → Water → Water → repeat. Adjust based on pot size, plant size, and runoff EC.

If runoff EC climbs above input by 0.5–1.0 ms/cm consistently, insert extra plain-water pots until runoff drops.

When to back off

Burnt tips, dark green clawed leaves, or rising runoff EC mean reduce strength or add plain water cycles — not more bloom booster.

Yellow lower leaves in late flower are often normal senescence — don't panic-feed nitrogen and fatten buds with nutes in week 8.