Surprisingly, plants contain more water than animals. Some of them bear 90% to 95% water. Some issues in Cannabis plants arise because of this fact. Beginners would usually think that cannabis leaves drooping happens due to lack of water. But there are other things that they should know when this situation comes up.
Cannabis Leaves Drooping or Wilting?
To resolve the cannabis leaves drooping issue, you should make sure first that it’s the exact thing that is happening to your plants. You may think that the leaves are drooping but they’re wilting. So you have to know the difference.
Wilting is when the tips of the leaves curl up and yellow. When drooping occurs, the whole leaf is affected. There are no yellow spots on the tip of the leaves. They are firmer than the wilted leaves which instead look tired and lifeless.
The Reason Behind Cannabis Leaves Drooping
Lack of water results in wilting. Is it the same thing with drooping leaves? The answer is no as the cause is overwatering. It happens if your plants are in pots that don’t have appropriate drainage or frequent, unreasonable watering schedule. What happens next is the roots start to rot.
Excess water got stuck at the roots and therefore results in obstruction of oxygen intake of the soil. These things make your marijuana plants droop as root rot has developed.
You can put your attention on the pot and potting mix that you’re currently using. Good drainage for both pots and potting mix is essential so you may want to check on these things. It’s recommended to water Cannabis plants when the soil is high and dry. But when it’s not practiced, don’t be surprised that you see cannabis leaves drooping.
When this issue appears all of the sudden, lift the pots and check their bottom part. It’s for you to check if it’s draining well. You may need to move the potting mix a bit if the water got stuck in the pot. It shouldn’t be tightly packed.
The plants need to be watered by checking the few inches of the soil from the top. You don’t need to water them if the soil is dark and moist. Skip watering them. The problem is not about the amount of water but with the frequency.
You should be mindful of this matter as diseases can develop overnight when your plants are overwatered. Take care of the roots and maintain their health.
Resolve Cannabis Leaves Drooping With the Following Steps
A Growing Medium with Good Drainage
You have to decide well what growing medium you will use for your plantation. Remember that the water shouldn’t get stuck in the pot as it can cause root rot. It’s called overwatering. That’s why clay pots are not recommended for it as it absorbs too much water.
Ensure that there are enough holes so you the water can reach the bottom and drain. If you’ve noticed that the water moves slowly, the presence of oxygen can be amplified and drainage can be in motion by using perlite.
You must check the pot’s tray. Allowing the pots to sit on the water doesn’t help to resolve this issue. The soil with poor drainage will look like mud. Take note of it. For seedlings, it’s best to place them in small pots to avoid overwatering.
Using Finger or Knuckle Method
You must know the proper way and schedule for watering Cannabis plants. You can use two fingers or knuckles to check the soil if it needs to be watered or not. Don’t water if the water is still moist. When you find soggy soil, it means it’s overwatered. The pattern that you should follow is to give them a break between times of watering.
Cannabis plants can receive water every two or three days. When watering, you have to stop when you see 20% of water is drained at the bottom. If the first one inch of the soil stays moist, it means you’ve overwatered it so give it time to dry.
Lift and Feel the Weight
Lift the pot and see for yourself if your plant needs water. You also have to feel the weight and when it’s light, it means that it’s thirsty. If you can’t be sure, you can put the growing medium that you use in a pot and feel its weight. You can make a comparison this way.
If your medium remains wet for four days, you have to take action and make it well-drained. Put small plants in a pot appropriate for its size or else, it will drown.
Moisture Sensor
It doesn’t cost much when you buy one. There are two kinds that you can choose from which are volumetric and tensiometric sensors. The first one can detect the volume of water present in the soil. Then the second one can determine the potential soil moisture. It can even give you an estimate of the amount of water a certain type of soil can hold. It’s how sensitive it is.
Prod the instrument into the soil to check the moisture. It will give you an accurate number. It’s much better than your intuition.
Dry Strain
If you’re still struggling with overwatering, there are special strains that can keep you away from this trouble. You can allow them to thrive outside if it’s possible for you. They originally come from Cambodia, Colombia, Mexico, and Jamaica. They grow well in warm climates.
The best examples are the Blue Dream and Green Crack. They require less maintenance so cultivation is easy.
Some Important Points
Overwatering makes the Cannabis leaves droop. This mishap can also cause nutrient deficiency or excessive feedings. Some nutrients will react to a lot of water. You have to do the things that were mentioned above to avoid weakening your plants.
Summary
Watering your plants well is a skill that you need to learn as a responsible gardener. So you can prevent cannabis leaves drooping from happening. It’s also for you not to waste the previous effort that you made.
