Cannabis - Healthy Roots
Healthy roots translate to higher yields for cannabis gardens.
One of the most important factors in how well a cannabis plant will grow and how much it can produce is the health and strength of its root system.
Below the surface of your growing medium, the root mass is made up of an entangled web of roots that store sugars and starches (Cannabis plant food) and carry the necessary minerals to the plant.
The roots of Cannabis plants are covered with millions of small hairs that absorb water and minerals from the surrounding root zone.
This root system sends minerals through the plant body to the leaves for use during photosynthesis, which in turn produces the starches and sugars that the plant uses to food and energy.
The larger and more extended the root system, the larger the plant will grow. In the root zone, the layers humidity, temperature and oxygen directly affect growth.
It is very important to remember that the roots breathe oxygen, while the rest of the plant uses carbon dioxide (CO2). When growing indoors and using potted containers, the best containers to house your plants are the most breathable or air permeable, so that oxygen can easily enter the root zone.
If you're growing outdoors, aerating the soil or growing medium by shaking or working once every few weeks is also a good idea.
How Cannabis Roots Work
When starch is produced via photosynthesis in the upper parts of the plant, excess plant food is returned to the root system for storage. The more energy the roots have stored, the more nutrients they can send to the leaves to be used in photosynthesis to produce more food.
It is a cycle that, when all goes well, can lead to overgrowth of plants. When plants are properly trained (via trellis or pruning), this growth or energy can be directed towards the production of flowers and resin (trichomes).
In the root zone, the quality of the medium is also very important for these same reasons. The less energy the roots have to expend, the more they can use that energy to grow themselves and the plant on top.
The root zone is also where most of the plant's water is brought into the plant. And 99 percent of this water has transpired through the top leaves. mediums that are airy and retain a lot of moisture are the most ideal.
Soils and soilless mixes (such as peat or sphagnum) are also recommended as they provide an excellent "buffer" for delicate roots, which helps prevent nutrient-feeding burns and allows them to absorb more effectively the vital minerals needed to produce sugars and starches internally.
Four tips for healthy roots
1. Oxygen
Roots use oxygen to convert stored starch into energy, so make sure air can permeate.
2.Temperature
Roots grow mostly at night, when the top of the plant has gone out And they work most efficiently when hot. Roots in a dark place and heat develop quickly and create a good structure in the root zone.
3. Structure
If possible, don't let the roots bind to the roots. If you can't allow them to advance, allow them to prune through exposure to air. Some containers offer specialized coatings to prevent roots from growing and strangling while others have holes lining the sides .
4. More air
The upper third of the root zone contains specialized roots that breathe air; The lower third are the "roots of the water ", which absorb H2O. Be careful not to overwater the plants, especially near the top of the root zone, otherwise you could drown them.
.Sources: Hightimes