I am a newer grower and was told to add sulfates during flower to help boost terpene profiles. Wasn’t sure how accurate this is or which sulfates to use. I know gypsum is cal-sulfate, epsom for mag-sulfate, and SOP. Is there any truth to sulfates boosting terp profiles or is it a bro science? When would I add different or specific ones and what stages? Top dress or liquid. Thank you for helping a noob.
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Welcome to the plant nutrition rabbit hole. 😉 There are no special elements used only at certain times. Sulfur in the ionic form of sulfate is an essential element soluble in a fairly wide pH range (5.0-10) that could be considered a secondary macro-element, as it’s up to 80 ppm range is needed during the reproductive stage (producing seeds). All the essential elements are needed throughout a plants life cycle but the ratios of these elements the plant requires changes as well. Sulfate makes up part of some amino acids as co-enzymes. Sulfur is part of the building blocks of life like carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen. Sulfate is a major element used during reproduction and seed formation. Sulfate helps protect the plant by producing secondary metabolites like trichomes like you’re wondering.
If you want to dig deeper into plant nutrition, check out this post. https://www.dudegrows.com/mystros-guide-to-cannabis-nutrition/
Excellent knowledge for future breeding. Much appreciated even though it wasn’t meant for me. This place rocks!
Thank you for dropping the knowledge! Glad I found and joined DGC.
I have my husband fart on the plants week 2 of flowering. No later though…..
My research/reading indicates that sulfur is a key component in the production of terpenes but, that said, you can’t increase terpenes by adding more sulfur. The plant is merely capable of its full expression if there is adequate sulfur available to the plant. Genetics determine terpene potential. Nutrition from the day a seed pops to the day you chop determines the the terpene level, of that potential, that’s actually expressed. No ONE nutrient or mineral is solely responsible for any one characteristic – it’s an entourage effect of all the various minerals a nutrients and providing them to the plant, in the proper amounts, throughout its life determines what you ultimately get. Sulfur does seem to get neglected by a lot of growers who didn’t seem to recognize it’s value until recently. I think a lot of soil recipes (and maybe even nutrient lines) kinda ignored the importance of sulphur. Thankfully, growers have become more cognizant of its importance in recent years; and it’s more talked about these days. Just keep in mind, you can’t just apply sulphur to any plant in flower and expect a guaranteed terpene increase – it just doesn’t work that way. Hope this helps.
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