Modified on: 20/09/2022
Like all plants, cannabis plants have their way of communicating their discomfort. Cannabis plants, for example, often have their leaves pointing downwards. Let’s take a look at what this means
Licensed cannabis growers know how to recognise a plant’s unhealthy state as good professionals. One of the most common signs is that the leaves may turn downwards or curl up.
When this happens, the plant is under a lot of stress, and action must be taken to prevent the crop from being lost and production from suffering.
Before analysing the problem and offering some practical solutions, we would like to invite you to visit our SensorySeeds online shop dedicated to cannabis seed collectors, full of top quality products (such as BSF Seeds).
We would also like to remind you that the advice offered here is in no way an incentive to cultivate (which remains illegal unless you have a licence to do so).
Let’s look at the causes of stress for cannabis plants and the solutions to be implemented immediately in the case of downward-facing leaves.
Read also: How to increase the humidity in the grow room: short guide
Possible causes of downward-facing leaves
Here are the five leading causes of this sign of malaise for cannabis plants.
1 – Water stress
Cannabis plants can become stressed by either too much or too little water. If, for example, you grow outdoors during the summer months, you may experience a severe lack of rainfall, and this can affect plant development. The soil dries out, and the plants soon begin to look visibly droopy, with their leaves pointing downwards.
Excessive watering can occur in the spring months or around September-October. Therefore, the solution to water stress can only be constant plant hydration by adding water when necessary or by adding a cover during the rainiest months.
Read also: How to buy certified hemp seeds and avoid rip-offs
2 – Stress from hypoxia
This type of stress occurs when not enough oxygen reaches the plant roots. It happens mainly when the substrate remains wet for too long or is not drained well. As a result, the metabolic functions of the plant are slowed down, and the leaves turn yellow and droop.
To solve this problem, you should significantly provide the plants with a spongy, aerated substrate if you are growing auto-flowering plants. One solution would be to make a soil mix with 30% coco and use draining pots.
It should also be remembered that from 20 degrees upwards, the oxygen content in the water decreases, so water the plants with cool water and don’t forget the watering cans in the sun.
3 – Stress from incorrect temperature
Cannabis plants suffer from both too hot and too cold a temperature. They have particularly stressed if it is very hot during the day and there is a sudden drop in temperature at night.
Cannabis plants have an ideal temperature range of between 18 and 29 degrees.
It is essential not to leave them in the cold too long, especially in the early stages of their life, where extreme temperatures could stop their growth. The plants should be covered at night or shaded during the day to avoid temperature fluctuations.
4 – Stress from pests and diseases
Especially in outdoor cultivation, the plants may become infected with diseases or parasitised by insects. In this case, growth stops because the plant concentrates its energy on fighting the infection.
The solution in these cases is to apply preventive methods to avoid disease. If the infection has already occurred, the plant must be cared for by providing it with the right products and good support, such as a light fertiliser containing amino acids and vitamins.
5 – Stress from excess or lack of nutrients
Often a lack of nutrients is not since not enough nutrients are being supplied, but rather that the plant cannot absorb them.
It is often due to an excessive accumulation of salt in the substrate. The roots should be washed with water and without fertiliser to avoid this.
To conclude
Cannabis plants need constant care and attention and good knowledge of the problems that can arise and the possible solutions.
But meanwhile, if you are interested in purchasing top quality cannabis seeds, why not pop into our SensorySeeds online shop?
We have a selection that will make any collector happy! So, what are you waiting for? Visit now!
Choose from our wide range of quality weed seeds to complete your collection: feminized seeds, auto flower seeds, fast growing weed seeds, there is something for every taste!
We look forward to seeing you on Sensoryseeds.com!
