What are the fertilizer requirements for hemp?

Across North America, hemp cultivation has a lot of catching up to do. While 100 years ago, it wasn’t uncommon to see hemp being grown across the continent, we have a large gap to overcome in our hemp cultivation knowledge. Because of this, a lot of research into hemp fertilizers is being based on research conducted worldwide, including Canada, Europe, and the United States.

Hemp is a strong and durable plant, but that doesn’t mean that it’s indestructible. Like any other crop, if you want to achieve the maximum yield, you’re going to have to take care of it, and part of that is the use of fertilizers.

One thing that we do know is that hemp can be grown in any soil that’s suitable for growing corn or flax. If the soil is poorly drained or poorly structured, it may not be easy to establish an effective stand. If the soil is excessively sandy, you may have to utilize irrigation methods to ensure that you’re maximizing your yield from your hemp crop. You should always get a thorough soil evaluation done before choosing how much fertilizer or what type of fertilizer you use. 

Despite their rugged nature, hemp plants are sensitive to any fertilizer which is placed too close to the seed. You’ll want to avoid placing any fertilizer directly on the seed. Instead, ensure that any fertilizer is placed at least 2 inches below and 2 inches to the side of the hemp seed.

Hemp plants require approximately the same amount of fertilizer as a high-yield crop of wheat. A lot of research is currently being conducted across North America to determine exactly how much and what types of fertilizer hemp requires. It’s important to remember that not all hemp plants are grown for the same reason, and not all hemp is the same. Some hemp plants are grown for fiber, while others are grown for oil.

Getting a soil test is a perfect place to start to determine what your soil is missing and what types of fertilizer your soil needs. If you haven’t got any previous hemp history to work off, basing fertilizer needs off of high-yield wheat crops will give you an approximate idea.

Throughout the plant’s growing cycle, as much as 42% of the plant’s biomass will return to the soil through the leaves, roots, and tops of the plant. These components of the plant will contain as much as half of the nutrients given to the hemp plants during their growth. The best part is that many of the nutrients will be available to help the following crops.

Hemp Fertilizer Requirements – Conclusion

As you can see, we have a lot of catching up to do when it comes to cultivating hemp, but researchers worldwide are working at record speeds to determine exactly what the fertilizer requirements are for different hemp plants based on their soil type.

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