NETTLES AND CANNABIS: ARE THEY GOOD FOR CANNABIS?

Many growers often consider nettles an unnecessary weed, including cannabis growers who try to get rid of them because they see them as a threat that could harm their plants and reduce yields. However, nettles are plants that should not be underestimated. They are ideal companion plants that attract beneficial insects and evenincrease the production of terpenes in cannabis. In this article, we will look at how nettles contribute to the overall health of plants and their better growth.

What are nettles?

Nettle is a plant with pointed leaves and white to yellowish flowers. Like cannabis, nettles have trichomes, which they use to protect themselves from predators. These fine hairs contain irritating chemicals that are released from the plant on contact with the skin. Nettle hairs are very painful to the touch. Despite its negative qualities, nettles are actually a very beneficial herb that can be a useful tool for growers, especially those who grow cannabis.

The benefits of nettles for cannabis

Nettles provide a number of benefits to cannabis plants, making them a good addition to your garden. The benefits of nettles are:

They attract insects

With this unique plant , you will attract beneficial insects that will help protect your plants from pests. This is due to the large amount of nectar contained in the nettle flowers. Nettle leaves attract ladybugs, which kill insects such as mites and aphids that are harmful to cannabis.

They increase the production of terpenes

Another advantage of using nettles as companion plants is their rare ability to increase resin production in cannabis plants. This finding is based on claims by fruit and vegetable growers that pollen from nearby nettles gives their crops a better taste. The same would seem to be true for cannabis. Nettle pollen can increase the production of terpenes in the trichomes of cannabis plants, which translates into a much more pronounced resin and consequently flavour.

They enrich the compost

Nettles contain a number of important nutrients. All these nutrients are enclosed in their tissues. It only takes a few simple steps to turn nettles into a nutrient-rich fertiliser that can benefit the health and yield of cannabis plants. Composting is a great, cheap and effective way to improve soil quality and increase biodiversity. Making compost is a reliable way to provide cannabis plants with a healthy and vibrant rhizosphere. Nettles are an ideal addition to compost due to their high content of vitamins and nutrients such as calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium and zinc, providing cannabis plants with the necessary macro and micronutrients.

How to use nettles in a cannabis garden

If you want to like nettles even more, here are two ways you can use them in your cannabis garden.

Companion planting

Companion planting involves planting different types of useful plants close to the cannabis plants. Companion plants are usually used for their ability to attract beneficial insects, repel harmful ones and improve the biodiversity of the garden.

Nettle flowers produce nectar which is very attractive to beneficial insects. This plant will bring pollinators into your garden and other plants will thrive. And since nettles grow very densely, they can also be used as windbreaks and shading elements. You can plant nettles as a barrier against the strong winds that blow in spring and autumn.

Nettle compost extract

Nettles can also be used as a fertiliser. They make a good addition to compost extract to provide nutrients to the cannabis plants and prevent pests.

Place the nettle leaves in a container and soak them in water for 1-3 weeks. After 14 days, fermentation will take place, breaking down the nettles and releasing valuable nutrients into the solution. After this time, drain the fertiliser. Mix 1 part nettle extract with 20 parts water before using as a foliar spray. Mix 1 part of the extract with 10 parts of water before using as a soil spray. Nettles supply nitrogen, potassium, iron, magnesium, calcium, sulphur, copper and chlorophyll to cannabis plants.

Want to learn more about companion planting? Wondering what other plants are beneficial for cannabis? Read our blog article on companion plants.