Why root density and retention are vital to a generous green harvest.

All plants have roots to help with three main purposes: Water, Nutrients, and stability.  Cannabis is no exception.  Cannabis root systems are fairly basic in their structure, with a main tap root, fibrous roots, and adventitious roots (these roots grow above the soil and are only produced in high and steady humidity levels).  Cannabis roots maintain the same pyramidal growing structure throughout their growth, but the substrate used can drastically affect their growth speed and size.  With a substrate that is too tightly packed, the roots will have a harder time expanding through the medium, ultimately slowing plant growth.  A strong root system from seed or clone is vital to get a strong flowering plant later.  With a strong and established root system, the plant has the ability to be more stable and better transport nutrients, overall resulting in better yields.  Cannabis plants have roots that explore for water and nutrients, so keeping the soil from getting too wet continuously encourages the stretching and strengthening of roots.

Root growth during the veg cycle is extremely important, especially because growth slows significantly once the plant flips over into its flowering cycle.  The primary function of roots during flower goes from being explorative to being extractive, with less focus on growth, and more focus shifted to nutrient intake.  The main nutrients a healthy cannabis plant needs are Nitrogen, Potassium, and Phosphorus.  On nutrient mixes, you’ll often see three numbers separated by dashes.  These are the relative concentrations of each nutrient in that mix.  When plants have big, strong roots, they can take in more nutrients and better store them for later use.