For master growers, or any true homegrowers at heart, the cannabis plant is a fascinating study. Cannabis cultivation is a science—and a marijuana cultivator needs to understand every part of the plant’s biology in order to micromanage its nutritional needs. If a plant is missing essential nutrients, the overall success and yield of that plant’s life is diminished. A proper understanding of chelates can bring a wealth of knowledge to the grower. Chelates are compounds that act as vehicles to help the cannabis plant take in metal-based nutrients that the plant’s roots cannot absorb on their own. With a thorough understanding of both naturally occurring and synthetic chelating agents and how they operate, growers can prevent micronutrient deficiencies in their plants and enjoy higher-quality cannabis.

WHAT ARE CHELATES?

The word “chelate” (commonly pronounced key-late) comes from the Greek word chela, meaning “claw,” an apt description of a chelate’s appearance, since the ligands that encompass its central atom resemble the claws of a lobster. The word “chelate” was first used