Tapering: Finishing Clean for Flavor and Quality
Why Taper Nutrition?
As plants near harvest, their priorities change. Instead of building new leaves and stems, they concentrate on ripening flowers, producing resin, and developing flavor. Adjusting nutrition to match this shift is known as tapering.
Without tapering, excess nitrogen and phosphorus linger in the plant, affecting smoke quality in cannabis or reducing shelf-life in produce.
The Tapering Shift
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Reduce Nitrogen (N): Excess N delays ripening, increases chlorophyll, and creates harsher flavors.
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Slightly Reduce Phosphorus (P): Too much late bloom can create salt buildup and lockout.
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Maintain Potassium (K), Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Sulfur (S): These elements continue to support flower density, terpene production, and sugar transport.
Benefits of Proper Tapering
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Cannabis: Cleaner burn, smoother smoke, and preserved terpene profile.
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Fruits & Vegetables: Improved flavor, aroma, and shelf stability.
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Ornamentals: Richer flower color and longer vase life.
Key Takeaways
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Don’t taper everything equally. N and P reductions are critical, but keep K, Ca, Mg, and S stable.
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Monitor runoff EC and avoid late-cycle salt accumulation.
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Always adjust tapering to the genetics and crop timeline.
Tapering isn’t about starving your plants—it’s about refinement. When managed well, it allows cannabis to reach its peak genetic potential, fruit crops to taste sweeter, and flowers to shine brighter.
Recommended Products for Tapering:
Uncle John's Blend™
0-0-2
Uncle John’s Blend™ 0-0-2 combines essential trace micronutrients with Potassium (K) to support and enhance the genetic potential of plants. Uncle John’s Blend™ 0-0-2 is recommended as a supplement in all stages of plant growth, but is most critical in the flowering stage for nutrient mobilization and metabolism.
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Plant Amp™
Plant Amp™ delivers a highly bioavailable calcium (Ca 1%) formula, crucial for plant nutrient processing and cell wall fortification. Recommended for use throughout all stages of plant growth, Plant Amp™ is effective as a foliar spray during the vegetative stage, suitable for both commercial growers and hobbyists.
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Sugaree™
0-0-2
Sugaree™ 0-0-2 combines potassium with a finely micronized carbohydrate source, tailored specifically for flowering plants. This unique formulation is designed for effective use across a range of hydroponic & soil systems. Sugaree™ 0-0-2 is recommended for the sweeter, berry fruit flavor profiles in the catalog.
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Sour-Dee™
0-0-2
Sour-Dee™ 0-0-2 combines Potassium (K) with a finely micronized carbohydrate source, tailored specifically for flowering plants. This unique formulation is designed for effective use across a range of hydroponic & soil systems. Sour-Dee™ 0-0-2 is recommended for the citrus, tropical, fuel flavor profiles in the catalog.
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