Cation Exchange Capacity
Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) measures a growing medium's ability to hold and release positively charged nutrient ions—such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium—that cannabis plants require. Soil or substrate with higher CEC retains nutrients longer and buffers pH more effectively, reducing nutrient leaching and lockout risks. CEC is expressed in milliequivalents per 100 grams (meq/100g) and varies by medium composition: clay-rich soils typically score 20–40 meq/100g, while sandy soils may score 2–5. Breeders and cultivators working with specific phenotypes often adjust substrate CEC to match genetic nutrient uptake patterns and optimize expression of desired traits.
Cation Exchange Capacity strains
No strains tagged into Cation Exchange Capacity yet — they'll appear here as breeders submit lineage records under this classification.
Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) measures a growing medium's ability to hold and release positively charged nutrient ions—such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium—that cannabis plants require. Soil or substrate with higher CEC retains nutrients longer and buffers pH more effectively, reducing nutrient leaching and lockout risks. CEC is expressed in milliequivalents per 100 grams (meq/100g) and varies by medium composition: clay-rich soils typically score 20–40 meq/100g, while sandy soils may score 2–5. Breeders and cultivators working with specific phenotypes often adjust substrate CEC to match genetic nutrient uptake patterns and optimize expression of desired traits.
Breeders document how different cultivars respond to varying CEC substrates, as nutrient availability directly influences phenotypic expression, resin production, and plant vigor. Maintaining consistent CEC across breeding trials helps isolate genetic traits from environmental nutrient fluctuations.
Educational reference · Cultivar metadata only · No medical claims