Growing up on the serene island of Dominica 🇩🇲 in the heart of the Caribbean

Growing up on the serene island of Dominica 🇩🇲 in the heart of the Caribbean, I was surrounded by the bountiful gifts of nature. Nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and lush tropical rainforests, my connection to the earth began early. (I’ve shared some breathtaking photos in the comments, be sure to check them out!)

As a teenager, my fascination with cannabis cultivation led me to experiment with local, natural resources. One of my favorite tasks was collecting seaweed washed ashore. This humble ocean treasure, rich in kelp and potassium, became a cornerstone of my homemade fertilizers. I’d rinse it with fresh water, compost it for soil amendments, or brew liquid teas to boost my plants during the vegetative phase.

But my curiosity didn’t stop there. As a deep-sea diver, I ventured into bat caves to gather high-quality seabird guano, renowned in Caribbean cannabis culture. This organic fertilizer, packed with phosphorus, worked wonders for plant flavor and vigor. To this day, I’ve yet to find a natural compound that rivals its impact on terpene and aroma profiles.

During my dives, I also caught ocean fish, repurposing the guts into a nutrient-rich fish emulsion. With the help of molasses, I sped up microbial activity, testing both aerobic and anaerobic solutions. This nitrogen-heavy fertilizer became another secret weapon in my cultivation toolkit.

Remarkably, I began formulating fertilizers at just 13 years old, crafting recipes and perfecting ratios. Over the years, I’ve developed more than 100 unique recipes, tailored for cannabis horticulture. Growing up in a cannabis-liberal Caribbean society fostered creativity and competitiveness. We held quarterly cannabis cups, where friends and family showcased their best strains, pushing us all toward innovation.

For these competitions, I meticulously built living soils customized for each strain. By balancing NPK ratios, micronutrients, minerals, and crushed limestone, I optimized growth and flavor profiles, cementing my passion for sustainable cultivation practices.

Reflections on Today’s Fertilizer Market
Despite the advancements in cannabis agriculture, I’ve yet to find a commercial fertilizer that offers all the essential elements for optimal cultivation. This has led me to rely on a blend of both organic and synthetic compounds, such as:

1. Molasses for microbial health
2. Epsom salts for magnesium and sulfur
3. Bone meal and guano for phosphorus
4. Compost teas for microbial diversity
5. Silicon dioxide for plant strength
6. Limestone to balance pH

Questions for the Community
I’d love to hear from fellow cultivators:

Have you ever crafted your own fertilizers for cannabis?

What’s been your most effective recipe or ingredient for exceptional results?

Do you believe in a fully organic approach, or do you find value in combining organic and synthetic methods?

Let’s exchange knowledge and grow together!