TheFuture
Well-Known Member
I wanted to put this here in the Marijuana Problems thread since I see it and hear about it from everyone growing that wants to ask about what line to use, and whether to use the entire line, and this is causing some problems with a lot of grows.
First off, remember that plants need three basic nutrients to grow; Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Potassium. In addition, there are micronutrients that the plants need such as Copper, Boron, Zinc, Molybdenum, Silica, et al. You might get too much or not enough of these from using only one line of product.
When you start off growing, I highly recommend that you choose a fertilizer that suits your competency level. Organics sound nice, but using traditional methods, you have to brew compost teas (or buy them) and figure out through experience the amounts you need to grow your plants, in your unique environment, to desired result. Traditional organic fertilizers take time to break down and reach the plants, but the plants can use this with great ease, and there is little possibility of burn (overfertilization.) On the other hand, chemical fertilizers are ready-to-use, and because they have already been broken down through processing, the plants can take them up quicker, leading to many overfertilization burns. Two completely different methods of getting the same nutes to the plant. Also, Organics tend to be a lot harder than Chemicals in application.
Then, we have big differences between hydroponic and soil/soilless fertilizers too... So which do you choose?
At the beginning, you should try to keep things as simple as possible. I recommend a complete two part fertilizer mix such as Dutch Masters Gold line, A and B Grow, and A and B Flower. I recommend mostly because I have had the best results, but also because of outstanding consistency and ease of use. I put in the recommended amounts and it always comes out to the amount I need, at the pH required. Basically you change the reservoir water, mix two graduated cylinders worth of fluids in and youre ready to go. Now, this stuff is more expensive... but In my opinion you are paying the same price as the nutrient line that has each individual ingredient for sale seperately under a fancy name for each bottle, such as House & Garden products... But it is all in two bottles instead.
[Want to disclaim here that H&G is very excellent as a ferti regimen, but I hate having to measure 50 ingredients when I got a lot of other stuff to do.]
However, I do not recommend the rest of their nutrient line other than Saturator and Liquid Light. These two products are used in conjunction with each other as a foliar spray, and I love them.
When you move on to gaining a higher degree of competency, you can start to add in micronutrients as needed to tweak how your plants grow. If you have more Nitrogen left in your plants after flushing, your product will have a "green, grassy" taste. For that example, you would learn not to use that much Nitrogen at the end of the growth cycle of that plant. You could also want to correct a Phosphate deficiency because you noticed purpling/reddening and growth stasis. If you stick to the recommended doses on a strict line of nutes, you might never correct your deficiencies, or even understand your toxicities.
In my personal grow closet I have Dutch Masters Gold products, with some General Organics products for stimulation and foliar feeds, I use ONE item from Advanced Nutrients for nutrient deficiencies, and then I use several Guano, Molasses, and Kelp varieties for taste, carboload, etc.
At one time, I followed the H&G to the "T" and all it did was cost me too much. I have since gained far better results by picking a solid foundational fertilizer mix that includes everything necessary, and using other products as needed.
DONT THINK YOU HAVE TO BUY AND STICK TO ONE TYPE OF PRODUCT!!!
ALSO -- Any retail product on the market was based in something you can do yourself with the right amount of creativity.
First off, remember that plants need three basic nutrients to grow; Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Potassium. In addition, there are micronutrients that the plants need such as Copper, Boron, Zinc, Molybdenum, Silica, et al. You might get too much or not enough of these from using only one line of product.
When you start off growing, I highly recommend that you choose a fertilizer that suits your competency level. Organics sound nice, but using traditional methods, you have to brew compost teas (or buy them) and figure out through experience the amounts you need to grow your plants, in your unique environment, to desired result. Traditional organic fertilizers take time to break down and reach the plants, but the plants can use this with great ease, and there is little possibility of burn (overfertilization.) On the other hand, chemical fertilizers are ready-to-use, and because they have already been broken down through processing, the plants can take them up quicker, leading to many overfertilization burns. Two completely different methods of getting the same nutes to the plant. Also, Organics tend to be a lot harder than Chemicals in application.
Then, we have big differences between hydroponic and soil/soilless fertilizers too... So which do you choose?
At the beginning, you should try to keep things as simple as possible. I recommend a complete two part fertilizer mix such as Dutch Masters Gold line, A and B Grow, and A and B Flower. I recommend mostly because I have had the best results, but also because of outstanding consistency and ease of use. I put in the recommended amounts and it always comes out to the amount I need, at the pH required. Basically you change the reservoir water, mix two graduated cylinders worth of fluids in and youre ready to go. Now, this stuff is more expensive... but In my opinion you are paying the same price as the nutrient line that has each individual ingredient for sale seperately under a fancy name for each bottle, such as House & Garden products... But it is all in two bottles instead.
[Want to disclaim here that H&G is very excellent as a ferti regimen, but I hate having to measure 50 ingredients when I got a lot of other stuff to do.]
However, I do not recommend the rest of their nutrient line other than Saturator and Liquid Light. These two products are used in conjunction with each other as a foliar spray, and I love them.
When you move on to gaining a higher degree of competency, you can start to add in micronutrients as needed to tweak how your plants grow. If you have more Nitrogen left in your plants after flushing, your product will have a "green, grassy" taste. For that example, you would learn not to use that much Nitrogen at the end of the growth cycle of that plant. You could also want to correct a Phosphate deficiency because you noticed purpling/reddening and growth stasis. If you stick to the recommended doses on a strict line of nutes, you might never correct your deficiencies, or even understand your toxicities.
In my personal grow closet I have Dutch Masters Gold products, with some General Organics products for stimulation and foliar feeds, I use ONE item from Advanced Nutrients for nutrient deficiencies, and then I use several Guano, Molasses, and Kelp varieties for taste, carboload, etc.
At one time, I followed the H&G to the "T" and all it did was cost me too much. I have since gained far better results by picking a solid foundational fertilizer mix that includes everything necessary, and using other products as needed.
DONT THINK YOU HAVE TO BUY AND STICK TO ONE TYPE OF PRODUCT!!!
ALSO -- Any retail product on the market was based in something you can do yourself with the right amount of creativity.