Nutrients Hi guys, need a fair bit of advice in multiple places. Fairly long post, appreciate any help!

[SweetSkunk]

Hi all, I'll try and keep this brief as I can and please correct me if I'm wrong anywhere.

I've been growing 12 Sweet skunk autos in 15L pots. Here is my setup:

• 2*2*2 m tent
• 3 * 600w HPS bulbs in cool boxes and 5 inch fan
• Isomax extraction fan (plenty big enough)
• 12 * 15L pots Bio bizz ilight mix soil
• Advanced nutrients as per Tangs easy feed schedule

I have been following Tang's easy auto feeding schedule for 3 grows. I noticed some problems with my plants in the first grow and some suggested it was either a pH issue or the hardness of my water (which is really hard)

So I got an RO system to eliminate the hard water. I also got a pH pen to test my soil and water.

I found the pH of my feed and soil were around 5.5-5.7 - too low for soil grow (?) So I started to adjust the feed with pH up to try and get the correct pH in my pot. I didn't manage to achieve this, the pot was always < 6 pH.

I then found out that one of advanced nutrients big selling points is it's "pH perfect" and buffers the feed to the correct pH, which turns on to be 5.5

So after some more reading, that pH of 5.5 is for hydro grows and the pH you want your resivour. Not the pH for soil grows which want to be 6.5-6.7

Therefore I think my initial problems, that I'm still suffering were likely pH issues.

Now for the advice I need. I want to change nutrient brands and adjust the pH my self. I don't want thousands of additives, just the basic my plants need. Can any one recommend a brand for autos? And preferably a feeding schedule to go with it.

Also, as I now have Reverse osmosis, I need to replenish with calcium and magnesium. Should this be done with calmag supplements in soil or should I use lime?

Long post I know, and I appreciate any advice you can offer.

Cheers!

 

[MickJ]

My tap water is 7.5 I use old timer nutes in soil. Old timer buffers to 6.5. it's an organic nutrient and I have had no issues. Not sure about in RO water though.

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[AutoWonders]

Also, as I now have Reverse osmosis, I need to replenish with calcium and magnesium. Should this be done with calmag supplements in soil or should I use lime?

When I was in soil, I added Dolomite lime at 1 tablespoon per gallon of pot size. Also needed for the led lights I was using back then. I always have Bottanicare liquid calmag on hand. I have "whole house filtered water" and consistently use the liquid calmag. At the end of grows I use organic blastrap molasses for achieving a ph reading.

 

[SweetSkunk]

My tap water is 7.5 I use old timer nutes in soil. Old timer buffers to 6.5. it's an organic nutrient and I have had no issues. Not sure about in RO water though.

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Thanks mate, I have seen old timer nutes for sale in my local hydro shop. Is there a reason you use organic nutes over non organic? Also what products do you actually use and in what quantities?

Cheers

 

[SweetSkunk]

When I was in soil, I added Dolomite lime at 1 tablespoon per gallon of pot size. Also needed for the led lights I was using back then. I always have Bottanicare liquid calmag on hand. I have "whole house filtered water" and consistently use the liquid calmag. At the end of grows I use organic blastrap molasses for achieving a ph reading.

Did the dolomite lime have an affect on the pH? When did you add it, before planting? If so did you add the dolomite an amount of time before planting into it?

As a new grower I've never delved into molasses. I did a bit of reading on what it was and it's bennafits this morning. I however have no idea what you mean by "for achieving a pH reading". What does molasses have to do with taking a pH reading?

Sorry for my lack of knowledge and cheers for your input

 

[MickJ]

I use old timer grow and bloom, plant magic magnacal plus, seaweed tonic from local shop, I'm trying bud candy by advanced nutes, molasses (black treacle in UK), plant magic bio silicone and mycorrhizal fungi prior to planting. I went mostly organic as it is very forgiving and deficiencies are slow to none. Also taste is supposed to be better but that is debatable.

Thanks mate, I have seen old timer nutes for sale in my local hydro shop. Is there a reason you use organic nutes over non organic? Also what products do you actually use and in what quantities?

Cheers

Sent from my comfy chair.
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[SweetSkunk]

I use old timer grow and bloom, plant magic magnacal plus, seaweed tonic from local shop, I'm trying bud candy by advanced nutes, molasses (black treacle in UK), plant magic bio silicone and mycorrhizal fungi prior to planting. I went mostly organic as it is very forgiving and deficiencies are slow to none. Also taste is supposed to be better but that is debatable.

Sent from my comfy chair.

I've been doing a lot of research into the OldTimer line this morning. The only thing I worry about is the magncal not being organic. And I've read a bit about the OldTimer line being a much inferior product than it was a few years ago. Have you any experience with this?


I'm thinking of doing away with my RO filter (as this was only bought to combat the issues I was having with the advanced nutrient range and it didn't cure it). That way I should have all the calcium I need and I can add some of the organic magnesiun if and when needed.

With molasses (and I can just buy black treackle from a supermarket can't I?). How often do you add it and how? A teaspoon to your feed?

 

[AutoWonders]

Did the dolomite lime have an affect on the pH? When did you add it, before planting? If so did you add the dolomite an amount of time before planting into it?

Added when making up pots.

I did a bit of reading on what it was and it's bennafits this morning. I however have no idea what you mean by "for achieving a pH reading". What does molasses have to do with taking a pH reading?

With ro and filtered water an additive is needed to get ph and molasses is what I use for end of grow flush.

 

[MickJ]

Tate and Lyle works a treat (i thin a teaspoon of molasses in a cup with hot water and divide between my girls once a month). Molasses is supposed to feed the microbes or something like that. I have had no issues with old timer. Calmag is not organic but I use so little, my worms don't mind it. Always put a lucky (or unlucky if your a worm) one in the pot.

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