New Grower I hope it is not just snake oil

[briman]

Molasses!

Gotta go with that!!

 

[pop22]

Their formulas are 'secret" because that's how they bullshit you into believing their hype! "Bud enhancers" etc, grow big bank accounts by draining yours.....

The easy things is to mix the base elements, N, P, K, Mg, Ca, Fe and trace elements. What we want to pay for is the components they keep kind of secret, like "hormons", "plant sugars" etc. That is what make a product unique and worth paying for. UC what I mean?

 

[Dr. Babnik]

Their formulas are 'secret" because that's how they bullshit you into believing their hype! "Bud enhancers" etc, grow big bank accounts by draining yours.....

What do you recommend?

 

[pop22]

Take a look at your own info on plant physiology, etc. If what your plant needs is already in the soil/medium adding more of the same does nothing! they can and will, take in only what they need, in the amounts they need, which is also why running highEC/PPM in hydro is a waste also unless you go a long time between res changes. People have the idea you can force feed plants...nope, can't be done! The mechanisms in the root system that transports nutrients into, and H+ ( Hydrogen ) and OH- ( hydroxyl ) ions out. these ions are traded for NPK, etc, ions. so osmosis transports water and active transport for nutrient ions.



Secondly, people worry alot about getting hermie plants, well adding anything with plant growth hormones greatly increases the risk, in fact, most of those hormones have been banned. If your using a good nutrient to begin with, there is no logical reason to use all the added crap they sell. Not once have I seen a scientifically done test grow that proves they work. and this is definitely a case where anecdotal 'evidence" does nothing to prove it either.

What do you recommend?

 

[Dr. Babnik]

Take a look at your own info on plant physiology, etc. If what your plant needs is already in the soil/medium adding more of the same does nothing! they can and will, take in only what they need, in the amounts they need, which is also why running highEC/PPM in hydro is a waste also unless you go a long time between res changes. People have the idea you can force feed plants...nope, can't be done! The mechanisms in the root system that transports nutrients into, and H+ ( Hydrogen ) and OH- ( hydroxyl ) ions out. these ions are traded for NPK, etc, ions. so osmosis transports water and active transport for nutrient ions.



Secondly, people worry alot about getting hermie plants, well adding anything with plant growth hormones greatly increases the risk, in fact, most of those hormones have been banned. If your using a good nutrient to begin with, there is no logical reason to use all the added crap they sell. Not once have I seen a scientifically done test grow that proves they work. and this is definitely a case where anecdotal 'evidence" does nothing to prove it either.

Sure! That's why I was critical to the products to begin with. One can easily calculate a formula of ions and base nutrients.
What I am not sure about, and will look in to, is if the plant can absorb amino acids, as they are completely able to synthesize all necessary amino acids them self. Also, I need to investigate if it bothers to absorb sugars from molasses or booster formulations.