Roots organic terp tea

[Tdunn3124]

Welcome Tdunn'!

So, Roots Organics Terp Tea line cam recommended to me by a local grow mate as well. I only used the Bloom as a supplementary feed though, so I can't comment on using it for the whole run. I figure it'll be fine if the Bloom was any measure, but since it's an organic line, there are caveats to be sure!
Unlike synthetic nutes, not all the stuff in the TT formulation is immediately available, organic based stuff need time and microbial activity to break them down, convert to available forms.. You need a solid soil herd for that, so inoculants and/or worm poop teas (EWC) are very important IMO...
-- other supp's like Si, humic-fulvic, kelp/micronute supplements (Earth Juice Microblast is my go-to) are great. I think the TT has humic-fulvic in it though, and if you chose Recharge inoculant (well tested and approved by growers here) it covers that, h-f, kelp, even a little powdered molasses as well (carb's are microbe food)... Micronutes are mostly the metals like Fe, Mn, Cu, as well as others; they are mostly immobile nutes too(can't be translocated from older tissues to support new growth), are very reactive so need to be well chelated. That may be lost after time in the soil, so I found regular hits now and again of Microblast heads off that problem well; humic-fulvic are also great chelators... There's some very good info in the Reference section on this, so check it out!
-- feed sched' I can't paint an all purpose picture on, it'll depend on several factors... T's, plant size, 'crobe activity (tied to T's), what medium you use (true soil is best IMO, but soilless will work)... On that soilless is ProMix. Sunshine #4, coco; these have very little ingredients in them, unlike true soil. As such, feeding needs to start right away, and with soil you have a head start in the components, unlike soilless... Organics are for sure far less likely to burn, so there's a plus, but underfeeding is a possibility too of course....
Get a quality soil pH probe for direct, in-pot measurements, forget run-off and all that crap, it's lousy... With organics it's less likely to go off range, but entirely possible... I use the Accurate 8 soil pH probe, it's no marvel of tech, but it fast easy and to date served me well... Blue Labs makes a very nice unit too, working entirely differently though vs. A8.... Don't bother with cheap skinny metal probe brands you see all over, they suck! A8 works on the same principles, but is far better built and more accurate.
- I mixed the TT up with some wetting agent in a bucket and watered in; you can make tea too of course, it's all on the label...
- dosages I followed the label as a guideline, but you have to read the plant too... size and food demand is proportional; frequency, I feed 2-3x/week, less conc. when small/young, most hearty when larger...

So, going with TT line is worth a shot IMO. Get a premium soil, no shitty cheap stuff! What exactly will depend on what you can find, but I'd avoid Fox Farms soils, especially Ocean Forest, a known problem soil for it's poor pH, crappy undercooked materials... Roots Organics original is OK and fairly broadly available,... If you are in CA, look for Sanctuary Soil Empire Builder or Victory Blend...

Last reply. I saw your piece about avoiding ff and have heard that from many. Only people who seem to like it were the guys pumping it to me at the hydro store. I don’t know if mixing them helped but I think the younger plants are ok. I want to stick with soil so plan to take your advice on next run...I might ask more questions at that time. I’m not in Cali anymore. I’m from Boston>spent 7 years in Santa Monica> moved to Seattle in June with my fiancé and bought our first house that’s why I’m now able to grow! And fulfill the dream. Just incase your curious I’m 34 and a cpa by trade. All moves were work related. I certainly miss Cali though especially when it’s raining daily this time of year. Again thanks for being so helpful

 

[Waira]

Couple more notes I used a mix of ff ocean forest abs ff happy frog for soil. Have a blue lab ph pen...do you think I also need the soil ph pen? Is that what you mean by probe. I have the ph pen to test my water. Water to 6.3-6.6...so the oldest plant was my first ever grow used nature living organic super soil concentrate but it didn’t go to good. Mog has saved it and buds are flying in....the Ither ones are my 3 white widows from crop kongs in the mixed soil I mentioned and I’m using TT and worm poop with that tea I mentioned the following day (molasses abs bio heaven).View attachment 1274439View attachment 1274440View attachment 1274441View attachment 1274442View attachment 1274443View attachment 1274444View attachment 1274445View attachment 1274446View attachment 1274447

A pH meter ("pen") is for liquids only; Blue Labs makes a probe type made for in-pot measurements that does works the same as a pH meter (bulb electrode)... The metal probes like the A8 work differently....

EWC is fine for mixing in before planting, or as a top dress and tea... it's pretty weak nutrition-wise, but full of 'crobes and other goodies... There is such thing as too much though, so mind that! As a top dress, too much may create a real mucky surface layer
soils are a gamble, some get OK batches, others get crap; HF tends to be better, as it's a milder soil.
Recharge is a weekly thing, by itself or with feeds is fine either way... No need for molasses if using this, it has it already. A basic tea with TT, inoculant, and Bio Heaven is fine (read that label mate, BH is a carb source, same as molasses; too much of that isn't good either)
yeah, too late on the soil of course, but looking to the future, find something else... A regular nursery will have alternate choices too. You want something fairly mild for auto's so you can start them right in it; seedlings don't like hot soil! A more local sourced.made soil might be available up there ... tell them what you're growing with no fear, and that you know Ff soil is not OK, you want better!

 

[Tdunn3124]

A pH meter ("pen") is for liquids only; Blue Labs makes a probe type made for in-pot measurements that does works the same as a pH meter (bulb electrode)... The metal probes like the A8 work differently....View attachment 1274717View attachment 1274718

EWC is fine for mixing in before planting, or as a top dress and tea... it's pretty weak nutrition-wise, but full of 'crobes and other goodies... There is such thing as too much though, so mind that! As a top dress, too much may create a real mucky surface layer
soils are a gamble, some get OK batches, others get crap; HF tends to be better, as it's a milder soil.
Recharge is a weekly thing, by itself or with feeds is fine either way... No need for molasses if using this, it has it already. A basic tea with TT, inoculant, and Bio Heaven is fine (read that label mate, BH is a carb source, same as molasses; too much of that isn't good either)
yeah, too late on the soil of course, but looking to the future, find something else... A regular nursery will have alternate choices too. You want something fairly mild for auto's so you can start them right in it; seedlings don't like hot soil! A more local sourced.made soil might be available up there ... tell them what you're growing with no fear, and that you know Ff soil is not OK, you want better!

Thank you so much this is all so helpful. Taking it all to heart and will report back. Thanks again