Nutrients Silicium flash? Water only method?

[cr0crop]

Hi guys, I've been working with biotabs and autopots for a couple of years to varying levels of success. In my most recent order I decided to try silicium flash along with the basic set as I hoped it would address some of the issues I've experienced in the past (rusty spots/Cal Def. and stems that cant hold the weight). The instructions in the new starter kit now show an alternative water only method where you don't use the orgatrex at all if you pre mix with silicium flash. Anyone know why the two don't go together? I've had burnt tips on nearly all of the plants I've used orgatrex on in flowering so I'm hoping I can avoid that now.
I've got 2 autos on day 28 at the moment with this version of the system that I'm hand watering, one is doing great and the other is fried to hell. First time I've gone wrong this early. They normally at least get through to flower before deficiencies show. I'm going to be starting 4 photos this week in autopots so I'm just wondering now whether to give them the silicium or the orgatrex. Any one with experience in both?

 

[IndoorTropics]

Hi guys, I've been working with biotabs and autopots for a couple of years to varying levels of success. In my most recent order I decided to try silicium flash along with the basic set as I hoped it would address some of the issues I've experienced in the past (rusty spots/Cal Def. and stems that cant hold the weight). The instructions in the new starter kit now show an alternative water only method where you don't use the orgatrex at all if you pre mix with silicium flash. Anyone know why the two don't go together? I've had burnt tips on nearly all of the plants I've used orgatrex on in flowering so I'm hoping I can avoid that now.
I've got 2 autos on day 28 at the moment with this version of the system that I'm hand watering, one is doing great and the other is fried to hell. First time I've gone wrong this early. They normally at least get through to flower before deficiencies show. I'm going to be starting 4 photos this week in autopots so I'm just wondering now whether to give them the silicium or the orgatrex. Any one with experience in both?

Any pics? Ive heard Silicium Flash was just a powdered version of Orgatrex, but Ive also read that SF is better for CalMag issues than Orgatrex so dont really understand. Personally I am using the same starter kit you have (without SF) on my first soil run now and will be adding CalMag.

Do you water to runoff?

 

[sirsmokealot]

@cr0crop Let me share my experience with this method.

I've had great success with the water only method on my outdoor photoperiod crop this year. Best plants i've ever had with the least amount of work. However having tried the same method indoors on my autos i ended up burning the plants, not too badly and i still got a decent harvest but i wouldn't recommend this method at full dose on autos.

The plan for my next grow is to halve the dosage of Startrex and Silicium Flash in the soil mix. You can always add more SF(top dress) in case of any deficiencies but you can't take it out if you put too much in in the first place. So that would be my advice, put less in at the start and top dress if more needed.

EDIT: The point of the water only method is not having to add anything else, the amount of SF you add initially should last until the end of the grow, hence no need for Orgatrex. You could use Orgatrex as a sort of PK boost in late flower i suppose but go with very low doses and see how the plants react. I'd recommend switching to the BioPK for that, works really well.

@IndoorTropics

BioTabs Silicium Flash - *insect manure, chitin, trace elements, calcium, magnesium and silicon. NPK: 4-3-3
BioTabs Orgatrex - *alfalfa meal, mixed molasses, kali vinasse, silicon oxide and rock dust. NPK: 5–1–5

 

[Chronic_passion]

I dose using the full line up at full strength from the very start including SF and they love it. I'm also using AutoPots and water only method. I'll never change to another system. Perfect for my needs and full organics.

 

[cr0crop]

So I made the thread then forgot all about it. Thanks for all the info guys. The girls are coming along but I've been battling the Cal mag def still unfortunately.

Seem to have this problem nearly every time, one of the reasons I don't really share pictures is cos my poor leaves are all fried come harvest time. I believe it's Cal mag Def anyway, rusty spots, turning yellow or brown and spreading from the biggest lower leaves up and the leaves eventually crisp up and die. I've been using vitalink cal mag recently, half strength during veg and full in flower, I even upped it to 1.25-1.5ml/L for a couple of waterings.

Is there a better cal mag I can use with biotabs? Silicium flash hasn't had the effect I'd hoped, although I never tried top dressing with it.

I have added a few other things I haven't tried before this grow, mammoth microbes, ecothrive Biosis, treated all tap water with ecothrive neutralise and I always use the bio pk in flower and some liquid guanokalong.

Pics 1 + 2 - forgotten cookies (mephisto) and 3 + 4 - Cream Mandarine (sweet seeds)
Both sitting at day 60. The mephisto built flowers super fast, currently smelling like sprite and pine. The CM has really taken its time and still appears several weeks away from harvest. Just started kicking out that familiar terp profile that I love so I'll forgive her.

Cheers

 

[sirsmokealot]

I switched to this, it's like SF but without the insect frass.

Silicate, natural silicate powder

Silicate is an essential element for higher plants, especially when growing with water as a substrate. New pH neutral Silicate contains ancient deposits of biologically transformed organic matter, plus naturally formed silicic acid clay. Silicate provides a naturally soluble form of silicon...

www.eurohydro.com

 

[Qbgrower]

I know its been a while since the last post on this but have you tried added worm castings and some dolomite lime at the start of the grow? I've just been reading about it and going to try and get some tomorrow. Also what soil are you using?

Cheers
Qb