New Grower Simply Soil and Nutes

[SandDog]

Hi,

I'm almost ready to start my first grow (Short Stuff #1 seeds on order) and I have been told to use:

Botanicare Pure Blend Pro Bloom 1-4-5-1
Botanicare Liquid Karma
Botanicare Hydroplex

The soil would be straight Pro-mix HP.

The idea was something simple I could do and not do harm.

I was told not to feed anything for first 3 weeks, ( just water) then use the nutes above at 1/2 strength and forever.

Does this sound like a solid beginner plan?

 

[illbethere]

Solid bruh!
[video=youtube;w3PoTnkLfxE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3PoTnkLfxE[/video]

 

[Eyes on Fire]

that liquid karma i would personally use it as your starter feeding when the typical first set of leaves are extending out and developing well then hit them with that starter feeding since the LK is weaker stuff but really really great stuff for adding TO a nute program and/or a starter feeding or a simple watering boost since its so lite n all that.I used that stuff myself sometime ago when i was non organic.

 

[oldster]

Sanddog, I would add some cal/mag to your list and some pH up as Pro-mix tends to go acid after about a month in my experience. Do you already have a pH tester?

 

[SandDog]

that liquid karma i would personally use it as your starter feeding when the typical first set of leaves are extending out and developing well then hit them with that starter feeding since the LK is weaker stuff but really really great stuff for adding TO a nute program and/or a starter feeding or a simple watering boost since its so lite n all that.I used that stuff myself sometime ago when i was non organic.

Hi Eyes on Fire. Thanks for the response. I'm assuming you mean about at the end of week one after they germ? Would you use it per the recommended dosage or still 1/2 strength?

 

[SandDog]

Sanddog, I would add some cal/mag to your list and some pH up as Pro-mix tends to go acid after about a month in my experience. Do you already have a pH tester?

I have not bought the pro-mix yet. Would Sunshine #4 have the same issues?

I do have a PH meter and I also have some cal mag.

 

[Eyes on Fire]

yeah Im talking about the very first feeding or starter feeding in the first cpl weeks of life or there abouts. and I cant remember the dosages to be honest,but for example if it said 2 teaspoons per gallon for general feeding.I would use something like an 8th of a teaspoon.just a literal sip of food if you have a solid seedling mix and that'll really help it through them slower and smaller growth times early on. But i used to drop three or four drops in about 16 or 17 ounces of water and feed the seedlings that way.it worked really really well for me.assuming the LK is still the same thing and I aint heard anything soo lol just make sure you dont feed too early.wait till the leaves are coming out a lil bit so that way your not worried about stunting her too early or anything.better safe than sorry imho lol :Sharing One:

 

[Eyes on Fire]

I cant answer for oldster dude bout the mix #4 but if ya got cal mag thats good and a liquid PH meter?observe the local water to see what your working with too.always get a baseline reading prior and after nutes n things.so youll know where your at at various times of the season(s),you'll see it change.I personally would use some earth juice double up and/or double down PH 'ing agents.they work really well and theyre a more natural methos to PHing your water from what Ive read.short of using lemon n things.but that can get funky with nutes imho. anywho sorry.all stoned ,I just wanted to touch on that bro.hope thats helpful too..?:Sharing One:

 

[SandDog]

Yes, I have the eco tester PH1. I calibrated it today to 7.0 and ran a test on my tap water. Tap read 7.6.

For PH down, I already have the General Hydroponics. I don't have PH up.

 

[oldster]

Good morning SandDog, any mix that is peat based is going to have that issue. Peat Moss is naturally acid (some more than others) so they add limestone to it to bring the pH up. Most liquid nutes are acid as well so the combination slowly uses up the limestone. As EOF said if you watch the pH of your water and feeds you can extend how long the limestone will last in the mix. It is not a big deal you just need to watch the pH of what is going in and also check the pH of the runoff regularly and adjust to keep things in the sweet spot

If you can spring for an Accurate 8 pH probe it allows you to check the pH of the soil directly which is more accurate than using the runoff method. Also works great as a moisture tester so you can check soil all the way down to the bottom of the pot to help you manage when to water.

If your cal/mag contains some type of carbonate that will also help extend the life of the limestone in the mix as will using tap water instead of RO or distilled water