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Nutes are nutrients, the building block basic elements the plant needs. The key macronutrients are nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), and potassium (K). Fertilizer is the delivery mechanism for nutes, and there are many different formulations. To make an analogy to humans, nutes are like the protein, carbohydrates, and minerals we need, and ferts are like the food we eat to get those things in our bodies. Within MJ growing discussions the two terms are used somewhat interchangeably.
Ferts come in man-made chemical formulations and in a variety of organic formulations.
Look at the NPK ratio that will be somewhere on the package and will be three numbers separated by dashes, such as 20-20-20 or 0.1-0.5-0.5. The key here is the ratio, not the size of the numbers, so a 20-20-20 fert has the same ratio as a 1-1-1. These numbers are percentages of the contents that are N, P, and K. So, a concentrated fert that you are supposed to mix in water will have high numbers and a fert that is already diluted (such as fert pre-mixed into soil, which you don't want) will have low numbers. How you mix it will determine how concentrated it will be. So follow the ratios.
For veg stage you want a fert that is equal or higher in N than in P and K.
For flower stage you want a fert that is lower in N.
Don't begin fertilizing until the plant is about two weeks old. Start at 1/4 the strength recommended on the package, then with subsequent feedings you can slowly increase the strength.
Delivering all that your plant needs -- the right nutes, lighting, and environmental conditions -- is the best way to maximize both the yield and potency of your harvest.
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toastybiz
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