Hi all, Was hoping someone may be able to give me some advice on feeding my first ever grow. I have a dozen seedlings in my 2x4 closet space with a 1800W (300w actual) LED light. I know this number of plants is excessive for the space, but I kinda assumed some wouldn't germinate or would die as seedlings.. The age of them today (current photo below) varies between 15 and 8 days since planting seeds. They were planted in 60:40 fox farms happy frog to ocean forest, with another maybe 5% perlite added. I own the fox forest trio of liquid nutrients and a bottle of liquid cal-mag. Since they are in roughly half ocean forest I've been told I shouldn't add any nutrients for the first 30 days? What feeding schedule should I attempt from there? Any advice or referral to resources I should checkout would be greatly appreciated as I'm a little lost and have read a few highly conflicting opinions... Thanks
I would see how they look in 3-4 weeks and go from there. Probably only need 1/8 to 1/4 dose at that point. And if you fit 6 plants in that space id be shocked, probably only fit 4.
You shouldn't need much food for an auto. I'd say 1/8 dose. Once a week. Big Bloom you can use more. Just watch for burn. Those autos will quickly outgrow that space. If you try to keep them all they will interfere with each other. I'd keep your few biggest and healthiest, and put the other somewhere else. Even if if means getting rid of them.
Thanks guys! So, if I don't feed until say day 28 that would mean week 4 on this feeding schedule, which would be 3 tsp of big bloom and grow big per gallon. But I should do maybe 1/4 of that, correct? So should I then increase to 1/2 of the recommended quantities the following week? And the week after that go 100%, or do I just stick to 1/4 or 1/2?... Should I add cal-mag as well? Yeah I know this will be way too much fun r the space. If they are all doing well and I outgrow it I've got a second light and will setup a second space. For now I'm just watering every 3 days and they're looking quite healthy and growing fast Thanks again
Once again, it depends how they look at that point. Probably start with 1/8th to 1/4 of the recommended dose and in 3-4 weeks. The community isnt going anywhere, if you have concerns, toss up a picture and plenty of people will be happy to give you their input. I only did 2 rounds of autoflowers but both times they didnt need much additional nutrients. You should never need to give them 100% of the dose that your fertilizer recommends- that would likely do a lot more harm than good. You have to think of it this way- the roots of those plants have not even come close to filling out the pots so whatever nutrients came in the soil are still there. It would take 2-4 more months for those plants to completely deplete the soil. Soil is very forgiving and you shouldnt have to add much to it. You dont feed plants on a set schedule as the fertilizer companies would have you believe. You feed them based on their individual needs.
Ok great. Thanks a lot. I'm clearly trying to plan something I shouldn't. Will practice patience and check-in in the future if in doubt. Cheers
Hi guys, So my oldest 2 plants are at 30 days and I'd like to do my first feeding. They were planted in 40:60 happy frog to ocean forest. One of the two (they're different strains) has begun flowering/pre-flowering (photo below). I am watering every 3 days and my next water is due on Monday. I plan to feed every second watering. Following the fox farm feeding schedule for soil for week 5 would be 3 tsp big bloom, 2 tsp grow big and 2 tsp tiger bloom (per gallon water). I plan to use 1/4 of these amounts for the first watering and see how they respond. I will pH after nutrient addition to 6.3. Does this sound like a good approach? I also have cal-mag, should I add this as well? If so, what quantity do you suggest? Pretty happy with how things are progressing and enjoying my first grow attempt Thanks!
Looks good. Your approach is right. Start low then bring the ferts up to what the plant can handle. Don't see anything that needs CalMag. A light use likely won't hurt. Especially in soil. Plant will use what it needs.
So I fed the two oldest plants with 1/4 strength of the recommended FF trio for week 5 plus 1/4 strength of Cal-mag 2 days ago. No signs of nut-burn and they are looking very happy and healthy. My plan is that their next watering (3-4 days after feeding) will just be pH'd water. The following watering after that I plan to feed again. Should I go up to 1/2 the recommended strength or stick to 1/4?... Thanks!
As others have pointed out, I too start nutrients at 1/4 strength for 1-2 weeks and then 1/2 strength on the same nutrient/PH cycle you outlined. Approach nutrients with the mentality that less is more and you are doing plants a favor. It’s pretty difficult to mess up when you are being as conservative as only using 1/2 the nutrients suggested on their site for the week.