Hey all I've just started a very simple Indoor soil grow using a 300w Vipar led and bagseed, I'm just trying to get everything ready now so I don't need to worry later but I'm after advice on what nutrients to get, I've read a lot about Dutch master and advanced nutrients and I'm swinging towards an, Anyway if people could comment on what they use/have used and recommend/don't recommend that would be greatly appreciated. I'll just add it doesn't need to be one of those 2 companies, I'm after information on whatever people have used
Try nature's nectar organics line... with and organic cal/mag or you can make an amazing organic soil and just give them water from beginning to end... I recommend looking up the easy organic soil for beginners post here in GC..... it will change the way you think about growing....
It doesn't matter. Pot plants are not very picky. Everybody has their own that they swear by. My preference is Jacks, 8 bucks for a two year supply from amazon. Whatever you use, I would highly recommend treating soil with cal mag.
"Whatever you use, I would highly recommend treating soil with cal mag." Why on earth would you recommend cal mag for use with soil? Lol J
first question anybody asks when a tip of a leaf turns brown is about calcium or magnesium. If you know your soil is not deficient, then you know that is not the problem just passing on without actually testing what I have been told, you know how these myths live on seriously, if you know something, why not share it?
No problem Lotek. The reason I kind of "snickered" is just because I se this so very often and without merit - and please don't take offense. None is meant. IMO Cal Mag is yet another supplement for the chemical fertilizer companies to make money and nothing more, just like with the whole bloom booster deal. In just about 30 years of gardening indoors I've never needed it once. I bought my first 1,000 watt HPS in '85. I grew hydroponically for the first 20 and for probably the rest I've been gardening in soil. For the last 7-8 I've been completely organic, making my own soils from scratch via homemade compost, homemade vermicompost, growing my own plant based fertilizers, like comfrey, nettles, etc. not bragging just giving you a little background. Even most of the commercial bagged soils such as Fox Farms or Roots Organics already have sufficient levels of both Ca & Mg. If you prepare your own then you've certainly already got enough. Basic soil amendments such as lime, worm castings, oyster shell, kelp contain large amounts. Simple worm castings are coated in a slime that is 98% pure Calcium Carbonate. Most Cal Mag products contain a ratio of 2:1 which is actually crap - that's way too much Mg which binds up soil particles which hinders aeration and makes oxygen and water transport through the soil medium difficult. It's just one of those completely and totally unnecessary bottles sold at Hydro stores that does nothing but cost you money. In the rare instance of an actual Ca or Mg deficiency (which is have a really, really hard time believing unless something was totally and completely screed up) there are much better options. Anyhow - that's my .02c - have a good evening dude. J PS - Totek, if you can get past the arguments, take a peek through this thread - posts by Chunk, Lumperdawgz, MIW are worth reading. - http://forum.grasscity.com/organic-growing/1014586-calmag-into-tea.html
Seems this threat got off topic a bit... It's really going to depend on if your going soil or hydro. There are great companies for both sides. Weather your looking for a basic two part formula or something a little more complex, something you can build on in the future, can also help narrow down your choices. By the way... just to play devils advocate... I run R.O. water in my soil and hydro and I do see clear magnesium and calcium deficiencies in my hydro set ups with some strains and nutrient lines. 5th per gallon of cali magic usually fixes that real quick. ClMg+ for my soil plants. And calcium base been sold in garden stores for decades. Long before this industry was around and all the gimmicks that are out there were a thing. Plants need calcium. It's one of the most needed of micro nutrients out there, and if nothing else, it's a great way for soil growers to raise their ph as well
I personally swear by Fox Farms products. And know for a fact they deliver the ratios they claim and are "clean" of unlisted contaminants (I've broken both the veg and flower products down chemically for other uses....had a great 4th of July last summer...if you don't understand the connection between the two, look at how ammonium nitrate or potassium nitrate play roles in fast-combustion materials like black powder) Unfamiliar with that light company...is that 300 watts TRUE, 300 watts RATED, or 300 watts equivalency intensity under a light meter? Might not be giving you even the equivalency of 200 watts if it's a 100-135 watt "true", and you'll have penetration issues with bushy plants if they get over 18" (I use the California Light Works Solar Flare, myself, as a booster...I've used it as the central light for a hybrid system, too, so I'm not slamming LEDs, they're useful, but like all products, have their disadvantages). So what's true wattage, what wattage LEDs, how many "channels", LED wavelength diode ratios (like is it 4 standard blue, one white, one orange, one pale red, one dark red, one deep red 8 channel--yes, no 8 channel product out yet, but that's the description I'm asking for)?