i grow in soil,I do use an kelp extract, i use botanicare seaplex, along with several other things. I use Urb Natural as a source of humic acids and beneficial bacteria, soul infinity for its yucca content,fulvex( fulvic acid), cal-mag, pro-tekt (silica), molasses (simple sugars) d.t.e. rose&flower mix and fishbone meal. I also make a compost tea with these ingredients with worm castings and compost. I like to add the amino acids because ive heard it increases yields and also read the same thing about b-1. upon further review im seeing a lot of articles saying that b-1 for plants is a myth.
I can buy this powder with foodstamps so its basically free. The aminos is what id really be after but you are probably right about the sodium content. Basically salt right? I could see that being a problem.
Do you think im doing too much? Im new to soil so ive got these hydroponic tactics still lingering in my habits. I want to go big but im learning that less is more with soil.
What soil? I mean, I could say some things about what your using from that list of things but, it would be more relevant if I knew the soil.
Basic review -
Seaplex: Ok a kelp extract, good deal. You should only use it sparingly - in a way. It contains micro's, amino's, vit's and Humic/Fulvic acids. Generally I use it at up potting (considering I up pot to the final pot 10 days before I flip them. I don't add more at the flip).
Urb Natural: Ok, so I won't say "snake oil" but this product is smoke and mirrors....here is where knowing your soil would come in. Generally speaking. If you have a good solid soil, "You don't really need to add more or new microbe life." There's enough in the good high end soils to start with. If insecure in that. Simply add a cpl pounds of EWC and composted cow/steer manure and remix the soil up. OR simply use an AACT.
The cool pictures of used vs not is easy to explain off as soil that is not very alive to the soil they used with their product that now brought living bio's to the soil...
If you still really want to add bio's - And use a liquid source.... How many living bio spore/cultures are really in the product? Should be a rather astronomical (surprising amount) number to be effective?
Now simply forget all those things and use an AACT - simple bio tea - no real nute value please. Best way to get a high living bio count, right to where you need it and works fast!
As far as any added Humic/Fulvic (Humic acids are an acid on the Fulvic acid chain) You simply can not beat BIO AG's FUL-HUMIX for quality and value.
This stuff is the best Humic/Fulvic source period...
Soul Infinity: Yucca,,, so what? You don't need it, nor will it add to the plants final quality....
Fulvex: What ever for? Your already adding it in 2 other products (and you don't really need one of those either). Waste of money!
Cal-mag: Why this one? Your soil should have enough Ca. Now Mg is where I would be supplementing - depends on the strain but, I run several that are flat out Mg hogs! GG4, Triangle, Gelato, etc.
The other thing is that in soil (Actually in all methods). I would prefer a Ca source that is based off of Calcium carbonate over Ca Nitrate.... That helps keep the pH stable, and still has enough plant available Ca to work perfectly. To supplement Mg, I use a home made Mg Sulfate formula that is in a 1.5% concentration... Lightly used in veg and scheduled in bloom feeding.
pro-tekt: This stuff (Silica) is WAY over sold to the public growing market! Silica is more effective to monocot then dicot plant growing. Grass and grains use it in amounts that supplementing can increase the plants end result.
In dicot plants? Not so much and in cannabis it's self (this is for sure), the plant will get
"all it can use" from the soil it's in. It will not do much and even the claims of increasing the plants ability to support it's self?? Not enough to be anywhere NEAR the value of what it costs to use it.
Bottom line on Si? If you in soil? FORGET IT! If you do
any style of hydro (Includes soil-less) You should likely use it.
I take it your top dressing for feeding? Do what works for you.
Molasses: Nope don't use it and won't use it in soil anymore. I feel that it's only real effect on soil is to feed the living bio's some carbs. It also compacts the soil some. I don't like that. I don't like the fact that over use can start a fermetation in the soil and that will kill the soil in the effected area. I don't "actively" feed my bio herd. They should be getting enough from my normal feedings and the periodical use of AACT.
Now then, I
do use a minor amount in some of my supplements I make. This gives the bio's a little kick to ensure good uptake by feeding the bio's a very little bit. About half a TBL to a gallon is it.
Amino's are actually formed by the process of organic bio activity in the soil. What amino's are actually able to be up-taken directly? Well, for me, I feel I get plenty from my kelp use.
BTW, I add kelp meal into my soils at the build, YOU, might do well to add about 2 cups per cft or 3 cups to a bag of FFOF... The NPK average of Kelp meal is like 1-0-3 so adding 2-3 cups per 1.5 cft won't do much to the soil's NPK and it is instantly usable. Short duration of NPK effectiveness but, for the mineral content... Kelp meal use can increase root mass by as much as 175% (As tested by a well known southern college)
I would say your doing well enough. Just gave you soil growing information...
Drop us a plant pic sometime...
Peace