Monopotassium Phosphate

[Rahz]

I finally got around to researching bloom boosters. It seems the main ingredient is monopotassium phosphate. I'm curious if anyone has tried a side by side using a name brand booster -vs- monopotassium phosphate. The MPK is much cheaper than branded mixes. I'm guessing MPK performs just as well as the more expensive stuff.

 

[Ligerius]

heard they can really mess with your ph, might be a lot easier if you stay away from them like i plan on. But if you've go the time to adjust ph a few times a day, it will increase your harvest size.

 

[Velvet Elvis]

it is actually MKP and it is bad mmmmkay. it is the naughty ingredient in gatorade now that bromenated veg oil is removed

add a buffer like calcium and should help with PH however. it depends on the chelation of the source.

 

[Rahz]

Hmm, two replies (thank you) suggesting not to use or use with caution. I don't mind adjusting PH as I do it several times a week anyway. Some people swear by flower boosters so it's something I want to play around with. My main question at this point is whether MKP is a reasonable substitute for a branded flowering agent.

 

[Velvet Elvis]

why take a chance? hydroplex, big bud, and the likes are cheap. youre asking for it if you proceed

solution without buffers is not adjusting ph like you are used to. there are no buffers and the solution is 1000 times more vulnerable to change.

 

[Rahz]

Ahh thanks, I didn't realize the branded flower boosters were buffered. I will reconsider, but still curious to know if anyone has used MKP in hydro and what their experience was.

 

[churchhaze]

Not only is monopotassium phosphate the main ingredient in bloom boosters, it's also the main source of phosphate in most hydroponic formulas. (including my own hydro mixes)

It tends to lower pH because of it's low equilibrium constant, which of course means absolutely nothing. Just add potassium hydroxide to bring pH back up. (effectively giving you a combination of monoptassium phosphate KH2PO4 and dipotassium phosphate K2HPO4). Enough potassium hydroxide will turn all the monopotassium phosphate into dipotassium phosphate, which tends to raise pH.

Short answer is that monopotassium phosphate is a staple in hydro grows, and its tendency to lower pH is great. It acts as a good pH buffer in itself.

 

[Velvet Elvis]

or just buy a premade mix. Im not saying not to use it, i should have elaborated but im not good with advanced chemistry. what he said!

but if its over your head in the least, dont do it, just spend the 15$ for a year supply of premix

 

[churchhaze]

I don't see how it could be above anyone's head. It's literally just fertilizer without a fancy label. It's a 0-52-34 NPK rating, which is easily calculated using molar mass of each element over the molar mass of the entire molecule. (or by looking on the bag, or wikipedia)

This is what I use, only I buy 5 pounds at once (some places get the big bags and measure small amounts and put it in sandwich bags or small plastic containers)

 

[churchhaze]

Second bottle to the left is monopotassium phosphate I made into a stock solution.

 

[churchhaze]

The product MOAB is for the most part 98% monopotassium phosphate, dry.

A lot of people swear by it... but if only they realized they could just get monopotassium phosphate and it's literally the same thing.

These single ingredient formulas are pretty easy to reverse engineer. What do you think it is judging by the NPK rating alone? (they added a tiny bit of mono-ammonium phosphate to confuse you. do not be confused. this product is monopotassium phosphate)

 

[Velvet Elvis]

youre just being humble. you lost 90% of the readers when you said molar mass.

 

[Rahz]

Thanks for the info Churchhaze. So how is it used? Is there a ratio of MKP to DKP that could be used in a pre-mixed formula?

 

[churchhaze]

Don't worry about dipotassium phosphate. Just get monopotassium phoshate if you're going to get one.

Thanks for the info Churchhaze. So how is it used? Is there a ratio of MKP to DKP that could be used in a pre-mixed formula?

 

[Clown Baby]

Good shit. It's the base of pretty much all "bloom boosters" on the market. except it costs $1.70c/lb retail instead of paying the 1000% markup for "hydro" or "grow" products.

http://www.cropking.com/HydroponicSupplies/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=264_268&products_id=331

If you want to get into the hydro business, just buy this stuff, slap a pretty label on it, and mark it up 1500%. Advanced Nutrientse 101

 

[daybreaker]

I love this forum...just got the 3lb. bag for $14.i had bought into the hammerhead moab hoopla but wow...what a money saver!!!!!!churchaze.....what can I say but rockon broham!!!!!!!

 

[2layz2p]

MKP has a moderately low pH that remains almost constant at different concentrations.
Concentration (%)0.10.20.31.05.0
PH4.7..4.6..4.6..4.4..4.2

Concentration (%)0.10.20.31.05.0
EC0.861.662.57.427.8

 

[Gno702]

MKP has a moderately low pH that remains almost constant at different concentrations.
Concentration (%)0.10.20.31.05.0
PH4.7..4.6..4.6..4.4..4.2

Concentration (%)0.10.20.31.05.0
EC0.861.662.57.427.8

How do I use m k p and what weeks to us it in

 

[DeepWaterDean]

Gram a gallon for weeks 1-3
Potassium Sulphate @ a gram per gallon weeks 4-8

 

[Mcoocoo]

I finally got around to researching bloom boosters. It seems the main ingredient is monopotassium phosphate. I'm curious if anyone has tried a side by side using a name brand booster -vs- monopotassium phosphate. The MPK is much cheaper than branded mixes. I'm guessing MPK performs just as well as the more expensive stuff.

I use Nectar for the Gods nutrients and they have a product called Aphrodite's Extraction which is a carbon/ sugar type of bloom enhancer that works very well at adding frost and can be used in your final flushes to add flavor. It contains phosphate in the form of monopotassium phosphate and I have not noticed any adverse effects in my 5 + years of using it.