You can't provide any one element in excess without locking out other competing elements. For instance, too much calcium locks out magnesium, and the other way around is true. That is why plant nutrition is about balance and you recognize the importance of good ratios for stages of growth. Plants will pull up what they need so when you're providing elements in good quantities and ratios without running into issues of excesses, that's when you've got happy plants.
Up to this point we are in complete agreement.
This is a little deeper of a topic than FF vs Botanicare vs the other brand as none of these companies provides everything that a plant needs. But they do provide enough to grow good plants are are reasonably priced as long as you feed according to a TDS meter. It's when people suggest using 10 different 'cannabis specific' products that have a premium price that I have an issue with. These companies tell us what we want to hear in hopes of suckering the next crop of newbs into spending $$$ on nutes that could be had at a fraction of the cost. You may wish that it's more than just hype, but I think if you're honest with yourself, your plants and your results, you'll see it's all smoke and mirrors.
I am honest with myself, and I do my homework. I don't like being subversively accused that I'm randomly selecting nutrients based on advertising and my whims.
I have a justification for everything I use and will provide it to you:
Canna Coco:
Extremely high quality coco that is clean and pre-charged for electrical balance.
Crushed Oyster Shell:
Primary source of Calcium to the plant which will be broken down over time. Other micro-nutrients in extremely low percentages exist to support health, but without the pH buffering provided by Lime, or the sulfates in other amendments.
Humboldt Nutrients Myco Maximum:
Bunch of beneficial organisms, mostly fungi, used to assist the root system in nutrient uptake. Also contains some humic acids and food for the microbes.
Canna Coco A+B:
Two part macro system designed by PhDs specifically for Cocos high CEC and Nutrient Buffer.
Canna Rhizotonic:
Proven root enhancer and rhizosphere supporter.
Canna PK 13/14 (bloom only):
PK boost for transitional phase from flower set to swelling for increased vigor and to maximize potential. After 7 or so harvests with the stuff I've got it dialed just right.
Humboldt Nutrients Sea Mag:
Organically chelated Magnesium supplement with seaweed extracts, amino acids, that stuff. It was inexpensive, at <$20 a quart and never needing more than 2ml a gallon.
Humboldt Nutrients FlavorFul:
Fulvic acid for microbial support in the root zone and to assist with chelation and organic molecular uptake of elements. Humic acid chains work well in soil but I find fulvic acid to work better in hydro systems like coco.
Humboldt Nutrients MayanMicrozym:
Microbial support system containing enzymes and beneficial bacteria that consume dead/unhealthy root mass and promote the immune system.
Humboldt Honey ES:
Basically it's just molasses. I bought a quart of the stuff almost a year ago and haven't used half the bottle yet. Again, extremely inexpensive, but probably more than blackstrap.
DynaGro Pro-Tekt:
Potassium Silicate that will support healthy cell growth and results in thicker, stronger, stems. Also acts as a pH up agent so I don't have to introduce any more bicarbonates to the system.
Advanced Nutrients Nirvana:
This is arguable because basically it's just an organic tea that anyone could make at home. In the future I plan to brew my own but figured the $20 bottle would be cheaper then setting all that up for the time being.
Advanced Nutrients Big Bud (dry):
Specifically balanced pk system with magnesium and beneficial amino-acids. Similar to other bloom systems except they don't use EDTA as a chelation agent. The dry stuff is $10 less than the liquid and lasts twice as long.
My idea is this:
Create an organically charged media. Supply a balanced 2 part macro system designed for the media. Supplement the root system with organics. Supplement the plant with the variety of micro-nutrients not contained in the proper levels in my Macro system. Supplement the macro system with proven bloom enhancers that are balanced for flowering plants and designed with the competition of Magnesium, Calcium, and Potassium in mind.
I run my ppm's under 1000 on my Hanna, keep my pH totally balanced at 5.8, and have access to very high quality tap water (7.3 pH and 60ppm).
There is a place for everything in my garden, and when you understand the role of silicon vs fulvics vs magnesium vs bloom supplements it all becomes pretty clear.
Do I think it can be grown on less? Sure. I'm growing for my own use though, growing purely for quality and as a great hobby. If I were going commercial, and using gallons of nutrients, I'd probably go with the inexpensive "General" nutrient systems. Since I'm doing 33 sqft of garden (10 meters square) I can afford to experiment a little bit. Like I am right now with my liquid KoolBloom in my non-organic hydro grow. I heard good things about the KoolBloom from forum members so I figured I'd give it a go. No advertising hype. Just curiosity.
I guess not being a broke ass college student trying to grow bud for as little as possible, or commercially where a budget is important, allows me to figure out for myself if it is hype or not. Don't knock it till you try it, you know?
