We're not talking about single element products here. An example of what I'm talking about is that hydroplex (0-10-6) is almost 50% more concentrated than liquid koolbloom (0-10-10). Flora micro (5-0-1) is more than double the ppm of LKB. One cannot just average products to get an overall NPK, though I guess that depends on how exact one wants to get. The elemental makeup and concentration level both need to be considered.
I always understood it that the N-P-K ratio on the label
IS the indicator of the concentration. NPK represents the percentage of each element by mass. Any product with equal NPK numbers will have the same PPM thus the same concentration if the measurement were strictly N-P-K. Your Dyna-gro Grow has an NPK of 7-9-5 and is twice as concentrated as another product labeled 3.5 - 4.5 - 2.5. (provided it has equal remaining ingredients) Concentration is a product of elemental mass in a given weight of solution. That is why powdered nutes are labeled with such a high NPK, they contain, by weight, much more nutrient in a given volume. WHen the OP mixes his 2 products together (mixing say 1 tsp of each) he does indeed reach the NPK of 2.5 - 5 - 4.5
PER TSP. If he were to dose a gallon of water with both tsp's he would obtain the same PPM as if he used a 5-5-5 product. So the fact that his new solution took twice as much (2 tsp) than that of the 5-5-5 product, which only required 1 tsp, it has half the concentration. The OP should also be aware that adding NPK's is not the only elements you are adding. There is also Calcium,magnesium,sulphur and others. HB's example of hydroples and GH exemplifies that.
Hydroplex, according to the feed schedule, has 116 ppm @ 2ml/gal ; LKB, by utilizing the PPM equation on the bottle , supplies 70 ppm. (converting tsp to ml). Yes, Hydroplex has more ppm's as measured BUT it also has Magnesium, Amino Acids, trace minerals and Vitamins in it. GH Micro is LOADED with Calcium.
Maybe it's a terminology thing here. I don't know maybe if you called it stronger instead of more concentrated? You say since the PPM's are higher, it is more concentrated. I agree to the extent that one product has more total concentration of salts than another thus is more concentrated in that respect. I see concentration in a formula mass perspective with solute/solvent mixing. The more of an element in a given volume, the more concentrated it is. So my example of your Dyna-gro would apply.
concentration (kŏn'sən-trā'shən) Pronunciation Key
The amount of a particular substance in a given amount of another substance, especially a solution or mixture. |
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
I'm fricking babbling on about nothing, I'm medicated and probably off my rocker.
