Title says it all. Before I got into hydro, I thought the whole 20-10-10 thing for veg and 15-30-15 thing (or similar etc) was how its done. However I have learned this is not the case. When I first started my hydro op I was using grow and micro only, with the impression that I will switch to micro and bloom for flower. I learned this is also not the case (the best way to learn is by f*n up!). The. I found out about the Lucas formula, and how the nute levels don't change thru the entire grow. So what's the take of the experienced growers out there?
3 part nutes or Lucas formula. Pros, cons, opinions?
- Thread starter Nobody123
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MuckyDucky
Well-Known Member
I recently did a grow using an ebb n flow table, RO water and GH Nova bloom and I was amazed at the ease and results. I think to be successful you have to follow more that just the formula. You Have to follow the whole process...
I varied a little by starting out with Nova grow and like Lucas said my plant almost got too big for the tent.
I had a 27 gal res and would add back when it dropped 2 or 3 gal or the PPM rose to 1350 @.7 or so. I would add back to lower the PPM to 1150 or so then add PH UP to bring the PH up to 5.9 or so.. Then as the water level dropped my PPM would go up and my PH would go DOWN.
Lucas formula is really easy and cheap. You don't chase the PH and PPM levels you just keep them in range.... as the water level lowers the ppm rises and the PH lowers. Simple! My plants were very healthy, never had any sick leaves.
I think I will use the Flora micro/bloom the next time though. Nova is very thick which makes it hard to measure and mix.
This was 2 or 3 wks from harvest.
smokegreenshlt
Well-Known Member
GH micro and bloom...5ml micro 10ml bloom for veg and 8ml micro 16ml bloom for bud ....the Lucas formula is just a two to one ratio
Good info and thanks. Is it ok to switch to the Lucas formula mid gro? As in my next resivoir change? I'm having nutrient issues and so many people say many different things so I need to get it corrected. Do either of you add calmag? Or is just the micro and bloom fine? Thanks for the advice!
smokegreenshlt
Well-Known Member
I use just micro and bloom with no issue.. and I wouldn't suspect any problems changing mid grow
Sir.Ganga
New Member
Changing up nutrients can be a good thing if the plants are healthy. I think the best formula should be the one that suits your grow style. I run three different formulas in veg and basically two in flower, others would consider what I do as three but adding a steroid doesn't constitute a third to me. Keeping my ratio's the same right through flower, keeping all three, grow, micro, bloom equal, Strength of solution is the only change,
MuckyDucky
Well-Known Member
I didn't use Calmag. I thought about it because of using RO water but decided not to because of what Lucas wrote. I saw no deficiencies in the leaves the entire grow. I would switch, I sorta did... I did the veg with Nova Grow then changed the res to Nova Bloom when I switched to 12/12.
It was originally called Star Wars after George Lucas but the process worked so well that it was decided to give George credit for the insight. The advanced Lucas formula adds in some FloraDuo bloom in place of the Bud Candy and substitutes Liquid Karma for Kool Bloom if your strain isn't more than 9 weeks in which case you don't want to use Top Shooter until week 7 or week 9 for a long Sativa strain. Good luck, Jenny
MuckyDucky
Well-Known Member
I would keep it simple with the formula, mico/bloom, the first time so you can compare the results when you try the advanced..... maybe concentrate more on the environment - HPS lighting (or lower your max PPM's), RO and temps below 78deg.