Double Strength Nutes

bigbudeddie

Well-Known Member
A few of my mates where saying that they use double strength nutes when they feel there plant is strong enough. Has anyone tried this? Peace
 

entropic

Well-Known Member
So long as you slowly increase the strength of the nutrients over an extended period they can take very high concentrations, kinda like how you build up a tolerance to certain poisons if taken in increasing doses over a long period.
 

bigbudeddie

Well-Known Member
so it is possible. But is it effective. As you said it builds up a tolerance so does this mean its not using all the nutes?
 

entropic

Well-Known Member
I'm sorry, I phrased that wrong, it doesn't so much build up a tolerance; as the roots and the plant get larger and larger they're able to utilize more nutrients and since they've been given nutrients in increasing doses they're somewhat adjusted to the levels of nutrients they'll receive, and receiving slightly higher doses over time encourages them to use the available nutrients which means more leaves, more roots and more buds.

It is effective. Use only clean water the last two weeks of flowering, flush a few times during the grow to guard against salt build up from the fertilizers, watch the pH as ferts can mess with it, that's about it.
 

entropic

Well-Known Member
Most soil nutes aren't too expensive, definitely worth it there, I'm not too sure on the cost/benefit with some of the more expensive hydroponic or soil nutrients but I'm sure someone with more experience can tell you.
 

btt

Well-Known Member
It also depends on the N-P-K of the nute and whether it is chemical or organic. As well as method of growing. ie Soil, hydro, aero ect.

For instance a 20-20-20 is alot different than a 2-8-4

I have Fox Farm Tiger Bloom 2-8-4 and I have worked my way from 25% to 150% in 5 waterings. Next water will be 175% And then on to 200% No nute burn as of yet, but yellowing fan leaves dieing off. It is a natural process during flowering.

I might also add that FF Tiger Bloom is Organic based with some low% of chemical nutes in it.

A 100% chemical synthetic nute with a high N-P-K needs to be used in moderation at 1/8-1/4 of the recommended strength to begin with and work your way up as your plants tell you so.

My soil is around 45-55% perlite to soil in a 1 gallon pot. My plants were flowered early at 25 days and 5-6 nodes.

A denser soil without much aeration and more water holding agents will hold more water/nutes loner causing it to build up in the soil. This type of soil needs feeding of nutes every other watering.

Try to get a nute brand that has a good track record. One that is know to produce results. ie Fox Farm/Jack's Classic/General Hydroponics/Bio Bizz/Botanicare just to name a few off the tip of the tongue.
 

ngtybear

Well-Known Member
BTT, great update. I have switched to Fox Farms and Jacks and can tell a difference. Roached them all with MG a few weeks back. Will never use it again for anything of value.

I have also switched to Fox Farms for soil. I was thinking about 30% Perlite. You suggest 50%. I am very concerned over overwatering. Do you think the Perlite encourages or discourages an overwatered condition?

Do you ramp the nutes up like this during veg, or just during flowering? If during veg too, do you start over at the low dosage when switch to bloom booster?

Thanks,

-ngtybear
 

btt

Well-Known Member
BTT, great update. I have switched to Fox Farms and Jacks and can tell a difference. Roached them all with MG a few weeks back. Will never use it again for anything of value.

I have also switched to Fox Farms for soil. I was thinking about 30% Perlite. You suggest 50%. I am very concerned over overwatering. Do you think the Perlite encourages or discourages an overwatered condition?

Do you ramp the nutes up like this during veg, or just during flowering? If during veg too, do you start over at the low dosage when switch to bloom booster?

Thanks,

-ngtybear
30% perlite should be fine. I just gave a guesstimate of the way I mixed my soil. Perlite definately discourages overwatering. It makes the soil airy and not so compact. You will notice te first time you water how long it takes for the water to run out the drainage holes.

I did not use any nutes during veg. If I were I would start out at 25% strength and work my way up. Some suggest feeding veg nutes 2 weeks into 12/12 to help build up Nitrogen.
 
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