Expert advice- Best, 1 part GROW nutrient for HYDRO

Mcgician

Well-Known Member
I've been using Dutch Master's Gold 2 part nutrient for most of the last year, but switched over to GH's Flora Nova Grow for the last 2-3 months. I'm using rapid rooters and 6" rockwool blocks. These are my observations:

-Dutch Master's Gold line 2 part nutrient requires a lot of ml's, compared to other nutrients, and is slightly more expensive. The plus side: The plants seem to assimilate the nutrients very well, although some strains develop a bit lanky. Also, cleaning the resevoir between changes requires very little effort. No major salt buildup on the sides, and for the most part, clean.

-GH's Flora Nova Grow- First off, this was a recommendation by more than a few hydro store experts and something they've been using for a long time themselves. Btw, there are more than 11 hydro stores in my geographical area. The good: it's a 1 part nutrient, which means fewer bottles to deal with, and a simplified situation. Right? Not so fast. Firstly, the stuff needs to be shaken like a motherf'r before you can start pouring it out. Secondly, it comes out looking like some nasty sludge BP is spilling all over the Gulf. Thirdly, the PPM measurement/recommendations on the bottle are completely off. And 4th, not only do you have to be diligent about making sure it completely dissolves in the resevoir and doesn't just sit in clumps on the bottom, but when it comes time to clean it, be prepared for a lot of elbow grease.

As far as plant structure using it, I haven't noticed any real difference except for one thing- the leaves seem more fragile and "softer". The Dutch Master plants seemed to have a bit more hardiness to them in withstanding adverse elements- i.e. bugs, heat, etc. Other than that, it's pretty close. What I'm looking for is something as clean as Dutch Master without the large price tag, but something simple and 1 part. Seriously, why are these guys so in love with Flora Nova Grow? What am I missing here? If you've tried multiple kinds of veg nutrients, with the same growing method and have some good advice let me know. If all you've tried is one kind, please don't bother. I'm looking for tried and tested advice. Don't hate me for it. Thanks.
 

NLXSK1

Well-Known Member
The reason you do not see 1 part nutrient formulas for hydro is that certain salts will combine and form insoluble compounds. So, unless you want to buy alot of water they have to keep the solutions separate until you combine them with alot more water in your tank.

I havent used enough different types to make a recommendation.
 

Mcgician

Well-Known Member
I received some positive input while visiting a dispensary about Pura Vida Grow, as far as being a good 1 part grow formula. They said that several of their most prodigious clone suppliers were using that one, at least for their growing/cloning stage. I haven't seen it outside the bottle, but I shook it, and it definitely doesn't seem to have the weight or viscosity of Flora Nova Grow. I don't know yet whether or not that's a good thing or bad thing, but eventually I'll find out. After I run out of Flora Nova Grow, I plan to try that brand and see if I can get equal or better results without the sludge and PITA cleaning of the resevoir everytime. In some respects, I don't mind my veg time taking a little longer because of timing and rotational issues, but whatever nutes I use need to be consistent, and a little easier to clean when it comes time for the resevoir. If anyone's used the Pura Vida Grow (1 part formula) by Technaflora and has any advice I'd appreciate the feedback- good or bad.
 

WSRidahs

Well-Known Member
Try using Supernatural 1 part system which is in powder form. Grow aqua, bloom aqua, and super boost. All you use is grow aqua for veg, bloom aqua for flower, and add super boost with bloom aqua in the last 2-3 weeks of flower. I grow in DWC and I'm currently use House and Garden but I'm trying this out on 1 grow. Supernatural has additives too but I got this for free to try from my hydro store so if it does good I may buy the additives later. I just started using it on 1 plant in veg and the plant seems to like it. The roots are growing fast and are very white. ph is stable and so far I never needed ph up or down even when first mixing it with water. It's supposed to be ph buffered and so far my ph has not swung at all. It only asks for 1.5 tsp per gallon and when I mixed it with water it was a perfect 5.8. 3 days later still 5.8. We'll see how it does but so far I'm liking it ease of use it is. But it all depends on the yield. Here's the link to it. http://www.supernaturalbrand.com/growers.htm
 

Heisenberg

Well-Known Member
Just wondering, it doesn't look like you are considering the dutch master 'One' line. It appears to be cheaper than the gold series, although im not sure on the amounts used, so that could be wrong. Can't recommend it as i've only used the gold, but I am considering it for veg stage and thought maybe you had heard bad things, which is why you aren't considering it.
 

Mcgician

Well-Known Member
Just wondering, it doesn't look like you are considering the dutch master 'One' line. It appears to be cheaper than the gold series, although im not sure on the amounts used, so that could be wrong. Can't recommend it as i've only used the gold, but I am considering it for veg stage and thought maybe you had heard bad things, which is why you aren't considering it.
Good question, and one that makes perfect sense. I assume since I've previously used the Gold line of DM's nutrients, that their one part isn't quite as good?? I don't know. For the most part, I'm looking to try something new, and that may as well be a different brand. I'm doing a fair bit of test trials with different nutrients, strains, placement, topping vs. not, lighting, and even bulbs, and always looking for "perfection". I'm closely paying attention to the details and different results, and am learning more each and every time. While this is exhausting, as well as more expensive at times, I believe over time it'll be worth the effort- if you know what I mean.
 
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