I dont understand N-P-K labels.
- Thread starter plantz
- Start date
plantz
Well-Known Member
Also just wanted to say i did make an effort to find some info, the growFAQ offered little explanation.
ThomasJeffersonDidit
Active Member
to put it simply. "N" is going to give you nice green healthy growth, you want higher amounts in veg backing off in flowering. P&K are the opposite, where you do not need as much in veg, raising these values in flowering to increase bud health.
plantz
Well-Known Member
Hmm maybe i was too noobish. i understand what they stand for and when you need more NPK for the different cycles but i dont understand PPM and things like that.. is the PPM just to dilute the nutrients with water so its not full strength?? is that the idea?
racerboy71
bud bootlegger
yes.. ppm is i'm sure you know, parts per million.. so the more diluted that your nutes are, the less parts per million that there will be.. the stronger your nutes are, the more ppm there is.. you adjust your ppm for whatever growth phase that your in.. you start out as low as maybe 2 or 300 ppm, and can get as high as like 1800/ 2000ppm, depending on who you ask and of course what strain you are growing..
strain stalker
New Member
...ppm = parts per million.
N-P-K are elements of the earth. There are 117 elements on earth. NPK, are the 3 main elements that plants need to grow. The ppm is how they measure the amount of elements in water. A ppm million reading is produced by electical current produced by elements in the water....this is why you'll also hear of people referring to "The EC". The EC, or electrical current can be easily converted to a ppm reading just as celsius and farenheit. If you get filtered water your PPM should be near zero. Most tap water has elements in it, therefore it has a ppm reading of the elements found in the water. FYI, EC meters, or PPM meters whichever you wish to call them will detect ALL elements in the water, not jut NPK.
N-P-K are elements of the earth. There are 117 elements on earth. NPK, are the 3 main elements that plants need to grow. The ppm is how they measure the amount of elements in water. A ppm million reading is produced by electical current produced by elements in the water....this is why you'll also hear of people referring to "The EC". The EC, or electrical current can be easily converted to a ppm reading just as celsius and farenheit. If you get filtered water your PPM should be near zero. Most tap water has elements in it, therefore it has a ppm reading of the elements found in the water. FYI, EC meters, or PPM meters whichever you wish to call them will detect ALL elements in the water, not jut NPK.
plantz
Well-Known Member
i see, so the PPM rating is for ALL the elements in the water? From my research i decided i wont be going above 1300-1500 ppm im still a beginner. So this is the most common reason for nute burn?
ThomasJeffersonDidit
Active Member
Sry I misunderstood ya :\
Yes, ppm is gonna measure everything in the water. I have no experience with well water to tell you as if it were to be higer or lower than tap.
Your ppm is gonna be different for every nutrient company's feeding chart, and will be altered by water quality and even your ph adjustments.
Obviously, you're not gonna want to start with 1300-1500. Much lower and increase every week slowly.
Just out of curiosity, I'm assuming your growing in hydro or some form or dwc/areo?
Yes, ppm is gonna measure everything in the water. I have no experience with well water to tell you as if it were to be higer or lower than tap.
Your ppm is gonna be different for every nutrient company's feeding chart, and will be altered by water quality and even your ph adjustments.
Obviously, you're not gonna want to start with 1300-1500. Much lower and increase every week slowly.
Just out of curiosity, I'm assuming your growing in hydro or some form or dwc/areo?
plantz
Well-Known Member
I have yes not with the best results thought. I prefer soil. Does Ppm matter with soil?
SickSadLittleWorld
Well-Known Member
No, just use the feeding schedule provided by FF and you'll be fine. EC/TDS isn't important for soil growing.
And since no one has answered the original question, NPK values represent the percentage of the nutrient solution is that particular element. For example, the bottle of Cha Ching sitting next to me is 9-50-10. By volume, the product contains 9% N, 50% P, and 10% K.
plantz
Well-Known Member
wow tyvm! +rep. So if its usually low numbers like i see 16-8-8 for example just made it up.. whats the other 68% of stuff in the bottle?
SickSadLittleWorld
Well-Known Member
No problem. I assume the other stuff includes the water and other inert ingredients that the elements are derived from but can't be uptaken by the plant for some reason.