I've been using Fox Farms Big Bloom, looking for cheaper alternative

S

Stone Age

Member
To back up a bit, I'm almost positive I had a Potassium deficiency, so I looked through the nutes I had on hand, and saw that BB appeared to be the only one that contained Potassium. I started feeding that heavily, and it seems to have resolved the issue. And I like the idea of also providing silica and organic micronutes.

The problem is that I'm using it up at an alarming rate, and it ain't cheap. I think it's just bat guano and earthworm castings, so it seems to me that there must be a cheaper alternative out there.

I'd prefer something in premixed liquid form, but I'm open to other options.
 
Stone Age said:
To back up a bit, I'm almost positive I had a Potassium deficiency, so I looked through the nutes I had on hand, and saw that BB appeared to be the only one that contained Potassium. I started feeding that heavily, and it seems to have resolved the issue. And I like the idea of also providing silica and organic micronutes.

The problem is that I'm using it up at an alarming rate, and it ain't cheap. I think it's just bat guano and earthworm castings, so it seems to me that there must be a cheaper alternative out there.

I'd prefer something in premixed liquid form, but I'm open to other options.
Click to expand...
And your medium is?
 
Stone Age said:
To back up a bit, I'm almost positive I had a Potassium deficiency, so I looked through the nutes I had on hand, and saw that BB appeared to be the only one that contained Potassium. I started feeding that heavily, and it seems to have resolved the issue. And I like the idea of also providing silica and organic micronutes.

The problem is that I'm using it up at an alarming rate, and it ain't cheap. I think it's just bat guano and earthworm castings, so it seems to me that there must be a cheaper alternative out there.

I'd prefer something in premixed liquid form, but I'm open to other options.
Click to expand...
It's good stuff, but it's really mild. You should get something a little stronger. That's not meant to be used alone. That's actually the only Fox Farm bottled nute I like.

There's lots of bottled organic nutes. I started with Earth Juice and it worked great. Now I'm trying to top dress dry amendments only, and plain water.
 
Stone Age said:
FFOF
Click to expand...
Not allowed in my yard anymore. But the addition of coco coire willl stabilize that soil better. And the "Organic" guys are going to jump me. Because mine has a bit of urea. Whih they drain every morning. Another thought. But I use a water soluble. Sea Grow 4-26-26. Hard to argue with results.


I also use lobster/kelp fert and a 2 part dry tea for amending. Good luck.
 
MICHI-CAN said:
Not allowed in my yard anymore. But the addition of coco coire willl stabilize that soil better. And the "Organic" guys are going to jump me. Because mine has a bit of urea. Whih they drain every morning. Another thought. But I use a water soluble. Sea Grow 4-26-26. Hard to argue with results.


I also use lobster/kelp fert and a 2 part dry tea for amending. Good luck.
Click to expand...
There's nothing wrong with FFOF. I started with it and have turned it into no-till since then.

Is that Sea Grow stuff organic? That's a really high NPK ratio.
 
PadawanWarrior said:
There's nothing wrong with FFOF. I started with it and have turned it into no-till since then.

Is that Sea Grow stuff organic? That's a really high NPK ratio.
Click to expand...
Without heavy modification FFOF was a ph nightmare the last 5-6 years with my style growing. My own thing seems reliable going on 4 years now. And Sea Grow contains Urea. Considered synthetic. Yet we piss more in the morn than is in a 5# jar. LOl. I don't get it but swear by the fert. Life long friend. Sorry I strayed a few times. 008.jpg
 
MICHI-CAN said:
Without heavy modification FFOF was a ph nightmare the last 5-6 years with my style growing. My own thing seems reliable going on 4 years now. And Sea Grow contains Urea. Considered synthetic. Yet we piss more in the morn than is in a 5# jar. LOl. I don't get it but swear by the fert. Life long friend. Sorry I strayed a few times. View attachment 4805166
Click to expand...
This is a little off topic but what does this "#" means?
 
MICHI-CAN said:
Without heavy modification FFOF was a ph nightmare the last 5-6 years with my style growing. My own thing seems reliable going on 4 years now. And Sea Grow contains Urea. Considered synthetic. Yet we piss more in the morn than is in a 5# jar. LOl. I don't get it but swear by the fert. Life long friend. Sorry I strayed a few times. View attachment 4805166
Click to expand...

why would you worry about ph with ffos, it’s pre buffered at a 6.3.
 
MICHI-CAN said:
Soil is unstable and very poorly blended for consistency. I always had PH creep about 5-7 weeks into my grow over the last few years I used it.
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Dont quote me , I’m very much new . But I believe this is because the soil is hot . It’s stays this way for the first 20-40 days which is why there’s no need to feed . It’s also why the soil is prebuffered to 6.3 . So as the soil depletes it’s nutes it’s allowing the ph to raise ?
 
Damn bro what were you doing to it to make the ph a nightmare. This shit is pre-buffered.

OP: your a little late to the party bro but let me get you caught up. FFOF is a great soil that most of us used around here back in 2010-2013 ish. Since then most guys have made their own soil, bought quality premade soil from Buildasoil/redbud, or have amended the CRAP out of their FFOF to reuse in a no till set up. (adding amendments, aeration, and compost ect)
When it comes to plant food I use 3 products. Pure Aloe Juice, Freeze dried Coconut powder, and Kelp meal.

If your looking for just a cheaper nutrient look at

 
Imcamping86 said:
Dont quote me , I’m very much new . But I believe this is because the soil is hot . It’s stays this way for the first 20-40 days which is why there’s no need to feed . It’s also why the soil is prebuffered to 6.3 . So as the soil depletes it’s nutes it’s allowing the ph to raise ?
Click to expand...
It's all good. If it works for you. Soil changed a while back. I'll never even look at it again. Not compatible with my location, method or style. If not a combination.

A soil should not be hot. I believe in steady availability in a warm, more stable base than it provides. I swore by FFOF for a long time.
 
m4s73r said:
Damn bro what were you doing to it to make the ph a nightmare. This shit is pre-buffered.

OP: your a little late to the party bro but let me get you caught up. FFOF is a great soil that most of us used around here back in 2010-2013 ish. Since then most guys have made their own soil, bought quality premade soil from Buildasoil/redbud, or have amended the CRAP out of their FFOF to reuse in a no till set up. (adding amendments, aeration, and compost ect)
When it comes to plant food I use 3 products. Pure Aloe Juice, Freeze dried Coconut powder, and Kelp meal.

If your looking for just a cheaper nutrient look at

Click to expand...
Advanced nutrient and forced growing techniques is what I would call my thing. I try to walk the line between max food no burn. Pretty thin line. Although it was problematic regardless of just watering or force feeding with FF.

Got bored just growing with basic methods. Now I grow monsters to me. And the people I gave my mix to have tossed FF as well. Not liked after a run with a better not for profit blend. LOL.
 
Ahh well that makes sense. I understand getting bored with growing. About to make a a new 4x4 to try out hugelculture in a 4x4 raised bed
 
MICHI-CAN said:
Advanced nutrient and forced growing techniques is what I would call my thing. I try to walk the line between max food no burn. Pretty thin line. Although it was problematic regardless of just watering or force feeding with FF.

Got bored just growing with basic methods. Now I grow monsters to me. And the people I gave my mix to have tossed FF as well. Not liked after a run with a better not for profit blend. LOL.
Click to expand...

It’s all about what works for you . I would one day like to try hydro . But it looks scary but it’s so tempting cause I hear it’s a guarantee to increasing yields. Just something about all that water , hoses , pumps and buckets that makes me stay with soil . Lol
 
Roots organic dry bloom and terp tea for flower + mammoth
And DTE bio live for veg , or u could just pimp out the bio live for full cycle
Plus weekly compost or ewc teas can’t beat it
 
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