DoobieDoobs
Well-Known Member
yeah, I really like doing the teas xD, my teas are simple just molasses, compost and ewc, I add a little fish emulsion for vegetative stage, I give compost tea to all the plants in my house. Still fun to do atm.
Post your organic flowering feeding schedule
- Thread starter Cabbagelit
- Start date
myke
Well-Known Member
The week 5, 2 cups is that per 5 gallon pot?
thanks
youraveragehorticulturist
Well-Known Member
I guess it's just a rough guideline. Whatever is going to cover the top of your soil a couple inches deep, without making a big mess. 2 cups of compost may not be enough for a 7 gallon pot and 4 cups might be too much for a 10 gallon pot.
PJ Diaz
Well-Known Member
Yes, I read the whole thing, which is why I posted it. What I posted there completely backs up my assertions earlier in this thread, and also why I called it a counter-point to the authors of the book "teaming with microbes". Please pay attention.
I respect that. I think organic is great, but make sure that you really understand all the in's and out's of soil science management. This books is the text for many College level soil science classes (if you want non bro-science, but do want actual science): https://www.amazon.com/Soil-Science-Management-Edward-Plaster/dp/0840024320
ComfortCreator
Well-Known Member
I get a kick out of the idea that it might be considered "cheating" to add something to an organic grow. Or that anybody gives a sxxx about whether it's a pure organic grow or not.
Organic isn't a church with membership and requirements.
Teas, topdressings, ewc, dry amendments, salts...if you can get to a great finish, good for you, is my view.
I cannot agree more with your view that much of the religious-style organic hype is to make the effort seem so worthwhile.
Obviously science should be the driver that shapes a grow system, whether based on synthetics or organic inputs or both. I remember when hydroponics was a "church", and people paid big dollars to many snake oil salesmen for membership. Back in the late 80s, early 90s, it was a popular thought that you couldn't produce anything of quality growing any other way except by hydro. Any good bud was often called "hydro" regardless if it was grown that way or not. It's organic's turn now. Money always finds a way! lol
For organic "soil" growers, I would exercise caution however when adding salts to your soil. That means getting a complete soil analysis and nitrogen management report from an accredited lab before deciding if, what, and how much to add. If you consistently add even a bit more than the plant can use up before the next feeding, you'll get an imbalance that could lead to toxicity or lockout conditions which will adversely affect your soil life and kill your plants. Soil is not hydro where we have full control over the nutrient levels available to the plant at all times. Adding a synthetic nute solution called "Ultra Hugely Bud Enhancer" or whatever the salesman might call it in an amount "guessed" by the grower is foolish.
What limits microbial mass in field soil is most often carbon, not N, P, or K (since they add that). Farmers for generations now have been applying nitrates or urea to the soil (which bacteria love), however the carbon they need to take advantage of it becomes less available as bacteria populations explode shortly after application, since their respiration removes the last remnants of carbon from the soil in the form of CO2. The loss in soil carbon contributes to a corresponding loss in soil tilth, lowers CEC, as well as microbial mass over the long term. Even with a soil test, I would advise those who want to use synthetics to insure they always have enough digestible carbon to achieve a reasonable C:N ratio. For those doing no-till, I'd avoid salts completely unless you had a dire emergency (confirmed by a soil test).
JoeBlow5823
Well-Known Member
Yea. start out with very low concentrations. Simple.
PJ Diaz
Well-Known Member
The OP is growing in 15 gallon containers, not in actual soil.
For sure, if your soil analysis (for both available and potential mineralizable nutes) calls for low concentrations. Otherwise use higher concentrations if tests confirm. However by caution I meant using science, not thinking "a little of this can't hurt in my organic grow, because the label says grows GIANT nugs!". No sense even adding a tiny bit of P or anything else if you're already on the edge of toxicity. And you wouldn't know this without employing science and sending samples (either tissue or soil) for analysis. Just throwing salts in your (formerly) organic grow simply because of the label's claims is stupid to put it bluntly.
PJ Diaz
Well-Known Member
He's using potting soil in containers.
Yeah I kinda figured that since it's indoors in pots. What's your point exactly?
PJ Diaz
Well-Known Member
My point is that it's not actual field soil, and suggesting that he do a soil analysis for his potting mix in his small tent grow is unrealistic.
Yes, it might be unrealistic to spend $50 for at least a SLAN test and basic analysis for a little grow tent. In the absence of any data or science, it makes a great argument for not adding ANY nutrient salts to your potted medium in little organic grows. Thanks for the reminder!
JoeBlow5823
Well-Known Member
Extremely unrealistic. Soil comes blended to grow weed. No testing needed. If they look hungry, feed them a little bit. Pretty simple.
JoeBlow5823
Well-Known Member
The scientific data is that the plants look hungry.
PJ Diaz
Well-Known Member
Well of course you wouldn't add nutrient salts to organic grows, because then they wouldn't be organic grows anymore. For folks who aren't worried abut being organic purists, but do want the benefits of an organic based medium, better advice is to learn to read the plants needs and feed them accordingly.
Or it could be lockout due to an excess of something else, soil pH, toxicity, or even environmental issues. If you're a walking laboratory and can sense a specific deficiency and know how much of that specific element to add to correct the issue, then I'm guessing you're way above my pay grade!
Anyway grow your "organics" the way you like. At least if newbies see this shit-thread they keep the "Marijuana Plant Problems" section of the site busy so that more experienced growers can go there and say "it's not a deficiency bro, you burned the crap outta ur plants!" over, and over, and over again.
Best to switch to hydro. That way you know you're not going to have nutrient shortages, buildup, or eventual toxicity if you follow simple directions. You can dial in your known phenos and produce great results grow after grow forever. Funny to hear the word "science" and "read the plants!" in the same thread. Irony isn't dead after all!
PadawanWarrior
Well-Known Member
You probably buy new soil every time. @Northwood and I don't. We reuse it. I listen to his advice.
I'd take the advice of @PadawanWarrior too, especially the part where he says listen to my advice. LMAO! *kidding*
Seriously though, I think we all have to remember that this forum isn't restricted to advanced growers only. Some may perhaps have an ability to read a plant instinctively somehow and know whether it's missing boron or manganese or calcium and that it's not lockout, but some poor soul with only a few grows under his belt may not have that ability. I don't have that ability yet, and I've been growing for over 40 years. Maybe it will come to me sometime, but I'm getting old now and need a method that's easy, dummy-proof, and doesn't present issues that take up my time or raise my anxiety levels. I just have other stuff to do, like argue on this forum! Haha
Seriously though, I think we all have to remember that this forum isn't restricted to advanced growers only. Some may perhaps have an ability to read a plant instinctively somehow and know whether it's missing boron or manganese or calcium and that it's not lockout, but some poor soul with only a few grows under his belt may not have that ability. I don't have that ability yet, and I've been growing for over 40 years. Maybe it will come to me sometime, but I'm getting old now and need a method that's easy, dummy-proof, and doesn't present issues that take up my time or raise my anxiety levels. I just have other stuff to do, like argue on this forum! Haha