Well I understand that using ffof, it has enough nutrients to last almost the first month of veg. But how do I know when to start feeding them nutes? When I see signs of nutrient deficiency? I plan on growing northern lights for my first grow cause I understand it's a good strain for beginners to start with. Any experience with that strain?
no exp with that strain specifically, but many of it's crosses and similar lineage, and honestly in my experience not many strains are that finicky to where they require abnormal care.
The funny thing about bagged soils is this, it's just like food for people, the MORE you give them, the longer it lasts, and in this case, the "more" represents the overall soil, in other words, yea sure, ffof has nutrients for about a month,
depending on how much soil you give them.
Make sense?
So if you grow a plant in a 12 gallon container and don't vege it super long it'll have nutrients until the pretty much the end (for this example anyways)
Many other variables, to consider, like the light, co2, temp, growing tendencies of the plant, and so on.
If you are pumping some serious light in there, with co2, you may need more food.
Outside you'd need more food.
But not normally inside.
To answer your question, i'd make a mix with half ffof, and the other half something light, (vermisoil?, promix, etc) and then amend that half with slow release nutrients, to help transition from the more water soluble nutrients that are in the ffof.
Fish bone meal, neem meal, crab meal, kelp meal,
avoid guanos, blood meal, most manures (too soluble)
Make sure to age that half as well.
