nuteburn (avid grower, nube nute probs)

[davidjwest]

my carreer of growing which has been successful, has always had moments of complete nuteburn. this is upsetting because i always err on the side of too much, though i use most times, half the full dose or less. so i ask, what's the deal here.

my experience has been largly with biobizz.

here's the deal:
5-6 week old babies (from seed). i feed 2ml per ltr of bio heaven
then a week later, hardly a touch of bio grow. also rapid start all the while.
bam burnt.
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*what are the principles of feeding with this stuff?

*is there a rule of thumb with cutting the amounts and when to increase?

*I've switched to foxfarm brand? should i cut the doses in half or more?

*basically, whats the deal with feeding with this stuff?
______________________________________________________________
any and all of your wisdom would be great.
thanks

 

[Ursus]

different plants take different amounts of fertilizer. if you keep getting nute burn, keep on lowering the amount of fertilizer. I've heard of people going as low as 1/8th the normal recommended strength.

 

[davidjwest]

yeah... it's just funny that the industry portrays these giant cartoon plants guzzling up nutes, when in actuality, they hardly need anything. the lesson is taught over and over again, less is more. thanks.

 

[davidjwest]

can i feed with espoma organic blood/bone and plant tone at full strength/ full suggested amounts?

 

[St3ve]

Yes less is more.. and remember that the nutrient company's #1 rule is to make money. (any business right lol) That said, you have to take recommended does with a grain of salt.

That said, just keep a close eye on what you are doing and compare your own results. Sounds like you have a few plants there so you can easily experiment. Divide the plants evenly for different test groups and practice low, med, heavy feeding's, watering schedules,pH swings, growing substrate, or whatever you want. This way you will know what works BEST in YOUR garden.

 

[medicalmj]

I am in the process of putting together a plant biology and chemistry thread, which will illuminate the snake oil hype from growshops and help us understand how plants grow. Seems whenever an issues arises the shops just tell you to buy this or that nute and don't have a clue what they're talking about when it comes to the science.

Any ideas what forum might be best? I want the first page to cover all the basics and then leave it open to add more. But i'd like the first page will cover a typical 1st year college plant cell bio, basic chemistry and some physics (optics, photons, wavelengths, etc.). Anyone interested in collaborating feel free to PM me. I feel these issues are missing in the stickys.

 

[St3ve]

Any ideas what forum might be best? I want the first page to cover all the basics and then leave it open to add more. But i'd like the first page will cover a typical 1st year college plant cell bio, basic chemistry and some physics (optics, photons, wavelengths, etc.). Anyone interested in collaborating feel free to PM me. I feel these issues are missing in the stickys.

Sounds good. You might try The Botany and Science forum, or at least that would be a good start.

 

[br26]

pH and PPM? What's the source of water , from municipality?

Everything and I mean everything, can have an influence.

-Each plant has a different uptake ability. Their use of H+ ions to grab negatively charged ions for nutrient uptake can vary plant.
-Tap water constantly changes it's pH and ppm. Municipalities often flush at certain times of the year w/ salt or more chlorine, check to see what they use.
-Burn often is a result of your grow not being dialed in. Take a journal and record each strain and each pheno w/ corresponding nutes and pH levels. So in the future, you don't go over this threshold.

 

[davidjwest]

i think that sounds necessary. i think it is most important when teaching applicable information to gardening, to impart not only the basics in how, but why. The PRINCIPLES behind the how, and why.
For instance, to be rudimentary:
"...switch from 16hours light to 12hours light to induce flowering. why: The principles behind that factoid is that in autumn there is less light, you are simulating what happens in nature. how: when a plant is in darkness it.... scientific part. yes, bad example, but you get it. good luck

 

[davidjwest]

ph is 6.5. over watered and too much nutes i think, but yes, i need to be more scientific. i dont do ppm except when i check co2 levels.

 

[davidjwest]

ps.... is checking ppm with nutes hard to do... is a ppm testor worth it's expense?

 

[br26]

If this is the hydroponic room, i assume u are running hydroponics. Thus , the pH levels adequate are 5.2-5.8. Carbon dioxide should be the last of your worries if you're plants are not growing correctly. A ppm meter can be purchased for nearly $25 at places or sites. You can also purchase a zero water filter for drinking purposes that comes w/ one inside for the whole package of about $25. This meter has lasted me over a year now. Unfortunately, it does not read > 1000 ppm. Temps, lights, ventilation, and nutrients should be your main focus. Once that works, maybe focus on CO2, which generally requires a contained system. Remember that the earth's atmospheric CO2 levels are now at 400ppm and rising. Soon , we may need oxygen canisters for us to breathe and our plants will not need supplemental CO2.