Phosphorus and potassium ratios for flowering.

[CoastalKind]

Well flowering season for the outdoor crops in the northern hemisphere is once again nearly upon us and I'm not sure what liquid nutrient to go get. When I was at the shop I was about to buy Age Old brand with a 5-10-5 ratio, then I saw Botanicares bloom formula had a much different ratio of 1.5-4-5 and General Hydro's organic formula had a ratio that was similiar at 2-4-4. What stand out to me is one has way more phosphorous than the others relative to the amount of potassium. I've been growing for many years but I don't know which ratio is more ideal. What is the industry standard? What do you all use in regards to nutrient ratios? Now I don't really care about brand, I can always mix bulk items myself if I have to and save some money in the process, arithmetic isn't hard, I'm just looking for information regarding nutrient ratios. Thank you all for any help.

Oh yeah these are outdoor plants and my native soil is straight up sandy. No nutrient content or nutrient retention qualities whatsoever. I have amended it with 2 inches deep of composted chicken manure spread around them in a 3 foot radius as top soil. This increased the nutrient retention quality drastically. It was good shit. The bag claims the manure has a nutrient content of about 2-2-2 and most of that is likely used up as these thing have got beastly so assume my soil is rather inert sandy loam at this point.

 

[Granger2]

Your soil sounds more like sandy than sandy loam. In the off season, I would add a lot more organic matter taking it down very deep. Excavate large planting holes. Amend the soil that comes out with a LOT more organic matter, and nutes such as Rock Phosphate, Rock dusts, Sea Weed, Alfalfa, Neem Cake, etc. Then fill the hole back up with it. Let cook till planting time. Check the Outdoor Growing Threads and the Soil Recipe Sticky for guidelines.

I don't care for all the N in the Age Old for bloom. OK for early bloom especially in your sandy soil, as most of it will be gone soon. Later I'd prefer something with a lot less N. Good luck. -granger

 

[CoastalKind]

It was sand, but after 400 lbs of composted chicken manure it is sandy loam. Thanks for the response.

 

[CoastalKind]

After much deliberation I have no decided on my ratios. I have decided to use Langbeinite and kelp as my K source, and likely bone meal as my P source. I will just buy a soil test kit and feed the soil and see what happens.

 

[CoastalKind]

I went and bought bags of langbeinite(potassium, magnesium, sulfur), alfalfa meal(mostly nitrogen and potasium), bone meal (a little nitrogen and mostly phosphorus), and azomite(70 trace minerals). If I hadn't already added so much chicken manure I would add humus to that. I am thinking about splurging on some neem cake too. I have also added worm casting and apply worm casting tea the the foliage of my plants.

 

[Dkgrower]

Think in ratios when you try and devise your feed plan.. i go by a very simple N-K rule where i want in flower to have doubbel the amount of K relative to N.. and phospor just need to be around in small amounts so i use the general (N-P-K) 2-1-4 ration as a working tool...

I also tryed a 1-1-2 ratio but favor the 2-1-4...

Molasse, vinasses and woodash are good places to hunt for organic source of K..

 

[noodles05]

I also would like to know what ratios of p-k to apply through different phases of flowering.
I read some years ago that, phosphorous is used more so in the early phase of flowering & potassium in the later phase.
Does any body know how much to give & when?
I use flood & drain, with coco & perlite.

 

[Dkgrower]

P is needed at the start of a plants life.. it boost root production....

Then all u need is to make sure phosphorous is around in 50-80 ppm...

Nitrogen, Kalium, S, Mg, Ca are more important than P.. but because P is easy watered out of any medium.. it is important that you add some often...

Also rember that the plant is not stupid are can work with many ratios but in general you can use the 2-1-4 ration all the way through flowering..its pretty standart dont over complicate it =P

I dont know if you rember a producd by the world most stupidst fert company.. Advanced nutcases.. they had some bud blood or what the fuck they called it and claimed that if you hit your plants in the 1 week of flower with massive amounts of P-K you would get monster results.. stuff like that is just informed guys getting rich fooling uninformed pepol...

 

[CoastalKind]

I dont know if you rember a producd by the world most stupidst fert company.. Advanced nutcases.. they had some bud blood or what the fuck they called it and claimed that if you hit your plants in the 1 week of flower with massive amounts of P-K you would get monster results.. stuff like that is just informed guys getting rich fooling uninformed pepol...

I completely agree with the opinion expessed.