Quick question about nute mixes. I am getting ready to transplant my seedlings into solo cups. I am going to be using GenHydro Micro/bloom per Rezdog's recipe. I am curious, if I was to pre-mix 5 gallons worth in a 5gallon bucket with a lid and airstone - how long will this mixture last? I'll be hand feeding and don't want to mix nutes every day.
nutrient mix storage
- Thread starter synax
- Start date
This would be ideal for chemical ferts. I've always thought about this and it's great to have this topic up.
I'm not sure is this would be good in the long run for organic ferts though because of the biological breakdown but please correct me here if I'm wrong because some may say the biological breakdown will improve the mix.
On the other hand would it not be better to mix the Micro and Bloom without calibrating the pH? I say this because if I have to constantly keep adding pH down to keep a long term mix calibrated I would eventually run into alkaline toxicity and ruin the whole batch. Talking about a 55 gallon premix here - or will I have to pH in order for the chemicals to bond correctly?
I'm not sure is this would be good in the long run for organic ferts though because of the biological breakdown but please correct me here if I'm wrong because some may say the biological breakdown will improve the mix.
On the other hand would it not be better to mix the Micro and Bloom without calibrating the pH? I say this because if I have to constantly keep adding pH down to keep a long term mix calibrated I would eventually run into alkaline toxicity and ruin the whole batch. Talking about a 55 gallon premix here - or will I have to pH in order for the chemicals to bond correctly?
OPT
Member
Good point sumdumguy!
I'm not really sure on that, but it does make since.
I've recently wondered the same question and was just repeating what I was told.
Along with what I said above, I wouldn't necessarily advise that in a huge mixing situation...from my perspective, I mix up 1 gallon at a time and my plants don't use that much yet each watering, so that's why I originally wondered the same thing. I wanted to be able to finish off using my half gallon that was left the next day or whatever instead of having to waste any.
I'm sure someone will chime in soon and let us all know whats up. With the storing of small mixed quantities as well as large!
OPT
I'm not really sure on that, but it does make since.
I've recently wondered the same question and was just repeating what I was told.
Along with what I said above, I wouldn't necessarily advise that in a huge mixing situation...from my perspective, I mix up 1 gallon at a time and my plants don't use that much yet each watering, so that's why I originally wondered the same thing. I wanted to be able to finish off using my half gallon that was left the next day or whatever instead of having to waste any.
I'm sure someone will chime in soon and let us all know whats up. With the storing of small mixed quantities as well as large!
OPT
I mix a week's worth at a time and with RO+DI water, the pH is stable. More than it ever was when tap water was involved.
i havent used the nutes you are but from my own experience ive premixed nutes and left an airstone in the bucket for 5-7 days no worries...
as long as you dont have anything in there that will start fermenting/bubbling (ala mollasses)
I would think he meant 24Hr/Day.
pray4pistils
Member
Why not get that molasses or other organic food working its magic?
I would think for short term storage it may be ok but molasses is natural sugar and long term effects will not benefit the mix. Biological breakdown will be most effective in direct soil or potting mixes for long term effects.
Why not get that molasses or other organic food working its magic?
this will lead to a mess if left unattented - the pics were taken on a few minutes after the rezies were filled.
heres a side by side of foamy (roots organic trinity main ingredient mollases btw humbold honey does the same thing) vs non foamy (used botanicare sweet):
here is the foamy rez with the airstone off... notice how thick n goopy looking the solution is you can barely make out the pump at the bottom
pray4pistils
Member
Foam's easy to get rid of with a bit of vegetable oil on top of the water. I'm a big fan of using microbes to keep my water clean, so what you perceive as a risk or inconvenience is a welcome addition to my rez. I actually love my foam and rely on it to indicate microbial metabolism. It's all good.
