[pray4pistils]

Guys, I'm on the verge of proving an innovative growing technique. However, I'm not sure what to call it. I'd like to demonstrate my findings but would definitely appreciate some input.

The principles that underlie my method are nothing new. However, the process and strategy are unique in their focus and intent. Although controversial, I deliberately mix synthetic fertilizers with pure organics. The goal has been to conveniently achieve the massive yields that synthetic compounds make easy. However, I also seek the usual benefits of organic growing. Those include improved flavor and aroma. An additional value is that there is no need to sterilize anything. Sterility is completely unnatural and makes as much sense to me as living in a hyperbaric chamber and then taking antibiotics to replace one's immune system.




Furthermore, stress is substantially reduced. General health is improved. Nute burning becomes a concern of the past. Multiple strains can be run simultaneously without complications. Feeding right until harvest (i.e. no flushing) becomes practical. Conventionally "wise" growers say this is impossible. "The microherd will be destroyed by the presence of synthetics!"

This is utter NONSENSE. I'm shocked that such misinformation is prevalent around here. Shortly, I'm going to prove my point with a grow show. Before I get there, though, I need to give my technique a proper name. The OMRI types hyperventilate and get red-faced whenever synthetics are mentioned. So, I'm sure that they'll object to a term like "semi-organic". "It's either purely organic or it's NOT!"

My attitude is "Yeah... whatEVER" because I look at all this scientifically vs. emotionally or politically. So, if folks are interested in learning what I'm up to, let's start with some terminology. Does "Semi-organic" or "Part organic" work? Or... is something like "Organic Amended" more accurate? Any constructive ideas will be highly appreciated.

Thanks,

[supermanlives]

sometimes it hurts the herd sometimes it dont . depends . i have mixed chems and organics for years. hydro and soil

[GrnMtnGrwr]

You planning on feeding refined nutes (synthetic and chemical nutes are scary terms used by organic fanatics) while alternating and supplementing with organics? I've heard from a few growers that this gives yields of refined nutes and adds in that organic flavor.

[Clackamas Coot]

Originally Posted by pray4pistils

"The microherd will be destroyed by the presence of synthetics!"

I don't use any synthetic/chemical amendments for specific reasons. Having said that it's also true that applied carefully you can maintain a viable 'transitional' grow mixing conventional and organic products.

In the commercial agriculture world, there's conventional (chemical salts), transitional (doing pretty much what you're describing) and pure organically grown.

If I were to guess then I'd probably surmise that for every organic farmer/food producer there are 15 in the 'transitional' mode.

I hope that makes some kind of sense! LOL

CC

[pray4pistils]

Originally Posted by supermanlives

sometimes it hurts the herd sometimes it dont . depends . i have mixed chems and organics for years. hydro and soil

Very nice. Would you please describe what helps and hurts? I haven't found anything that kills off my little critters. That's a good thing, of course.

Originally Posted by GrnMtnGrwr

You planning on feeding refined nutes (synthetic and chemical nutes are scary terms used by organic fanatics) while alternating and supplementing with organics? I've heard from a few growers that this gives yields of refined nutes and adds in that organic flavor.

Well, I don't alternate at all actually. The basic practice is to feed the plants directly with FloraNova Grow/Bloom at about a 2/3 normal concentration. I simultaneously prepare aerobic compost tea, filter it (with my ice hash bags), and pour it into my reservoir. The final 1/3 of the nutrients come from this brew but the total EC/ppm is about 20% less than with pure synthetics. This allows me to grow plants with varying nutritional needs (and sensitivities to burning, etc.) but feed them from a common reservoir. At the very end of a cycle I switch to 100% organics and don't bother flushing/starving the plants.

Originally Posted by Clackamas Coot

I don't use any synthetic/chemical amendments for specific reasons. Having said that it's also true that applied carefully you can maintain a viable 'transitional' grow mixing conventional and organic products.

Thanks for stopping by, Coot. Given that you're an organic specialist I'm especially keen to hear your perspective. Do understand, though, that (aside from the "flush period") I'm running both organic teas and FloraNova at the same time the whole way through. Anyway, do you apply teas or just mix the whole foods into your soil?

Cheers,

P.S. What do y'all think I should use as a name for this hybrid practice?

[Clackamas Coot]

Originally Posted by pray4pistils

Thanks for stopping by, Coot. Given that you're an organic specialist I'm especially keen to hear your perspective. Do understand, though, that (aside from the "flush period") I'm running both organic teas and FloraNova at the same time the whole way through. Anyway, do you apply teas or just mix the whole foods into your soil?

pray4pistils

Both but with a heavier emphasis on the specific soil mix that I make using a wide range of organic strata - i.e. earthworm castings, thermal compost, Alaska humus (sold under the retail name of 'Denali Gold'), bokashi bran along with minerals (Azomite, soft rock phosophate, Canadian glacial rock dust, New Jersey Green Sand, powdered oyster shells and limestone.

Along with that I mix up a seed meal concoction which includes alfalfa, soybean meal (de-fatted), flaxseed meal (aka linseed meal), canola/rape seed meal, neem seed meal, kelp meal, crab/shrimp meal, fish meal and fish bone meal. All are organic and in the case of the seed meals they're all organic non-GMO products. No bovine products ever for my concern about BSE

What this provides me is pretty much a 'water only' grow with weekly watering with seaweed extract and organic fish hydrolysate (aka fish enzyme and a few other names, i.e. NOT fish emulsion).

You folks who grow hydroponically have an interesting science that you're working. My knowledge of the Lucas formula, PH this and PH that, etc. wouldn't fill a thimble. I grow medicine - not for resale. I decided to find the easiest method that I could meaning the least amount of time I have to spend tending my 5 or 6 plants - I'm too lazy to learn what it would take to grow using your methods.

One final thought - there came a time a few months ago when I was gifted with the entire line of GH Organic Hydroponic products (I don't remember the correct name) and there were 8 bottles if I remember correctly. As I perused the labels one thing that struck me was how much carbohydrates (usually molasses but not always) most of these products contained. I'm still scratching my head on that one.

Name suggestion: Tuff 'n Transitional would be my first guess. Maybe not yours but there it is! LOL

Best wishes on your experiment/test. I'll be watching with interest.

CC

[philcollins]

I have watched a local grow go from pure chem...to pure organic...to organic/chem, similar to what u are doing...and the results of the combo method are excellent....the taste is there...aroma is there....and the yeilds. Dude swears by it now. The last batch was commented on by several folks as being, the best weed ever!

[philcollins]

OH!....and on a side note...dude has also been using recycled soil....seems that the plants are growing better and better as the soil is recycled and re amended....

nothing new

botanicare feed schedule for power series is a hybrid synth.organic schedule

works great

[Clackamas Coot]

Originally Posted by philcollins

OH!....and on a side note...dude has also been using recycled soil....seems that the plants are growing better and better as the soil is recycled and re amended....

That's been my experience as well.