newer research is showing that a 3-1-4 ratio is probably better.
The only deficiencies I've had were all caused by improper pH.
Please, Sir, may we have more? Is that veg or flower? Inquiring minds and all that....
txskunk, the lucas formula is rather outdated as it was developed before the advent of tissue analysis. newer research is showing that a 3-1-4 ratio is probably better.
Do you have any links to read up on this?
Or if this is from your own studies, give us more.......
lucas formula isnt that special i agree, i still have some of the micro series stuff, it never impressed me, floranova bloom did though, in comparison my fnb plants had much more shine n health then 6/9 ever gave them.
Do you have any links to read up on this?
Or if this is from your own studies, give us more.......
Well this is a long and detailed thread discussing the Lucas ratio written by fatman: http://www.rollitup.org/hydroponics-aeroponics/268790-lucas-formula-recipe-scratch-really.html
I've used the Lucas formula with GH Flora 0-8-16 as well as Floranova bloom, which is GH's one-part Lucas feed. It worked well, but I've since found a better (and cheaper) feed thanks to delta9nxs : Jack's hydroponic plus calcium nitrate.
The 3-1-4 'ratio' (really it's a form of relativity) is what I and others (like tester, YosemiteSam, Analog, Avenger, etc.) have developed (together and separately) using cannabis tissue assays and tissue assays from other higher green C3 plants.
I have been testing and using 3-1-4 for a long time, and it works exceptionally well from veg to harvest for coco, peat, water culture, etc. The low (yet sufficient) P is a key factor, esp. for veg and pre-flowering, as is the increased N. At this time, my mixes are the only ones using ~3-1-4, that I am aware of; I know YS likes to use lots of various relativity to see what he likes.
There are at least a dozen people testing my General Hydroponics mix meant to replace the PH/Lucas formula and Rez formula, as well as my formula(s) using base salt compounds. So far, at least a half a dozen people have tested my GH mix, and found it's far better than other mixes (from GH and otherwise) they have used before. I think that's because my mixes are based on science ...
In terms of K-Ca-Mg, I have found (as have others) that 3-2-1 works very well.
FWIW, I would put my mixes against any commercial brand there is; and I would bet as much money as I have, that my mixes will beat the shit out of any commercial mix.
To find N-P-K (what I term N|P|K) and K-Ca-Mg (what I term K|Ca|Mg), the following math is used:
If:
- N = total ppm of ammonicial and nitrate
- P = total ppm of P
- K = total ppm of K
- L = represents element with lowest ppm
And:
- N = 150
- P = 50
- K =200
- L = 50
Then:
- N/L = 3
- P/L = 1
- K/L = 4
here is another interesting article. while not alluding specifically to the lucas formula he does mention the use of 2 parts of a 3 part formula at a 2/1 ratio so it is obvious that's what he is talking about.
http://maximumyield.com/article_sh_db.php?articleID=464&yearVar=2009&issueVar=August
the article also points to the futility of using p-k type bloom boosters.
hey! 3-1-4, the golden ratio, beginning to end. your formula looks good. have you looked at the jack's hydro special and calcinit combo? it comes out to 150-52-215. i
Here is a thread worth checking out, my posts with respect to this post start on page 9 or so. In my posts I provide many links to great lit on these topics, as well as my mixes, info on how to properly mix fertigation water (ex., add ferts to 1/2 volume of total water, then add other 1/2 volume of water), etc.:I.) Notes:
...
5) After messing around with lots of mixes, I found the perfect mix of inexpensive salts. The mix provides N-P-K of 3-1-4 and K-Ca-Mg of 3.2-1.84-1; as well as providing sufficient Si, NO3:NH4 ratio of 14, etc. Using the following salts, excluding the micro's, increases the accuracy of the ppm calculations. Using all of the following salts I was able to reduce the price per unit, too:
...
--> I attached two screen shots, the first one, "complete_mix_a", shows how to make the stock solutions (mixes) A, B and C. Ex., how much of each compound to add to each gallon to make stock solution (not shown is 0.361 grams of boric acid into mix B). That screen shot also shows the elemental profile by ppm, providing exactly what you asked for. The EC shown is 1.6 mS/cm, which is the EC of the fertagation water after the specified volumes of mix A, B and C are added. If we include the EC of your source water, i.e., 0.4 mS/cm, the total EC for your fertigtion tank will be 2.0 mS/cm; and I believe that is the EC you requested, correct?
II.) Mixing notes for stock solution:
a) when weighing dry salts use two scales: one that measures down to 0.001 gram and is accurate to 0.001 gram (jewelry scale for micro-nutrients), and one that measures to 1 kilogram and accurate to 0.01 gram, better yet 0.001 gram. Following is an example of en Ebay search for 0.001 gram scales: http://shop.ebay.com/items/?_nkw=sc...pt=1&_sadis=&LH_CAds=&clk_rvr_id=248929254212
b) when measuring liquid volume, ex., for Silo-Tec potassium silicate, use a good graduated cylinder, and a syringe for single mL and less than mL measurements. However, we can find the specific gravity of Silo-Tec and then use weight, instead of volume, to measure out Silo-Tec for mix C.
c) fill jug for mix A with 1/2 gallon distilled or deionized water, then add the salt compounds for mix A, shake and dissolve with each addition. Then add the other 1/2 gallon distilled or deionized water and shake.
d) do the same as above (re: mix A), when mixing B, and C.
III.) Mixing notes for fertigation tank (working solution):
a) fill tank to 1/2 volume with source water needed, ex., if you need 100 liter, fill with 50 liter.
b) add mix C (potassium silicate) at 10 mL per liter of total tank water and mix/agitate to fully dissolve (wait a couple of minutes), then adjust pH.
c) add mix A at 10 mL per liter of total tank water and mix/agitate to fully dissolve (wait a couple of minutes).
d) add mix B at 10 mL per liter of total tank water and mix/agitate to fully dissolve (wait a couple of minutes).
e) adjust pH
I'm growing very nice plants with it but i will try your formula sometime. have you got those tissue assays up somewhere? i'm sure they are better than the AN ones i was going to link.