dandyrandy
Well-Known Member
Yes they are. Is my jrpeters fertilizer or more? More. I still call it fertilizer.
Do I really need additives?
- Thread starter bgmike8
- Start date
Jimdamick
Well-Known Member
I would recommend you purchasing a root stimulant, one that will provide needed bacteria for your root system. There really isn't enough time for them (microbes) to develop naturally, especially in a hydro system. Great White is a good product to consider, as it has a lot of the necessary bacteria and b vitamins for healthy root development. That additive, in my opinion, would be a wish decision. Mostly, all that other shit is a wast of money, as long as you feed the plants the basics, which you seem to be doing. Good luck.
Oh, silica is meant for high stress situations, mainly high temps/drought to give the plant extra protection from damaging elements. Treat your plants well, and it is of no real use..
Oh, silica is meant for high stress situations, mainly high temps/drought to give the plant extra protection from damaging elements. Treat your plants well, and it is of no real use..
Last edited:
Just fooling
Well-Known Member
Gary I use molasses in water only soils. I have always heard it feeds the microbes the same. Mostly outdoors in giant holes. To make it into tea requires more water and hauling than I can do for large plants. Do you think it is non-efective or does still feed microbes just mixing a few ounces in a couple gallons?
I hear so many mixed reports. I do use teas inside. But indoors I can mix it in 5 gal. Outdoors I'd need a 50 gal tub and serious airation.
I hear so many mixed reports. I do use teas inside. But indoors I can mix it in 5 gal. Outdoors I'd need a 50 gal tub and serious airation.
Gary Goodson
Well-Known Member
At this point you want the microbes to be breaking down all the organic matter in your soil. Giving them sugars is like fast food for them, they get lazy and would rather eat the fast food than to cook dinner.
Just fooling
Well-Known Member
Hmm. I hate the fast food myself but the plants haven't complained. I dig huge holes and put lbs of dry nutes in each season. So much people think I lie when I tell them what I do. You think the molasses is doing nothing?
I had been told the molasses feeds the microbes which in turn feed the plants? I'm 40 something and been growing for decades but still have a lot to learn. This method has worked great for me for years. Would it be better to leave the sugars alone all together? Or only in a brewed tea form?
I'm interested in what everyone who has any real experience has to say. If your just reading a book by some guy I don't need that info. I read them all myself. Thats not a statement for you Gary just anyone who likes to post without experience on the topic.
Also I should say the holes get used every year. And amended with fresh compost and ferts yearly. And I have wonderfull results considering the environment outside.
I had been told the molasses feeds the microbes which in turn feed the plants? I'm 40 something and been growing for decades but still have a lot to learn. This method has worked great for me for years. Would it be better to leave the sugars alone all together? Or only in a brewed tea form?
I'm interested in what everyone who has any real experience has to say. If your just reading a book by some guy I don't need that info. I read them all myself. Thats not a statement for you Gary just anyone who likes to post without experience on the topic.
Also I should say the holes get used every year. And amended with fresh compost and ferts yearly. And I have wonderfull results considering the environment outside.
Just fooling
Well-Known Member
Mostly I have read that it speeds the process of breaking down the organic matter by feeding the microbes which makes for bigger population of them. Like I said I learn every day and I've been doing this awile. Started hydro and now do organics as I grow for a couple guys who are immune suppressed. And I worry about getting them quality.
budman111
Well-Known Member
Spot on, I have been saying that for years, I have not bought a bloom base fertilizer for years, I give grow A+B in flower with a PK additive as the grow does not have enough PK in it to support flowering.
OGEvilgenius
Well-Known Member
Silica is useful. It's not necessary.
bgmike8
Well-Known Member
Thanks so much for all the opinions.
I'm using flora 3 part. Aquashield. I bought some calimagic because I use ro. And I might try some silica next grow just to see if it makes the plants bigger.
I'm in aero tub by the way. I'm going to forgo any shit that claims to give me bigger yield. Although it is hard to do considering I really need a big yield. But it seems that people that know what they're talking about say it doesn't do shit.
So no gravity or Kool bloom or whatever. Maybe if I get some successful grows under my belt I'll experiment at some point just to satisfy that little part of my brain.
I'm using flora 3 part. Aquashield. I bought some calimagic because I use ro. And I might try some silica next grow just to see if it makes the plants bigger.
I'm in aero tub by the way. I'm going to forgo any shit that claims to give me bigger yield. Although it is hard to do considering I really need a big yield. But it seems that people that know what they're talking about say it doesn't do shit.
So no gravity or Kool bloom or whatever. Maybe if I get some successful grows under my belt I'll experiment at some point just to satisfy that little part of my brain.
Gary Goodson
Well-Known Member
Yes, it does feed the microbes. Not arguing that, I'm saying that you don't need to continue feeding them sugar through out the grow.
I make compost and don't feed that any sugar. Yet, the microbes break all that raw organic material down just fine with out it.
If this is about do you "need" molasses(additive) then no, no you don't.
budman111
Well-Known Member
If you can do a side by side to see for yourself you will see more vigerous and more robust plants, get pH neutral silica as its a lot easier .
mrgreen2015
Well-Known Member
Interesting conversation. I am using GH product line...Lucas Ratio.
I use Hydroguard / Liquid Orca / Great White, Silica and Cal-Mag.
Hydroguard
I'm doing my first hydro grow ever now. I;m 4 weeks in at the moment. You can check out my journal here.
Once again I am no professional, just giving my input.
Picture at 3 weeks "Dutch Passion Blueberry"
I use Hydroguard / Liquid Orca / Great White, Silica and Cal-Mag.
Hydroguard
- Because of my temps.
- Microbes
- This is really overkill because I use Liquid Orca but I use great white when transplanting from my turbo cloner into rockwool.
- To strengthen my plants cell walls and in case I underwater one day or it gets too hot in the room.
- Don't really know if this is needed with the Lucas Ratio for GH. But I throw some in after 1 week in my rez and I change my rez every 2 weeks.
I'm doing my first hydro grow ever now. I;m 4 weeks in at the moment. You can check out my journal here.
Once again I am no professional, just giving my input.
Picture at 3 weeks "Dutch Passion Blueberry"
Last edited:
OGEvilgenius
Well-Known Member
Best way to know is to run both at the same time. Do a dry amended hole this year without the added molasses and then water one with. Use the same clone in a similar spot, see what happens?
Enigmatic Ways
Well-Known Member
There's a lot of great things you can add to increase overall plant vigor...Mycorrhizal, Trichoderma, Chitosan, Triacontanol, IBA, Bap-6, Brassinosteroids, Auxin’s, Cytokines to name a few...Do a little bit of research and you'll find that if used correctly these are scientifically proven to help your plants.
intenseneal
Well-Known Member
All you need is Micro and Bloom, plenty if N between the 2 to keep the plants green and happy from start to harvest. Calmag is needed if you have soft water or use ro water. Hydro Guard is great for hydro and almost a must if res temps are high. Liquid Kool Bloom is great to add in mid flower til harvest, really helps the buds to fatten up a PK booster is a must especially if you want quantity. Silica is good but not needed.
Orphan Crippler
Well-Known Member
If I had to chose only one additive apart form the base nutrients it would be Silicon for sure. The plant really responds to Si in increased vigor and general strength and if you buy any brand that gives you a decent concentration you will not be disappointed as a little goes a long way. In my case 5ml per 20L.