Solid Fertilizer (indoor grow)

So I'm going to be attempting my first grow and I happened to buy solid fertilizer; CIL Shrub and Evergreen 10-3-6. Most the info I find on feeding marijuana nutrients only refers to liquid fertilizers and recommend following the feeding instructions on the container. The only instructions given for this CIL stuff is work 2 tsp once in the spring for every 30cm of plant height. I know there's no way I'll get a bomb dope plant with just one feed.

I need to know if I can use solid fertilizer alone, how often and how much should I feed, and what's the best way to feed it to the plant (working it into the soil, dissolving in water, etc)?

Uninspired said:

So I'm going to be attempting my first grow and I happened to buy solid fertilizer; CIL Shrub and Evergreen 10-3-6. Most the info I find on feeding marijuana nutrients only refers to liquid fertilizers and recommend following the feeding instructions on the container. The only instructions given for this CIL stuff is work 2 tsp once in the spring for every 30cm of plant height. I know there's no way I'll get a bomb dope plant with just one feed.

I need to know if I can use solid fertilizer alone, how often and how much should I feed, and what's the best way to feed it to the plant (working it into the soil, dissolving in water, etc)?

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jesus i havent used dry nutes since 1999 as i remember they work pretty damn well the ones i used tho u would mix in water say 1tbl per gallon of water just check out there website for the mix rates why people use h&g and canna these days alot easyer and saves u alot on tip burn

Well they've no website with any fertilizer info and I can't find any universal mixing charts for soluble mixing solubles with water. I see now that feeding in liquid form is the only way and I'd need to be a god damned scientist to figure out how much water to mix with my n-p-k ratio.

I've never used solid ferts but I've heard good things about osmocote.

I don't think you'll need any for the seedlings as the dirt probably has enough stuff in it for the first few weeks but I'd guess you could use the amount for the size plant you want to grow after that. You may need to add more as some weed can get hungry. Just watch for yellowing of the lower leaves as a sign you need to add more.

A grower of woody landscape plants friend of mine told me Osmocote dumps too much of its load in temps above 90f. I did a little google search and found some information on the subject. Its definitely worth reading if you're an Osmocote fan.
Personally I want more control over fertilizing than that. I think Osmocote is probably better for hungry annuals and other ornamentals and not so much for growing weed.
The Espoma products might be good although I have no experience with them indoors.
Gardentone, plant tone and theres one for veggies thats good too.

Uninspired said:

CIL Shrub and Evergreen 10-3-6. Most the info I find on feeding marijuana nutrients only refers to liquid fertilizers

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CIL appears to be from the same company that makes Pro-Mix medium. That's a reputable source. And the NPK ratio is good for veg. I don't know about the micros. I couldn't find a the label showing that info. Is it time release? (I see people talking about Osmocote which is TR.).

You don't need cannabis-specific nutrients. You just pay a premium for the stuff. Lots of people use inexpensive JR Peters "Jacks". I use Grow More Sea Grow (quite a few on a different forum use it). It's mostly just the NPK ratio. 3-1-2 in veg (which your CIL is close to). In flower you'll want 1-1-2 to 1-3-2. I wouldn't go that high in P until the very end as a booster. I'd try to be at around 1-1-2 to 1-2-2.

There are people who grow 1-1-1 all the way. Cannabis isn't very complicated.

As far as amount to use, if it's not time-release, I'd do 1/4 tsp/gal the first time, 10 days after seeds break ground. Then 1/2 tsp/gal the rest of veg. I'm basing that dose on the strength of the product. I use 16-16-16 and do 1/2 tsp/gal. So, you should be safe. If anything, you may want to push it up to 3/4 tsp/gal if it doesn't seem to thrive. (But, you have to be careful of salt buildup in the soil if you feed too much. If you feed enough to generate over 20% runoff each time, you'll have less risk of buildup. That's handy if you're not sure where you're at.).

Buy Jack's Classic Bloom Booster. It's 1-3-2. You can combine it with your 3-1-2 to get a ratio in between during transition and early flower. You don't have to jump abruptly to 1-3-2. (In fact, if you're unsure of your CIL 3-1-2 product, buy Jack's Citrus Feed which is 2-1-2. That's a good veg ratio. There are people on RIU using it. It's inexpensive.).

I'm using dry organic nutes this grow. I mixed 1/3 cup of Fox Farms Happy Frog Organic Dry Fruit anf Flower Nutes into 4 gallons of soil.. Apparently this is all I have to do and just water for the rest of the grow. I have other bloom nutes in case I need them..

This was recommended to me because I am so tired of breaking out a chemistry set every few days for feedings.

I think it's best to put the nuted soil towards the bottom of the pot so the plants grow into that area.

Uninspired said:

So I'm going to be attempting my first grow and I happened to buy solid fertilizer; CIL Shrub and Evergreen 10-3-6. Most the info I find on feeding marijuana nutrients only refers to liquid fertilizers and recommend following the feeding instructions on the container. The only instructions given for this CIL stuff is work 2 tsp once in the spring for every 30cm of plant height. I know there's no way I'll get a bomb dope plant with just one feed.

I need to know if I can use solid fertilizer alone, how often and how much should I feed, and what's the best way to feed it to the plant (working it into the soil, dissolving in water, etc)?

Click to expand...

research suggests that with an indoor grow the preferred method of applying nutrients to a soil less grow mediums is to use either bat gwano or worm castings. Put about one to two table spoons of fertilizer per 2 gallons of water in a tea bag and brew it for 24 hours. Water with fertilizer one day one. Water with straight water on day two. No water on day three. This three day water cycle allows for proper nutrient absorbsion and leaching so your plants don't salt lock.

joshua35 said:

research suggests that with an indoor grow the preferred method of applying nutrients to a soil less grow mediums is to use either bat gwano or worm castings. Put about one to two table spoons of fertilizer per 2 gallons of water in a tea bag and brew it for 24 hours. Water with fertilizer one day one. Water with straight water on day two. No water on day three. This three day water cycle allows for proper nutrient absorbsion and leaching so your plants don't salt lock.

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water like this for the veg and flower. pay attention the the nutrient content on the bag. the three numbers do mean something. start with a high nitrogin at first. then taper off the closer you get to harvest. the last two weeks before harvest leach out all nutrients with straight water. let the water sit for 24 hours before using to let all chlorine evaporate out and the water to come to room temp. the best way is to use a 5 gallon bucket uncovered

sunny747 said:

I'm using dry organic nutes this grow. I mixed 1/3 cup of Fox Farms Happy Frog Organic Dry Fruit anf Flower Nutes into 4 gallons of soil.. Apparently this is all I have to do and just water for the rest of the grow. I have other bloom nutes in case I need them..

This was recommended to me because I am so tired of breaking out a chemistry set every few days for feedings.

I think it's best to put the nuted soil towards the bottom of the pot so the plants grow into that area.

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your nuted soil should be the whole pot. The roots feed the entire lengh of the root. You will end up with a skimpy plant untill the roots hit the nutes. By that time it won't produce the bud that you want it to. So mix it all together

az2000 said:

As far as amount to use, if it's not time-release, I'd do 1/4 tsp/gal the first time.

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There's nothing on the box indicating if it's time release or not and no mention of micro nutes either. I think I'm going to have to buy a new product since I have so many uncertainties on mixing ratios and whether it has everything I need in it. I live in Ontario so I don't know if I'll be able to find some of the fertilizers you guys have mentioned here unless I order online.

You have dirt right? Well the nutes in that can get you started while you wait for the mail. I've seen osmocote at big box stores though, especially now since it's coming on planting season

ShirkGoldbrick said:

You have dirt right? Well the nutes in that can get you started while you wait for the mail. I've seen osmocote at big box stores though, especially now since it's coming on planting season

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well regular dirt could work if you bake it first to kill any pests or possible toxins. But then you should be ready to evac you home for a while cuz the stench will be bad. Then you would have amend it to reintroduce nutes. At that point you would better off making your own soil less medium. It will take less time and effort.

Uninspired said:

no mention of micro nutes either.

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No "guaranteed analysis" mentioning things like calcium and magnesium?

MiracleGro will work. Their All Purpose is a veg ratio 3-1-2. However, I'd choose the Tomato product which is closer to 1-1-1. Their Bloom Booster (1-2-1) is good for flower,

If you have to order online, the Jack's Classic products I mentioned are good.

Or, Grow More Sea Grow (All Purpose and Flower & Bloom. Hawaiian Bud & Bloom and Jump Start can be good to have. But, all you need is the first two products.). I use that and can help you with it. I harvested this a few days ago. Jacks users harvest similar. You don't need exotic cannabis-specific nutes.