There is an inexpensive, effective alternative to all of this madness.
You may want to try the Lucas Method. It is simple and cheap and eliminates many problems faced by the beginning hydroponics grower. The Lucas Method uses the GH Flora series at 1 part micro and two parts bloom, none of the grow part is used. The PPM is kept between 1000 ppm (early bloom) and can go as high as 1400 ppm in late bloom with 1300 ppm being the optimal number. The Lucas Method eliminates several problems.
The General Hydroponics recomendation is 1-2-3 for bloom. One part grow, two parts micro and three parts bloom. The problem with this ratio is that you are giving them roughly half nitrogen and half phosphorus. All this nitrogen during the first few weeks leads to more stretching and weaker stems and buds that fall over. It also leads to more leaf in the middle and late budding. YOu also have to add calmag because there is less calcium and magnesium overall and it tends to lockout during flowering.
With the Lucas Method, you eliminate the risk of cal-mag deficiency because of the increased % of micro, you have stronger stems and less leaf which leads to a higher bud to leaf ratio. It also has the benifit of being simple to use and cheap. It is a win-win-win situation.
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Here is my first ever hydroponics crop (harvested 3 weeks ago), using Drip Hydroponics and the Lucas Method. This picture is from about 35 days into flowering:
There are two ways to use the lucas formula. One is to just rely on the Lucas ratio of 0-1-2, and keep the ppm in the 1000 - 1400 ppm range. That is how I did it in my last grow and the results were stunning. The other way is the scientific add back method that Lucas himself developed:
Lucas Formula
General Hydroponics Flora Series Feeding Strategy - Lucas Formula
G-M-B (Grow-Micro-Bloom)
0-5-10 - For Vegetative cycle (18/6)
0-8-16 - For Flowering cycle (12/12)
The numbers above indicate the number of milliliters (ml) of Flora Grow, Micro or Bloom formulas that I use in one gallon (US Liquid) of nutrients.
You will notice I dont use any of the Flora Grow formula, do not need to, the Flora "Micro" provides plenty of Nitrogen.
There are two ways to work with this formula:
1. Top off the reservoir daily using a pH corrected water solution as required to maintain full reservoir level. After adding back an amount of water equal to the amount of your reservoir capacity you should change the reservoir and put in fresh solution.
2. Top off the reservoir daily using a pH corrected 100% strength nutrient solution as required to maintain full reservoir level. Continue to use this nutrient solution without dumping the tank unless the PPM rises above acceptable levels.
Between vegetative and flowering cycles you should dump your nutrients, then flush (possibly with Clearex) to remove salt buildups, then change to the other feeding program. Always shake your GH nutrient bottles before using them!
For young plants, just transplanted into the hydro setup, give them 50% strength nutrient mix to prevent overfeeding them while their young. Gradually bring up the mix to full strength as they grow over the next few weeks or so.
The lucas formula is normally intended for use with RO or near 0 PPM water.
NOTE: The Lucas formula eliminates the need for Epsom salts to correct (Magnesium) Mg deficiencies in most normal feeding programs recommended by manufacturers. Cannabis needs a lot of Magnesium to thrive.
The Flora Micro is providing the Nitrogen and the Magnesium in the proper balance, thus there is no need for the Grow formula and little or no room under the maximum acceptable ppm limit of 1600 @ 0.7 conversion.
Calculated EC/TDS levels:
EC microsiemen:
0-4-8: 946 µS
0-5-10: 1184 µS
0-8-16: 1894 µS
TDS @ 0.5 conversion:
0-4-8 = 473 ppm
0-5-10 = 592 ppm
0-8-16 = 947 ppm
TDS @ 0.7 conversion:
0-4-8 = 663 ppm
0-5-10 = 829 ppm
0-8-16 = 1326 ppm
Addback Calculator - (For Advanced Users)
Say you were running the 0-8-16 formula, at 0.7 conversion with a 22 gallon res. When you first fill it up, your ppm will be around 1330.
Now you have been growing for a week, and some of the water has been taken up by the plants, some has evaporated, and now your res is at 947 ppm. You need to get your ppm from 947 to 1330. Here is the equation:
((target - current) / target) * 8 ml per gallon * res gallons = Flora Micro (ml) double this figure to get Flora Bloom (ml)
Example:
((1330 - 947) / 1330) * 8 * 22
(383 / 1330) * 8 * 22
0.3 * 8 * 22 = 53 ml Flora Micro
53 ml Flora Micro, double that and you get 106 ml Flora Bloom. So 53 ml Flora Micro and 106 ml Flora Bloom to add back to your 22 gallon res to get you from 947 to 1330.
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I would stay away from all the exotic supplements. They are unnecessary with the lucas formula and are very expensive. Keep it simple.
-GTS
