Uncle Ben's Gardening Tweeks and Pointers

thecoolman

New Member
First before I begin let me state i am just beginning to grow after some years off. I first
started growing cannabis in the early 80s. At that time we made our own hydroponic
systems and there were almost no hydro stores in America. Much has changed since
then particularly the rise in hydro stores pushing snake oil to kids that have no clue about plant nutrition. I have read many of Uncle Bens posts and usually agree with him. With that being said I use hydro at this time and find the flora nova series better than other nutrients on the market including dyna grow which I have used many times. In
particular if ro water is used dyna grow has way to little calcium and magnesium especially compared to fora nova. I have had much better results from the grow formula than the foliage pro. The ratio seems to hot for a lot of species and has way to little iron unlike the grow.
With the flora nova this is all fixed as well as not being low in k during bloom. The only thing its lacking is the nickel and sodium there is usually plenty of sodium in most water and I think this is of no concern and the nickel seems to be ok especialy if we are not using urea as a N source. Dyna grows nickel content is low anyways and would not be enough for crops such as barley legumes or woody perenials which need this micro nute. I also do not like the excessive (for hydro) ammonium Nitrate in dyna grow and feel a readily available form (Nitrate nitrogen) is preferred. I have had good results mixing there grow and bloom in the past to achieve the optimum ratio for the stage of bloom. It is however low in K for hydro but can be remedied somewhat with the adition of 0-0-3 Pro- tekt. Hydro also seems to need more k than soil as in soil we use more P because it is leached out more easily. So in conclusion I find the flora Nova series superior to Dyna grow for Hydro and for you kids who don't like the muddy consistency just remember this is added humic acid and Advanced nutrients would scam you out of at least a hundred dollars more for this.
 

SFguy

Well-Known Member
but but advanced nutrients rocks, i get nuggets so hard and sticky you cant even smoke it muahahah, i got like 5# of a 250 watt light with 1 plant cuz i used advanced nutrients.. i love this suff and the labels tell me all these nifty facts about everything they added to make it better than the other stuff i coulda bought, and thats why its more expensive
 

SmeLLyTreeZ

Well-Known Member
First before I begin let me state i am just beginning to grow after some years off. I first
started growing cannabis in the early 80s. At that time we made our own hydroponic
systems and there were almost no hydro stores in America. Much has changed since
then particularly the rise in hydro stores pushing snake oil to kids that have no clue about plant nutrition. I have read many of Uncle Bens posts and usually agree with him. With that being said I use hydro at this time and find the flora nova series better than other nutrients on the market including dyna grow which I have used many times. In
particular if ro water is used dyna grow has way to little calcium and magnesium especially compared to fora nova. I have had much better results from the grow formula than the foliage pro. The ratio seems to hot for a lot of species and has way to little iron unlike the grow.
With the flora nova this is all fixed as well as not being low in k during bloom. The only thing its lacking is the nickel and sodium there is usually plenty of sodium in most water and I think this is of no concern and the nickel seems to be ok especialy if we are not using urea as a N source. Dyna grows nickel content is low anyways and would not be enough for crops such as barley legumes or woody perenials which need this micro nute. I also do not like the excessive (for hydro) ammonium Nitrate in dyna grow and feel a readily available form (Nitrate nitrogen) is preferred. I have had good results mixing there grow and bloom in the past to achieve the optimum ratio for the stage of bloom. It is however low in K for hydro but can be remedied somewhat with the adition of 0-0-3 Pro- tekt. Hydro also seems to need more k than soil as in soil we use more P because it is leached out more easily. So in conclusion I find the flora Nova series superior to Dyna grow for Hydro and for you kids who don't like the muddy consistency just remember this is added humic acid and Advanced nutrients would scam you out of at least a hundred dollars more for this.
Sounds like your selling something... Just sayin.

BTW, this thread rocks! Only to page 16 but learned a few things already, +rep is the least I could do for uncle ben lol!!! Not to mention I've been using his topping technique for a little over a year now :)

I do have a couple questions though,

-UB, what are your thought on topping a plant multiple times? I'm sure you've answered this a bunch of times I was just curious as I've been doing it quite often with my bigger indoor plants with what seem to be awesome results!

-Also, why do you choose not to lst? Just curious, I usually stay away from it but I was forced to tie a plant down in veg recently due to space limitation and stretch?
 

thecoolman

New Member
Sounds like I am selling something are you stoned? I gave specific reasons why I like FloraNova for hydro. I have seen many deficiencies with Dyna grow and maybe this will help someone. I do think dyna grow for soil is better if your not using ro water however( Exept for the foilage pro which lacks iron). It should also be noted that the flora nova grow is a little to high in K but the dyna-grow grow formula is to high in P.
 

KUShSOurSMOKEr

Well-Known Member
coolman i am also using flora nova and has so many things in it my plants love it they grow 4 inches over nite when i feed it them one question

could u use flora nova as a foliage if not..what is a good foilage to use with flora nova series for healthyyy leafs/??

sour.
 

SmeLLyTreeZ

Well-Known Member
Sounds like I am selling something are you stoned? I gave specific reasons why I like FloraNova for hydro. I have seen many deficiencies with Dyna grow and maybe this will help someone. I do think dyna grow for soil is better if your not using ro water however( Exept for the foilage pro which lacks iron). It should also be noted that the flora nova grow is a little to high in K but the dyna-grow grow formula is to high in P.
My bad bro I probably was stoned lol.. I re read your post and I see what your saying haha, my bad if I got you worked up. I was actually thinking of switching over to flora nova, I've heard a few people who really like it, thanks for the info!
 

Uncle Ben

Well-Known Member
-UB, what are your thought on topping a plant multiple times? I'm sure you've answered this a bunch of times I was just curious as I've been doing it quite often with my bigger indoor plants with what seem to be awesome results!

-Also, why do you choose not to lst? Just curious, I usually stay away from it but I was forced to tie a plant down in veg recently due to space limitation and stretch?
1. It makes them short and bushy.

2. Aint got the patience, plus I do SOB (sea of bush) with fewer plants
 

KUShSOurSMOKEr

Well-Known Member
My bad bro I probably was stoned lol.. I re read your post and I see what your saying haha, my bad if I got you worked up. I was actually thinking of switching over to flora nova, I've heard a few people who really like it, thanks for the info!
Smelly trees I'm using flora nova series for my base an I promise u won't be disappointed works like a charm when I feed it to my plants they grow 3 to 4 inches over nite!!!
 

KUShSOurSMOKEr

Well-Known Member
1. It makes them short and bushy.

2. Aint got the patience, plus I do SOB (sea of bush) with fewer plants
Uncle ben I topped ah apollo11 plant about 6 to 8 times and I have 8 main tops stems shooting upp from the middle of the plant dense like thick stems .and its really tall as well about 3 ft almos now..jw if all plants get short n bushy when topped several times because everytime I do I have 8 tops +..
 

KUShSOurSMOKEr

Well-Known Member
UNCLE BEN WHEN U SAY

Bury the “trunk” as deep as you can even if it means pulling off some of the lower leafsets. This will induce root output all along the buried trunk.

do u mean when u put ur clones in ur 5 gallon or what ever ur gonna flower with u buryy the main stemm down ?

do u have pics ..sounds interesting..does this mean that ur plant will be shorter because it wouldnt have as much room ?

thanks uncle ben !
 

Hemlock

Well-Known Member
UNCLE BEN WHEN U SAY

Bury the “trunk” as deep as you can even if it means pulling off some of the lower leafsets. This will induce root output all along the buried trunk.

do u mean when u put ur clones in ur 5 gallon r what ever ur gonna flower with u buryy the main stemm down ?

do u have pics ..sounds interesting..does this mean that ur plant will be shorter because it wouldnt have as much room ?
Yeah thats what he means. bury it to the first set if leaves or if it not that great take the lower leaf set off and bury
 

Hemlock

Well-Known Member
Ya I understand that but wudnt that make for a shorter plant?..just wondering?Hemlock do u do this.? ThanksThanks uncle ben
yes I do do it.
a shorter plant?

Well I guess yeah but more roots = more bud. Its not shorter its just buried up to the leaf set, no really shorter.
 

Uncle Ben

Well-Known Member
Height is controlled by photoperiods.

Clone or seedling, makes no difference. A buried "trunk" will output roots instead of foliage. The importance of understanding the dynamics of a root system can not be emphasized enough. It's the key to your success.
 

boneheadbob

Well-Known Member
You are talking a few inches not a foot. Besides more root growth = more plant growth = taller, bigger plants. Dont top and find a sativa strain if you want tall plants.
 

KUShSOurSMOKEr

Well-Known Member
Huh bob interesting thanks...so this would not make a plant short just fatter n more root base? :)

thanks i will definitely be doing this on all my next grows..even tho my plants are already 4 to 5 ft which im happy with

also uncle ben any other lil tricks for a better root system ?

Thanks
 

keifcake

Well-Known Member
Also UB, to do this and the topping technique together, youd let it grow to the 6 nodes or so and trim up bury/transplant and then leave 2 nodes above the soil and clip the rest?
 
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