I am going to be doing a soil grow for about 8 autoflowering plants using 2-3 gallon pots. I was wondering what nutrients I should be using for such an operation. I have searched and found no clear answer.
I should mention that I really only have access to products by Advanced Nutrients (really all my local shop carries and the price is really good) and was wondering what products of theirs I could use for a soil grow? Also what dosages should I be using them in? Do I follow the same dose schedule as for what would be needed in a hydro setup?. I know this is kinda a noob question but I really do need the help, most of my growing experience is with mushrooms lol.
I appreciate any help greatly.
I once emailed Advanced Nutrients and I got this response:
Feeding Guideline
Dont start feeding nutrients to rooting clones or seedlings such as the 2 part Sensi A & B (Grow) until they develop 3 or 4 sets of new/true leaves.
Until they develop 3 or 4 sets of new (clones)/true (seedlings) leaves feed them only water. You can foliar spray them with Jumpstart, use application rate suggested on the bottle or 1/4 strength B-52 (1 mL/liter) until then. You can also add 1/4 strength applications of Piranha, Tarantula and Voodoo Juice, to the water that you will use in the root zone.
Clones seedlings need high levels of moisture in the medium
(80% -85% is good 100% is too much)
The also like a warmer environment in the root zone 70 F 80 F.
Entering the Vegetative stage, Use the Rooted Clones / Seedlings schedule in the nutrient calculator for the first two weeks of feeding)
Week 1
At 3 or 4 sets of new leaves mix nutrient solution at 300 ppm
Week 2
Mix nutrient solution at 600 ppm
Switch to Vegetative Stage feeding schedule if you are going to vegetate the plants longer than two weeks, the calculator goes up to another 8 weeks (you dont need to veg the whole 8 weeks).
Week 3 is Week 1 on the vegetative chart
Mix nutrient solution at 600 - 900 ppm depending on size
Week 4
Mix nutrient solution at 900 -1200 ppm depending on size
Follow chart for additional weeks as required
When entering the Bloom Stage follow the medium feeding strength. (If growing indoors the bloom stage starts when the lights are switched to twelve hours of darkness and twelve hour of light).
Week 1- mix nutrient solution including supplements at 1000 ppm
Week 2 - mix nutrient solution including supplements at 1200 ppm
Week 3- mix nutrient solution including supplements at 1400 ppm
Week 4- mix nutrient solution including supplements at 1600 ppm
Week 5- mix nutrient solution including supplements at 1400 ppm
Week 6- mix nutrient solution including supplements at 1200 ppm
Week 7- Flush
The nutrient calculator is set for a 7 week strain; it can be customized for plants that require more than 7 weeks to complete their flower stage. Just click add a week.
The amounts suggested in the nutrient calculator are the total nutrient to feed the plant for a whole week, not the amount to give them per feeding.
If you want to give your plants nutrient solution more than once per week, divide the amount (total ppm) for the week by the number of feedings that you want to give them to calculate the ppm per feeding. A light cycle of plain ph adjusted water prior to commencing a new weeks feeding schedule will help prevent lock out conditions.
Plants may increase their over all size up to 2/3, during the bloom stage, for this reason the feeding schedules in the calculator increases the strength of the nutrient solution every week, reaching the highest concentration on the fourth week of bloom. If plant needs longer than 6 weeks of feeding (7 week strain, the 7Th week is a flush week), repeat week 4 for each extra week.
Always reduce the amount that you feed your plants during the last two weeks of feeding.
Overfeeding
If the very tip of the leaves gets yellow it is an early sign of overfeeding. Reduce the solution strength slightly (100 150 ppm), if not increase slightly.
Deficiencies
If the margins or any other part of the leaves yellows off it is a possible sign of deficiencies. Check pH in medium and reservoir, if the pH is off from the ideal levels look out conditions may develop. At first symptom of a deficiency apply rule # 1 (When in doubt flush them out).
If growing in a medium that takes some time to dry up, allow the medium to dry and feeding them plain pH adjusted water when they are ready. If growing in a re circulating system, find a way to give them only pH adjusted water for the length of a light cycle, a second reservoir just for water may be a simple solution, then it is just a matter of moving the pump over, maintain the regular water pump cycle during the flush.
pH conditions in medium
In Soil/Soiless (Soil or Soiless mixtures that may also contain peat moss but not Coco Coir) adjust the pH to 6.3
In Hydro (It includes products such as Rockwool, Hydroton Rock, and Lava Rock) adjust to 5.6
In Coco Coir adjust the ph to 5.8 6.0. You may want to supplement with SensiCal when growing in coco with a base nutrient that in not specific to growing in coco
Root damage
Another possibility is damage in the root zone, check for the possibility of root rot, or insect larvae as potential causes for root deterioration, brown, mushy, smelly roots are a good indicator of root damage. Hydrogen peroxide is an efficient way to destroy root rot causing bacteria.
Mixing instructions
If using the base nutrient stand alone, mix nutrients according to instructions on the bottle.
If also using supplements follow feeding schedule in the nutrient calculator.
http://www.advancednutrients.com/nutcalc3public/nutrient_calculator.html
Measurements:
1 gallon = 4 liters (quarts)
1 tsp (teaspoon) = 5 mL
1/2 tsp (teaspoon) = 2.5 mL
1/4 tsp (teaspoon) = 1.25 mL
1 tbsp (tablespoon) = 3 tsp (teaspoon) = 15 mL
I don't know if that helps, but that's what I've heard from those who make it.
