PPM Levels - after reading; still not sure

[hbbusa28]

Just some quick background. I have some California Orange Bud that is about 4 weeks in. It's in a Rockwool Hydro-Drip system and currently under a 400w Sunmaster Cool Deluxe MH light (Lights are 21-inches above tops). For nutrients I'm using the General Hydroponics 3-part system as well as Cal-Mag that is added to distilled water.

Picutres attached are from week 3 and week 4 after they were seeded.

I've been reading all the posts about PPM and I've used the chart Zandor provided for GH. But, I'm still a bit confused. Everyone I talk to and the books that I've read state that you should use 30%-50% of the strength listed on the back of the bottles. Right now I'm using the GH mild formula of 5ml/gal for each (Gro, Micro, Bloom, Cal-Mag). I plan on increasing that to the veg strength of 15ml/g, 10ml/g, 5ml/g (Gro, Mico, Bloom) next week.

Right now my PPM reader is coming in at 280ppm. Everywhere I'm reading says I sould be at around 500-800. But since I'm cutting the bottle amount by 30% of the ppm is much lower.

There doesn't seem to be any problems. It's growing fine, no sign of distress. It's a bit hot in my grow room right now and I'm having problems with that, but nothing that would make me beleive I'm starving them.

Thoughts?

[Weedhound]

I'd honestly like to see a little more to that plant by age 4 weeks...You could drop your lighting down as well (although you mentioned heat issues so maybe not) but if that were my munchkin I'd up the nutes. ;)

[rhizome]

Just watch for tip burn as you increase the nute strength. A well developed plant will handle the increase easily. When you do see burn, record the EC/ppm- that's as far as you can go with that mix. Back off maybe 10%.

When you move to the bloom mix, do the same thing. W/ the GH, I'd run it pretty high into week 5-6 of flower and then start cutting back hard.

[Weedhound]

Rhizome....could you define "cutting back hard" ? I'd like to try that one the grow I'm doing now....white rhino....then when do you flush?

[rhizome]

Are you running the GH program or the Lucas variant?

Additives?

[Weedhound]

Rhizome...could you check your reps?

Joe I'm definitely leaning towards letting her do her thing.....she's gotta be free...she's gotta be herself....how does that song go? :)

[Weedhound]

Shoot....wrong answer for the wrong person.....now I have to go find joe...sorry hb 28......:(

[palerider7777]

that is really small for 4 weeks mine was 1 ft tall by then im using advance nutes though

[hbbusa28]

Thanks guys. It's been just over 3 weeks since sprout and it's 5" tall. Not 1 foot by anymeans though. I'll up the nutes see what happens.

[hbbusa28]

Also, I read the nute and additive post by Latewood. Sounds like that Liquid Karma is a great addition to the GH 3part nutes I'm using now. I'm going to go out today to see if that helps out. When I add that in should I be using 30%-50% strength of what it says on the bottle like the GH nutes?

[Weedhound]

I'm afraid I dont use the GH nutes and have never tried them so cannot offer you any help on that....sorry....PS...I LOVE my LK though..:thumbsup:

[palerider7777]

i would start out with 1/4 % and go from there cause u can always add but not take backi've used gh nutes i think there good but seems like a ford would be to say a bmw not sayin there bad but not the best by any means i have def noticed a diffrence when i switched to advanced nutes but to get bigger better buds and growth u do need more than the 3 part nute system sum might say not but i have seen a big diffrence when i have added the "extras" if u will