Fertilizer question

[TheNaturalist]

First let me say, I'm a first time grower....I have 7 seedlings in various grow stages from just germinated to ~4in. tall. Some were planted 3 weeks ago, some 1 week ago (not pre-germinated). I used a potting mix of ~70% topsoil and 30% perlite. The perlite I put in my potting mix has fertilizer in it: Miracle-gro perlite, enriched with MG plant food (its the only perlite they had). The nutrient analysis says N:0.04%, P:0.01%, K0.06% (I'm assuming this means its a 4-1-6 fertilizer??). I have been holding off on fertilizer because I am afraid to overdue it. Can anyone give me some advice on how to fertilize now. I am trying to keep things simple, so I would like to use a fertilizer that I just mix up in the water (4 seedlings are in a 3 gallon pot, 3 are in small biodegradable pots that will eventually be placed in a 3 gallon pot; I have more plants than I will end up keeping because I don't know who is male and who is female yet.). Please help?!

TheNaturalist Reviewed by TheNaturalist on 02-08-2010. Fertilizer question First let me say, I'm a first time grower....I have 7 seedlings in various grow stages from just germinated to ~4in. tall. Some were planted 3 weeks ago, some 1 week ago (not pre-germinated). I used a potting mix of ~70% topsoil and 30% perlite. The perlite I put in my potting mix has fertilizer in it: Miracle-gro perlite, enriched with MG plant food (its the only perlite they had). The nutrient analysis says N:0.04%, P:0.01%, K0.06% (I'm assuming this means its a 4-1-6 fertilizer??). I have Rating: 5

[purplekush989]

you should not fertilize plants that are so young. wait until the plants are on their 5th node (5th set of "true" leaves - the pointy ones, not the small circular ones that came out first). once they are on their 5th node, transplant to a larger container and you can fertilize with whatever type you want. Just remember that the fertilizer should be higher in nitrogen than phosphorus or potassium for that stage of growth. Once you decide to induce flowering (im assuming this is indoor) re-pot again and add fertilizer that is higher in phosphorus and relatively low in nitrogen. Does that help at all?

[Ocotillo]

I agree with purplekush989, although I'd watch for yellow lower leaves as a sign to start hitting them LIGHTLY. Some say to start after first real set of leaves too so hey, maybe test it on one and observe. Since the soil has nutes it may be better to lean toward safety. Perhaps MG All Purpose @ .5 tsp (the little end of the spoon) to 1 gal and see how they do before upping in in a week or two. If you were to go 1 Tbs like for "outdoor plants" it could be a severe over dose of nutes. 2.0 or 2.5 tsp to a gal once a week would be way later about the max before switching to MG Bloom Booster when you switch the lights/times to flower.

Advanced Nutrients' Nutrient Calculator - Analyze Soil Chemistry and Plant Nutrient Levels for Your Hydroponic or Indoor Garden.

This chart is for another brand. It's nice because you can change the veg, flower, and use the "bar graph" as a picture of the curve to phase in and taper off for the transitions.

Soon you're going to want to get into PH and flushing. Sooner or later, everyone does. Flush once a week is good. Nute once a week is good, some half dose twice a week. Some B-1 vitamin from home depot is good. Super-thrive is crazy shit, I'd get some.

3 plants in one pot is usually not best. YMMV

[Rusty Trichome]

I agree with purplekush989, although I'd watch for yellow lower leaves as a sign to start hitting them LIGHTLY. Some say to start after first real set of leaves too so hey, maybe test it on one and observe. Since the soil has nutes it may be better to lean toward safety. Perhaps MG All Purpose @ .5 tsp (the little end of the spoon) to 1 gal and see how they do before upping in in a week or two. If you were to go 1 Tbs like for "outdoor plants" it could be a severe over dose of nutes. 2.0 or 2.5 tsp to a gal once a week would be way later about the max before switching to MG Bloom Booster when you switch the lights/times to flower.

When I was into MG All Purpose, I was giving it at 1 tsp:gallon of properly ph'd water. Indoors, with a heavy soil like yours, doubtful you should add nutes for a month or so. The plants will tell you when.

Flush once a week is good.

Wrong. Once a month is ok. Once a week and you'll keep the soil too saturated.

Nute once a week is good, some half dose twice a week.

Yup.

Some B-1 vitamin from home depot is good. Super-thrive is crazy shit, I'd get some.

I wouldn't. Both are garbage. B-1 and Vitamin Stimulant Myths

3 plants in one pot is usually not best. YMMV

One plant, one pot. Unless you are planting three to pick the one winner to keep.

[Ocotillo]

I dunno but my plants do go through water, it varies but a bit less after a repotting, a bit more as they settle in. 2-3 days and soil is dry and pot is light, they just do down hill from there so I give em what they want. I have a small space with lots of light, ventilation and fan close to the plants and soil. Maybe that is using it up too.

OK, I'll flush less. I've been using rain water too so I'll calm down with the flushing. Maybe that is also why the WW's still seemed like the could eat up more nutes, flushing it out every week? Really though, the bag seed was dark green and starting to burn tips and edges while the widows were not so dark, tips fine, and growing.... Well, like a weed.

The SUPERthrive does has a few things to say too, and I quote:
-#1 plant health extra life
- Greatest guarantee-offer proof ever since 1940, unchallenged, $5,000.
- Guaranteed to be World Champion
- #1 perfecter
- Science miracles in each drop
- BioUSABLES
- "Best product known for any purpose. say many leaders."
(my favorite) - Millions of molecules of WORLD'S
..... Not to mention the Gold Medal it won at the 1940 worlds fair!!! That is not even all the claims, the label hardley can hold them all. It's very impressive, I can't imagine my plants going without it. Sorry on this one bro.

The web site has more claims and dare I say "proof"!! :
NOTHING IS "LIKE" SUPERthrive

Thanks for the sage advise and corrections, much appreciated.

When I was into MG All Purpose, I was giving it at 1 tsp:gallon of properly ph'd water. Indoors, with a heavy soil like yours, doubtful you should add nutes for a month or so. The plants will tell you when.


Wrong. Once a month is ok. Once a week and you'll keep the soil too saturated.


Yup.

I wouldn't. Both are garbage. B-1 and Vitamin Stimulant Myths

One plant, one pot. Unless you are planting three to pick the one winner to keep.

[Rusty Trichome]

Gee...the marketing guy's at Superthrive had something nice to say about their product...? Noo...tell me it isn't so. "Containing 50 vitamins and hormones necessary for healthy plant growth." Wow. Not sure I want to smoke hormone residue and unnecessary/redundant vitamins. An award in the 1940's? Back when cocaine was the Coca in Coca Cola? How many awards since, and whom gave those awards?

New growers often fall for "superbud" marketing. Hense the success of Advanced Nutrients complete line of unnecessary/redundant/overpriced products. (not an AN fan at all) You can either mask the symptoms, or fix the ailment. Your choice. But know what you are adding and why.

Believe what you want, but keep in mind an associate professor at a major university's horticultural extention has the insight and knowledge we are both missing. When it comes down to either listening to the homey's online or to an experienced plant horticulturist, I'll follow the educated one every time. Sound biology is difficult to beat, whereas unsound biology is easy to market.

Twas how I first found this article. Was searching on Google for "superthrive myths". Came across the b-1 reference and contacted the University. Was refered to the above-mentioned link for vitamin suppliment myths. (B-1, Superthrive...)

From the bottom of the article's page 2:
Difficult-to-transplant species may be aided by application of auxin-containing products (hormones) in
addition to nitrogen, but read the label and donâ??t add unnecessary and potentially harmful
chemicals (this includes organics!)

[stra8outtaWeed]

I agree with RT about AN~overpriced and way too many products :wtf:

they have a few good ones but they are designed to get the noob...show em the nute calculator and tell them you need everything on the list to grow your wonderful plant.....when you know what you use and why, you also learn to read your plant better because they tell you everything...the guy at the counter is there to sell you more shit!

as far as seedlings go....no feed for at least the 4th or 5th set of leaves!:thumbsup:

[oldhaole]

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Sunshine #3 and a small bit of triple 14 Put in lightly shaded area. When they get dry, water them. How simple is that?

[killerm8r]

I would have to agree that Superthrive is complete hype. I wouldn't say it's completely useless, there are after all several ingredients in common with pretty much any other fertilizer out there. But it's just not remotely what they say it is.

On the other hand, one over-marketed product that isn't good doesn't make the other products bad whether they're over-marketed or not. Many people argue that Advanced Nutrients is marketed too heavily, for example. In my experience I've found that their products, at least the ones I've used, are pretty impressive.

The marketing can be dialed up to 10 whether the product is good or not. Just don't lump them all in together is all I'm saying.