Why is Miracle Grow so frowned upon?

[budlover13]

I am on my first grow. Fluoro, 289watts, 4 ladies, 2 weeks flowering, and they all look pretty darn happy to me even though I've been using MG. I switched to MG Bloom @ flower. Feed full strength every other water and add molasses in between. I figure as long as I flush good I should be Ok right?:smokin:

budlover13 Reviewed by budlover13 on 08-26-2010. Why is Miracle Grow so frowned upon? I am on my first grow. Fluoro, 289watts, 4 ladies, 2 weeks flowering, and they all look pretty darn happy to me even though I've been using MG. I switched to MG Bloom @ flower. Feed full strength every other water and add molasses in between. I figure as long as I flush good I should be Ok right?:smokin: Rating: 5

[WashougalWonder]

Well in my experience I got widely varying nitrogen content and it often would burn plants.

They make great stuff for house plants. Cannabis really does not like high amounts of nitrogen. Sure it needs some, but MG is just too inconsistent. One bag burns, the next is awesome.

[Rusty Trichome]

Why is Miracle Grow so frowned upon?

Three reasons I can think of...
Many years ago when the "Organic is Better" crowd started their bullshit, all man made chemical nutrients and additives were frowned upon by the Canna-guru's. Never mind that a chemical compound is a chemical compound, (whether man-made or "organic", it's still the same compound) and that there is absolutely no proof to their claims of better performance and better results, and contrary to popular opinion, both have the same effect on the enviornment. (runoff damage)

Many guru's of old claimed that you can't burn the plants using organics, which is completely false.

Canna-gardeners can't seem to follow directions. (see below)

...Feed full strength every other water and add molasses in between. I figure as long as I flush good I should be Ok right?:smokin:

What do the instructions say, and why are you not following 'em? (aren't the directions listed based on a 10 to 14 day period?)

Molasses acts like a 'nutrient kicker' amplifying the effects of the nutrients, so you'll want to back-off a tad with the ammount of nutrients you use.

A flush is used to release salt and nutrient build-up, or to flush-out an overdose. Consistent flushing is a bad idea as it keeps the medium too saturated and you'll risk problems like nutrient lockout and root rot.

[budlover13]

I'm using the strength that I have used for other indoor plants because I've had such good luck with it. I didn't realize that their formula fluctuated like that.

I was planning to flush in the last week or two of flower. Am I correct in that?

[neceros]

Yes, only use water in the last 2-3 weeks.

When I first start giving plants nutes I start them at half dosage for a few times.

[budlover13]

I thought about doing that, but I never had before with any other plant, so I said " What the hell?"

[MiamigroX]

I had bad experience with MG they burn the hell out of seedlings.

[seventhchild]

I am on my first grow. Fluoro, 289watts, 4 ladies, 2 weeks flowering, and they all look pretty darn happy to me even though I've been using MG. I switched to MG Bloom @ flower. Feed full strength every other water and add molasses in between. I figure as long as I flush good I should be Ok right?:smokin:

what medium are you growing in ?IMHO any mix with timed release food is BAD.if by flushing you mean water till it runs out the bottom of ur pot than yes do that....but do not allow the container to set in this runoff....

Well in my experience I got widely varying nitrogen content and it often would burn plants..

They make great stuff for house plants. Cannabis really does not like high amounts of nitrogen. Sure it needs some, but MG is just too inconsistent. One bag burns, the next is awesome.

I'v used MG nutes off and on for 30+ years and never had a problem with their consistency BUT THE TIMED RELEASE SOILS DO SUX BIGTIME .MG's 12-4-8 does excellent during veging if you provide trace nutes. its all just chemicals .....used properly any brand of food will grow excellent plants. i prefer GH's maxibloom and JACKS 10-30-20 for flowering as they are a more complete feed than MG.

[bobjob4u]

If you have to use a commercial brand. Scotts premium will do you better. Add extra perlite. Only use when you transplant from cup to bucket. All garden centers have a light fluffy soil with no nutes. Get that to start them in. After transplanting in scott's soil. water them and let them be for several weeks. Then introduce them to a 1/4 strenth dose of the nute of your choice.Read your plant as well as many post and they will tell you what you need to do.:thumbsup:

[GetThisOrDie]

MG works fine if you are on a budget. Ive had success with the potting mix, mg perlite, and the nutes. Bob has a good point too, scotts premium with perlite is awesome budget soil.