A note regarding use of the terms "organic" and "synthetic." Some info out there suggests that there is little to no difference of molecules between ferts claiming to be organic or synthetic. I think people are missing the point. The term "organic" doesn't necessarily have to do with nitrogen, phosphorus, etc., but instead has to do with the availability of nutrients and how there are first presented to the customer and ultimately, to the plants. Organic tends to require bacteria to break the large molecules down to a level where nutes can be taken up by roots. Synthetic ferts are already at that level and easy to take up. One reason why in this forum I've repeatedly recommended Dynagro, which is sythetic, is because it is easy for plants to take up. Growing this plant isn't hard, but there are a few things that a person needs to know. Unfortunately, it took me years to learn as I never took courses or formal study in how to do this, so much of my info came from the web and much of that was crap. I had to weed out, excuse the pun, the junk and keep what was good. I discovered that the biggest errors growers made was maintaining the idea that a plant needs to be "dialed in" and that a plant that is almost dead can be saved. The only way to have a good grow is to keep things simple, know what's important, don't listen to bad advice, don't make it harder than it has to be... okay, that several ways, but hopefully you get the picture. Oh, that's another thing - no more "I hope this works!" There's too much of that on the web. Learn how to do this properly. Don't expect others to help when it may be too late. Test grow soils if you have to and ferts on other plants. Grow sunflowers indoors using different methods if necessary. But it really isn't that hard. I'm curious as to, after all the posting I've done, how many are using the methods I've talked about and do these work for you? It would be nice to have feedback. It used to be in this forum that stinkyattic and rusty trichome had everyone chasing their tails, throwing solutions at problems that didn't really exist. After using their advice, people would come back here saying "I did what you told me to do and now my problem is worse." Stinky eventually quit altogether and rusty got banned for the fourth and final time. I don't mean to seem like a jerk but it doesn't take much:
Good potting soil that is designed for indoor use - foxfarm, sunshine mix, promix, happy frog, roots, or similar type.
Good airflow - people overlook how important this is.
Adequate lighting - you really just need enough to get the job done.
Don't overgrow a small grow space.
Ferts - you can use powder ferts like foxfarm's fruit and flower or whitney farms, or you can use liquid or crystal types. Just understand how to use it. Call the company if you have to. Powder fert (not crystal) must have the names of bacteria and fungi types on the box so you know that those are present. Look for words like Bacillus and Mycchorizae, or shoot, however you spell it. There should be numbers that show you how many of each. Use one half cup dry measure mixed with every two gallons of potting soil or a little more should be fine.
Trust distilled water you buy at the store. It's good for you too, so drink it.
Most of the time a 5 gallon bucket will be adequate grow container. If you pull of a full grow with something small, my hat's off to you.
Odor - be prepared to deal with the smell.
People have alot of trouble with temperature. Understand that tight control here will cost you some money.
Cheaper fertilizers at walmart will work but difficult to predict effects and how to use them properly. But they will work if you're smart.
Additives are okay to use but know how and understand that the more tweaking you do, the greater likelihood that you will kill a plant.
Good genetics is the most important thing. Get good genes and try not to screw things up. (You won't if you just keep it simple).
In soil, don't bother pH'ing anything. When done right, you don't have to. If a plant stops growing, you might have a pH problem so you use the above methods to avoid this from the start. Then you won't have to worry about it.
Years ago, I came to this forum with these methods and was told that I was wrong. If that's the case, why do the companies keep making fert this way? Because it works. The use of bacteria is how nature breaks molecules down so new plants can absorb the nutrients. All the companies have done is make possible indoors what takes place outdoors. I walk into a hydro shop and it's still a mystery that people buy all that stuff. Hello? Is there anybody in there? Companies realized that there is money to be made so they make alot of different products, like all the cereal boxes at the store. But the truth is that only so much is necessary. And that's all you need.
polishpollack Reviewed by polishpollack on . Organic vs. Synthetic A note regarding use of the terms "organic" and "synthetic." Some info out there suggests that there is little to no difference of molecules between ferts claiming to be organic or synthetic. I think people are missing the point. The term "organic" doesn't necessarily have to do with nitrogen, phosphorus, etc., but instead has to do with the availability of nutrients and how there are first presented to the customer and ultimately, to the plants. Organic tends to require bacteria to break Rating: 5