New Grower OH OH! Garden Myths

[pop22]

I'm posting this and subsequent posts to this thread, to bring understanding of things we do as gardeners. Much of what we learn, we learn from other "experts", and on the surface, it seems they know what they are talking about. The problem is, most people don't question things enough. Personally, I question everything, I'm the ultimate sceptic! Show me two plants you grew, one 2 foot taller than the other, and tell me its because you used Supercalafragailistic, Volcanically grown, radioactive super microbes and I'll ask,: " but how do you know that’s why?"

I've long believed that a portion of what we just accept as good for your garden has no basis in fact. BUT... try to tell people about it will like start a war.. gardening for many is not a hobby, its a religion, and the religious love to preach!

So I'm posting to generate thoughtful consideration of what you think you know, and to create useful, constructive responses. We all benefit when we can distil information to get what’s useful, and leave the rest behind us.

This is NOT meant to offend anyone, but I'm sure it will disturb a few. I'm not here to Troll, but to provide useful information and discussion!
So please everyone, let's all do our best to keep the discussion civil, thank you.

Let's start off with a big one, one I've long questioned myself.

Compost Tea

http://www.gardenmyths.com/compost-tea/

 

[pop22]

Milk Fertilizer

More about bunk foisted onto gardeners

http://www.gardenmyths.com/milk-fertilizer/#more-1707

 

[pop22]

In this thread: https://www.autoflower.org/f44/short-autos%3B-they-never-stretch-38044-3.html#post727187 I brought up the myth of bloom boosters. Here is some supporting information:

http://blog.insituplants.com/2014/10/the-myths-of-phosphorus-and-its-overuse.html

 

[pop22]

Ok, how about a nutrient maker STATING:

"There is little scientific justification for higher P formulas, but marketing does come into play for the vast majority of users who lack any real understanding of plant nutritional requirements. Therefore, the market is flooded with a plethora of snake oil products that provide little benefit and can actually do harm."

Dave Neal, CEO
Dyna-Gro Nutrition Solutions



The full quote from ICMAG:

From http://www.cannabis-world.org/cw/showthread.php?t=5889

Quote:
Some of you may recall that I have long maintained that high phosphorus(P) fertilizers are pointless.
I also am a fan of Dyna-Gro fertilizers for container usage.
I was asked recently 'If high P fertilizers are so useless then why does Dyna-Gro make and market them?'
My answer was simply to have a product that people wanted, but that was just my opinion. I decided to ask the company (Dyna-Gro) about this. At first I got a very brief response from a representative that wasn't at all satisfying so I asked that rep to forward my question to someone responsible for deciding what their formulations would be. I ended up getting a response from the CEO. Here it is, I think you will find it interesting.
*******************
Quote:

[TD="class: alt2"] You are correct. We market a high P (Liquid Bloom) "believe" they need this. As you have noted, our Foliage-Pro does a great job start to finish. However, it is simpler to give the market what they think they need than to try to reeducate it. There is some evidence to believe that low N helps to convince a plant to stop its vegetative growth and move into its reproductive phase (flowering), but environmental factors are probably more important. P is typically 5th or 6th in order of importance of the six macronutrients. There is little scientific justification for higher P formulas, but marketing does come into play for the vast majority of users who lack any real understanding of plant nutritional requirements. Therefore, the market is flooded with a plethora of snake oil products that provide little benefit and can actually do harm. For example, one exhibitor at a hydroponic trade show had a calcium supplement with 2% calcium derived from calcium chloride. Can you guess what continued application of 2% chloride would do to plants?'\
I hope this answers your question and am sorry for Zina's inaccurate response.
Cordially,
Dave Neal, CEO
Dyna-Gro Nutrition Solutions
2775 Giant Rd.
Richmond, CA 94806
800-Dyna-Gro, Fax: 510-233-0198
grodave@aol.com www.dyna-gro.com [/TD]

 

[blue]

Is this anygood for flowering pop?? The guy in the hydro shop said it's the shiz-nits and only costs my eternal soul
^_^
*hides*

 

[derek420colorado]

HAHAHAHA Blue you are too funny, that made me spit my Mountain Dew out. Where can I get some? That stuff looks like it would make my buds DOUBLE in size in 1 day I want it for sure hahahahaha

 

[pop22]

Is this anygood for flowering pop?? The guy in the hydro shop said it's the shiz-nits and only costs my eternal soul
^_^
*hides*

Well, its the first one I've seen that's correctly labeled!! :Sharing One:

 

[derek420colorado]

Yep correctly labeled indeed hahahaha, I think this should be a sticky in the Fert and Soil forum lol

 

[oldster]

Hi Pop,

I can say from personal experience in the vegetable garden that too much N will lead to excessive vegative growth in a variety of plants, too little P can reduce fruit production and too little K seems to have a negative impact on root crops.

Once plants get adequate levels of N-P-K, Ca and Mg pouring more on them does not provide much value and in the case of N can lead to weak growth that is more susceptible to disease and insects.

Having said all that I believe there is a difference between what is in the soil and what is readily available to plants. Standard soil testing involves using strong acids to dissolve everything in a sample and may show something present that may be chemically bound in the soil in a way that it is difficult for the plant to use. I think weak acid testing gives a better picture of what is available to the plant.

So, adequate levels to me mean the 5 macros are fully available in the amount needed by the plants. Once you achieve this then the micro minerals come into play and I do believe fully mineralize soils provide additional growth benefits but again once you meet the plants requirements more is not better and can actually do harm.

Just like in our own diets proper balance is what it is all about

 

[pop22]

Hi Pop,

I can say from personal experience in the vegetable garden that too much N will lead to excessive vegative growth in a variety of plants, too little P can reduce fruit production and too little K seems to have a negative impact on root crops.

Once plants get adequate levels of N-P-K, Ca and Mg pouring more on them does not provide much value and in the case of N can lead to weak growth that is more susceptible to disease and insects.

Having said all that I believe there is a difference between what is in the soil and what is readily available to plants. Standard soil testing involves using strong acids to dissolve everything in a sample and may show something present that may be chemically bound in the soil in a way that it is difficult for the plant to use. I think weak acid testing gives a better picture of what is available to the plant.

So, adequate levels to me mean the 5 macros are fully available in the amount needed by the plants. Once you achieve this then the micro minerals come into play and I do believe fully mineralize soils provide additional growth benefits but again once you meet the plants requirements more is not better and can actually do harm.

Just like in our own diets proper balance is what it is all about

Yes, thats it exactly. More is not always, ( or even usually ) better.