New Grower The Down Low on Nutrients

[Buddy]

Hey Guys,

About to start my first grow. Thankfully, I've got a buddy who has grown before "mentoring" me. My question is really about nutrients and what all the pros onthis forum think.

We're going with Osmocote + this go around and I know a lot of people on this forum like it. My concern is that I heard you should stop feeding the plant a week or two before harvesting. I don't see how I can do that with Osmocote. Do you think it's important to stop feeding it like that?

With all the pricey nutirents and then the cheaper ones (that have been around forever for some reason ), I'm just curious what you all think is best. I'll do whatever I need to do to ensure big, fat buds. Love to hear your feedback on this! Thanks!!!

 

[namvet25]

Hey Guys,

About to start my first grow. Thankfully, I've got a buddy who has grown before "mentoring" me. My question is really about nutrients and what all the pros onthis forum think.

We're going with Osmocote + this go around and I know a lot of people on this forum like it. My concern is that I heard you should stop feeding the plant a week or two before harvesting. I don't see how I can do that with Osmocote. Do you think it's important to stop feeding it like that?

With all the pricey nutirents and then the cheaper ones (that have been around forever for some reason ), I'm just curious what you all think is best. I'll do whatever I need to do to ensure big, fat buds. Love to hear your feedback on this! Thanks!!!

Has your buddy used the osmocote?That is a slow release fert that I really havn't heard of anybody using it. It might be a bitch keeping your PH in line when using that.I really can't reccomend using it but if you do let us know how it works.If it doesn't have calmag in you will have to get some.

 

[faded187]

i agree with nam.my first grow i used miracle grow slow release and i had major ph issues

 

[SmashedByHashish]

imo...all new growers should start organic...just my 2cents:smokebuds:

 

[Buddy]

Thank you, guys. It's funny about PH and how important it is to the girls. However, we don't stop to think how important it is to the human body. Great feedback. Thank you! I saw this on another post in this forum. Here goes...

UPDATE 1/29/2013 - tokemymed's hempy advice

Tip: You may wish to add a couple supports for the plant as perlite is very loose compared to soil. Or drill holes around the top and L.S.T. the plant with plastic coated wire for added stability.
Tip: Wash or at least rinse the perlite in a big cooler or something before adding it to the bucket - lots 'o dust usually.
Tip: You can make "mini-hempy" buckets from 20oz. Plastic Cups - use a hot nail to make the hole 1" from the bottom - these work well for "up-canning" seedlings & clones later to the larger pot. They also transplant well for outside grows - the perlite makes a great root structure, and it's so light it doesn't tear it up when transplanting.
Tip: Some growers use Osmocote Plus at a rate of 1 teaspoon per gallon mixed in the perlite instead of using hydro nutes. Then use plain water or R/O water with Cal-Mag. Only the "Plus" Osmocote will work as it has all the minor nutes.
Tip: You can add a layer of Coco Coir or Hydroton on top to keep algae at bay and help keep the perlite in place.
Tip: While you can use the MG perlite at the big box store, it's usually less expensive to get a 4 cubic foot bag online or at your local garden center.
Tip: You can get bucket for free or low cost at many places - try Trader Joes for free used flower buckets, or most stores that carry flowers may have them. Dollar stores often have 2-3 gallon buckets. Pretty soon you will start looking at every container you see as a potential hempy bucket...
Tip: If you see the leaf tips get brown, go with 6.0 PH water only the next time to flush, then REDUCE feeding strength until final flush.


I know others are using it. Still, I defer to you experts out there. Any particular brands that you prefer? I will be using Perlite and hempy buckets. I already test my own Ph, so I will be using the same meter to test the water before I give it to the girls. I'm also toying with the idea of an extremely light mix of food grade hydrogen peroxide for the sprouting stage and to use in their water. Food grade hydrogen peroxide has worked wonders formy body and is naturally contained in rain water. Thanks again for all the help. I look forward to more comments and will do my best to let you all know what happens to do well and not so well for me. Have a great weekend all! Will somebody PLEASE load a bowl!!!!!!