New Grower Which nutes should be used at a reduced strength?

[GodAmJT]

So I've got a couple grows under my belt, and I've been trying to fine tune some things and I came across the question: since we're supposed to use "nutes" at a reduced strength since autos aren't as tolerant, WHICH nutes should be use at a reduced strength?


I ask this, because I think of the Cal/Mag and Silica that I use.. They aren't technically "base nutes" since I'm using the GH 3-part with all of the other bells and whistles.. I generally use 1/4-1/2 for Liquid KoolBloom, and I use the lower end of the spectrum with the Floralicious+, but should I be using a reduced level of Cal/Mag and Silica? I don't use tap water, I use distilled, so it's lacking any of the normal trace minerals found in tap/well water.. Would this be part of the reason that I keep getting such drastic pH shifts at odd times?

 

[TheJesus]

Have you phed your ro water?

 

[GodAmJT]

Oh yeah, I'm a nut about pH, and I've been good about calibration... Parts of my pH swings I can attribute to neglect, but part of me was wondering if adding the full strength of Cal/Mag and Silica would be of detriment to the plants.. My current plants are doing okay, albeit a little burned on one of them, and the other was showing signs of deficiencies which I attribute to having gone 4 days without food while I was away (it's hydro, not soil).. It looks like it's bouncing back, but is showing signs of deficiencies somewhat like a Cal/Mag.. I've got the pH under control but part of me isn't sure if the normal strength of Cal/Mag is locking out some of the other nutes, namely Phosphorous or Manganese..

 

[GodAmJT]

So to revive this thread as I've done a little more digging and possibly found an answer:

I use Floralicious+. I just found out something that I didn't know before: it makes nutes more available to the plant (due to the Fulvic Acid), so less nutes are needed.......


So when I do my res change today, I will add a bit less, although I still wasn't quite up to the 1ml/gal they say is the max dosage.. The top leaves of one of my plants are showing what I believe might be a Cal/Mag deficiency now, which I'm guessing is due to me cutting it back.. So Cal/Mag back up, Floralicious+, down..