Living soil - Fish Hydrolysate vs. .....

[that.dood]

Ive been growing for awhile with decent results, ive had the typical noob issues but I now seem to be producing high quality herb that is a lot smoother than dispensary fare. Ive been using home made soil with a Down to Earth single ingredient mix and after 45 days I top dress with Down to Earth 4-8-4, additional worm castings, and I add a little extra azomite and langbeinite. I water using filtered tap water (high calcium carbonate/tds) with a combination of Worm City compost tea and Fox Farms Big Bloom, I swap every other watering. Here is where my question is. I think I am going to add fish hydrolysate, Neptune's Harvest, to my watering routine. If I do this should I drop the Big Bloom and the worm tea all together? Keep them in the mix? It seems all of them would be overkill; I think the fish hydrolysate will provide the same with the added nutes it contains. Lets hear those opinions and thanks in advance.

 

[mancorn]

IMO the 4-8-4 DTE is far from ideal (with a bunch of unneeded phosphorus) and the Neptune is just going to add more P. I’d look to get your N & K up while reducing P.

 

[that.dood]

IMO the 4-8-4 DTE is far from ideal (with a bunch of unneeded phosphorus) and the Neptune is just going to add more P. I’d look to get your N & K up while reducing P.

Thank you for the reply, all knowledge helps. I have 4-4-4 I can use in place of the 4-8-4. The Langbeinite is a 0-0-22, you think I need to add more k?

 

[mancorn]

The Langbeinite is a 0-0-22, you think I need to add more k?

No. But the Langbeinite is loaded with Mg so has a tendency to increase the Mg base saturation which can decrease potassium (K) availability and uptake. So you may want to try an organic sulfate potash instead. (The potash is more readily available to plants. Which may/not be desirable ). Or use a wood ash if you have it available.

I’m not suggesting you rush out and add a bunch more stuff. You didn’t mention if you’re reusing your soil. If so it will almost assuredly not have any N the next season but hang onto a bunch of P. So instead of starting with 4-8-4, I’d start with something like DTE Bio Turf 8-3-5.

 

[Natep]

I don’t know bro. You are kind of riding between two differnt sides of growing. I would stop with the fox farms product. Stay with the down to earth or add some build a soil craft blend.

 

[RootFarmer]

What single ingredient DTE product are you using?

 

[that.dood]

No. But the Langbeinite is loaded with Mg so has a tendency to increase the Mg base saturation which can decrease potassium (K) availability and uptake. So you may want to try an organic sulfate potash instead. (The potash is more readily available to plants. Which may/not be desirable ). Or use a wood ash if you have it available.

I’m not suggesting you rush out and add a bunch more stuff. You didn’t mention if you’re reusing your soil. If so it will almost assuredly not have any N the next season but hang onto a bunch of P. So instead of starting with 4-8-4, I’d start with something like DTE Bio Turf 8-3-5.

Excellent info, thank you. I do reuse my soil. I strted off using Fox Farms but I like to reuse my soil so went organic.

 

[that.dood]

I don’t know bro. You are kind of riding between two differnt sides of growing. I would stop with the fox farms product. Stay with the down to earth or add some build a soil craft blend.

The Big Bloom is OMRI compliant.

 

[that.dood]

What single ingredient DTE product are you using?

I use Crab Meal, Fish Meal, Alfalfa, Kelp, Langbeinite, Azomite, Humic Acids. I also add Xtreme Gardening Mykos and I add a little bit of ground Oyster shell.

 

[that.dood]

No. But the Langbeinite is loaded with Mg so has a tendency to increase the Mg base saturation which can decrease potassium (K) availability and uptake. So you may want to try an organic sulfate potash instead. (The potash is more readily available to plants. Which may/not be desirable ). Or use a wood ash if you have it available.

I’m not suggesting you rush out and add a bunch more stuff. You didn’t mention if you’re reusing your soil. If so it will almost assuredly not have any N the next season but hang onto a bunch of P. So instead of starting with 4-8-4, I’d start with something like DTE Bio Turf 8-3-5.

Im planning on using up all my single ingredient stuff and going to a mix. If I was to use up what I have and switch to the Bio-Turf what might you suggest I use as a top dress when it goes into flower?

 

[mancorn]

Im planning on using up all my single ingredient stuff and going to a mix. If I was to use up what I have and switch to the Bio-Turf what might you suggest I use as a top dress when it goes into flower?

Can’t help you there. You’ll get a million options on bloom feed. Personally I’m not a big believer. Mainly because I also reuse my soil and test it every year. In the last 3 years I’ve tried not to add any additional phosphorus, including compost (which I had been using). My April results still have P levels 4X the optimum range. Phosphorous really binds to soil particles making it less mobile and persistent in your soil. Obviously my situation isn’t any more definitive than another grower claiming Bubblegum Candy Juice made their bud , and it’s worth the coin if you want ! IMO it’s better to spend $20 on a soil test so you actually know what’s going on and save your money for chocolate bars.

 

[that.dood]

Much appreciated.