ChaoticN wrote: ↑Mon Nov 27, 2023 6:16 pmI finally have everything in you recommended Steve and I also wanted to mention that since I incorporated the DG, my medium does go bone dry in about 5-7days but I’m wondering if it will be the same outside under the sun.
If your pots are nonporous (plastic or glazed ceramic/high-fired clay), wet-to-dry time will be the same under the sun. In case you didn't already see it, this is why I highly recommend nonporous pots:
viewtopic.php?t=45833
I also recommend gravel top dressing -- it adds a nice decorative touch, and it also keeps the upper layer of the mix from drying out too quickly.
ChaoticN wrote: ↑Mon Nov 27, 2023 6:16 pmNow my question is, what’s the formula with the fertilizer mix? I do have a Blue labs EC meter and a really nice digital scale if needed.
You'll definitely need the scale for this:
Stock solutions
For an ammonium sulfate-potassium sulfate stock solution, dilute 5.78 grams ammonium sulfate and 8.4 grams potassium sulfate per gallon of distilled or RO water (
not tap or well water). If your container is translucent (like a milk jug or something similar), algae will have a feast in the stock solution if you keep it in the light all the time, so keep it in a dark place when you're not dispensing the stock solution.
For a sodium molybdate stock solution, dilute 0.18 gram per
pint of distilled or RO water. Given the small collections you and I have, that pint might last us into the next lifetime!
Watering solution
The following dilutions are per gallon of water:
- 1/2 tsp. General Hydroponics FloraMicro
- 6 fluid ounces ammonium sulfate-potassium sulfate stock solution
- 1/4 tsp. sodium molybdate stock solution
- 1/4 tsp. nitrogen-free TPS CalMag
Fill your watering container about 3/4 of the way up, then add the FloraMicro, stock solutions, and CalMag. Fill it up to the fill line, and add the FloraBloom (plus acidifier if you're acidifying tap water)
last -- this step is required per General Hydroponics. Cap the container, shake well, and water away. I still need to post an updated "how-to" guide on acidification, so I should have it soon.
For the sake of being thorough, here are the watering solution's nutrient dosages in parts per million:
- Ammonium N = 17 ppm, nitrate N = 31 ppm, total N = 48 ppm
These dosages are pretty much perfect, and so is the NPK balance. The Ca and Mg you get from acidified tap water will be bonus.
One final note -- the watering solution has a very limited "shelf life". The algae problem I mentioned is more of a problem if you keep it for more than a day or two, so best if you use it up right away.