Does anyone use Gen Hydro's FloraNova Grow?

[PureHarvest]

Originally Posted by Ricky Shaw

Thanks on the compliments. I can turn out some wicked mean seedlings, but I have a nagging fear this container growing adventure and measured nutrient thing is going to blow up fantastically when I go real time.

You can't think this way. If it is working now, you just replicate but on a larger scale. You got this!

[Ricky Shaw]

Thank you for that, yeah I'm sure some of it's going to go well. The dry heat and those fabric pots have me concerned on the larger tomato varieties. Going to be lots to learn from this.

[PureHarvest]

Are you on a delivery system with a timer?
If so it is good to go with seasonal tweaks
I used spray stakes that deliver .05 gal per minute. I ran them for about 8 times a day in the peak of the season, 3 minutes each time.
Worked great even if the heat.
Maybe use the guide of 50 ounces per day per plant. But if it is hotter and less humid you may need to bump it up.

[Ricky Shaw]

I am the delivery system. I will be hand watering this year unless something changes drastically in the next couple months. The change-over from raised beds to containers has used up my budget for this year. Next year something like a two-product Dositron probably.

There's a total of about 40 plants, and I should have the time.

[Ricky Shaw]

On this FloraNova, I rechecked measurements and mixed a one gallon batch. One teaspoon in one gallon and I get an EC of 1.6 and ppm of 840 Hanna. My source water was 67ppm.

Maybe I have big teaspoons, they are measuring spoons, one even says US Gov't. Anyone else using the FloraNova with meters? Chime in please.

[marc108]

Originally Posted by Ricky Shaw

....

840 ppm from one teaspoon or tablespoon? Flora Nova needs to be at room temperature and shaken REALLY well, like for 20-15 seconds. Did you do all that?

Also what made you change from raised beds to containers?

[Ricky Shaw]

Teaspoon, shaken, room temp, yep. If you didn't shake well the ppm's would probably be even lower, more solids in the bottom I'd think. Small point, but source water is 67 of the 840ppm.

Are you using and metering this now? If so what meter, I've got two hanna's both are saying the same.

[Ricky Shaw]

Also what made you change from raised beds to containers?

We've been on a cycle of extended cold rainy Spring's that stunt plant growth and open them up to blight. I've kept a few beds.

[Ricky Shaw]

spoon

[marc108]

Originally Posted by Ricky Shaw

Are you using and metering this now? If so what meter, I've got two hanna's both are saying the same.

I'm not metering I'm only going according to what I read on the internet is the ppm of FloraNova per tsp.

I actually just called them and one of their techs said 5mL (1 tsp) FloraNova grow in 1 Gallon RO water will come out to 600-700ppm. Are you able to confirm that with your meter?

In that type of tsp, since it's not a pipette, if you look at it level... the curve should be slightly downward, not slightly upward, to get an accurate measurement.

[Ricky Shaw]

Then we're close, as stated I have 840ppm Hanna, 1.6 EC/mhos. Within 10% either way would be pretty good using eyeballs and a spoon, we are talking same ballpark, that's reassuring.

I'm going to run at this 800ppm for a while on seedlings and continue to take notes. Odd that they are in such conflict on ppm as opposed to say the Chem-Gro which runs as high as 2.3 mhos and 1700ppm on mature hybrids. Thank you for checking with the manufacturer, all good info.

[marc108]

Originally Posted by Ricky Shaw

Odd that they are in such conflict on ppm as opposed to say the Chem-Gro which runs as high as 2.3 mhos and 1700ppm on mature hybrids. Thank you for checking with the manufacturer, all good info.

Perhaps the Chem-Gro recommendations are for hydro not soiless? One thing I've learned after much exploration is that the fertilization recommendations/formulations of most manufacturers are completely random and not based on any actual research.

[Ricky Shaw]

Less is better if you get results, the media doesn't load up with salts and it's cheaper. The lower P and K levels Mark mentioned are of concern, that and having to mix cal/mag anyway was probably why he moved on to the Chem-Gro back when.

My plan is to use the FloraNova and additional cal/mag on the peppers, squash, and cukes. These all seem to have higher N requirements than the toms. With the tomatoes, I'll go entirely with the Chem-Gro, and have plenty of that already.