- Thread starter
- #21
How To Use Progressive Web App aka PWA On 420 Magazine Forum
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
Forget the meter. I've been using the GH pH drops for over 20 years with never a problem. No calibration, no calibration solutions, no storage solution, no cleaning solution, and most importantly - the drops are never wrong.
yes they are ok but I like a bit more control so for e.g. I am able to maintain 6.2-6.3 which I find ideal for last few weeks of flowering for my strain. Also I have problems with distinguishing colours on the strip. I have had my ph meter for four years now. I only use one bottle of storage solution per year (no cleaning solution needed and the meter calibrates with a push of a button). I used to use calibration solution but have found this is not needed as long as the meters sensor is kept moist with storage solution. I have found it to be a simple, accurate and inexpensive way of maintaining strict ph control (useful when growing different strains and in cloning and breeding).
wow man you took the words right out of my mouth solid info here !!!First off, your seedling looks fine. Don't stress too much. Until the 3rd set of true leaves (you are on your second) the seedling will take its nutrients from the very first set of leave which are used by the young plant for food (they are called the cotyledon and will yellow and drop off soon). You can give them nutes now if you want - but only at very low strength. What is more important if you are growing with coco and under LED, is CaliMag. Give it 300 EC (600ppm) of CaliMag every day (I give my plants CaliMag every day up until the 4-5th week of flower).
If you want to get the best results, get yourself a PH pen (strips are OK but with Coco and other hydroponic methods of growing it is important to be as precise as possible). You also need an EC/PPM meter so you know how much feed you are giving.
As stated a good PH to aim for is 5.8 (feed in the morning) although throughout the grow I give a range of PH - 5.8 one day, 6.1 another day etc, as this way different nutrients can be absorbed more effectively. The PH range for Coco is 5.5/5.6-6.2.
EC/PPM: At this stage, keep the TOTAL PPM of your feed under 700-750. You can bump it up in increments of 100 PPM at a time if they are responding well (and they have at least 3-4 sets of true leaves)
Feeding practices: I feed an hour after lights on. Feed just enough so you get a little run-off each time. Make sure you have good drainange (are there big enough holes at the bottom of your pot? Do you have stones at the bottom to assist drainage?). By the time my girls are at their 4th node, they get fed twice a day. It is impossible to overwater coco (if you have good drainage) - just don't keep it soaking wet.
Seedlings: When I started out growing, I found that growing in coco under LEDs was a nail-biting experience during the first 15-20 days of seedling life. I was constantly fretting over the plants but I soon found out that growing with coco and LEDs requires a lot more CaliMag than say earth and HID lights. Coco needs to be "conditioned" - I pre-feed my seedling pots once or twice with RO water and 600 PPM of CaliMag and some root stimulator (rootbastic or similar) before I transplant the germinated seed. Once the plant has 3-4 sets of true leaves (not counting the cotyledon) and/or the leaves are growing over the edges of the pot, I transplant.
There is an excellent thread on growing in coco by Cultivator here How to grow in Coco: Feed schedule
It is a long read, but well worth it. Good luck!