LowcountrySC
Well-Known Member
Is this a necessity for all soil grows? First timer here and I just switched to 12/12. Am I flirtin with disaster by not using it. Is it more necessary at certain times of the grow cycle? Thanks for any advice!
Cal Mag
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PE636
Well-Known Member
It's not necessary in many grows. Depending on the soil and water you are using it may or may not be needed. I rarely if ever use it since I use well water.
It depends on what's in the soil. Like all grows you need to monitor your plants. They'll tell you what they need.
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LowcountrySC
Well-Known Member
I use well water also. I was thinking that was better than tap water?
Bush Doctor 77
Well-Known Member
It all depends on where you live. Well water here in the western US is alkali, and usually has plenty of Ca/Mg available. Acid well water back east may give you problems.
DaddyKush
Well-Known Member
Are you using LED lighting? Plants generally transpire less under LED, and this difference means that Calcium and Magnesium ions can be less mobile under LED resulting in deficiencies.
Municipal water usually has chloramine, a mix of ammonia and chlorine, added to it. Chlorine will evaporate if you let the water sit overnight, the ammonia can sometimes cause problems. There are filters available to remove the chloramine.
If the TDS of you well water is below about 200PPM you should be fine with that.
If you have unwanted chemical compounds in either well or municipal water, you can use a Reverse Osmosis filter (RO) to eliminate more than 90% of them. My well water is very hard, and contains more than ten times the arsenic allowed by Health Canada. I use an RO for drinking, cooking, and my plants.
If you have hard water, General Hydroponics has a 'Flora Micro' that is specially formulated for use with it in hydroponic systems. As you are growing in soil, that's not applicable. Watch your plants. As I previously mentioned they will let you know if you have too much or too little of any nutrient.
If the TDS of you well water is below about 200PPM you should be fine with that.
If you have unwanted chemical compounds in either well or municipal water, you can use a Reverse Osmosis filter (RO) to eliminate more than 90% of them. My well water is very hard, and contains more than ten times the arsenic allowed by Health Canada. I use an RO for drinking, cooking, and my plants.
If you have hard water, General Hydroponics has a 'Flora Micro' that is specially formulated for use with it in hydroponic systems. As you are growing in soil, that's not applicable. Watch your plants. As I previously mentioned they will let you know if you have too much or too little of any nutrient.
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LowcountrySC
Well-Known Member
Thanks. I am using an led light, but everything looks good so far. Was wondering if there was a certain phase of the grow that it usually becomes noticeable?
Cheffrey
Well-Known Member
Everything looked good for me as well till week 5 or 6 of flower on one plant.
The thing is I was using cal mag and it still hit the one plant.
I increased calmag to her and she stopped the deficiency.
I grow in soil and led.
The thing is I was using cal mag and it still hit the one plant.
I increased calmag to her and she stopped the deficiency.
I grow in soil and led.
DaddyKush
Well-Known Member
From my experience it can happen pretty much anytime. Just monitor for any sign of a calcium or magnesium deficiency. I typically feed with full nutes and then just plain water every other watering, but since I've been using LED I add extra cal/mag with every watering. Haven't had a problem since.
