Storing water with nutrients in it?

Blovett4

Member
Hey I am new to organic growing, but have much experience with hydroponic growing (dwc, aeroponic). My question is that, when I run my RO and get water, would it be okay to fill up lets say a gallon water jug, PH balance it, and add the nuts i will be using to water for lets say a week. Or should I mix the nutrients into the water every time I water? Im asking this in hopes of not having to purify water, and ph balance it every 2-3-4 days (when ever the plants need water).

I am currently using Fox farm happy frog potting soil, and plan on using the fox farm grow big, big bloom, tiger bloom, and their three additives, according to the schedule my hydroponic store recommended.

Thanks for the input
 

Nullis

Moderator
Tiger bloom isn't organic and contains synthetic chelates. Not sure about the others.
I wouldn't recommend leaving fertigation mixtures sitting around for more than several hours (definitely not for days) as anaerobic bacteria could begin to grow in it, causing it to smell horrible and potentially kill your plants if used.

Also in organics the pH balancing act isn't as necessary. General Hydro's pH Up also decreases biological activity. Instead I add plenty of pH rising amendments such as dolomite lime to the soil and mix that into fertigation water as well.
 

Mother's Finest

Well-Known Member
First off, you don't adjust the water's Ph, you would adjust the Ph of the mixed fertilizer solution, otherwise the fertilizer would just change the Ph after you adjusted it. Usually organic ferts lower the Ph a little, ending up very close to what the plants like best, and don't require any Ph changes. Some alkaline fertilizers and a few extremely acidic ones will need Ph adjusment after mixing. Imo everyone should check the Ph of their fertilizer solutions at least once to know how it will change the soil's Ph. Forever after you'll know the Ph of each fertilizer recipe.

If you can mix the ferts on demand, then do so. Don't let mixed fertilizers sit around if you can avoid it. When working with teas that you don't just mix up immediately and require a long time to make, they will not last long at room temperature. You can, however, refrigerate them up to two weeks. Some mixes may last longer than others.
 

Matt Rize

Hashmaster
First off, you don't adjust the water's Ph, you would adjust the Ph of the mixed fertilizer solution, otherwise the fertilizer would just change the Ph after you adjusted it.
Thank you.

Usually organic ferts lower the Ph a little, ending up very close to what the plants like best, and don't require any Ph changes.
IMO that is how is should work, if your nutes don't do that then try something else.

Some alkaline fertilizers and a few extremely acidic ones will need Ph adjusment after mixing. Imo everyone should check the Ph of their fertilizer solutions at least once to know how it will change the soil's Ph. Forever after you'll know the Ph of each fertilizer recipe.
Agreed, data cannot hurt.

If you can mix the ferts on demand, then do so. Don't let mixed fertilizers sit around if you can avoid it. When working with teas that you don't just mix up immediately and require a long time to make, they will not last long at room temperature. You can, however, refrigerate them up to two weeks. Some mixes may last longer than others.
So basically: use your mixed nute solutions right away. use your teas asap too. the food you are feeding your plants goes bad, as it should because it is organic, when mixed with water.
 
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