What is the safest cheap nute plan

Are there any affordable nutes that require little skill to use? I fear burning my plants and losing a harvest if i introduce them. Would it be more cost effective to up my wattage?

Background- On my last grow years ago i used miracle grow potting soil and no nutes under a 400hps and yielded about 100g. This was back when miracle grow was frowned on, im not sure if that is still the case. I figure if you can eat tomatoes grown with it then it must be safe. Anyway, now i am planning a 150hps in 2.5x2.5 tent (pending legalization). I figure i can do the grow for $90 for all bills without nutes (5 gh seeds, 4 months of electric, potting soil) and yield 38g. This would probably be enough since im a light smoker, but im curious to see if i am missing out by not using nutes. Would my cost/g drop? Right now i figure its about $2.50. Should i just finish the last month of flowering with a 400hps? (I already have one). 38g would probably be enough yield, but id like to be able to smoke an eighth a week which over 14 weeks is 49g so a little boost above my estimated yield would be nice. I would be a very happy tooker with .5g/day .

any beginer tips for using nutes? Can they be used without checking levels? Im thinking i will just drop the 400hps in for the last month otherwise

This is by far my favorite nutrient I've tried in the last 13ish years. https://www.envybrand.com/index.php/envy-hydroponics

Envy is used all through the plants life to provide the nutes it really needs, and not all the extra crap that companies try to sell you. This nutrient has produced some of my best tasting nicest buds with an awesome cost/quantity ratio.

Keith Stoner said:

A long while back I won a sample of nutes from @GreenleafNutrients and I had a great grow experience with them. I’d give them a shout out on the forum.

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Would mega crop 2lb bag be enough for one grow? It is just $15 compared to $55 for the 20lber. I am hesitant to invest $55 in nutes since i am a beginner. Will their be any need to check soil levels with mega crop? I am still digging through their site. Thanks for the recommendation.

Thundercat said:

This is by far my favorite nutrient I've tried in the last 13ish years. https://www.envybrand.com/index.php/envy-hydroponics

Envy is used all through the plants life to provide the nutes it really needs, and not all the extra crap that companies try to sell you. This nutrient has produced some of my best tasting nicest buds with an awesome cost/quantity ratio.

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I am going to do a soil grow, hydro is to time consuming and i dont need that much yield

Keith Stoner said:

A long while back I won a sample of nutes from @GreenleafNutrients and I had a great grow experience with them. I’d give them a shout out on the forum.

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They offer a free 300g bag now with promo code MEGACROPPROMO I just paid $3.82 for shipping. Will this be enough for up too 5 plants under a 150hps? Thanks again!

RIght on man, I didn't notice you were in soil. If you've got the 400w why scale down to the 150 smaller space this time? I think you'd be fine with the 400 if you've got ventilation.

When I was growing in soil I used Fox farm nutes with good success. They are pretty cheap and seemed to do the job ok. The key with any nutrient is to start off lower then the bottle tells you. Its easy to add more if the plant needs it, but its a bigger pain to take it away if you add to much.

But for the record, hydro shouldn't be much if any more time consuming, I choose to switch to hydro as I find it much easier. I don't have to haul and mix soil or deal with pests since I keep it all sterile.

Yeah 2lb is plenty for a grow, check with the advertiser on here and see if they’re running any deals. As far as checking soil as long as your using a good soil with no additional nutes, using ph test water, and giving it plenty of light for a basic grown you should be fine. If you run into issues jump on the forum with pictures and we’ll get your straightened out

1/2 lb should carry you fine until you flip 12/12, plus it’ll help prevent over adding, you don’t wanna burn them up

mbajohn1990 said:

Would mega crop 2lb bag be enough for one grow?

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More like 10 grows

Keith Stoner said:

Yeah 2lb is plenty for a grow, check with the advertiser on here and see if they’re running any deals. As far as checking soil as long as your using a good soil with no additional nutes, using ph test water, and giving it plenty of light for a basic grown you should be fine. If you run into issues jump on the forum with pictures and we’ll get your straightened out

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Do you have any tips on how to raise/lower ph levels? Is ph the only thing i need to worry about? I found a feeding chart on their website.

mbajohn1990 said:

I am going to do a soil grow, hydro is to time consuming and i dont need that much yield

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If you want quantity + quality in a small tent, you have to go DWC or some similar method (Waterfarm?)
Soil is a pain in the ass (insects/ph) so take my advice, go hydro, you will be very happy you did.

Keith Stoner said:

1/2 lb should carry you fine until you flip 12/12, plus it’ll help prevent over adding, you don’t wanna burn them up

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The feeding chart mentions "EC Meter" the instructions say you have to add this in I believe. Can you tell me anything about ec meter?

Jimdamick said:

If you want quantity + quality in a small tent, you have to go DWC or some similar method (Waterfarm?)
Soil is a pain in the ass (insects/ph) so take my advice, go hydro, you will be very happy you did.

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I really only need 50g under a 150hps. I have heard that hydro requires precision and a simple mistake can kill the plants.

Hydro is WAY more forgiving then people realize. If you are paying attention to your grow you shouldn't have any problems. If your an idiot and can't use your head then you probably shouldn't be growing any way lol. (not ripping on you, just talking generally about some pot growers that can't do basic things)

mbajohn1990 said:

Do you have any tips on how to raise/lower ph levels? Is ph the only thing i need to worry about? I found a feeding chart on their website.

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If your in soil you don’t need to worry with ph. I never ph in soil it’s a waste of time and material. Good soil will buffer on its own.

Lordhooha said:

If your in soil you don’t need to worry with ph. I never ph in soil it’s a waste of time and material. Good soil will buffer on its own.

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But it doesn't always is the thing. I was just reading another thread where the guys store-bought soil was phing over 7 even though he was feeding it just over 6.

mbajohn1990 said:

The feeding chart mentions "EC Meter" the instructions say you have to add this in I believe. Can you tell me anything about ec meter?

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For megacrop a teaspoon is 6 grams per gallon of water when using it full strength. I start with a 1/2 teaspoon per gallon. A watch my plants and feed them accordingly. Megacrop goes a long way. Mid flower I use at full strength (6grams) per gallon. Until the final two weeks then I’m to 1/2 again.

Thundercat said:

But it doesn't always is the thing. I was just reading another thread where the guys store-bought soil was phing over 7 even though he was feeding it just over 6.

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depends on the soil I’ve never checked the ph of the soil or the feed going in into the soil. If I’m ever suspect of a soil I’ll amend the soil and let her ride. Even that soil sitting at 7 ph if it has buffers in it it’s going to buffer to whatever it’s going to buffer to regardless of what your putting in. Right now while my soil is finishing up I’ve been using simple promix bx haven’t ph’d anything and they’re doing really well.