Bloom Booster Combo

pahudson · Jul 27, 2010

Hey all,

Looking to start an opinion thread regarding bloom booster combinations. Last time I used big bud and overdrive. The results were ok but I'm looking to experiment a little, so just wanted to get some opinions on products that other people have used. I also kind of hate the price of this combo lol, so checking on other quality products possibly with a decrease in price. Opinions???

homebrewer · Jul 27, 2010

The correct bloomBooster combo really depends on the base nutes and what macro and micro nutes said base nutes are already supplying. You can't force a plant to take in more nutrients than it needs without burning the plant, or locking out other nutrients with excessive amounts of other nutes.

pahudson · Jul 28, 2010

homebrewer said:
The correct bloomBooster combo really depends on the base nutes and what macro and micro nutes said base nutes are already supplying. You can't force a plant to take in more nutrients than it needs without burning the plant, or locking out other nutrients with excessive amounts of other nutes.

Point taken. I am using sensi bloom a and b as my base nutrients. As I understand it, in terms of n-p-k, during the early part of flower, applying the p-k at a ratio of 0-1-2 is optimal. The numbers then get switched later in flower, to 0-2-1. This is in addition to your base flowering fertilizer. So what I am asking is, in addition to my base fertilizer, are there any bloom boosters that are less expensive than big bud and overdrive that are close to these numbers that provide good results? What do you like to use? And if my understanding of bloom boosters and the ratio's they should be applied in is off, explain why. This is all for educational purposes of course I love to learn and here other people's rationale for using and doing what they do.

homebrewer · Jul 28, 2010

The bloom boosters that work best for me and my base nutes have been around the ratios of 0-1-1 and 0-2-1. But those boosters are only part of the equation. The plant greatly benefits from the secondary macro and micro nutrients and if you're over-supplying P or K, you can lock out other important nutrients that the plant needs. My only advice is to experiment with some different ratios and see what works best for you and your strains. I wouldn't recommend AN products as they are highly overpriced and you can find the same PK ratios elsewhere for cheaper.

pahudson · Jul 28, 2010

homebrewer said:
The bloom boosters that work best for me and my base nutes have been around the ratios of 0-1-1 and 0-2-1. But those boosters are only part of the equation. The plant greatly benefits from the secondary macro and micro nutrients and if you're over-supplying P or K, you can lock out other important nutrients that the plant needs. My only advice is to experiment with some different ratios and see what works best for you and your strains. I wouldn't recommend AN products as they are highly overpriced and you can find the same PK ratios elsewhere for cheaper.

These are the opinions I was looking for. Regarding the secondary nutrients, I find that around week 4 I start to develop a magnesium deficiency, at which point I begin to add a cal-mag supplement. I know that during the flowering period, the plants begin to use quite a bit of magnesium. My hydro store only carries one brand, its by gro-tek and so thats what I use at the recommended dosage. I was thinking about trying the dutch masters bloom boosters, because the ratio's looked close. But from what I can gather, you have had better results with different ratio's than what I was recommended. I have read some of your posts and it sounds like you like the General Hydroponics line of nutrients. Is that what you would recommend?

homebrewer · Jul 28, 2010

Check out this link which may have been originally posted by Uncle Ben:

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/quickref/fertilizer/nutri_def.html

If you're seeing a Mg deficiency, that could be the result of too much potassium. I know for a fact that I've locked out certain marcos because I got too aggressive too quickly with the bloom boosters. In regards to my own bloom boosters, I use hydroplex in the dirt and KoolBloom liquid and Dry in hydro, though koolBloom liquid is only a more potent version of FloraBloom (one of the parts in their 3 part base line). What i've found works best is giving the plant what it needs, not what I want it to need. Bloom boosters sound great but if your plant or strain is already getting enough, the result is burn. So start weak with those boosters and increase slowly until your plant says 'i've had enough amigo'. Then back off a touch.

Below is a picture of one of my strains and as you can see, there is a hint of burn. Once I saw some burn, I knew I went a touch too far so I backed off. This is just my process in figuring out what my strains need and when they need it.

pahudson · Jul 28, 2010

homebrewer said:
Check out this link which may have been originally posted by Uncle Ben:

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/quickref/fertilizer/nutri_def.html

If you're seeing a Mg deficiency, that could be the result of too much potassium. I know for a fact that I've locked out certain marcos because I got too aggressive too quickly with the bloom boosters. In regards to my own bloom boosters, I use hydroplex in the dirt and KoolBloom liquid and Dry in hydro, though koolBloom liquid is only a more potent version of FloraBloom (one of the parts in their 3 part base line). What i've found works best is giving the plant what it needs, not what I want it to need. Bloom boosters sound great but if your plant or strain is already getting enough, the result is burn. So start weak with those boosters and increase slowly until your plant says 'i've had enough amigo'. Then back off a touch.

Below is a picture of one of my strains and as you can see, there is a hint of burn. Once I saw some burn, I knew I went a touch too far so I backed off. This is just my process in figuring out what my strains need and when they need it.

Very nice pic, and I see what your saying. I will definitely take a look at that thread. I don't believe I locked out magnesium because it started low on the plant, and I immediately started to add a cal-mag supplement and it did not progress up the plant. I am also aware of lockout situations which is why I do not simply start adding magnesium early on. I know that lockouts could be the result. I did have a little burn last time as well, it looked exactly like that. So a P-K burn looks exactly the same as nitrogen burn then?? I know your not a fan of advanced nutrients, however, I used to use a cheap 10-30-20 fertilizer from the hydro store and I seemed to get a lot of deficiencies. When I switched to advanced those went away. To be fair, I have never tried any of the other brands and so the results very well could be the same. I am just looking to go with a product of high quality. If I'm off base, I'd love to know as the price is pretty steep.

homebrewer · Jul 28, 2010

I'm only knocking AN's price, not their product or quality. DynaGro has been recommended by some veteran growers around here as it's a complete nutrient and has great ratios, plus it's 1/2 the price of the nutes I'm using now. Foliage pro for veg (9-3-6) and Bloom for flower (3-9-6). I'm testing it against my beloved GH next month as I would like to not use 8 GH products just to supply the plant with complete nutrition. Though I can't complain about the results, or their prices.

pahudson · Jul 28, 2010

homebrewer said:
I'm only knocking AN's price, not their product or quality. DynaGro has been recommended by some veteran growers around here as it's a complete nutrient and has great ratios, plus it's 1/2 the price of the nutes I'm using now. Foliage pro for veg (9-3-6) and Bloom for flower (3-9-6). I'm testing it against my beloved GH next month as I would like to not use 8 GH products just to supply the plant with complete nutrition. Though I can't complain about the results, or their prices.

Thanks for the replies they have been very helpful. I guess some experimentation is in order. I will compare some prices regarding dyna gro. Thanks again

Bloom Booster Combo

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