GH MaxiBloom - altered formula

I've been using General Hydroponics MaxiGrow and MaxiBloom for years with acceptable results.

I use gun powder scales to measure 7 grams, then place into small containers for future use.

Today, I finished off the 1 KG bag, thus opened a brand new bag to fill the remaining containers.

I immediately noticed the colour had changed, as the new batch is not as "red" as the previous bags.

I also observed there is no change to the packaging, and no mention of the altered formula on the GH website

Now, it's not like I'm upset because it's not as red, but I don't like any company changing their products without a notification..... at least a "New & Improved Formula" on the packaging

It's been rumored that Monsanto purchased GH, but this is not mentioned/confirmed on their website

Now we all know that Monsanto makes the Dr. Evil corporation look like a bunch of school girls, so my first thought is the bastards have altered the formula for some unscrupulous reason.

I just hope the new MaxiBloom is as effective, but I do believe I'll be looking for a replacement product in the future, just based on principals.

New on the left...old on the right




Now I will have to admit that the "red" is so strong it actually impregnates into the blender & jar....so it may be a good thing to reduce the "red"...but have the balls to admit you have finger poked the formula

Email the company, find out! Doesn't seem like something they would hide, or is it?

JDMase said:

Email the company, find out! Doesn't seem like something they would hide, or is it?

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Well we all know Monsanto would never hide anything from the public...I'm sure they will be more than happy to reveal their strategy

ISK said:

Well we all know Monsanto would never hide anything from the public...I'm sure they will be more than happy to reveal their strategy

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Less red to disassociate themselves with the devil and his evil ways.

JDMase said:

Less red to disassociate themselves with the devil and his evil ways.

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LOL

not to spoil the party, but GH was bought by Scott/Miracle Gro who only distributes for Monsanto.

i think you have either the gluten free mix or the non GMO mix personally.

rkymtnman said:

not to spoil the party, but GH was bought by Scott/Miracle Gro who only distributes for Monsanto.

i think you have either the gluten free mix or the non GMO mix personally.

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whatever mix I have has changed....how does any company change the formula of their product without some kind of acknowledgement?

ISK said:

whatever mix I have has changed....how does any company change the formula of their product without some kind of acknowledgement?

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Cadburys changed their dairy milk chocolate recipe in their creme eggs this year without any warning, this is the real issue no one wants to talk about.

JDMase said:

Cadburys changed their dairy milk chocolate recipe in their creme eggs this year without any warning, this is the real issue no one wants to talk about.

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but was the change visually noticeable?

ISK said:

but was the change visually noticeable?

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Taste was altered, it was pretty big in the news and they then admitted it.

On the topic of this though, could the colour be an actual component or do you think it could just be a dye ? Im wondering whether it's changed due to raw material suppliers changing?

JDMase said:

Taste was altered, it was pretty big in the news and they then admitted it.

On the topic of this though, could the colour be an actual component or do you think it could just be a dye ? Im wondering whether it's changed due to raw material suppliers changing?

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and this is my whole point...I don't know if the change in colour was a good thing or not...I'm thinking the change could be good but why not acknowledge and explain the change....seems like a marketing opportunity missed

I hope it want changed, it's been my go to. I use a stir plate and stir bar to mix mine. Then I set my Rez bucket on top of my stir plate to keep things moving for the next several days.

I'm not sure what I would look at as I don't like to order anything. My hydro store carrys a lot but not veg+bloom, Jacks or cogo etc.

ISK said:

whatever mix I have has changed....how does any company change the formula of their product without some kind of acknowledgement?

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Calm down kiddies!

The formula as it concerns the plant...Has not changed!

The change in the dye was done to -

Save money by using less of something not needed for the actual purpose.
Quell the complaints of staining everything from walls to clothes. (Even you saw that in the blenders plastic)
The above was suggested by corporate lawyers, ho doubt...

Jack's product's are available from their own site @ChaosHunter . They have a "pro or advanced" section too. You can get straight K sulfate and such there too.

Dr. Who said:

Calm down kiddies!

The formula as it concerns the plant...Has not changed!

The change in the dye was done to -

Save money by using less of something not needed for the actual purpose.
Quell the complaints of staining everything from walls to clothes. (Even you saw that in the blenders plastic)
The above was suggested by corporate lawyers, ho doubt...

Jack's product's are available from their own site @ChaosHunter . They have a "pro or advanced" section too. You can get straight K sulfate and such there too.

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How did you find out they only changed the dye? ...do you have a personal contact within GH, as they most certainly did not state this on their website.

......as it's not like I don't believe you, it's just I no longer trust them for not fully disclosing the facts

Now if they had any brains and/or integrity, they would clearly state on their website and highlight on the packaging the new improvement and use it as a marketing tool as opposed to saying nothing, which leaves me with a lack of confidence that not only the dye was modified

GH has lost my confidence, thus I'll calm down by finding a new company for my nutes

ISK said:

whatever mix I have has changed....how does any company change the formula of their product without some kind of acknowledgement?

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New Coke? Clear Pepsi?

rkymtnman said:

New Coke? Clear Pepsi?

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The soft drink companies do change their formulas and often don't tell us about it unless the look of the product has changed.

when they do change the look or major taste difference, they launch a marketing promotion of the "New & Improved"

can you imagine back-lash if Heinz Ketchup all of a sudden was produced pink in colour, with no explanation as to why

ISK said:

The soft drink companies do change their formulas and often don't tell us about it unless the look of the product has changed.

when they do change the look or major taste difference, they launch a marketing promotion of the "New & Improved"

can you imagine back-lash if Heinz Ketchup all of a sudden was produced pink in colour, with no explanation as to why

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no,, i'm with ya. has anybody actually contacted GH? maybe they don't know the color is different due to production mishap?? change to red dye formula? etc

rkymtnman said:

no,, i'm with ya. has anybody actually contacted GH? maybe they don't know the color is different due to production mishap?? change to red dye formula? etc

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They have a "contact" form on their website...but want your email & name....really don't want to reveal that info

ISK said:

They have a "contact" form on their website...but want your email & name....really don't want to reveal that info

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i've called them before. i had a question about how best to mix up flora nova series.

ISK said:

How did you find out they only changed the dye? ...do you have a personal contact within GH, as they most certainly did not state this on their website.

......as it's not like I don't believe you, it's just I no longer trust them for not fully disclosing the facts

Now if they had any brains and/or integrity, they would clearly state on their website and highlight on the packaging the new improvement and use it as a marketing tool as opposed to saying nothing, which leaves me with a lack of confidence that not only the dye was modified

GH has lost my confidence, thus I'll calm down by finding a new company for my nutes

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No I'm drawing from what I already know and from the press given at the time of the Scott's buy out.

Don't trust them because Scott's bought them?

Scott's came out in a public announcement/interview that they had bought GH because they wanted to diversify in the growing market of "hydroponics" nutrients. They researched starting up a new brand and found that buying an existing company to be a far less costly way into the market.

The person being interviewed was asked if there would be formula changes to existing nutrient line's. The man replied that "No changes to the nutrient formula's are even being considered and that we (GH) want to assure our valued customers that things will continue on as they have."

It's something they would have informed you about. If, it had been an actual nutrient formula change. Take a look at your label. They don't even list a coloring agent as being in it. Therefor they do not have to inform you of any change to things not listed on that label. The change in coloring is simply a corporate way to reduce costs. Most likely they found a new, cheaper source or have simply reduced a "no effect on the actual formula" component.. They do not list binders or anti caking agents either. They are in it!

I don't understand why any coloring is needed. You understand that that does have ppm value too. ppm that the plant doesn't use and is basically in the "way"...

Feel safe in using it.....If they had to change packaging and make press announcements on reductions to, or changes in what they color it with...YOU would have to absorb that cost increase in a price hike. All the things involved in a label change for a simple matter like a different coloring agent.. Is far, far more of a costly problem then you understand.

Monsanto has nothing (0) to do with that division of Scott's - period! They partner with Scott's on turf product research and development/testing of possible new products for that division of Scott's and that division only....