Gird, I can't speak to time release. I use the GH Maxi series mixing it just as it states on the bag and pH it. That is all I use until the flush, no plain water, nothing. How can you dump that much nute mix and not have a problem? I don't really know but, I don't. There are some who say that you don't even have to pH for hempy, I can't speak to that either, as I have never tried it. Good luck with whatever you decide on.