PBP vs Flora nova series- HELP ME PLEASE

Anima · Dec 28, 2007

Hello everyone :wave:

I realize that this is kind of like asking "What's better a mac, or a pc?" in an overclocking forum...but..

Haven't got my green thumb wet with the hydro yet, so I am a complete newbie here...

I am in the midst of constructing a simple 2 bucket ebb & flow system :woohoo:

and I was wondering if anyone out there has used both of these lines of nutes, and can give me some facts.

I have been reading a bunch, and I have also used (and still do) both of these nute lines as ferts in my soil grows. I really like both of them, a lot.

Also what additive(s) if any, do you use with respective nute lines? I was planning on getting: silica blast, hydroguard, cal mag plus, clearex, maybe some liquid koolbloom/floralicous?? for a flowering booster (any opinions there?),

I am torn between going PBP to try for the best tasting crop, or the ease of FN nova series..Will I have to do more res changes with the pbp?

So anybody want to help me out here? Which one do you think I should go with for my first venture onto hydro-- the PBP, or FN nova?

I realize there is bound to be a bunch of diffrent opinions, and I don't want anyone's feelings hurt or anything, so try and keep it civil...please :puppydoge

Thanks
-Anima :friends:

OGRaq · Dec 28, 2007

well they both have their pros and cons, pbp i found i could really pump up the ppms without burning them, had really stable ph, only thing i found missing was maybe needed some cal/mag from time to time. I liked FN as well, only thing was ph had a bit of flux, didn't need any cal or mag with FN, and the stuff seems to be nice and concentrated, bottle really gives you your money's worth.

Anima · Dec 28, 2007

Thanks OGRag!! I was about to name this thread PBP vs FN-Pros and cons!!!
:crazy:

A coupla of Q's for ya: Do you have to change nutes more often with the pbp? From what I've read of the floranova series you can go 2 weeks without a res change...sound right?

How fluxy was the pH with the Flora Nova?

Do you add anyhting at all? did you flush twards the end when using the FN? Notice any "chemmy" taste?

I quit using it so much on my dirt girlies (especially twards harvest) as I detected the clear presence of built up fert salts...(I am thinking that the clearex will help out with this tremendously, plus the fact that it will be in hydro and not dirt). And yeah, it is economical! that is definitly one up for the FN!!

OGRaq · Dec 28, 2007

flux of FN would rise to about 6.8, I would just ph down it every 2 or 3 days during top offs, nothign major. as for res change i would swap out about that with both of them without any probs, so going 2 weeks with pbp isn't a prob, just top off if needed.

i flushed as normal, and fn dosn't leave any chemmy taste behind. i will honestly say there's not a super huge difference in the end result, for me anyhow. so if you want more bang for your buck , go fn, nothign wrong with it

chosen · Dec 28, 2007

Pretty much the same thing that I discovered. I believe floranova is hydro organic which is the same for PBP. Yet, the FN is more concentrated. The PBP is more on the organic side. Love the Nova. Just have to be careful to keep the FN mixed up in the bottle or you get quite a bit of sediment.

Anima · Dec 28, 2007

hmm, that goes against what I've read about all of the PH buffers that are in FN, but it is good to know!! Also it is good to know which way the pH will be shifting! Thanks for your input! :wave:

:friends:
I still want to know what additives you use...
...still teetering over the decision..
From what I've seen, it leads me to believe: All that humic acid in the PBP is a wonderful thing...same as liquid wormcastings!!
I found some pretty inexpensive humic acid in dry form:

"DIAMOND BLACK™ Dry Premium Organic Humic Acid

Could I just mix it with some water and add it to my res? Anyone ever try this in addition to the Flora Nova 1 part nutes?

Am I just being silly here?

Anima · Dec 28, 2007

oh...hey there chosen :wave:

you snuck in there while I was slowly making my last post..thanks for joining in!

Haps · Dec 28, 2007

I love the FNB/FLB combo, with some cal mag and a bit of fulvic, in my water the ph does fluxuate daily, but a daily check and adjustment is simple and works like a charm.
H

Anima · Dec 28, 2007

Hiya Haps!
Thanks for swingin by!
Fulvic acid eh? just that and the FNB/FLB...
wha....sorry...slow down the acrynym train here! WOOOOTTT
FNB=Flora nova bloom I presume..
FLB=Floralicious bloom?
dous the FLB have humic acid in it?
edit:and hows the shelf life of the fulvic acid? how much do you use?

chosen · Dec 28, 2007

I believe that it does, but minimal.

FLORANOVA™ SERIES
Liquid Super Concentrated Nutrient

• The marriage of hydroponic & organic gardening methods.
• Extremely easy to use.
• Outstanding for all plant types.
• Superb for Hydroponic, Soil-less, and Soil Cultivation.
• Super Concentrated and pH Stabilized.
• Optimum nutrient absorption is aided by Natural Humic Extracts.

Anima · Dec 28, 2007

thanks chosen...I didn't know the Flora nova nutrients had any humic in them at all..
You got hit by the acronym train too bro!!
I was asking if the Floralicious ADDITIVE flavor enhancer had any humic in it...
yea watch out for that acronym train....WOOOOOTTT....it travels the internet plowing over unsuspecting netizens...The internet is a series of tubes you know?

Mr Celsius · Dec 28, 2007

LoL, excuse me, its been so long since I've posted on this any of these forums that for some dumb reason I thought these questions wouldn't still be here.

Honestly man, doesn't matter which you use, if you use it correctly. They both have about the same amount of effort and similar costs (PBP being a little more expensive). Just pick one and stick to it, if your a newb, theres going to be error no matter what.

Best piece of advice I can give you in general about growing: Find something that works for YOU and STICK TO IT, but, experiment in small quantities so that you may progress. Switching it up all the time is a no no IMHO.

Anima · Dec 28, 2007

Hi Mr Celsius..I didn't know it had been discussed before. I did use the search function, and I did find a few examples way deep in a few peoples grow threads, but it took tons of searching and wading through info to get at what I was after..

I know they both work. :bashhead:

I can see where you are comin from with this...but you didn't help at all...What kind of nutes do you use? Additives?

Anima · Dec 28, 2007

sorry dude...I did ask for opinions though...Thanks man, I know you are tryin :wink:
And I am sticking with what I know, Like I said I have used both of them before as well, but not in a hydroponic medium. Been a dirt guy so far..

HIDEyourBUD · Dec 28, 2007

I've used both and currently use FloraNova exclusively BUT I only recommend FloraNova to those of you with a TDS Meter because FN is so concentrated you'll slip and be at 2000ppm EASY if your a newbe and your plants will likely die. Pure Blend Pro is a bit easier on the newbe...but I bought a Bluelabs Truncheon TDS meter and FloraNova Grow and Bloom and have never looked back! you'll save money in the long run.

Anima · Dec 28, 2007

I am my own grandpa

I am my own grandpa

triple posting?!?! :spank:

sorry

found it...
FLORALICIOUS BLOOM Quart
FLORALICIOUS(tm) is a blend of bioactive microbial, plant, marine, and mineral extracts. It brings out your plants full genetic potential by augmenting metabolic activity in the root zone. FLORALICIOUS enhances polyamine synthesis and encourages the biosynthesis of complex secondary aromatic compounds. A perfect balance of vitamins, phytohormones, humic acids, polysaccharides, fructans and beta-glucans, L-amino acids and polyflavonoids.
FLORALICIOUS BLOOM(tm) Promotes maximum flower and fruit size.
FLORALICIOUS BLOOM enhances flavor and bouquet upon harvest, and leads to stronger colors, improved appearance.

so to answer my own question: Yes my good sir the floralicous does indeed contain humic acids...:wink:

Anima · Dec 28, 2007

Thank you very much HIDEyourBud! :wave:

I agree that the FN nutes are way more concentrated..And yes I do own a TDS meter, and plan on using it. :yes:

another pro that I am not sure that has been brought up is that it has a superior shelf life as well..

Haps · Dec 28, 2007

Yes the FLB [can never spell it correctly] has humic, and I just bump the res with the fulvic 3 tsp per 10-20 gallon water build. The FLB is the flavor/odor component, and well worth it in my opinion, folks in the retirement home seem to agree.
H

Anima · Dec 28, 2007

Thanks Haps, You have been most helpful!
I think I am going to go with the Flora Nova/Floralicious combo, as you are not the first to recommend it, and I think I'll pick up some fulvic acid as well..
so far my nute/additive list goes something like this for my first hydro run:
Flora Nova 1 part grow and bloom
Floralicious grow and bloom
fulvic acid
Silica blast
Hydroguard
Clearex

do you use the fulvic acid the whole time?
Thanks a bunch everyone who has helped me out!
I really appreciate it!
This doobie's for you! :joint:

-Anima

vaprpig · Dec 28, 2007

Anima, Here are the GH feeding schedules. I use the keep it simple program and it works great.

http://www.generalhydroponics.com/genhydro_US/feeding_schedule.html

PBP vs Flora nova series- HELP ME PLEASE

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