enjoy your garden!
the base steiner formula, consisting of two 4 liter stock solutions
stock solution part 1
calcium nitrate (15.5% n, 19% ca) @ 364.9 g (12.9 oz)
stock solution part 2
monopotassium phosphate (22.7% p, 28.5%k) @ 83.1 g (2.9 oz)
potassium nitrate (13.75% n, 38% k) @ 55 g (1.9 oz)
potassium sulfate (43% k, 17.5% s) @ 177.2 g (6.3 oz)
iron edta (13% fe) @ 8.7 g (up to 14.5 g when feeding high mn)
zinc edta (14% zn) @ 0.5 g
copper edta (14% cu) @ 0.3 g (up to 1.3 g under intense ligh to reduce fruit cracking)
manganese edta (12% mn) @ 3.1 g
sodium molybdate (39.6% mo) @ 0.1 g
borax or sodium borate (11.3% b) @ 3.3 g
stock solution part 3
epsom salt or magnesium sulfate (9.76% mg, 13% s) @ 193.1 g (6.8 oz)
[making working solution]
this should make 100 gal of stock solution.
to make into working solution, add 1 liter of ea stock solution per 25 gal of final diluted nutrient solution.
full strength should be 170 ppm nitrogen. ec 2.0-2.2. 1300-1430 total ppm.
if need 50% solution, use only 0.5 liter of ea per 25 gal...
the formula works weel in soilless mixes such as peat + perlite + vermiculite., the so-called 'peat-lite' mixes widely used in the greenhouse & nursery industries, & in bark mixes & compost + soil mixes. generally, because of the buffering effects of high organic matter in these mixes, the gardener can increase the feed rates slightly (110-120%) as required for optimum growth of the plant being cultured.
if growing in sand, pebbles, rockwool, or other inert, inorganic substrates, use rates of 100% or less.
when used on solid media, apply enough solution @ ea watering to displace the previously applied fert. this helps minimize dangers of salt build-up.
The ingredients for these recipes are easy to purchase in the UK I notice:
Calcium Nitrate, 4.99 for 800g:
Sulphate of Potash, 1.25kg for 4.99:
Sulphate of Magnesium, 1.25kg for 4.99:
Potassium Nitrate, 7.50 for 500g:
Potassium Phosphate, 5.99 for 500g:
Chelated Trace Elements, 6.99 for 800g:
Let's add up the cost of that lot: 35.45ukp
I'd add some humic and fulvic acid to aid chelation, some kelp for overall health and that's about it. Maybe some molasses for carbs. Kelp powder is very cheap from the healthfood store, I get molasses for 6.99 for 5 litres from the animal feed place.
I haven't been able to find a UK source of cheap powdered fulvic acid, anyone know where to buy it?
hi, elito, haifa chemicals is a world respected supplier of high grade ag chemicals. good quality stuff. but why the 0-52-34. it would seem to me the poly feed 9-12-36 or 9-10-38 would be better choices. jacks and totalgro also ship base formulas without calcium nitrate. this is done to keep chemical interactions from occurring in the bag. also many greenhouse growers just add calcium nitrate until they get the nitrate levels they want at different stages of growth. if done within guidelines provided by the manufacturer everything else just falls in line.
see post 28 for basic steiner solution instructions...elito said:the guyat the store told me i should use the Mono-potassium phosphate 0-52-34 and Mg and Ca separately but how can i do that i dont have the space to have 2 reservoirs for one table and what about DWC how can i use it then,what would happen if i mixed then all together
and can anybody advise me are the mesures i stated above in EC ok or im off,can i mix them like that just mesuring the ec as i add one after the other
see post 28 for basic steiner solution instructions...
3 separate stock solutions. mixed together into 1 solution. diluted w/ water. adjust ph. apply.
replace in 7-10 days...
the stock sulotions are only 4 liter, or ~ 1gal. 1 liter of ea of these stock solutions is then poured into 25 gallons of water to make a 100% working solution.
or...
add 1/2 liter of ea solution in 12.5 gal of water.
or...
1/4 liter of ea solution in 4.16 gallons of water...
enjoy your garden!
yes.
the stock solutions should not be mixed together until that mix is in the water which will make the working solution.
they may cause issues if all 3 stock solutions are mixed together & then poured into water.
concept is to keep different chemicals that react unfavorably (for the gardener) away from ea other, until they are in solution.
solution is replaced every 7-10 days, w/ new solution. this decreases chance for chem reaction, precipitation, & eventual lock-out from plants...
the instructions followed should not cause problems. the co you acquired salts from should provide literature & mixing instructions...
enjoy your garden!