Most Effective way to manage EC in Sunshine Mix

[ballplayer 2]

I'm using Sunshine mix #4 in 2-5 gallon containers. I seem to constantly run into overfertilization issues. I use Pbp grow and Bloom, liquid Karma, Cal Mag, and sweet.

A huge issue I seem to have is that the medium that I use seems to come with an initial runoff EC of 1.6 or a little more sometimes. An EC of that strength seems more appropriate for plants that are fairly mature.

So if I transplant clones into that medium, should I be flushing with a mild nutrient solution until my runoff matches my target EC? Wont that be too much water?

I've also seen an equation that suggests keeping track of EC and adjusting future fertigations based on those numbers. The equation says to use input Ec and output ec. Say I fed 1.2, runoff= 1.6, excess EC= 0.4. So for my next feed I would reduce starting Ec by 0.4...so 1.2- 0.4= my next feed should be 0.8. Does this sound reasonable? What are some of my best options for managing the fertilizer buildup within my containers? Thank you for your time and help

 

[ballplayer 2]

Bump please, anyone? Do you always water until runoff? Do you flush every so often? What are your specific EC ranges for each stage?

 

[unregistered190]

I hand feed at 1.5 - 1.7 once or twice daily until I get a slight runoff each time and then do a water only day once a week. This is in either coir or promix for my medium. Never check runoff and rarely even check input now.

 

[SuperBadGrower]

 

[SuperBadGrower]

That's normal, the peat mixes are amended with all kinds of stuff, including fertilizer. You shouldn't have to add nutrients, water to runoff, PH the water, or employ any other hydroponic techniques for the first week(s) at all (assuming a resonable water PH of 7.8 and alkalinity within bounds). Due to high CEC and amendments those mixes are not really suited for a hydroponic approach. Maybe that;s a cause of your overfeeding issues, adding stuff on top of stuff.

If the manufacturer sells bottles they might tell you to feed after a week, on top their 1.2 EC peat mix. I wonder, do they germinate seeds in toilet paper rolls? To imply that any plant roots a pot thoroughly enough in one week, to consume all those nutrients, is a hilarious joke.

 

[ballplayer 2]

Thank you for the feedback, I appreciate the knowledge.

Unregistered 1.5-1.7 was the sweet spot in was operating in. Then occasionally I run into a heavy feeder or let plants get too close to lights...and it knocks me off center and start 2nd guessing myself.

Superbad, you're basically suggesting I switch to coco huh. I've given it a try before, but was unsuccessful. Also, due to my work...there are times when I cant be around for 24-48 hours. If I've understood correctly watering multiple times a day may be crucial later during a plants life.

I have a couple bags of coco on hand, and have been mixing extra perlite and about 20% coco into the sunshine mix for aeration purposes.

I just kind of wish manufacturers were more clear about exactly what is included in their mixes. I appreciate your help regarding whats included in commercial mixes. I basically think I need to include a few more plain waterings into my plants lives and let them suck up any leftover nutes that may be lingering...and take things a little more slowly.

Was just kind of wondering what methods people are employing successfully that all. Thanks again!

 

[SuperBadGrower]

Suggesting to switch, hmmm, no, i wouldn't go so far. I like those peat mixes and the results from it. My experience is, whatever you put in it just goes so green and healthy (on just water) with shiny leaves. Maximum health, with minimum effort. Unfortunately it runs out of nutrients, not all at the same time, and that's where you can really start pulling your hair out. You touched on another problem: you are not really informed about what they put in the bag. Typically it will grow plants just fine, though.

I think a typical mix is about 1.2-1.5 EC. 1.6-2.5 EC is more common for hotter flowering soils. Some manufacturers sell soils that are so hot they recommend to flush your pots at the first watering. (Lol)

When it comes to finding out the status of the medium, you can test it with a slurry test, but that's a hassle and you have to remove medium from the root zone.

Another problem (for a hydroponic approach) is that peat mixes take longer to correct. I.e. to get a peat mix from 4 EC to 2 EC requires XX gallons, doing the same in coco will require much less water.

Many peat nutrients are one part, and the ingredients may be limited to N, P, K, Zn, Mo. Calcium is in the peat (limestone).

Those are some reasons why I don't really like/get peat hydro. Even if it works, and the grow is succesful, I'm still guessing myself on the nutrients and what really went on in those pots. When you grow plants with a hydroponic approach you are aiming for certainty, not a guessing game. You dont wanna be adding calcium if your pot still has a high dose of it, and you will absolutely never know how much ca is left in the peat. You also dont know with coco, but at least you can make an educated guess. The runoff never tells the whole story but it is much more informative.

Coco has downsides too. Personally I had fine success treating 100% coco like peat, watering every 2 days. The more perlite you add, the more hydroponic it becomes.

Actually my absolute best, best plant ever came from my 2nd grow. Peat, HID... 8 EC runoff in week 7. I just followed a feeding schedule and never measured the runoff

In the end with peat I did bottom feeding, 1-1.4 EC, feed feed water or, to be honest, whatever the fuck I felt like on that day. But I was growing 2x2 ft plants in 1 gallon pots. In that size, peat becomes a hydroponic medium pretty quickly . (except without the benefits)

 

[Tynehead Tom]

I've been growing in sunshine 4 for 30 years

I always add Dolopril and Granulated Gypsum to it before using it.
Generally for 10 gallons of sunshine mix I add 1/2 dolopril, 3/4 cup gypsum
Keeping calcium high is the key
I run my PH in the 6.6 range
I use 2 different feed mixes …. getting into why and when would take too long to write out but general feed from established clone/seedling through to harvest is
per gallon
5mls granulated gypsum
PH 6.6 to 6.8 ( I always add my PH up or down at the beginning after figuring out how much is needed for the feed mix)
3ml general hydro micro
2.5ml general hydro Calimagic
7ml general hydro bloom
1/8th teaspoon Supernatural Superboost

every 3rd feeding I give them a standard Lucas Formula with added gypsum
PH to 6.6-6.8
2.5mls granulated gypsum
8mls general hydro micro
16mls general hydro bloom

I used to feed feed flush for years until I learned the value of gypsum. Now I can do an entire run with no flush ever. Feed them right , at the right PH and they should not need flushing. My harvests burn a nice soft whitish grey ash and everyone always compliments me on my "flush". Makes me kinda chuckle as I watch them crush over my no flush weed.

 

[Buttercup726]

Bump please, anyone? Do you always water until runoff? Do you flush every so often? What are your specific EC ranges for each stage?

Ball player. I need to talk to you get some advice. I have no idea how to pm on this forum. Bro you might be able help me and I’m desperate at this point