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Tips for Successful Organic Hydroponic Growing with MetaNaturals
Microbes
MetaNaturals organic nutrient formulas are alive with a great variety of microbial life that helps plants grow and fight disease. This microbial population is designed to emulate the microbial field in very healthy and fertile soil. Growers who successfully maintain a healthy microbial population will experience increased plant growth, increased overall plant health and a reduction or elimination of root diseases. It is essential that this microbial population be sustained and allowed to work. Certain hygienic practices such as chlorine dosing, H202 or ultraviolet sanitizing of nutrient solutions may inhibit the activity of, or even kill these beneficial microbes.
Microbes & Media
Metanaturals organic nutrient formulas are designed to be used in all soil or hydroponic applications. The microbial field in MetaNaturals thrives best when provided with an organic "home". Soil and other organic media are ideal. NFT, aeroponics clay pebble and rockwool systems however, will benefit by hanging a large tea bag of organic material such as coconut fiber, wood chips, or peat moss in the nutrient reservoir. Cheese cloth or an old sock will make an excellent home-made tea bag. Providing this "home" will increase the microbial activity 100% or more.
Oxygen
MetaNaturals organic nutrient formulas require adequate oxygen, not only for the plant but also for the microbes. The microbial population will use a great deal of oxygen as they multiply. If you do not provide sufficient oxygen, your nutrient tank will become anaerobic and begin to smell. Avoid this unpleasant problem by ensuring adequate oxygenation with an air pump, surface agitation, vigorous circulation or some other common form of oxygenation.
Water and Calcium
MetaNaturals organic nutrient formulas contain less than 1% organic calcium, allowing the grower the flexibility to use the formulas in most regions simply by modifying the TDS of the base water. Calcium is an important input for plants, and must be supplied either manually, or with the water if the grower lives in an area with a high calcium reading. If the initial TDS reading of the water is less than 250ppm, add calcium sparingly until the TDS reaches 250ppm. If the initial TDS reading of the water is more than 250ppm, cut it with de-ionized or reverse osmosis water to 150ppm, then add calcium to bring the water back to 250ppm.
Conductivity
MetaNaturals organic nutrient formulas mask TDS readings significantly. Many organically derived elements conduct electricity less effectively than do non-organic elements, leading to a very low EC/TDS reading. Set aside the EC recommendations for non-organic nutrients. Keep a careful record of daily EC/TDS readings and plant performance as soon as you begin using organics. EC readings in organic formulas will not be consistent with readings in non- organic formulas, but they will be consistent on a day to day basis. Develop new EC expectations based on daily readings and observations of plant growth and health. Note that your daily EC readings may increase as the microbial populations converts more of the nutrients into a form that the meter can read. This does not mean your nutrient is getting stronger.
PH Control
MetaNaturals organic nutrients tend to drift toward alkaline. Most likely there will be a dramatic pH shift to alkaline soon after mixing the nutrient batch as the microbial field becomes active. Resist the temptation to make immediate adjustments. More often than not, the pH will settle down significantly within 48 hours, then adjustments may be made to bring the nutrient to a preferred pH range of 5.5 to 6.5. A good organic vinegar will be suitable for control. Citric acid may also be used. It is best to adjust pH over a period of several hours rather than all at once.
Plant Growth Stages
For optimum growing performance, it is important to modify the strength and chemical composition of your nutrient solution to match different stages of the plant's growth cycle. For example, seedlings should be treated to a weaker nutrient solution than mature plants, to avoid burning sensitive new growth. MetaNaturals organic nutrient formulas were designed both for ease of use and for flexibility. The 3-3-3 formula has a balanced blend of macro and micro nutrients and can be used alone for many applications merely by diluting the strength during the seedling stage and increasing the strength for mature plants or plants that enjoy strong nutrient formulations. For additional green growth, use the 3-3-3 in combination with the nitrogen boosting 16-0-0. For higher yields in flowering and fruiting plants, combine 3-3-3 with the additional potassium and phosphorus in the 1-5-5. Begin adding 1-5-5 at the time of flower bud formation, and add greater amounts of 1-5-5 until fruiting or flowering is finished.
Different Plants Require Different Formulations
The flexibility of using all three MetaNaturals organic nutrient formulas can also be applied to the different nutrient preferences of different plants. By mixing all three MetaNaturals organic nutrient formulas in varying amounts based upon the preferences or requirements of the plant, growers are able to effectively and easily customize a nutrient formula for their specific horticultural needs. The only caveat is the need to always include an adequate amount of 3-3-3 in order to ensure an adequate supply of micronutrients. Refer to the usage chart for mixing recommendations.
System Hygiene
Although microbes can be good housekeepers, it is still important to clean systems regularly, especially when using an organic nutrient. Pumps, delivery tubing and spray heads are particularly susceptible to clogging. In addition, a layer of scum may develop in the reservoir. In addition, a layer of scum may develop in the reservoir. This is dead bacteria and plant residue, and it will begin to smell if allowed to accumulate. You may also find a layer of dead bacteria and plant residue at the bottom of the reservoir. This is natural and expected, yet it should not be allowed to accumulate too much. With any organic nutrient, it is recommended that the entire system be drained and cleaned with water, and renewed with fresh nutrient solution every two weeks. Old nutrient solution can be applied to landscaping to use any remaining nutrient value.
Usage Instructions:
Intensity - MetaNaturals organic nutrients are surprisingly forgiving of errors related to application rates, having less sensitivity to relatively strong or weak applications than is customary with chemical nutrients. This buffering effect is particularly noticable in soil or in hydroponics using organic growing media. We believe this is a result of the powers inherent in the active microbial field, the true powers behind MetaNaturals. Because plants have differing nutrient requirements, the indicated application rates, listed below, are broad recommendations, not prescriptions. Begin with these rates, but do not be afraid to push the recommendations a degree higher or lower, as preferred. Careful observation will allow the nutrient program to be tuned for maximum results.
Soil/Field Applications - Mix and apply with water as a side dress at 2 to 4 week intervals. It is important to use an adequate amount of water during application to conduct the nutrient solution throughout the root zone but not so much as to create excessive runoff.
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