Delta

Plants require potassium for photosynthesis, osmotic regulation and the activation of enzyme systems. It makes up 1% to 2% of the total weight of any plant and, as an ion in cells, is essential to metabolism. Plants take up potassium as the K+ ion.

Potassium is a common element, which is found as potassium chloride (potash) derived from weathered rock and to a lesser extent from organic matter. Large deposits occur where ancient seas have dried up. Such a deposit is found in Cleveland, UK. Apart from washing and re-crystallizing to remove other salts such as sodium chloride and to make it uniform size, the mined potash needs little treatment before it is suitable for use as a fertilizer salt.

Unlike all the other major elements, potassium does not enter into the composition of any of the important plant constituents, such as proteins, chlorophyll, fats and carbohydrates, concerned in plant metabolism. For this reason its role is more difficult to determine, and in spite of much study it cannot be said that the functions of potassium are clearly understood.

The element is present in all parts of plants in large or fairly large proportions. It seems to be of special importance in leaves and at growing points, as these are especially rich in potassium. Probably the whole of the potassium in plants is present in soluble form, and most of it seems to be contained in the resin, cell sap, and cytoplasm.

Potassium occurs in the soil in three forms: as exchangeable (available) potassium (K+) adsorbed onto the soil CEC; fixed by certain minerals from which it is released to available form very slowly; and in unavailable mineral forms (most of the potassium in soils).

If there is a macro nutrient that our favorite plant LOVES, it’s Potassium. Increasing levels of K will encourage thicker stems, denser flowers, increased yield, and an amazing resistance to mites and other pests and pathogens. This is caused by the plants enhanced metabolism and increased ability to use and transpire water.

Although it’s very hard to OD on Potassium, at excessive rates (>800-1000PPM), it will cause salt damage to plants. It can also antagonize Mg, Ca, and Boron.

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Delta

Fertilizer Name, Total Potassium (K+) (%)
Muriate of Potash (KCl), 60-62
Potassium Sulfate (K2SO4), 50
Potassium Nitrate (KNO3), 45 (12N)
Potassium Hydroxide (KOH), 70

Ok, the most common source of the fertilizer salt potassium is Muriate of Potash (0-0-60), which chemically is Potassium Chloride (KCl). Potassium Chloride is highly water-soluble. It is pretty easy to obtain and it contains chlorine, which is also a useful micronutrient.

The same can be said for Potassium Nitrate and Potassium Sulfate. Both provide additional nutrients: Nitrogen or Sulfur, respectively. They are highly water soluble, as well. I like to use KNO3 during preflower and the first couple of weeks, because it contains Nitrate Nitrogen. Then I will switch to Potassium Hydroxide or Potassium Sulfate until maturity.

It’s really good to have all of the forms around and alternate between them. This way, you can pretty much omit three of your micro additions later on…

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Delta

Some people call them Minor Nutrients or Secondary Nutrients.

Regardless, there are a few (plus one) nutrients that, depending upon what source you decide to believe, aren't quite Macro's or Micro's.

Plants can consume these at rates equal to or greater than Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Potassium.

They are (commonly):

Sulfur (S)
Magnesium (Mg)
Calcium (Ca)
Sodium (Na)

For the duration of this thread, I will refer to them as Secondary Nutrients.

Individually they will be described, along with their natural salt sources, in my following messages.

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catawbagreens

Tho I'm an outdoor grower, I find this facinating . Would you please define chelating? I have a bag of supertriplephosphate but have been reluctant to use it because I not familar with ammounts and methods. Any help in this will be appreciated.

Delta

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chelate - (1) A molecular structure in which a heterocyclic ring can he formed by the unshared electrons of neighboring atoms. (2) A coordination compound in which a heterocyclic ring is formed by a metal bound to two atoms of the associated ligand. See also complexation.

chelating agent - (1) An organic compound in which atoms form more than one coordinate bond with metals in solution. (2) A substance used in metal finishing to control or eliminate certain metallic ions present in undesirable quantities.

chelation - A chemical process involving formation of a heterocyclic ring compound that contains at least one metal cation or hydrogen ion in the ring.

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Since SuperTriplephosphate has already been acid treated for you, your chelating agent is just plain H2O. STP is 90-95% water soluble. It just takes time. Grinding it to as fine a powder as possible will reduce the amount of time it takes to dissolve. Shake or spin the solution daily.

You can dissolve approximately 10grams/liter, per week (roughly, not including the man month), siphon and distill for pure, 100% water soluble, concentrated P2O5-7H2O.

I have an old brown H2O2 bottle filled with super concentrated STP. With this, 5ml/g will increase a solution 500PPM. Pretty potent.

Regardless of it's concentration, mix at a rate of 100-600PPM

Yummy, your plants will love it.

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Delta

First, I'd like to thank everyone for the accolades.

Also, in my last post I forgot to mention a very important secondary nutrient.

Silicon (Si)

It will be described in more detail later.

Oh, and ...

Happy Holidays, everyone!

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Delta

Magnesium is the only elemental metal at the central core of the chlorophyll molecule in plant tissue and serves as a cofactor in most enzymes. Magnesium helps regulate uptake of other plant foods and aids in seed formation, it is also important in the green color of plants, and to the ability of a plant to manufacture food from sunlight.

Magnesium is extremely essential to photosynthesis in plants. Especially for our favorite plant! This is why it must be considered a Secondary Nutrient, at the very least. My experience likens it with a macro, though.

Magnesium is abundant in the earth's crust and can be found in a wide variety of minerals. Naturally, it becomes available for plant use as these minerals weather or break down. The majority of the soils in western US have naturally high levels of Mg as it is held on the surface of clay and organic matter particles. Although this exchangeable form of Mg is available to plants, this nutrient will not readily leach from soils. Magnesium usability is limited to a narrow range in medium pH; even slightly acid mediums will inhibit its usefulness. This is noteworthy considering that cannabis prefers acidic mediums.

For the reasons I stated above, it is clear that Mg cannot be underestimated. Cannabis utilizes this nutrient in high quantities when compared to other plants. In fact, it may be the ultimate Mg hog. Adequate levels of magnesium will surely improve overall plant health and vigor. Not to mention yield …

I remember realizing the effects of Magnesium when I experimented with Peter’s Professional fertilizer and Miracle Grow (which contains no Mg, generally). I had many successes with a variety of plants with the Pete’s but was baffled by the dramatic (POOR!) response of my plants to Miracle Grow. Well, after some research (and supplementation of the MG) I was able to make it perform almost as good as the Peters … the point?

MOST COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS DO NOT CONTAIN MAGNESIUM!

If they do, it’s usually not enough for us. An adequate GA (Guaranteed Analysis) of Mg is no less that 1% but most Mg containing fertilizers are rated at .5%. Although, .5% will not allow the plants to exhibit symptoms of major Mg deficiency (interveinal chlorosis) their overall vigor will suffer. Check yours. Adequate levels give you the opportunity to reduce time to harvest dramatically.

Extreme high levels of Mg will antagonize other ions (Calcium & Potassium) in the nutrient solution. Although, toxicity is extremely rare and will not effect the plants directly; Rather, indirectly by increasing the EC of a solution to a specific gravity that will harm your plants with a more broad spectrum failure (and you can’t reboot!).

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Delta

Fertilizer Name, Total N (Nitrate) (%), P (%), K (%), Mg (%), Ca (%), S (%)
Magnesium Oxide, 0, 0, 0, 60, 0, 0
Magnesium Sulfate, 0, 0, 0, 11, 2.2, 14
Magnesium Nitrate, 11, 0, 0, 9.5, 0, 0
Sulfate of Potash Magnesia, 0, 0, 22, 11.2, 0, 22.7
*Dolomite Lime, 0, 0, 0, 11.4, 21.5, .3
*Hydrated Lime, 0, 0, .3, 3.4, 31.7, .1

All right, there’s the list. There are a couple others not worth mentioning. Clearly, the best available form of Magnesium is Magnesium Oxide. But, as with Potassium salts, Magnesium salts can provide other nutrients as well. Without getting into the actual recipes (no yet, at least!) I just want to mention that it is very possible to combine salts together and come out with something that doesn’t work like you expected. Make sure to do the math (also, described later) to get the appropriate analysis.

Personally, I tend to stay away from Magnesium Nitrate & Biphosphate because I have raw N & P available via other salts. Also, Muriate of Potash (Potassium Sulfate) contains some Sulfur. So, to make a long story short(er) I prefer to use Magnesium Sulfate (Epsom Salts) because the resulting Sulfur analysis is appropriate when these two salt combos are used. Thus, eliminating the need to apply raw sulfates. Although, certain recipes are better suited to Magnesium Oxide.

*I wanted to note the variations of lime that are available and contain Magnesium. On occasion, I have used these as Mg, Ca, & S additives. However, I don’t really recommend them because of their effect on Ph. Also, they don’t sit well in a ‘ponic system. So, if your medium is soil, these are available sources of Mg that deserve a mention.

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Moscow

I have 6 plants that are app. 1 month old.
Have recently started using 150W HPS, and 400W Metal Halide in combination, both positioned vertically. I am using Miracle Grow soil. The best plants are about 3 inches tall and are looking very healthy: green, smell good, nice branching going on, etc. I was just wandering:

Should I use any nutrients and/or fertilizers given that I am using Miracle Grow?
When you talk about salts, do you mix them with water that is used for watering or do you just throw some into the soil?

Thanks in advance,
Moscow

Delta

Miracle Grow has many differnt product lines. Most of them do not contain Magnesium, Calcium, Chlorine, or Sulfur. Chances are you will have to supplement your fertilizer to achieve optimum health for your plants. Miracle Grow for Tomatoes does contain Mg (not enough), Ca, & Cl but no sulfur. Although, you may squeak by with this product.

Salts are soluble. They are mixed into the solution that is used for watering, yes.

Some salts can be sprinkled or 'worked' into the soil, but this is not recommended (by me) because you will not know the exact rate at which it is applied.

Miracle Grow and almost every other (non organic) fertilizer is comprised of fertilizer salts. They are just mixing it for you (usually in the wrong proportions) unless you have a multi-phase (high quality) product like GH, Canna, or B.C nutes.

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