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2-part nutrients have traditionally been superior to 1-parts.  However, FloraMax Veg-1 produces better flower quality and faster floral transition than VegaFlora AB and other popular 2-parts.  It also runs much cleaner, is more pH stable, and is far easier to use.  In fact, the majority of our commercial growers now run Veg-1 in preference to VegaFlora AB or other 2-part nutrients.

The FloraMax feed schedule should NOT require a cal-mag.  Most deficiencies are caused by 1 of 4 issues:

1. Under-feeding:  This is the most common cause of “deficiencies”.  Ensure to feed more frequently and/or feed until 10-20% run-off is achieved.  It is particularly common for growers to underfeed in coco e.g. In most situations, plants should be fed several times per day throughout bloom and late veg.
2. ‘Aging’ recirculating nutrient or high CO2 and PPFD:  To remedy, feed more regularly, or raise EC by at least 0.3mS using FloraMax Ca-Mg-Fe (1ml/L), or Veg-1 (1.2ml/L; 0.25g/L).
3. Hard water:  Ensure to flush more regularly otherwise the rootzone will become extremely saline, which causes foliage burn/tip burn.  Extremely hard water may require a plain water feed after every 3rd or 4th feed.
4. CO2 deficiencies:  This is extremely common with powerful LED lights and many growers are unaware of this.  As a general rule, light over 1,200 PPFD generally requires a 1:1 ratio of C02 e.g. 1,400 PPFD needs 1,400ppm CO2.

The chemists at FloraMax have been able to deconstruct popular organic ingredients such as kelp and fulvic acid, then isolate specific ‘beneficial’ organic molecules. These are then incorporated into our additives in a purified and potent form. This enables the following:

1. The molecular concentrations can be optimized for maximum nutrient effect e.g. faster root growth, more branching and stacking, higher potency and terps, improved density and better looking flowers.
2. There are no negative side-effects e.g. fewer blockages and no pH fluctuation, foaming or odors.
3. They impart minimal color in the reservoir. This allows growers to see “through” the nutrient solution and identify potential problems within the reservoir. Absence of color also prevents root staining which can potentially conceal root diseases.
4. Shelf-life exceeds 5-years.  These benefits cannot be achieved with raw organics such as kelp and fulvic.

Raise (or lower) the Veg-1 dose by 0.4ml/L, or VegaFlora A & B by 0.2ml/L.

This generally applies if the water’s EC is 0.5 – 1.0mS.  The Hard Water chart differs in that it reduces the gross EC by using a lower rate of base nutrient (0.5mS lower).  However, with this there is a risk that the plants run deficient in vital nutrient elements such as nitrogen.  Therefore, if your plant species can tolerate the regular Soft Water chart, then this should be adopted.  For more information on water.

Generally refer to the ‘Hard Water’ chart.  The Hard Water chart differs in that it reduces the gross EC by using a lower rate of base nutrient (0.5mS lower).  However, with this there is a risk that the plants run deficient in vital nutrient elements such as nitrogen.  Therefore, if your plant species can tolerate the regular Soft Water chart, then this should be adopted.

The latest version of Resin-XS (NPK 0-1-4) can be used at upwards of 3-4ml/L (11.5-15ml/Gal).  Under the right conditions, this will significantly improve mass yield and terpene profile. However note, these higher dose rates will increases EC by 0.15-0.3mS and therefore, in some cases it will be necessary to use the lower dose rate for Veg-1 or VegaFlora AB.

The EC target can be verified by calculating the sum total of the EC contributed from each product in the nutrient solution.  For example, on the VegaFlora AB Dose Chart, the schedule for Veg Week-1 contains four components that contribute to the EC target: VegaFlora A contributes 0.67mS (at 2.4ml/L; 9ml/Gal)) + VegaFlora B, 0.58mS + Root-XS, 0.1mS and OrganaBud, 0.07mS.  The sum total of the EC is 1.42mS (i.e., 0.67+0.58+0.1+0.07=1.42mS).  Note, System Maintenance and Silica contribute negligible EC, hence their EC contribution is not specified. Now, if the EC target is not achieved, the reasons might be as follows:

EC is lower than expected:

1. Check the meter’s accuracy using a calibration standard (typically at 2.76mS).  This is by far the most common cause of EC discrepancies.
2. You have under-dosed with one or more products.
3. Reservoir is larger than specified i.e., need to calibrate the reservoir.
4. Failed to add one or more products that contribute EC.
5. Measuring devices are inaccurate and need calibrating.

EC is higher than expected: 

1. Check the meter’s accuracy using a calibration standard (typically at 2.76mS).  This is by far the most common cause of EC discrepancies.
2. Have over-dosed with one or more products.
3. Reservoir is smaller than specified i.e., need to calibrate the reservoir.
4. Failed to consider the EC contributed by the water and extra additives.  For example, if water has an EC of 0.3mS, then this needs to be added to the EC target (1.42+0.3 = 1.72mS).  Similarly, if Ca-Mg-Fe is added at 0.5ml/L, this will contribute 0.14mS, or 1ml/L will contribute 0.28mS.
5. Measuring devices are inaccurate and need calibrating.

No.  The FloraMax line is designed to eliminate the requirement for additional “cal-mag” additives as it is built into our base nutrients and Flowering Enhancer product.  Over hundreds of test grows during the development phase there was never any need for a dedicated cal-mag additive. Furthermore, use of additional “cal-mag” may result in excessive calcium precipitate leading to clogged lines or build-up.  In the unlikely event that deficiency symptoms occur, add FloraMax Ca-Mg-Fe at 0.5ml/L (0.14mS).  If that fails to fix the problem within 1-week, increase its usage rate to 1ml/L (0.28mS). If that fails then the issue is probably not due to cal-mag or trace elements (Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, Mo or B).

No, the PK levels (Phosphorous and Potassium) are optimized with Flowering Enhancer, Resin-XS (0-1-4) and the FloraMax base nutrient (VegaFlora AB or Veg-1).  During mid-to-late bloom, we generally recommend using Resin-XS at 3-4ml/L (11.5-15ml/Gal).  For heavy feeders, 4ml/L (15ml/Gal) generally provides significant improvements in mass yield and terpene profile.

FloraMax Silica is highly concentrated and should always be pre-diluted least 10-fold with water before adding to the reservoir.  Failure to do this may cause white particles to form when it is added to the nutrient solution.  This problem is more pronounced at higher EC’s especially when using hard or salty waters.  Note, these “white particles” will normally dissolve if the nutrient is immediately stirred and is therefore typically only an aesthetic problem if treated correctly.    If you do NOT want to predilute Silica, then it should be added to the reservoir first, before the base nutrient and other additives – like many other brands. The problem with this is it increases the water’s pH – subsequent addition of pH sensitive elements will be potentially destabilized unless pH is quickly corrected. By adding Silica last, we only need to worry about pH right at the end.  If you add it first, you need to worry about pH the whole way through!

Generally no.  Claimed growth benefits from “super- oxygenated” nutrient have nil scientific merit.  For run-to-waste systems (soil and coco) an air-stone is not required and should be avoided as they can cause adverse reactions with organic additives and destabilize pH, especially if too much air is being injected.  If batches are being stored for more than a few days, Pythoff PLUS or System Maintenance should be used to prevent any build-ups in the reservoir especially if any light is able to enter.  Also, cover the reservoir, however, ensure the lid is raised to allow airflow – this will prevent the growth of mould on the hard surfaces inside the reservoir.

For recirculating systems, air-stones can be beneficial especially if the dump frequency is infrequent, however as mentioned above, minimize the air injection rate if using organics. This does not apply to DWC – the nutrient solution must be aerated.

Firstly, all silica products are generally made from potassium silicate. This ingredient generates MSA when diluted in water. So, MSA is essentially a play on words, a marketing angle pitched by a few manufacturers… From a chemist’s point-of-view, the biggest point of difference (problem) with silica products is their shelf life. Most of them have a max shelf-life of 1-2 yrs. This impacts their solubility and notably creates a build-up (gel) in the reservoir. FloraMax Silica has a shelf-life of 10 years plus and is fully soluble. Claims of internodal shortening and other flowering benefits from MSA/silica are bogus. We have been selling silica’s since about 1997 and have never heard this claim from growers. The most effective way of obtaining flowering benefits through nutrition is by using a combination of OrganaBud and Resin-XS:

1. OrganaBud: Promotes branching, shortening, bud-sites and stacking. Increases potency, terpene profile and pistil vibrancy.
2. Resin-XS: Increases frosting, resin, oil and potency. Improves swell, density and final mass.

Also, unlike those ‘other’ silica products, with OrganaBud and Resin-XS there are no biofilms, pH fluctuation or blockages.

No, Pythoff PLUS or System Maintenance should be used instead.  Growers must be made aware that many of the FloraMax products contain essential “purified extracted organics”. These appear more-or-less identical to synthetics or salts, and lack the typical characteristics of organic additive e.g. sludgy, sticky and stinky. The trouble is, grower’s can unwittingly assume FloraMax is a “synthetic-line” and employ chlorines or peroxide – which can destroy the organics!