Looking for someone using Fox farms products
 

To all,
Aloha. I am in search of any information on idea's and personal experience using Fox farms nutrients. I am not having any serious issues, just think it should be better. Also, I wonder if Cal-Mag could help me.
Let me know your thoughts.
Aloha and Thank you,
Tom

I think I've tried every fertilizer/plant food including the FF trio products. I grow tomatoes / peppers in earthboxes or root pouches.

I was not impressed with them either; but later on I think they may have needed to be PH checked which I never did since it was not on the bottle.

Also, for tomatoes, I don't know why anyone even has the 'Bloom' products. (I've bought a bunch of those too over the years but the really good growers never use them.

ETA - I thought the dry FF fertilzer/plant food was pretty good but expensive.

I have used it on demo plants for customers in my retail Greenhouse. I sell some fertilizers products , so I prove their worthiness then customers can just see them work. I used a quite a bit to get to 1500ppm, then added 3ml of Cal-Mag per gallon on top of that. Results were good.

Nothing to contribute. I ran out of Dyna so I am using FF Grow this year for my containers. Cannot really give a baseline, as each container get's a good dose of CRF when I transplant them in.

[QUOTE=AKmark;701251]I have used it on demo plants for customers in my retail Greenhouse. I sell some fertilizers products , so I prove their worthiness then customers can just see them work. I used a quite a bit to get to 1500ppm, then added 3ml of Cal-Mag per gallon on top of that. Results were good.[/QUOTE]

Thanks everyone,
I'm not really disapointed. Just curious.
Mark,
Your opinion holds alot of weight, for me. Your plants are out of this world. Your greenhouse is perfect. I don't measure ppm. But keep an eye on the ph almost daily. I follow the feeding schedule, using the base and grow big. I phase into the base and Tiger bloom after that. I'm going to up the base and give the cal- mag a shot.I should also add that I have never used the Hammer for a flush, just plain water. Luckily in Hawaii there's no floride and the ph is absolutley consistant 7.0.
Thanks again for your reply.
Aloha

What product is 'the' cal-mag exactly? I see lots of products with this in their name and their content varies a lot.

[QUOTE=zipcode;701344]What product is 'the' cal-mag exactly? I see lots of products with this in their name and their content varies a lot.[/QUOTE]

I have not used any yet. But thinking maybe give it a try.

The curve went to the new coir,mixed with peat,Mother Earth from Amsterdam,via India,processed,there shipped from Atlantic side.The other west coast,British Columbia,via Washington,dark brown.

[QUOTE=kurt;701617]The curve went to the new coir,mixed with peat,Mother Earth from Amsterdam,via India,processed,there shipped from Atlantic side.The other west coast,British Columbia,via Washington,dark brown.[/QUOTE]

The curve? I don't understand. Dark brown?

I didn't get that either.

I'm using Fox Farm, the dry all purpose, and tomato and veg "Happy Frog" after years of Epsoma. Not sure why I made the change, other than lots of warnings about organic fertilizers in containers (I garden in Earthboxes). But Fox Farm is organic too. In fact EVERYTHING seems to be labled organic.i've used Cal Mag in hydroponics, but don't have a control, so who knows?

[url]https://www.amazon.com/FoxFarm-FX14051-Vegetable-Organic-Fertilizer/dp/B0049XGYJ0/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1527399493&sr=8-3&keywords=happy+frog+fertilizer[/url]

About $10 at my local Ace.

Cal Mag

[url]https://www.amazon.com/General-Hydroponics-GH1772-CALiMAGic-Quart/dp/B00GZRKI40/ref=sr_1_5?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1527399786&sr=1-5&keywords=cal+mag[/url]

Thanks, thats good information. And yes, organic has little meaning anymore. I went with FF as a trial. I found my plants doing ok the 1st year. Tomatoes grew well but the flowers died and blew away. It was months later that I found my mistake. I was only using grow big. And then tiger bloom when flowers came. A youtube video explained what each nutrient is for and how to use it. I was totally shocked that I never thought to use the liquid plant food as a base.Not sure what they call it . Since then it's been a different story. Looking forward to some awesome veggies this year. Cukes have been giving me 3-4 a week. Now it's almost pepper time and komatsuna greens. Then tomatoes. Well, that's the plan.
Aloha

I have the liquid too, but have not used it. Was there something in the video that shocked you? I'm sure I can I find a video.

Yes, I did not fully understand that 3 different nutrients (Big bloom, grow big & tiger bloom ) are the norm. I was just using 2.

Think plant,eyeball level,out of ground root time,then leader,crotch pick the production ,are we growing leaves,everything under veg above dead,All energy one way,not back down,math says calendar,product,race until,bugs timeThen at bloom time max bloom boost,foforito phosphate,the white tip on the Diamond Match Pack

The coir.
 

[QUOTE=ginger2778;701670]The curve? I don't understand. Dark brown?[/QUOTE]

As we first started the wonder soil thread, first mentioned in a post by A member,Some of the mediums,not processed in my side by sides,have a clear runoff as in water colour.Now the newer,more market friendly coir is mixed,not pure coir,some are peat/ coir,the “tannin” is darker,more junk,fancy advertisements,.Acclum thanks

[QUOTE=Shrinkrap;701779]I have the liquid too, but have not used it. Was there something in the video that shocked you? I'm sure I can I find a video.[/QUOTE]
Perfect gardens,. Which ff do I use.
Is the title on you tube

[QUOTE=Tomzhawaii;701892]Perfect gardens,. Which ff do I use.
Is the title on you tube[/QUOTE]

Found it! Thanks!

So here's a quick update.
As my peppers and tomatoes began blooming, I noticed a falloff of the leaf colors. I have been using the 3 liquids, as best as I can. Still not happy. I finally broke down and added cal- mag . Boom... getting green and pepper flowers a plenty. Tomatoes also. I will pickup my new toy. A ppm meter. I've read so much and want this garden as a hobby. Not an obsession. But as many of you know.... it is what we make it. My last thought is... ohhh it's on now. Aloha

[QUOTE=Tomzhawaii;703856]So here's a quick update.
As my peppers and tomatoes began blooming, I noticed a falloff of the leaf colors. I have been using the 3 liquids, as best as I can. Still not happy. I finally broke down and added cal- mag . Boom... getting green and pepper flowers a plenty. Tomatoes also. I will pickup my new toy. A ppm meter. I've read so much and want this garden as a hobby. Not an obsession. But as many of you know.... it is what we make it. My last thought is... ohhh it's on now. Aloha[/QUOTE]

I have this one

[URL="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PEDHSQC/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1"]https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PEDHSQC/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1[/URL]


Well, if you are going to get a ppm meter, how about ph meter? (toys! smile).

There is a whole science to how ph affects nutrient availability.

[URL="http://www.agrobest.com.au/news/How-Soil-pH-affects-availability-of-plant-nutrients-7.htm"]http://www.agrobest.com.au/news/How-Soil-pH-affects-availability-of-plant-nutrients-7.htm[/URL]

I have this one

[URL="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01C53HRLY/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1"]https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01C53HRLY/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1[/URL]

[QUOTE=Tomzhawaii;703856]So here's a quick update.
As my peppers and tomatoes began blooming, I noticed a falloff of the leaf colors. I have been using the 3 liquids, as best as I can. Still not happy. I finally broke down and added cal- mag . Boom... getting green and pepper flowers a plenty. Tomatoes also. I will pickup my new toy. A ppm meter. I've read so much and want this garden as a hobby. Not an obsession. But as many of you know.... it is what we make it. My last thought is... ohhh it's on now. Aloha[/QUOTE]

I really like my hand Blue Lab PPM, EC meter. They are super easy to use and easy to calibrate. The Trunchean is good too. The Hanna's are good but they need to be calibrated more often and are a bit more finicky.
Good luck

To all,
Yes, I monitor my ph daily and consistently. I believe in bluelab's equipment. I am growing sweet peppers & tomatoes from a single reservior. My other is for komatsuna(mustard greens ) & cabbage in a raingutter rail system. Here's my issue. I do understand the basic difference between one system's needs and the other's. However, how do I keep the tomatoes and sweet peppers happy. And now the greens and cabbages are sooo different in ppm requirements. I'm begining to wonder what is best.

There is a whole science to how ph affects nutrient availability.
Which is very true.
However, there are many other factors considering the many different soil compositions . Besides being hard to follow, that chart only makes me wonder. How does one use it ?

Ohhhh, that's too much
 

[QUOTE=Tomzhawaii;703872]To all,
Yes, I monitor my ph daily and consistently. I believe in bluelab's equipment. I am growing sweet peppers & tomatoes from a single reservior. My other is for komatsuna(mustard greens ) & cabbage in a raingutter rail system. Here's my issue. I do understand the basic difference between one system's needs and the other's. However, how do I keep the tomatoes and sweet peppers happy. And now the greens and cabbages are sooo different in ppm requirements. I'm begining to wonder what is best.[/QUOTE]

So, I got my ppm meter. As it turns out. I am killing my pepper plants. The U.H. tomatoes are still hanging in there. 1st tomato has BER. Go figure ... I'm hoping that plenty of cal-mag and cold water will turn this around for the best. P.S. my reading was 2300 ppm. :no:

[QUOTE=Tomzhawaii;704887]So, I got my ppm meter. As it turns out. I am killing my pepper plants. The U.H. tomatoes are still hanging in there. 1st tomato has BER. Go figure ... I'm hoping that plenty of cal-mag and cold water will turn this around for the best. P.S. my reading was 2300 ppm. :no:[/QUOTE]

In a container I run 1700ppm, in dirt much less. Good luck

A lesson well learned.
 

[QUOTE=AKmark;704904]In a container I run 1700ppm, in dirt much less. Good luck[/QUOTE]
Thanks Mark,
Another part of the puzzle. I knew better and learned the hard way. The good side is that I'm not done trying to be better. In a weird turn, I just found a half pack of Mortgage lifter seeds. So it's a new day and a new adventure.
Aloha

[QUOTE=Tomzhawaii;704887]So, I got my ppm meter. As it turns out. I am killing my pepper plants. The U.H. tomatoes are still hanging in there. 1st tomato has BER. Go figure ... I'm hoping that plenty of cal-mag and cold water will turn this around for the best. P.S. my reading was 2300 ppm. :no:[/QUOTE]



Aww. That doesn't seem fair. I don't check ppm oon my container planre, and they look fine. With regard to that pH chart, I strife for 5.5 fr hydroponics, and would look at the ye chart more closely if was having problems I could identify as related to nutrients. Sometimes, the less I know the better.

In fairness to my plants. I have these fushimi peppers that just keep on producing maybe 10-12 peppers a week. No joke, I cannot believe the strength of these plants. And the aphids don't bother with them at all. I am interested to find a happy middle ground. The good part is there is no end of the season in Hawaii. I just keep on starting new seeds. Yeah me.

Check your runoff.
 

[QUOTE=Tomzhawaii;704887]So, I got my ppm meter. As it turns out. I am killing my pepper plants. The U.H. tomatoes are still hanging in there. 1st tomato has BER. Go figure ... I'm hoping that plenty of cal-mag and cold water will turn this around for the best. P.S. my reading was 2300 ppm. :no:[/QUOTE]

As I started getting more comfortable and educated with my ppm meter. I learned something important about controlling the nutrient level in a container. Since my system is reciculating I can check the runoff ph & ppm. O.M.G. it was thru the roof 2500 ppm & 5.0 ph . Everytime I add nutrients, it acts as a multiplier to my readings inside the containers.Even as careful as I was about following a schedule, it's all in the flush. This would explain my trouble with growbag style plants. 8-)

Tomzhawii. How aften are you flushing. I try to run off whenever I water with plain H20. On the days I'm adding liquid fertz/supplement, I purposely space out my water schedule. I root drench - come back - root drench again, and then give it some H20. --- mainly due to growbag + coarse medium.

I know if I'm not flushing enough when the outside gets white and hard....which did happen to me the 1st year I was using growbags

Interesting read on the meters....I've yet to take it to that scale as a garden hobby.