General Directions:
The word 'Feed' herein means Elite plant food and water.
For most full-sun plants, maintain 50ppm of the formula's grow recipe for every inch of plant height until the Target Feed Level* has been achieved. Use the lowest feed target first. Add more feed as needed.
*Hydroponics and Soilless Feed Target: 300ppm-400ppm/0.6-0.8EC through Vegetation - 450ppm-600ppm/0.9-1.2 EC through Bloom (Soilless refers to Coco, Peat Moss, Perlite and other combinations of growing mediums that have no plant food energy stored it them). Use lower strength first then if proved to be needed, increase strength of each part proportionately.
1 EC = 500ppm
*Soil Feed Target: 400ppm/0.8EC - 500ppm/1.0EC
*Lettuce/Shade Plants Feed Target: 200ppm/0.4EC - 300ppm/0.6EC
At first planting, use a ratio of 1 part Elite Micro, 1 part Elite Grow and 1 part Elite Bloom to achieve a 50 ppm/TDS for every inch of plant height for the first week to 10 days of plant growth. This recipe will enhance root growth. Increase the strength as the plant grows. After that time period, remove the Elite Bloom and only use the Elite Micro and Elite Grow. The reduction of phosphorus and potassium from the elimination of the Elite Bloom and the increase of Elite Micro nutrients and nitrogen from increased amounts of Elite Micro and Elite Grow will now push above ground growth. Using Z7 and Essential Flora Extract is crucial at all times throughout the vegetation cycle for maximum growth.
One week before switching lighting to a 12ON-12OFF cycle, Elite Bloom is added back to the recipe. The added potassium and phosphorus will now be directed to enhance buds and blooms. Using Z7 and Essential Flora Extract is crucial at all times throughout the bloom cycle for maximum growth. Elite Bloom is continued to be used until the last week before harvest when all three Elite Micro, Grow and Bloom are eliminated. Only Z7 and Essential Flora Extract is used in the last week before harvest.
- ¼ tsp of Micro weighs approximately 1.0 grams. Added to 1 gallon distilled water it will yield approximately 200 ppm TDS.
- ¼ tsp of Grow weighs approximately 1.0 grams. Added to 1 gallon distilled water it will yield approximately 100 ppm TDS.
- ¼ tsp of Bloom weighs approximately 1.4 grams. Added to 1 gallon distilled water it will yield approximately 100 ppm TDS.
Mixing Directions:
Do not mix Elite Micro, Elite Grow and Elite Bloom together in concentration. Add Elite Micro, Grow and Bloom separately to the main nutrient tank. You may add the dry fertilizer to a small amount of water and mix until in solution (example: 10 tsp into 2 cups of water and stir until dissolved), then add to the nutrient tank. Adjust the pH of the nutrient dilute to your specific crop. General pH Rule: Soil 6.4-7.0. Hydro 5.8-6.5.
Recipe amounts stated below are estimated. Use more or less to achieve optimal levels for your specific crop.
Only increase the strength of the nutrient if you are absolutely sure you need to. Leaf abnormalities like tip burn, leaf curl, very dark green, necrotic margins and a leather like feel can be attributed to over feeding by either having the nutrient too strong initially or nutrient has built up in the root zone.
You can increase nutrient strength if you experience:
- Leaves light in color
- Purple stems
- Lower leaves yellowing
- New growth yellowing
It is better to have the plants underfed and slowly increase strength until you find the magic strength for your variety. Overfed plants will get stressed and it will take longer find the varieties sweet spot. It will also take longer to see normal growth rates after the nutrient strength has been reduced.
Basic Grow Recipe per Gallon Water
- ½ level teaspoon Elite Micro
- ½ level teaspoon Elite Grow
Lettuce/herbs and delicate plants, use ¼ tsp of Elite Micro and Grow.
To promote root growth, add teaspoon of Elite Bloom to the above recipe for the first two weeks of growth.
Basic Bloom Recipe per Gallon Water
- ½ level teaspoon Elite Micro
- ¼ level teaspoon Elite Grow
- ¼ level teaspoon Elite Bloom
