bloom boosters
“
A N OV E R A BU N DA N C E O F
A N Y MAC RO N U T R IE N T IN
irrigation water
O R A G ROWT H ME D IU M WIL L
AC T UA L LY H IN D E R T H E U PTA KE
O F A L L MAC RO N U T R IE N T S .”
While most gardeners, novices and experts included,
don’t have the time to consistently test their irrigation and
runoff water with a laboratory to get ppm readings, this is
a great way for one to understand exactly what their plants
are being fed. Testing both irrigation and runoff water two
to three times during a plant’s life will provide enough
information to restructure a fertilization program founded
on the basics.
For Hoare, he says it is a bet ter bet to base nutrient formula-
tions on the ppm readings of macronutrients in irrigation and
runoff water rather than what is recommended on a nutrient
feeding schedule. With this critical approach, Hoare recom-
mends a N-P-K ratio of 7-6-12 during the flowering period.
Obviously, these numbers stand in stark contradiction to the
0-50-30 ratios that abound in bloom booster formulations.
WH AT D O E S IT A L L ME A N ?
Plants can only handle a limited amount of fertilization of
any macronutrient before the process becomes counterpro-
ductive. This notion is where Hoare’s ppm data really comes
into play concerning bloom boosters. According to Hoare,
an overabundance of any macronutrient in irrigation water
or a growth medium will actual hinder the uptake of all
macronutrients. As far as bloom boosters are concerned,
a majority of standard nutrient feeding regimens
already contain sufficient phosphorus and
72
grow cycle