Cultivation Corner with Olivia Sobelman: What if shortages affect my growing supplies?

As a store owner, I can honestly say that shortages aren’t as big of a problem for home cultivators as they may be in other industries. Most of the products that all of us use are made right here in the USA. The usual shortages of certain soils happen around the same time every year, but you learn to anticipate it and to stock up around those times. That being said, there is a substitution for just about everything on the market, whether it’s exactly the same or just incredibly similar, it’s fine to substitute things. Over the course of doing so, you might even come to like certain products better that you happen to come across.

Some very common products you can substitute are carbohydrates (sugars). Sugars feed the microbes in your soil, can reduce pest populations, and provide essential energy to your plant. Some very common and popular Carbohydrates are Advanced Nutrients Bud Candy and Blackstrap Molasses. They are different but accomplish the same thing in your nutrient line. Substitutions are Botanicare Sweet, General Hydroponics FloraNectar, FoxFarm Bembe, FOOP sweetener, and the list goes on. Most of these products are molasses-based, some even have elements in them that can enhance a plant’s smell and taste differently than others. For that reason, it’s incredibly worthwhile to try out some of the many options on the market.

Beneficial Bacteria is also easy to swap from one product to another. Whether they come in a powdered or liquid form, Beneficial Bacteria or Mycorrhizae work in tandem with your soil to break down material and provide the plant with nutrients. They are synonymous with a healthy root zone and any issues that can arise, these microscopic soldiers can lead the charge against unhealthy bacteria or molds.

Some prime examples on the market today are Fish Sh!t, Great White Mycorrhizae, Recharge, Advanced Nutrients Voodoo Juice. There are so many, really it comes down to what’s available, the amount you need to use per gallon, and whether or not you notice gains when using the product. Ive used some and been unimpressed, whereas other products I’ve used a smaller amount of and been blown away by the results. If you are thrilled with the one you’re using then just know that in a pinch, there are others you can switch to. If you aren’t seeing the thick, white roots associated with adding beneficial microbes, then consider trying out a few of the more popular ones on the market. Fish Sh!t is a great one that will actually help bring out the aroma of your buds, on top of its many other benefits. Check out your local store or stop in here if you’re in the area, we always have Fish Sh!t samples on hand for anyone looking to try it out.

Pay attention the NPK of your products when looking for a good substitution, but most are so similar across the span of most nutrient companies. Really the biggest difference in any product is whether or not they are organic and synthetic. After that the next biggest difference is whether they are liquid or powdered nutrients. There is no wrong answer and there is a benefit to using every one of these options, but when looking to substitute products just keep these differences in mind. Organics don’t blend as well with a lot of hydroponics systems, and some powdered nutrients aren’t as water soluble as you would need them to be if you are using a reservoir for mixing nutrients.

Fish Emulsions are incredibly similar across the board, as well as Cal-Mag (Calcium Magnesium) products and Silica products. FoxFarm Wholly Mackerel is incredibly similar to General Organics Bio-Marine, and Roots Organics Surge, even though the NPK differs slightly.

Not to get lost in the names and brands out there, just know that you will ultimately want to choose products with Low Nitrogen (the N in NPK) for flowering and higher Phosphorus and Potassium (the PK in NPK). The rest is trial and error. The additives like Carbohydrates, CalMag, Beneficial Microbes, and a handful of others won’t affect the PH PERFECT Nutrient lines even if you are using a product from another line.

 

Some products I’ve switched to over the years because they are better, some I’ve switched to simply because they were the same formula I was using, but cheaper from another company. The most important component of any Nutrient Regimen are your Base Nutrients. Those are the base fertilizers that are usually the essential Micro and Macro Nutrients that your plant needs. The Grow and Bloom Formula, sometimes in a Part A and a Part B are easy to substitute because every single nutrient line contains the base nutrients. Though they are the most important, so when switching nutrient lines make sure to do the research or ask the right person for their recommendation. Base Nutrients can make or break a good quality and a good yield. Other than that the rest of the nutrients that span on are called additives. Some help with smell, others help with taste, yield, potency, some just balance out your nutrient line for optimal plant health. These are the easiest to interchange between companies without having any massive differences between them. Some lines are simply incomplete and you may want to add additives from other lines that are more expansive and that have specialty products that aren’t as common among all of the nutrient companies.

Its fun and a little nerve wracking to add products or swap them out. Adding additives will have a lower margin for error and can ultimately improve aspects of your grow. Most products are only here to help us and it’s always easiest to add products from the line you are already using. However if you’re at your local store and you don’t see what you need, don’t be afraid to get the closest recommendation to that product and give it a try. Don’t be afraid to ask if it’s something you can go without for a watering or two as well until the product that you want does make its way back onto the shelf. CalMag is one that I never like to skip, but there are others that won’t make or break your grow to go without for a watering. Most importantly, don’t worry for a second about shortages of products, think of it as an opportunity to improve your already successful system if for any reason you end up using a new product. That being said, there’s no sign of shortages in the coming future, which is a relief on my end and hopefully on yours as well.

Happy Growing Everyone!