From a fellow grower: I am now 14 days in (hydro grow). I’ve been using half the plant food amount as directed. When I do the TDS I am only getting about 550 PPM, which is low. Is that ok or should I add more of the Bergman plant food to get to 750+
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Half strength is good the first couple of weeks to help the plants get adjusted. Over the next week I would be increasing to 3/4 strength and the following week I would continue to increase to full strength. If everything else is going and looking well.
What your target ppm should be can be different depending on your water source/ base ppm before adding nutrients.
My hydro grow ppm runs between 750-1500ppm (1.5-2.5 EC)but I’m using tap water that comes with ~200 ppm to start.
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Thank you for responding! I am still fairly confused because I am using the ILGM Bergman fertilizer packages and attempting to follow their instructions. Even though it gives dosage guidelines, someone at ILGM said to use half the recommended dosage for autoflower. If someone from ILGM could chime in as well that would be helpful. Because at half dosage the PPM never gets above 400 and even at full dose it’s never even close to the recommended range.
I am currently at day 27 and although the plants looked fine up until a few days ago, now it is clear that I either have nutrient burn or nutrient deficiency. I need to do a total water change, yet I don’t know what to use. The water basin is approximately 2 gallons
If I went off of what the package said, I would be up to 1 1/5th tsp per gallon = 2.4 tsps for 2 gallons
Or if I went off of what customer service at ILGM has told me, it would be half…so 1 1/5th tsp for 2 gallons
However in no situation would either get even close to the 1000 PPM that it is suggesting I should be at at this stage. Should I keep using Bergman? I have no doubt that it’s a great product, as I’ve seen all the reviews but it either isn’t working for me or I am dosing wrong.
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Pictures would be helpful.
If your plants are well established I would up to full strength.
I have not used that fertilizer line so maybe others will have more insight.
There is other really important information though.
Are you checking your ph?
There is a full support ticket you can fill out that will really help people help you.
COPY/PASTE the below list into your forum post.
Answer these simple questions the best you can.
If you do not know, or do not use something; Just say so; Or post
NA (non applicable)
-What strain, Seed bank, or bag seed (photo or auto)
-Age of plant
-Method: Soil w/salt, Organic soil, Hydroponics, Aquaponics, KNF
-Vessels: Type and capacity of container (fabric, plastic, etc)
-PH and TDS of Water, Solution, runoff (if Applicable)
-PPM/TDS or EC of nutrient solution if applicable
-Method used to measure PH and TDS
-Indoor or Outdoor if indoor, size of grow space
-Light system List brand and wattage/spectrum
-Actual wattage draw of lights
-Current Light Schedule
-Temps; Day, Night
-Humidity; Day, Night
-Ventilation system; Yes, No, Size
-AC, Humidifier, De-humidifier,
-Co2; Yes, No
If growing Hydro some additional questions:
-DWC? RDWC? Autopots? Ebb and Flow? Other?
-Distance of liquid below net pot (DWC)
-Temperature of reservoir
-TDS of nutrient solution
-Amount of air to solution
Always try to upload a clear picture in white light of any issues you may have