Very informative video. Has there been any new research into these topics? Do you believe that adding any of these could increase the rhizophagy cycle?
Thank you, here and in all your other great videos, for explaining the mechanisms by which various horticultural practices work -- or don't work. This allows me to judge what actually applies to my own situation, instead of having to try out everything that is rumored to be good for plants. And thank you for the research citations, so I can share this information with others without resorting to argument from authority.
I always contemplated on adding beneficial microbes, mycorrhizae fungi and unsulfured blackstrap molasses into my hydro setup for cannabis. Some of the more experienced growers have told me not to add anything like that and some have told me you can add a little of molasses near the end of the grow. I watched your video with Mr Grow It and you mentioned that basically if your hydro setup is running really well, there's no need for microbes. I've even heard of some people adding hydrogen peroxide to kill certain microbes in their hydroponic system. This is all really fascinating stuff and I really appreciate it, thank you very much.
Thank you, dr. Fernandez! Thanks for information about additives in hydro. For today I’m using carbohydrates for beneficial bacteria feeding in hydro, not directly to my plants too. Working good
Thank you! Very interesting. Excuse me if this is not accurate, but this made me think about MSG, how MSG naturally occurs in fermented products like kimchi and sauerkraut. Glutamic acid somehow reacts with sodium to produce mono sodium glutamate. I was thinking maybe if you don’t add salt to the ferment, then you are more likely have potassium glutamate. so for anaerobic lactic Composters, is there naturally occurring glutamates? If so, would using a lactic fermented compost slurry (like Agrothrive), add glutamates that could be beneficial? In our organic hydroponic operation, we occasionally supplement with agrothrive which has a pH of about 3.0 because it is dominated by lactic acid. The lactic acid doesn’t affect the pH of our hydroponic reservoir over the long-term, like citric acid and acetic acid, it will just bounce back. So if you regularly dose small amounts of lactic acid or citric acid or acetic acid, there’s no change in the pH. Sidenote, on your video about making organic hydroponics solution, you said that you can use citric acid to adjust the pH. As you mentioned in this video, that is not a good idea. Might be worth updating that video.
Thanks for commenting. About the naturally occurring glutamate. This amino-acid is almost certainly present in most composts. At the pH used in hydroponics, this will always be present as glutamate. Which cation is present in solution to balance this charge is not very relevant but in composts from plant material this is more likely potassium rather than sodium. If you are seeking a lactic acid containing product, corn steep liquor - which is most commonly around 30% lactate - will do the job very well. About the citric acid, in the other video I meant for it to be used just for the initial adjustment of solution pH, not for the continuous adjustment of the pH in recirculating solutions. I definitely do not think citric acid can be used for any sort of routine pH control of a recirculating solution, as microbial metabolism and plant uptake of citrate will make the process ineffective. My experiences with organic hydroponic setups so far show that pH control of the recirculating solutions is not needed. The formulations can be made to be self-correcting. Let me know if you have any additional comments or questions!
The reasonable conclusion from most current research is that it doesn't happen at any appreciable rate. Ample evidence to the contrary is needed to change that view. Carefully designed experiments, using even C14 radiotracers are very strong evidence that it doesn't happen. If you choose not to believe the science, that's your prerogative.
Very informative video. Has there been any new research into these topics? Do you believe that adding any of these could increase the rhizophagy cycle?
Thank you, here and in all your other great videos, for explaining the mechanisms by which various horticultural practices work -- or don't work. This allows me to judge what actually applies to my own situation, instead of having to try out everything that is rumored to be good for plants. And thank you for the research citations, so I can share this information with others without resorting to argument from authority.
I'm glad it was helpful. Thanks a lot for your comments and support!
I always contemplated on adding beneficial microbes, mycorrhizae fungi and unsulfured blackstrap molasses into my hydro setup for cannabis. Some of the more experienced growers have told me not to add anything like that and some have told me you can add a little of molasses near the end of the grow. I watched your video with Mr Grow It and you mentioned that basically if your hydro setup is running really well, there's no need for microbes. I've even heard of some people adding hydrogen peroxide to kill certain microbes in their hydroponic system. This is all really fascinating stuff and I really appreciate it, thank you very much.
Super underrated
Thank you, dr. Fernandez! Thanks for information about additives in hydro. For today I’m using carbohydrates for beneficial bacteria feeding in hydro, not directly to my plants too. Working good
Thanks for commenting. The bacteria definitely benefit from carbohydrates! As long as this is your objective, then it makes sense to add them.
Thank you! Very interesting. Excuse me if this is not accurate, but this made me think about MSG, how MSG naturally occurs in fermented products like kimchi and sauerkraut. Glutamic acid somehow reacts with sodium to produce mono sodium glutamate. I was thinking maybe if you don’t add salt to the ferment, then you are more likely have potassium glutamate. so for anaerobic lactic Composters, is there naturally occurring glutamates? If so, would using a lactic fermented compost slurry (like Agrothrive), add glutamates that could be beneficial? In our organic hydroponic operation, we occasionally supplement with agrothrive which has a pH of about 3.0 because it is dominated by lactic acid. The lactic acid doesn’t affect the pH of our hydroponic reservoir over the long-term, like citric acid and acetic acid, it will just bounce back. So if you regularly dose small amounts of lactic acid or citric acid or acetic acid, there’s no change in the pH.
Sidenote, on your video about making organic hydroponics solution, you said that you can use citric acid to adjust the pH. As you mentioned in this video, that is not a good idea. Might be worth updating that video.
Thanks for commenting.
About the naturally occurring glutamate. This amino-acid is almost certainly present in most composts. At the pH used in hydroponics, this will always be present as glutamate. Which cation is present in solution to balance this charge is not very relevant but in composts from plant material this is more likely potassium rather than sodium. If you are seeking a lactic acid containing product, corn steep liquor - which is most commonly around 30% lactate - will do the job very well.
About the citric acid, in the other video I meant for it to be used just for the initial adjustment of solution pH, not for the continuous adjustment of the pH in recirculating solutions. I definitely do not think citric acid can be used for any sort of routine pH control of a recirculating solution, as microbial metabolism and plant uptake of citrate will make the process ineffective.
My experiences with organic hydroponic setups so far show that pH control of the recirculating solutions is not needed. The formulations can be made to be self-correcting.
Let me know if you have any additional comments or questions!
Eden Blue Gold. They can deliver the carbon to the plant, I promise.
Or Rooted Leaf Agritech too they have some great stuff!!
The reasonable conclusion from most current research is that it doesn't happen at any appreciable rate. Ample evidence to the contrary is needed to change that view. Carefully designed experiments, using even C14 radiotracers are very strong evidence that it doesn't happen. If you choose not to believe the science, that's your prerogative.