Like anything living, energy is needed to fuel growth.
Without food, systems generally start to consume themselves creating a host of problems, each presenting a knock-on effect.
Some example knock on effects:
Deficiencies, causing the plant to consume itself from the bottom up, this is simply the plant translocating the much need elements to sustain continual new growth, if left to fend for itself the plant would die.
Mutated growth, with less food present, the cellular function/s are interrupted or cease completely causing an unrecognizable or altered growth pattern.
Take for example a small child, we know the small child cannot consume food the size of an adult, so the serving is adjusted to suit their size, everything is relative to growth.
"Plants are identical, they need feeding ‘relative’ to their growth!"
If a plant is only 25cm tall it will not be able to consume the same amount of food as say a 10m tall tree, it’s not possible to get any more energy out of a system, than is initially put in, the 25cm tall plant can only consume and exert so much energy.
Sunlight in this case would determine the amount of energy converted to fuel the internal processes, which impacts growth. If a system like food was not present in this scenario then the light energy will only take the plant so far before the need for chemical (food) energy is required, without food a systematic relationship cannot take place.
Feeding charts are a GUIDE not a guarantee! Adjustments must be made with each variety, some need more, some need less. Common sense should prevail here. Week 1 for example is not one feed per week, it’s a 7-day week, and the doses for week one MUST be given to the plant each day!
Now week 2-3 you’ll notice the dose per L increase gradually, this should be in line (relative!) with plant growth.
Week 4 of vegetation and the start of flowering/fruiting initiation, the doses rise again, but usually stay the same from week 4 on (most brands call for specific additives in flower which help facilitate the base nutrient or increase absorption)
A plant at week 4 will need feeding at least twice a day (to run-off) the larger the plant the quicker the consumption, so letting them sit for 6 hours after the first feed will not work, you’ll probably want to feed them every 3-4 hours, to prevent them drying out etc.
As always, if you’re in doubt. Call us or cruise in, the team will gladly explain anything relating to plants.
#growwithus
