Quote Originally Posted by bsfman
Quote Originally Posted by urbanfarmer
Buy chelated iron from the garden center. For $5 you'll have enough for 3-5 years...
So if I was to do that, what is the applicable chelated iron dosing rate? Same as the recommendations for the Maxicrop?
It depends on the make up of the liquid iron, but it should not be cups but rather teaspoons and you won't be adding it all that often. It will take a while for you to get a feel for your system. It's not a linear relationship between time and the demand for iron. Many factors including other nutrients, sun, temperatures, pH, stage of plant growth, type of plant, etc. will determine how much of what (in this case iron) the plants/system needs. After a while you will know that during this season when the plants are "yay heigh" then it needs this much iron. It's hard to say EXACTLY, but you WILL figure it out as you become a veteran gardener! Just understand a gallon of the liquid iron lasts A VERY LONG TIME. For the first few doses WAIT until you see a deficiency because unless you have a way to measure the iron you could overdose the system and cause a phosphorous nutrient lockout and then that will send you spiraling down a dark vortex!

Sea weed extract is good if you want to cheat your way around letting your system mature itself, and should only be used in the beginning or as an emergency in the absence of other nutrient solutions. It's just too darn expensive and has sodium for no reason.

Don't listen to Murray Hallam who says to add it all the time 24/7/365... that's just dumb.

Calcium, potassium, and iron are the only things that really have trouble getting in or staying in the system. You should add nothing else. Add calcium/potassium in compounds when raising the pH and the iron as described above.

Feel free to ask any other questions. I know, it's starting to get complex!