DIY root tab

[charlie]

Errol, I have a bottle of the 14-14-14 Smartcote, you are welcome to have some next time I see you.  It works for me.

Thanls Peter, is it the one with Micro nutrients?

[exv152]

I almost pulled the plug on it last week, but decided to try  the DIY after researching it, it`s for all intent & purpose the same as the Smartcote 14-14-14 with the convenience of pre pkg in a capsule.
Errol

Thanks Errol, Smartcote eh? I just googled the image of the product and I'm almost certain I have that stuff at home for hanging baskets...Is this the same as what you're talking about? http://www.rona.ca/shop/~fertilizer-hanging-basket-food-14-14-14-smartcote-411183_horticulture_shop

Because I'll be temped to try some myself. Is there a link online you're using to help with dosing, frequency etc?

[charlie]

Thanks Errol, Smartcote eh? I just googled the image of the product and I'm almost certain I have that stuff at home for hanging baskets...Is this the same as what you're talking about? http://www.rona.ca/shop/~fertilizer-hanging-basket-food-14-14-14-smartcote-411183_horticulture_shop

Because I'll be temped to try some myself. Is there a link online you're using to help with dosing, frequency etc?

Pretty much , except the one i plan on using has micro nutrients including some calcium. I`ll try & find the link i saw with dosing, if memory serves me well, it was 1/2 a tsp spread around just like most root tabs 4- 6 sq inches  every 3-4 mths ,of course depending on aquascape & plant mass etc.
Errol

[bizfromqc]

I almost pulled the plug on the root medic tabs as well, maybe we should try them out with a group order or something...

[Janny]

I'd go in on some DIY root tab feeds with someone.

[pm]

Thanls Peter, is it the one with Micro nutrients?

Yeah, it is the hanging basket. 14-14-14 with micronutrients

[exv152]

Yeah, it is the hanging basket. 14-14-14 with micronutrients

I tried searching this online but can't find anything on it. Are you saying there are two types of smartcote ferts for hanging baskets 14-14-14, one with and one without micro nutrients?  I looked the container I have at home and it doesn't mention anything about calcium, or any other micros, just NPK.

[pm]

Mine definitely says "with micronutirents".  Mine has little gray and tan balls, but others I have seen in stores (or your links) have only gray balls.

Who knows, mine could be newer, or could be older.  Got it at walmart last fall.

[charlie]

They are 2 types - with & without micors, i saw both @ Rona Innis.
Errol

[charlie]

Here is what the one with Mico looks like
http://www.homehardware.ca/en/rec/index.htm/Outdoor-Living/Yard-Maintenance/Fertilizers/Flowers-Vegetables/Granular/350g-Hanging-Basket-Plant-Fertilizer/_/N-2pqfZ67l/Ne-67n/Ntk-All_EN/R-I5027366?Ntt=smartcote

[daworldisblack]

Here is what the one with Mico looks like
http://www.homehardware.ca/en/rec/index.htm/Outdoor-Living/Yard-Maintenance/Fertilizers/Flowers-Vegetables/Granular/350g-Hanging-Basket-Plant-Fertilizer/_/N-2pqfZ67l/Ne-67n/Ntk-All_EN/R-I5027366?Ntt=smartcote

Do you think this can be sprinkled onto the substrate when setting a tank up like the ADA dubstrate additives? I'd be tempted to given the granules.

[charlie]

Do you think this can be sprinkled onto the substrate when setting a tank up like the ADA dubstrate additives? I'd be tempted to given the granules.

Yes

[daworldisblack]

Sweet. Might dabble into it too then!

[pm]

Do you think this can be sprinkled onto the substrate when setting a tank up like the ADA dubstrate additives? I'd be tempted to given the granules.

This is exactly what I did for my tank in Oct/Nov.  I have had no negative issues that I can see, even with substrate disturbances (note that I do do 50% WC weekly)

[exv152]

I might buy some of that stuff then because mine only has the grey granules. I'll pick out all the tan granules, assuming these are micro nutrient pellets, and maybe give those a try since I'm already dosing macros. 

[daworldisblack]

just at walmart baseline and I see this:



just in case peeps were interested

Sent from my GT-I9100M using Tapatalk

[exv152]

Thanks for including the price in your photo, it's gonna make price matching easier...lol

[sylros]

Mine definitely says "with micronutirents".  Mine has little gray and tan balls, but others I have seen in stores (or your links) have only gray balls.

Who knows, mine could be newer, or could be older.  Got it at walmart last fall.

I got mine at Canadian Tire but I was afraid to get anything that has more than the NPK stuff. What I ended up with is the Miracle Gro Shake'n Feed 19-6-12. It's for potted plants - both outdoors and indoors. Haven't tried them yet as I'm still troubleshooting using API tablets and dosing with the Flourish liquid stuff...all of them.

I'll be curious to see which of the slow release plant fertz would work best. These are tan or beige in colour, no greys. I was going to put them in ice cube trays and freeze them to help with putting them in the substrate.

[charlie]

Well after doing the rounds this morning i finally settled on the Miracle grow with a lower NPK & higher calcium(3+%), picked it up @ Wal mart & CDN Tire has it too.

[pm]

Hmmm.  Didn't see those last year    mind you, I was buying in the fall.

The smartcote are 6 month, versus the miraclegrow 3 month slow release.  Obviously the coating is different.  Is it the same nitrogen source?