Am I getting too much runoff?

[Flockshot]

The reason I ask this is because it seems that no matter what I do in my grows I get a P / K deficiency in veg.
The only thing I am coming up with is that when I feed, and when I water between feeds (additives go in between feeds), could my 40% runoff is flushing out the P/K from the feed and starving the plant?
Can you get too much runoff?

[Redwasp]

Is the PH correct on your water? And aim for 20% runoff

[DoctorJohnson]

Not what your asking, but your plant will be happier with a steady supply of fertilizer--giving everything it needs on a regular basis rather than cycling between things.
Even more not what you're asking, but IMHO you can skip "additives" (other than cal-mag if it is required). NPK + micros is all your plant needs.
And to your question: Yes, 40% runoff seems like way too much. Why are you doing that? I hope it's not out of fear of the "salt buildup" I have been reading about here lately, which is a non-problem if you're feeding right.
Lots of opinions there. Good luck.

[PRIMO]

Hey Flocker,watering to 40% runoff could almost be called flushing,I would try feed to good runoff, then water with cal-mag to saturation, but not to runoff. That's how I do mine.

[Flockshot]

Is the PH correct on your water? And aim for 20% runoff

My PH is 5.8 - 6.2 and my last runoff was at 6.2
Thank you for your opinion and I tend to agree with the 20% as being one of my problems.

[Flockshot]

Not what your asking, but your plant will be happier with a steady supply of fertilizer--giving everything it needs on a regular basis rather than cycling between things.
Even more not what you're asking, but IMHO you can skip "additives" (other than cal-mag if it is required). NPK + micros is all your plant needs.
And to your question: Yes, 40% runoff seems like way too much. Why are you doing that? I hope it's not out of fear of the "salt buildup" I have been reading about here lately, which is a non-problem if you're feeding right.
Lots of opinions there. Good luck.

Perhaps not what I was asking, but much appreciated. I have been concerned with salt buildup, but that is going away now.

[Flockshot]

Hey Flocker,watering to 40% runoff could almost be called flushing,I would try feed to good runoff, then water with cal-mag to saturation, but not to runoff. That's how I do mine.

I will take heed and reduce runoff.

[Campesino]

Are you in soil now or Coco?
Agree with DoctorJohnson about consistent feeding. Disagree about the utility of supplements, but regardless it is best if the water is consistent. However, if you do this you need to monitor EC/PPM. Do you monitor EC/PPM?
If you're in Coco I am going to rec my guide (see signature). But even if you're in soil, we can still talk EC/PPM and fertigation strategy.

[Flockshot]

I am in coco and I do monitor ppm . My ppm runs from 900 to 1050, and ph 5.8-6.2
I will check out your guide Campesino

[Campesino]

Do you know EC?
Those PPM numbers are pretty high, but it may be a conversion issue... EC is always the same so easier to discuss EC if your meter reads it.
Is that inflow? But you have been alternating with low PPM water, correct? Do you know run-off numbers?

[Flockshot]

EC 1.2-1.4 with maybe 1.1 with additives, but no real low EC or plain watering.
I have not done well with measuring runoff. I just check to see if it is dropping too low in PH.

[Campesino]

You can actually ignore run-off pH, but you shouldn't ignore run-off EC. Run-off EC is perhaps the most important information you can learn about your plants!

Those inflow EC numbers are fine. I'd suggest setting a target and then mixing nutes to achieve that target. It's good that your inflow EC is more or less consistent, but better to give the same solution each time.