Solubility?

[Jacmac]

I am sure this is a question that has been asked before but I can’t find the answer.

Reading the Clone recipes why can’t they be replicated with the same dosage rates as the commercial fertiliser brands?

for example APT complete for 100 L is a daily dose of 3 ml for the commercial bottle but if you try to replicate this with dry salts the potassium required for a 500 ml bottle is at a level that would not be soluble

I don’t get it??? what tricks do the commercial fertiliser brands have to get mix more concentrated?

 

[Jacmac]

PS thanks so much for any help understand this. It’s a head scratcher for me and I hate not understanding things

 

[Hanuman]

Reading the Clone recipes why can’t they be replicated with the same dosage rates as the commercial fertiliser brands?

Because commercial products use strong acids or other substances to prevent interactions and mold formation from happening. They probably also use some preservatives. These products are also produced in much cleaner environments than our homes.
When DIYing we are only using mild acids like ascorbic acid or vinegar and potassium sorbate or Sodium Benzoate for preservatives. The chances that the mix goes bad are higher hence why tend to do clones that are less concentrate so that the last less.

for example APT complete for 100 L is a daily dose of 3 ml for the commercial bottle but if you try to replicate this with dry salts the potassium required for a 500 ml bottle is at a level that would not be soluble

Nope. That's because you used the same ratio of K2SO4 and KCL. If you increase the KCL ratio to say 1:3 or 1:4 you can hit K target without it being insoluble.

 

[Jacmac]

Because commercial products use strong acids or other substances to prevent interactions and mold formation from happening. They probably also use some preservatives. These products are also produced in much cleaner environments than our homes.
When DIYing we are only using mild acids like ascorbic acid or vinegar and potassium sorbate or Sodium Benzoate for preservatives. The chances that the mix goes bad are higher hence why tend to do clones that are less concentrate so that the last less.

Nope. That's because you used the same ratio of K2SO4 and KCL. If you increase the KCL ratio to say 1:3 or 1:4 you can hit K target without it being insoluble.

So if I use both potassium chloride and potassium sulfate I can make a more concentrated dose?

Thanks for explaining this to me

 

[Hanuman]

So if I use both potassium chloride and potassium sulfate I can make a more concentrated dose?

Thanks for explaining this to me

In principle yes. Keep in mind that we have no clue what the manufacturer is using as a source compound so what I have said above assumes APT is only using K2SO4 and KCL. You would also need to look at the "CoreSettings" in the calculator to adjust the Salt Solubility Limit. By default it's set at 75% for safety reasons. If you go all the way to 100% you should not see any solubility warning in the TargetCalculator.