SEMI HYDROPONICS NUTRIENTS AND PH

Follow me on IG: / minimalistcali
Business inquiries: [e-mail]
In this video, I mix nutrients for my plants in semi hydro and adjust the pH levels. I also repot my variegated monstera cutting into LECA
Semi hydro:
LECA (similar): amzn.to/2VmVo8F
General Hydroponics Nutrient Series: amzn.to/2VuKNbO
General Hydroponics pH testing kit: amzn.to/2VsRYBc
Syringes: amzn.to/2YDLEYH
Superthrive: amzn.to/2G46QAY
Favorite sustainable brands:
Mate the label: shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=163117...
20MINIMALISTCALI for 20% off
Organic Basics: organicbasics.pxf.io/ORBQrK
Equipment:
Camera: amzn.to/2UIzEXX
Ring Light: amzn.to/2LA8Pjj
Plant Phone Case: society6.com/minimalistcali/c...
Some are affiliate links that I make commission from but all opinions are my own.

[@IleneSpaink13]

All of your hydroponics videos are so amazing. You are a lifesaver ! You give real people advice instead of unrealistic routines etc. lol I love it !

[@LenaHo]

Practically every KZbinr directed me to your channel! Having no clue whatsoever before what testing PH was...and now I’m all pumped to give semi-hydro a go 🤞🏻

[@katabamibitch]

Holy crap! Those roots are insane! I'm so happy to finally see you try some semihydro with your albo! Looking forward to the progress!

[@minimalistcali]

haha I honestly just haven't with my albo because its in a large pot and I find converting large plants annoying. Thanks for watching!

[@alexhyde6768]

I love your channel! I live in a small apartment and it’s so inconvenient to store soil/perlite/bark/moss etc so I’m definitely going to try the hydroponics soon!!!!

[@sarimosher]

Great video! You explain things so well.

[@aviabad]

OMGAWD. You explained easily what is not so easily said on other videos regarding leca and nutrients that are used and how. ❤🌱❤🌱 Thank you

[@hmach888]

Looks good! Can you make an update video on your albo Monstera converted

[@yeahivekilledthat719]

Thanks for revisiting your process. I must have missed it in your previous vid about replenishing the nutrient with just plain water. But I may also just do the monthly plan like you described. Appreciate the info.

[@justinjamison7316]

Your videos are amazing and so informative. How did you get your variegated monsters cutting to root so much in a couple weeks? I’ve been propagating in normal water for 2 weeks and my roots are barely coming in!

[@Dwl7842]

Very informative! Do you have a video or explanation of what you use in your spray bottles that you spray the plants with during flush days? If you explained it, sorry, I must have missed it

[@barbll000]

You explain things so well. Some people are gifted instructors :) Thanks for this info. I've ordered Leca balls to start hydroponics with a few plants.

[@minimalistcali]

Barbara Lindberg thank you for the kind comment Barbara! Good luck 🍀

[@theresajustice2116]

Thank you, been very helpful with your knowledge!!

[@vaniasoraich4770]

Well I was going to ask a question then I saw she didn’t get back to a single one of her followers! Nice.

[@prideolea]

Awesome video. Thanks for updating it. 🌱🌱🌱

[@minimalistcali]

Thanks for watching Carlos!

[@PauZakArtist]

what a clever way to keep the pipettes/syringes dedicated to each bottle! well thought out! I'm stealing this idea.. :P

[@dkuj_greenthumbfamily3097]

Awesome!!! Thank you for this informational video!!! I'm taking notes

[@KamaileXo]

I just found your channel and I think it's great! I'm going to start converting some of myhouse plans to semi hydro, because I'm already growing orchids that way. Did you know that LECA actually raises the pH of your water? I had no idea until just recently. I have so many things to learn. I hope my brain can keep up. Lol

[@RealFIRSTONE]

Thanks for demonstrating as you explained the process; your video is excellent.

[@bonniesbestcreations6817]

Thanks so much. Can you explain why the 3 nutrients are needed especially for Hoyas.

[@lorenagonzalez7439]

Thanks for your new update!

[@minimalistcali]

lorena gonzalez thanks for watching Lorena!

[@missatran9564]

Hi! Your video helped me so much! Thank you!! Can i ask where you got your humidifier from? The one with the wooden base @<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="438">7:18</a>. I love it!!!

[@marierose5251]

thank you very much for this video. I start with this technique, your video helped me! Is it possible to make the mixture in advance and keep it? If so, do you have any indications for the storage time and the temperature to store the water once mixed? I only have two plants currently in semi hydroponics so I don't want to waste my mix. thank you in advance!

[@unchatmagnifique]

Great vid! What if you put common acidic material to bring pH down, like vinegar, citric acid, tartaric acid etc? Most bottled waters have a pH slightly above 7. Do you prefer bottled water over distilled?

[@aviabad]

Thanks for letting me know right away. I'm going to Playlist now. ❤️🌱❤️🌱❤️ SUBSCRIBED

[@Kris10Banci]

Hi! Love your vids, can you tell me how you know when it’s time to add more water? Sorry if that’s a silly question >.> is it when there’s no more water at all?

[@allisonolsen6669]

Very useful!! Thanks so much ☺️

[@kleakatrah206]

Thanks Cali!! I have just started semi hydroponics about 2 mo ago. I use more of a pons mix though, plus sometimes I add large or small leca depending on how thirsty a plant is naturally. What do you do if you have mass different plants that require different nutrient ratios? I have acquired a lot of very cool plants, some that can get very large; Monstera, Alocasia, Pothos, ZZ, Calathea , Dieffenbachia, Jade, huge Christmas cactus, Croton, Fiddle fig, DString of turtles, Stromanthe Triostar , and more 🤑. Almost all of them are in SH substrate. I just don't want to kill them. A few have had minor plant shock but other than that they look good. Do you buy different fertilizers for different plants or use your's as all purpose??

[@BlushedStudios]

You got me started doing semi-hydro just over a month ago and I just purchased my first albo monstera. I’ve heard they can be sensitive to watering and stuff so just wondering how your albo is doing in semi-hydro. Thank you!! ❤️

[@madamplant]

Great! Thank you!

[@SickBoiRENegade]

Binge watching these videos. Loooovvvveee!!💗🌿🌱🍃💗

[@plantingitreal]

I transferred some of my plants to LECa, mainly the ones that like to stay most, and I use cups not pots, mainly because I have a setup with my orchids in hydroponics and so far it’s working for them. I actually started a channel and want to upload one for fertilizing my plants in hydro. Have you considered using the floranova gro? That’s what I use. This system can get expensive and I didn’t know if I wanted to make that kind of investments if I wasn’t going to stick with it.

[@bootyandbrawns4338]

yay! thanks for giving me the confidence to try semi-hydro ! maybe... haha

[@minimalistcali]

Yes go for it!

[@aabg464]

Love love your video!!! I’m new to the leca world, and I followed the 4L jug of nutrient water bec it seemed easier to measure everything 😅 but if I have left iver nutrient water, do I just dump it? Or can I store it?? ( if i can, for how long can i store it?? ) I don’t want it to go to waste🙈 Would appreciate any answer y’all could give me! 💚💚💚

[@rfire25]

LECA is great, love this!

[@aviabad]

Thanks ❤🌱❤

[@MM-is9kh]

Okay so you water with nutrients every 2-4 weeks. Do you use the ph for every watering in between? I’m so glad I found your channel btw, I’m loving your videos 🥰

[@sunyue6691]

Hi I like your channel. May I ask a question: do you think propagate in water and leca is faster than other medium?

[@miriamm.8313]

Hello! New to your channel. Great content. Do you have issues with fungus gnats using this semi hydroponic method???

[@ChangingMe1]

How much are you putting of each nutrient now? Your dogs interruption was adorable!

[@pings_n_things]

Can you use a regular, water soluble fertilizer (i.e. Espoma Indoor 2-2-2) for semi hydro nutrient water? I've been searching for answers but haven't found anything conclusive. It would be great to try this method out with what I already have rather than investing in a whole separate nutrient setup.

[@karimatalarapon1766]

Thanks for the information can I use flra micro on it own with other hydroponic nutrients

[@josephdolan8340]

Hi there can you use the green solution on its own?

[@drewbarnes9243]

Will Fox Farm Grow Big be enough for my plants in semi hydro?

[@aviabad]

I am really glad that you mentioned topping off w water in between flushings/cleaning leca. I've watched more than a few leca videos. I'm probably wrong but I don't easily recall them mentioning water. If I hadn't heard it I would not think about it until after I murdered a plant and logic hit me. *duh* 😆 🤣😅 Thank you ❤️ 🌱❤️ 🌱❤️🌱 next video

[@ramzissolo8648]

Did you use the same nutrient concentration you shown , in propagating you Monstera?

[@wich1]

Hi Cali, am I right in thinking you use 0.5ml of each nutrient per liter of water?

[@jcms3861]

Great video! I've been thinking about converting most of my plants over. Have you experienced any types of plants that this does not work well for? Like ferns, succulent and cacti?

[@minimalistcali]

JC MS nope all the plants I’ve tried have worked in semi hydro. I’ve never owned a fern though

[@bekology101]

Is yellowing on the tip of leaves normal for semi hydro shock ? Alocasia - in perlite/stratum … do you think it’s cal/mag deficiency? I just put super thrive in there but it’s doesn’t contain cal/mag

[@marie-maudebrunet752]

Thank you so much for this video! I was wondering when do you give them nutrients? Each month? 2 months?

[@erikabeca852]

She talked about it at the end

[@jasvazquez2318]

Thank you for the update :) I always have a lot of nutrient water left over. Can that water be set aside and use every month or do we have to get rid of it? just curious as I think I am wasting my nutrients :(

[@erikabeca852]

It is not recomended to keep it in bottle for too long. Better make only the amount you need at one watering

[@paty432]

Can you use this product on soil???

[@khristiewelliott3869]

How do you know how many drops do you need to adjust ( ph up or ph down ) the ph of the water? That part still confusing me. Thank you in advance 😊

[@lilyelune]

Even though the nutrient solution is about 6, as soon as it comes in contact with leca it raises to 8 after a day, what can I do do fix this? Can I add ph up to the reservoir later or should I adjust it to like 5 before I use it? Or maybe soak the leca in it before using?

[@peony5120]

Have you triedmaryphl?

[@Greg-fk2up]

thank you for this video it was super helpful! I have a question tho..why only 2 drops of superthrive? i also use superthrive and i follow the directions on the bottle of one drop per cup..wouldnt that be more like 16 drops per gallon? just curious if there is a reason that you use it so sparingly..i dont want to overuse it if I have been! :)

[@dilldozar296]

Be careful superthrive contains triacontanol. It’s a toxic plant grown regulator (PGR). Your body will thank you for swapping to a non pgr alternative

[@jrene7162]

Sorry is it organic liquid?Thank you!

[@maggieborland]

Do you pH adjust the plain water you add back into the reservoir after the 1 week mark? Or do you just use standard water?

[@minimalistcali]

ideally pH adjusted which I used to do but now I just do standard water

[@TheVegasSoup]

Okay, one more video. Especially since Spring repots are coming soon. #SoupWasHere

[@wich1]

Could you show us your flushing process?

[@minimalistcali]

I have a video on it in my semi hydro playlist!

[@marysunshine389]

Do you add nutrients to your water when your propagating roots? Your Monstera is awesome......

[@subblonde3101]

no.

[@xaviertristan3858]

When adding regular water during the week do you have to get the pH roughly to what the nutrient water is or do you not bother with that? I hope that makes sense lol

[@Atomic32.451]

10:02 I think just regular water?

[@geoffreyivie9885]

In terms of that fertilizer, three bottles from Amazon. Is there one better than the others? I want to try it out first spending $12 rather than spending $40 right off the bat. My leca plants would all be indoor tropical, most common being philodendrons, pothos, peace lilies and eventually snake plants or peperomia? I am thinking the green bottle would be the best, what are your thoughts?

[@subblonde3101]

no, i dont think you can just use one. Try a different product like a fish fertilizer then.

[@AisforAwesomeAsh]

Do you correct the pH of the regular water that you use between the nutrient water refills? Is that recommended for tap water?

[@subblonde3101]

you dont need to for most plants. Certain plants are finnicky and you might want too. But usually dont worry about it.

[@carolk3703]

I’ve heard Leca helps reduce fungus gnats but doesn’t completely deter them. What’s your experience been?

[@minimalistcali]

Carol K I don’t have every single one of my plants in semi hydro so my plants in soil could be the culprit of the rare fungus gnat sightings in my house. I haven’t had any infestations but I see maybe a couple every now and then. I’ve also seen dead ones in my water reservoirs.

[@elysiavaldez5102]

is it ok to put super thrive into plants that have been transferred for a while?

[@dilldozar296]

No it’s not. Superthrive contains triacontanol it’s a plant growth regulator and is toxic to the human body. Skip superthrive it’s illegal in a lot of places due to toxins. Your body will thank you

[@loreliemorla2137]

~~hi. are the nutrient mixture only good for leca? can I use it in soil as well? thank you

[@subblonde3101]

only for hydroponics not soil.

[@connierose22]

Is it possible to use just a normal tap water if I still don’t have the nutrients solution?

[@subblonde3101]

yes for the beginning but you need to give your plants nutrients. Unless its Aloe then just water is better.

[@maloriegood5620]

I read that all 3 nutrients should be used separately and not together. Is this true? Does it really matter? I'm just getting started with LECA and very excited :D

[@curlyheadyaya9655]

It’s a year later lol but it’s important to put the floramicro first because that’s the base of the nutrients. Once that’s mixed in you can add which ever one you want next the order doesn’t matter but make sure the next two that you add, you add them separately. If you add them in all at once you’ll get something called nutrients lockout. You don’t want that trust me lol

[@subblonde3101]

no you can use them all together like she showed.

[@brittanymeyers5084]

Hi! How do you use your SuperThrive in this mix?

[@subblonde3101]

she showed it in the video, you mix it in the water with the rest of the nutrients.

[@143briannaleigh]

can i leave a gallon of premixed solution or do i have to use the whole gallon in one day?

[@bird124]

Did anyone find the answer to this?

[@143briannaleigh]

@@bird124 no but i ended up just using the mixture within a month and nothing had ever happened to my plants

[@onedays08]

what about using fish emulsion in leca?

[@subblonde3101]

try it!

[@sushimo7283]

When first using the water (without ph testing and nutrients) is it tap water or filtered water? Can it be tap water?

[@subblonde3101]

tap water is fine.

[@kalipatterson7362]

I've recently purchased leca and general hydroponics nutrients. I haven't been able to find super thrive in stores. In your opinion do you think it would be okay if I just start out with the general hydroponics nutrients or should I order some super thrive to start them out?

[@subblonde3101]

you dont need super thrive but it can help with root shock.

[@dilldozar296]

Superthrive contains the toxic plant growth regulator called triacontanol. Superthrive contains artificial hormones aswell making it banned in places. Just skip superthrive it’s not worth the damage. There’s plenty of other options out there hell if you want to stick with general hydro try their vegan flora tea. It’s free from PGR and won’t stink up the room with animal wastes. 💚

[@khughes7321]

Did you use distilled water or tap water before adding in the nutrients?

[@subblonde3101]

you can use tap water.

[@mckenzieporter4555]

So how often do you add nutrients water? Obviously when you first pot with leca, but then if you top off with regular water, when su you add more nutrients water?

[@ivyw4920]

at 9:56 she explains it. after 2 weeks she flushes all the water out and renews the nutrient water

[@subblonde3101]

2 weeks seems like a lot. it depends on the plant too......once a month seems better.

[@rxchkxddvsshole9315]

My question is what if my saucer isn’t deep enough? i’m using regular plant saucers but when I put the plant is since the reservoir is so shallow I just put the roots closer to the bottom . i’m not sure if this still works ? help?

[@erikabeca852]

You need to use cover pot withput drainage not a saucer as a reservoir. Or some very deep dish

[@subblonde3101]

just make sure the leca balls are went and you are fine. the roots absorb from the leca not from the water itself.

[@ardreasmith1180]

How long can extra unused hydro mix be stored? Fridge? Dark cool place?

[@coolyou-td8zn]

I got the same question as well.

[@subblonde3101]

dark cool place, just keep using it till its gone. just re test PH every time.

[@andrea-ti2bc]

The ph testing kit are so expensive! Is it really necessary? Can I skip this part?

[@juventino8181]

Can you use this solution on soiled plants ?

[@subblonde3101]

no.

[@cynthiastanford2974]

Can you use this nutrient mixture on plants in soil?

[@subblonde3101]

no.

[@wildsage1006]

Are the flower nutrients actually? Could you just do the other two?

[@subblonde3101]

pretty sure you need all three.

[@corinagarza5940]

Does “flushing” mean adding nutrient water?

[@subblonde3101]

no, it means just flushing with regular water. it flushes the salt minerals on the leca....youll see the white salt on the balls.

[@connierose22]

Are these solution ok to use direct to my soil?

[@subblonde3101]

no.

[@pomkee]

I have a question and I'm hoping you'll see this and be able to answer! After mixing up my gallon of nutrients, do I have to use it all right away? Or can I store it for use later? I'm just starting out with semi-hydroponics and I can't use a whole gallon of this mix at once, I maybe use 24oz of it haha. I have a gallon just sitting that I mixed up a couple weeks ago and I'm not sure if it's still good to use or not.

[@sabrinaboswell1704]

Hi there! I have been doing hydroponics for quite some time and had the same question when I started out. I personally keep mine and retest my ph before use. I’ve never had an issue with it! Hope this helps!

[@pomkee]

@@sabrinaboswell1704 thank you! Do you ever need to adjust it when you test it or is it usually okay? I don’t have anything to test mine with currently

[@sabrinaboswell1704]

@@pomkee Hi Chelsea! Sometimes it will need to be adjusted a little bit but very rarely! Typically it’s if I’ve done something weird testing a new fertilizer. It should keep for a really long time though!

[@EsIstDanger]

hey, could anybody tell me if I have to test the ph-level if im mixing the fertilizer with distilled water?

[@atomizer2665]

You will have to check the PH. Be aware that when using distilled or reverse osmosis water they contain no minerals. Most nutrients are formulated for tap water which contains some calcium and magnesium. I would mix some nutrient in distilled and see what the ph is like (likely too low) and then add samll amounts of tapwater to raise the PH. If you use PH up (potassium hydroxide) it will add potassium (K) but wont add any calcium or magnesium. Once you have figured out how much tapwater to add you can simply mix the correct ratio of tap/distilled, add the nutrient and the PH will be good. The mix of water will provide some calcium and magnesium and it will save you the cost of buying bottles of PH up.

[@afroexotique3541]

💝💝

[@tamarac283]

Do you use all the 1 gallon or do u save the leftover for next time?

[@subblonde3101]

you can save it for next time just re test PH.

[@lah_deza]

Are you able to use just super thrive to make a hydroponic nutrients water?

[@subblonde3101]

no

[@dilldozar296]

Superthrive contains the toxic triacontanol PGR. It’s a banned product in most places and shouldn’t be used to grow plants of any kind. Rather you eat them or not you’re exposing yourself to toxins. Be safe

[@tabithamichel3305]

Hah Sheesh, it seems so over whelming. I really want to do this though! So interesting.

[@migs0501]

do you always have to check the ph?

[@subblonde3101]

yeah you should.

[@vaniasoraich4770]

She said she only uses 2 ML of each…. Now is that because this monstera is just a cutting ??? Or does she use this amount on all of her plants ? Because that is less than half of what is recommended for general purpose- mild vegetative. So now I’m confused. Should specify why you use that much and if you use that same amount for all of your plants. People new to this generally don’t want to “experiment” and potentially kill their plant.

[@atomizer2665]

2ml per gallon will give you an EC of around 0.3 which is not very strong, but its better to start weak and increase vs starting too strong and killing the plant :) One size doesn`t fit all because everyone has a different environment, light intensity, humidity and temperature all play a part. The best idea is to feed weak to begin with and watch the plant for signs of under feeding. Increase the strength a little at a time and allow time for the change to have an effect before making another change.

[@jovialcupid9687]

they are not semi hydroponics nutrients, they were made for that

[@subblonde3101]

leca is semi hydropnoics, that is what she meant. not that the stuff is only "semi" made for it.

[@VinhPhan07]

those NUTRIENTS have toxic ??need mask or gloves or something ? thyanksss

[@subblonde3101]

just the PH up/down, not the nutrients.

[@dilldozar296]

Yes all bottled nutrients are fertilizers and gloves should be worn at all times. Anyone telling you otherwise hasn’t read the information out there on how to handle fertilizers. General hydro is the cleanest refined mineral fertilizer you’ll find however Superthrive itself is toxic to the human body due to a plant growth regulator and is banned in a lot of the world. Long story short always wear gloves when handling fertilizers. Your skin absorbs them 💚

[@stefanr00]

O my you are so cute miss