HGV Condition - Level, 1 Gallon

Hot Topics

Q.) MY HGV is starting to look blue or green - is it usable?

A.) Yes, the color change is typically due to certain trace elements in HGV reacting to moisture, which can occur if the product is stored improperly or exposed to fluctuations in temperature and humidity. This discoloration is purely cosmetic and does not affect the chemical composition, integrity, or effectiveness of the product. To prevent potential clumping or caking, it is recommended to dissolve the nutrients in water as soon as possible.

Q.) What about nitrogen levels in HGV?

A.) More often than not, what is mistaken for nitrogen toxicity is actually a calcium deficiency, potassium toxicity, or overwatering. The most reliable way to confirm toxicity is through laboratory tissue analysis. Additionally, we can perform a nutrient analysis to ensure that nitrogen levels are within the appropriate range for plant needs.

Q.) Does HGV affect the terpene profiles or THC levels of my plants?

A.) HGV formulas are rich in sulfates, which have been shown to support enhanced terpene expression. While THC is primarily influenced by plant health and genetics, proper drying and curing remain critical for preserving terpene content post-harvest.

Q.) Will HGV turn my plants purple?

A.) The purple coloration in plants is typically due to genetics or nutrient deficiencies. Anthocyanins, the compounds responsible for the vibrant purple hues in certain cannabis strains, are the primary cause of this coloration. A phosphorus deficiency can also result in purpling, but this differs from the coloration caused by anthocyanins. Factors such as reduced phosphorus levels in the nutrient solution and exposure to cold temperatures can contribute to a phosphorus deficiency.

Q.) Will HGV affect the maturation time of my plants?

A.) No, the maturation time of healthy plants is determined solely by their genetics. While unhealthy plants may mature earlier due to stress, proper nutrition does not impact the natural maturation timeline.

Q.) What is the difference between Calcium Nitrate and Calcium Chloride?

A.) Calcium Nitrate contains 15.5% nitrogen and 19% calcium, while Calcium Chloride contains 27% calcium and 66% chloride. Replacing 10% of Calcium Nitrate with Calcium Chloride in your nutrient solution reduces nitrogen by 17 ppm and adds 74 ppm chloride. This minimal reduction in nitrogen offers no significant benefit and can increase chloride levels unnecessarily. Replacing all Calcium Nitrate with Calcium Chloride eliminates nitrogen from the solution and raises chloride levels to 530 ppm, which can be harmful to plants.

Q.) Are there different feeding charts for light types (HPS vs. LED) or media types (soil, coco, rockwool, DWC, aero)?

A.) Starting with an EC of 3.0 is generally a safe approach. Growers should monitor their results and adjust as needed, taking into account factors such as media, pot size, environment, and genetics.

Q.) Should I shake the bag before use?

A.) Yes, shaking the bag is recommended. During transportation, the materials in HGV nutrients may settle, causing larger particles to rise to the surface while finer materials sink. Shaking the bag ensures even distribution of all particles. Alternatively, dissolving the entire bag into a liquid concentrate will create a homogeneous blend. For added convenience, especially when measuring in grams per gallon, you can place the nutrients in a 5-gallon bucket with a lid and shake or roll it around to help fully homogenize the salts.

Additives

Q.) Can I use mycorrhizae or other root inoculants with HGV nutrients?

A.) Yes. Utilizing products that promote a healthy root system can be beneficial. A strong, healthy root system is key to yield and quality.

Q.) Do I need to use cal-mag with HGV nutrients?

A.) No, HGV products provide sufficient calcium and magnesium to support healthy growth throughout all phases. Whether using RO, well, or municipal water, proper feeding with HGV nutrients effectively prevents calcium or magnesium deficiencies.

Q.) Do I need silica, boosters, additives, or finishers with the HGV program?

A.) Extensive testing of additives has demonstrated that unless they directly enhance yield, potency, or terpene production, the additional expense may not be justified. Growers are encouraged to conduct side-by-side tests to assess the effectiveness of any additives. Many have found success in reducing costs by eliminating unnecessary products.

Q.) Are products like Hypochlorous Acid and Potassium Silicate necessary?

A.) It depends on the intended use. Hypochlorous acid is a cost-effective option for maintaining clean irrigation lines and reducing biofilm buildup. Potassium silicate can serve as a mild pH adjuster while providing silicon to the plant. For maximum bioavailability, monosilicic or orthosilicic acid forms are preferred — though these are best applied as a foliar spray.

Q.) Are bio stimulants recommended (kelp, fulvic/humic acids, aminos)?

A.) Bio stimulants are not necessary when growing in rockwool or coco. However, if growing in reused or poor-quality soil, you may see some benefits from these products.

Product Storage

Q.) How long do HGV fertilizers last?

A.) HGV water-soluble fertilizers do not have an expiration date. Once mixed into liquid concentrates, they can last for several months if stored properly and if clean water is used with sanitized surfaces. Since maintaining consistent cleanliness can be challenging, it's generally recommended to prepare enough liquid concentrate to last for one to two months, then thoroughly clean the tanks and repeat the process.

Q.) What is the best way to store HGV fertilizers?

A.) HGV fertilizers should be stored in a cool, dry place to prevent clumping or caking. As dry water-soluble fertilizers are hygroscopic, they naturally absorb moisture over time, which can lead to caking if exposed to high humidity or extreme temperatures. To maintain the flowability of HGV fertilizers, avoid storing them in environments with excessive heat, cold, or humidity. HGV fertilizers are produced in a sealed, climate-controlled facility to ensure they remain intact and free from caking. However, once the product leaves our facility, improper storage can lead to caking. For optimal results, it’s recommended to store the fertilizers in a dedicated, climate-controlled area to prevent this issue.

Q.) Is caked or clumpy product defective?

A.) No, caked or clumpy product is not defective and will perform the same as non-clumped product. The chemical composition of our fertilizers remains unchanged, even if moisture has been absorbed or mineral salts have adhered to each other. Caked or clumpy fertilizers do not affect performance. The clumping typically occurs when the product is stored in a hot or humid environment. To prevent waste, it's best to dissolve the entire 25lb bag of clumpy product in water, ensuring all of the fertilizer is used at once.

Q.) What's the best way to use caked or clumpy product?

A.) To use caked or clumpy product, begin by breaking it up into smaller chunks if necessary. Prepare some hot water, as the hotter the water, the faster the fertilizer will dissolve. Slowly add the broken-up chunks of fertilizer to the hot water. For faster dissolution, use a paint mixer head attached to a power drill or a similar tool to agitate the solution. Continue to mix until the solution is homogeneous, clear, and free from any undissolved bits of mineral salts.

Water

Q.) The importance of understanding your water via water testing.

A.) Investing in water testing is one of the most valuable steps you can take for your grow operation. It’s essential to understand the quality and composition of your water before designing or retrofitting your facility. We highly recommend contacting your sales representative to obtain a water test kit and then submitting the results for our expert interpretation before making any decisions regarding filtration. Knowing exactly what is in your water is crucial to optimizing your operation’s efficiency and ensuring you make informed decisions. Reach out to your HGV rep to learn more!

Q.) Do I need RO water?

A.) Reverse Osmosis (RO) water is only necessary if your source water contains high levels of heavy metals or excessive chloride. It’s always best to conduct a comprehensive water analysis to determine the appropriate filtration requirements, if any. Additionally, a water analysis can help assess whether the use of a blending valve could add value to your operation. Some water sources may contain sufficient levels of calcium, which can help reduce input costs. Please reach out to us for assistance in conducting and interpreting your water samples to ensure the best possible solution for your grow facility.

Q.) I am attempting to grow with very hard or very soft/reverse osmosis water. Should I take any special precautions or considerations?

A.) When working with very hard or alkaline water, it's important to note that such water tends to have a high pH and contains elevated levels of calcium, magnesium, and sometimes chloride and sodium. We recommend conducting an irrigation water suitability test through a certified agricultural laboratory. Our technical team can assist in reviewing the results and making any necessary adjustments to your nutrient system. Typically, an acid will be needed to neutralize excess alkalinity and lower the solution's pH to a more suitable level. For growers using very soft or reverse osmosis (RO) water, controlling the irrigation solution pH and substrate pH can become more challenging. This is because soft waters lack the natural buffers that help regulate pH. As a result, it may require more diligent monitoring over time to prevent pH drift. In some cases, adding base solutions to the nutrient mix may be necessary to adjust and stabilize the pH. In both scenarios, proper testing and careful monitoring are essential for ensuring optimal growth conditions for your plants.

Q.) Should I use an Ozone Generator?

A.) Ozone water treatment utilizes ozone's oxidative properties to reduce contaminants in water. As an oxidant, ozone reacts with other substances by accepting their electrons. For example, when iron is oxidized, it becomes rust. In the water treatment process, ozone is generated and injected into the water, where it begins to oxidize and eliminate contaminants such as bacteria, viruses, and metals. While ozone is effective at eliminating contaminants, it also oxidizes essential trace elements like iron, manganese, copper, and zinc into solid particles. These particles can be filtered out by mechanical filtration, but this process can lead to clogged filters. More importantly, when these trace elements are removed from the solution, they are no longer available to your plants. This results in severe nutrient deficiencies, which can ultimately harm or kill your plants. Due to these potential issues, we do not recommend using any type of oxidizer—whether ozone generation, chlorine dioxide, Zerotol, or similar substances—in your water treatment process. If any of these are already in use, it is crucial to ensure proper dosing is in place to reduce the risk of oxidation.

General

Q.) What is the difference between dry and liquid nutrients?

A.) The key difference with HGV fertilizers is ease of use. Unlike many fertilizer companies that separate elements into multiple bottles, often requiring complex mixing processes, HGV simplifies the process for our customers. We use a standard 2.5lb/gal concentration and bottle the fertilizers at a price slightly higher than the prorated cost of a bag. For those who may be concerned about creating stock or concentrate solutions, we’ve already done the work for you. By converting our bagged formula into a ready-to-use concentrate, we remove the complexity of mixing, providing a more efficient and streamlined approach to nutrient management?

Q.) Are HGV fertilizers compatible with all types of growing mixes or hydroponic cultivation methods? What about growers using potting soils or growing in the field?

A.) Yes, HGV fertilizers are compatible with a wide range of growing mixes and hydroponic cultivation methods. Our nutrients have been extensively tested and proven effective in commonly used soilless media, including coco coir, stone wool (rockwool), peat-based mixes, and hydroponic liquid systems. For growers utilizing potting soils or cultivating in the field, we recommend conducting a soil test prior to application. This ensures that the nutrient needs of the crops are accurately met and any necessary adjustments can be made. For any further questions or assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our technical support team.

Q.) What about heavy metals in your product?

A.) The presence of heavy metals in fertilizers is a topic that often generates considerable debate, and it is one we approach with transparency and clarity. It is important to understand that every nutrient line that is licensed and registered for sale in each state undergoes rigorous laboratory testing to ensure compliance with federal standards for heavy metal content. These results are public information and can be accessed through your state’s Department of Agriculture. We strongly encourage growers to review the testing data for the nutrient products they are using to verify compliance with these standards. Marketing terms such as "pharmaceutical grade" or "technical grade" may sound impressive, but they do not affect the actual heavy metal content, which is measured in parts per billion (ppb) and regulated to ensure safety. If you would like to further discuss this topic or have any questions, please feel free to reach out to our technical advisors. We are always happy to engage in a detailed discussion about the science behind growing and nutrient safety.

Q.) Fertilizer injector suction tube length.

A.) When using injectors such as Dosatron, Mix-Rite, Anderson, or any other brand with a pickup/suction tube submerged in the concentrate tank, it is crucial to adhere to the manufacturer’s recommendations regarding tube length and placement. For example, Dosatron specifically advises: “IMPORTANT! – Do not place the suction tube strainer directly at the bottom of the stock solution container. The strainer must be suspended at least 4” (10cm) above the bottom of the tank to prevent the intake of insoluble particles that could damage the injection assembly. (See Figure 2). Do not place the strainer on the ground.” While the 4-inch height is a general guideline, the optimal height may vary depending on the size and shape of your concentrate tank. It is essential to ensure proper positioning of the suction tube to maintain optimal injector performance and prevent potential damage.

Q.) CO2.

A.) Supplemental CO2 is crucial for maximizing plant growth in sealed indoor environments. However, finding the optimal CO2 level is key. How much is sufficient? How much is excessive? How much is inadequate? The only accurate way to determine this is through trial, monitoring, and adjusting based on the specific conditions of each growing environment. It is common for growers to increase CO2 levels excessively, assuming that doubling the concentration, from 1000 ppm to 2000 ppm, will result in double the benefit. However, plants have a limited capacity to process and metabolize CO2 each day. Any excess CO2 that is not utilized during the light cycle is expelled by the plants during the dark cycle. Additionally, it's important to note that a plant's absorption rate of CO2 significantly decreases when temperatures drop below 75°F, further limiting CO2 uptake efficiency. If you're seeing elevated CO2 levels during the night, consider adjusting your CO2 levels during the lights-on period. Reducing CO2 enrichment earlier in the day, ensuring levels return to atmospheric concentrations (400-600 ppm) before the lights turn off, can reduce waste and improve efficiency. In an ideal setup, you should only provide enough CO2 during the light cycle that the plants can fully utilize. This approach minimizes CO2 waste while ensuring optimal plant growth conditions. Always remember, we are here to assist you! We take great pride in offering exceptional customer support and are more than happy to help with any growing questions or concerns you may have. Don’t hesitate to reach out—your success is our priority!