MG Tomato Fertilizer

[mikemc]

I am new to AG tomato and pepper growing and curious to know if anyone has tried MG Tomato fertilizer. I am thinking of alternating it in between the AG liquid nutes.

[Sher]

I did a quick search for MG tomato fertilizer and couldn't find it. Is it a brand name, or just a magnesium supplement?

If it is the latter, I can recommend using Calmag instead. It adds extra calcium ( to prevent blossom end rot),  magnesium and iron. I use it on mine. A lot of people find the Aerogarden nutrients alone produce healthy, tasty tomatoes.

If it is a brand name, is it for hydroponics or soil? What is the NPK (the 3 numbers) on the label? Does it contain micronutrients?

If you are new, it might be better to stick to what others use for a while. Then you can experiment with other nutrients. 

 

[mikemc]

Thank you, Sher. I am referring to Miracle Grow Tomato fertilizer with micronutrients, 18-18-21. I have a box that I use for flowering houseplants and orchids. It does wonders with them. For soil based plantsvthey recommend 1 Tbsp/gallon every 2 weeks. That I think would be overkill. For potted plants I fertilize "weakly weekly" @ 1/4 tsp/gallon.

That being said , I'll follow your advice and stick to the AG nutrients and maybe experiment down the road. I just picked up an Aerogarden 6, 7 pod unit second hand and will have more room to grow and play.

[Shawn]

I have NO IDEA on other products as I only use AG nutes with a calcium supplement.  However I did find this article and it may or may not be helpful.  Again let me say I have no idea about the site or if what they say holds true.

With that said here is the site:  "Can You Use Miracle Gro in Hydroponics" article

[Sher]

I think that's a wise decision, mikemc .

The nitrogen in soil fertilizer works by being broken down in the soil so it is available to the plant. This does not happen in hydroponics.

I have seen people on Youtube experiment using it for hydroponics, but unless you just want to experiment, I would stick to hydro nutrients.

One of our former members used to add a tiny pinch of Miracle Grow Bloom to Aerogarden nutrients on her flower projects with good success.

[campingcorgis]

The one thing I would not do is "alternate".  I like to choose a product and stick with it for the duration of the grow.  But, maybe that's just me.

[mikemc]

Thank you, everyone for your points and suggestions. Also, Shawn, that artical was very informative. There are definitely microganisms in potting mixes that make nutrients more bio available to the plants that water wouldn't do alone. That's why fermented foods are so good for us too to get our nutrition. I am definitely going to look at getting that calcium tonic in case I need it.

Thanks again - I am so lucky to have found such an amazing group of people!

[lynnee]

Apr 11, 2022 9:39:14 GMT -5 Shawn said:

I have NO IDEA on other products as I only use AG nutes with a calcium supplement.  However I did find this article and it may or may not be helpful.  Again let me say I have no idea about the site or if what they say holds true.

With that said here is the site:  "Can You Use Miracle Gro in Hydroponics" article

That's an excellent article, Shawn!

[Shawn]

Apr 11, 2022 13:39:56 GMT -5 mikemc said:

Thank you, everyone for your points and suggestions. Also, Shawn, that artical was very informative. There are definitely microganisms in potting mixes that make nutrients more bio available to the plants that water wouldn't do alone. That's why fermented foods are so good for us too to get our nutrition. I am definitely going to look at getting that calcium tonic in case I need it.

Thanks again - I am so lucky to have found such an amazing group of people!

We are happy to have you here with us!

[Shawn]

Thanks lynnee, I try

[belugaleuca]

I've been using Miracle Grow (generic formula) for Aerogarden and it has been working reasonably when I also add CaliMagic (Calcium Magnesium and Iron).

I looked up the MG tomato formula on amazon and it does have Magnesium and Iron but no calcium.

Depending of your water, if you dont have calcium then it would be probably necessary to add a CalMag supplement. Previously when I tried Miracle Grow on its own, I had deformed new leaves (particularly in basil) characteristic of Calcium deficiency. As soon as the Cal Mag was added the problem goes away. This happens for my houseplants too.

[airscapes]

For those who may be wondering and have not googled it, the reason you do not see calcium and magnesium mixed in most liquid or powdered fertilizers that are concentrated, is they will become calcium sulfate, which can not be absorbed by the plants.    Since I use both calcium nitrate and magnesium sulfate in my tomato mix, I tired it just to see.  Mixing one tsp of each in about a qt of water created a gob or white calcium sulfate in the bottom of the container within a short time.. 

[Sher]

My hard water does that naturally  airscapes. It also coats my cooking pots with a layer of white.

li think that is why I have to add Calmag, even though my water is loaded with calcium.

I used to use a 3 part fertilizer. You mixed Masterblend, epsom salt (magnesium sulfare) and calcium nitrate. You had to be very careful to add the Masterblend to water, shake well, then add the magnesium sulfate and shake well, then finally add the calcium nitrate and shake like the dickens. It had a short storage life. You also had to change the reservoir frequently.

That's also why many fertilizers have a Part A and a Part B.  The calcium nitrate must be kept separate.

Thanks for pointing that out! 

[lynnee]

airscapes and Sher, I really appreciate the explanations of why calcium and magnesium need to be added separately from basic concentrated fertilizers.