How to Use the NEWTS Range for Bountiful Frosty Harvests

The Science Behind NEWTS

The NEWTS range, which was developed from years of hands-on experience and the latest peer-reviewed science on cannabis fertilisation, comes in a 4-Part series. Two parts cater to the Vegetative growth phase (Veg A and Veg B), and two parts serve the Flowering growth stage (Flower A and Flower B).

So, what is the rationale behind formulating a 4-part series when most nutrients come as a three-part solution? The answer lies in simplicity, accuracy, and scalability. A three-part or two-part range can often lead to one part running out before the others are finished, requiring odd quantities and additional shipping costs. With NEWTS, using equal ratios of each product simplifies the mixing process, eliminating the need for a calculator.

An added benefit of our formulas is that training staff at large facilities on nutrient mixing becomes effortless because of our ratios. A 4-part range allows precise dialling in of nutrient ratios during formulation and field trials to meet the plants' exact needs at specific growth stages. Unlike three or two-part solutions, where compromises are inevitable, NEWTS ensures accuracy in delivering essential macro and micronutrients.

Strain-Specific Considerations

NEWTS exclusively utilises the highest, cleanest grade minerals. This strategic choice ensures the exclusion of unnecessary elements such as chloride, sodium, urea, or ammonia. NEWTS also delivers significantly high mineral dosages without causing visible burn signs in the plants.

A common practice among growers is to feed plants until they exhibit a slight burn, using it as an indicator to lower the dosage. However, this strategy, effective for other brands containing additional sodium, ammonia, and chlorides, is ill-advised for NEWTS. Our products are so clean that encountering nutrient lockouts and nutrient toxicities (overdose) is much more probable long before the plant exhibits severe signs of burning. When initially using NEWTS, it is important to adhere to the recommended dosages provided on the back of the bottle.

Recognising the uniqueness of each strain and phenotype is paramount. Autoflowers and true Sativa-dominant strains typically demand a lighter feed, while Indica-leaning strains, predominant in indoor cultivation, often tolerate and thrive with higher nutrient dosages. Notably, strains originating from North American breeders, like in-house genetics, Jungle boys, and Ethos genetics, tend to be heavier feeders compared to their European counterparts, such as the classic cheese and haze strains. This discrepancy may stem from the practice of US breeders' pheno-hunting and breeding top genetics while subjecting them to robust feeding regimes. Consequently, the selected phenotypes for breeding naturally thrive or withstand heavier feeding.

Feeding Your Plants with Precision and Care

Navigating this diversity prompts the question of how much to feed. The answer is straightforward: adhere to recommended dosages, especially when dealing with unfamiliar strains, and hone the skill of "reading your plants." Commencing in early veg with equal parts veg A and B at 0.8-1ml each per litre of water, gradually increase the dosage as the plant progresses, reaching approximately 2ml/litre of water. Seedlings, in particular, only need feeding once their first set of serrated leaves has slightly expanded, and even then, only in minimal quantities due to their delicate and young nature. On the other hand, clones should receive nutrients from the moment they are transplanted.

Controlled Variables for Success

Achieving optimal plant nutrition is dependent on managing three key factors within your control:

1. Electroconductivity (EC):Electroconductivity (EC) measures how much electricity your feeding solution can conduct. It is an accurate way of measuring the strength of your nutrient water solution.Acquiring an EC testing pen is highly recommended and readily available online or at any walk-in hydro store. EC is quantified in milli-siemens per centimetre (mS/cm) or micro-siemens per centimetre (µS/cm), with both measurements representing the same value (1300µS/cm is equivalent to 1.3mS/cm). While some pens measure in ppm (parts per million), a unit derived from EC, it's advisable to opt for EC pens over ppm-pens due to variations in scales among manufacturers. 

2. pH of your solution: The pH level indicates the acidity or alkalinity of a substance, and it is a critical factor in your nutrient solution. Cannabis can thrive within a pH range of 5.5 - 6.5. However, we suggest maintaining a pH of 5.7 - 5.8 for hydroponic setups and a pH of 6 for coco-perlite and soil. Control the pH using pH up and pH down solutions, readily accessible at hydro stores. You can verify the pH level with a pH pen, available online or at hydro stores.

3. Frequency of watering and feeding:The timing of watering and feeding significantly influences your success. In hydroponics, plants receive a continuous supply of nutrients and water. For coco-perlite, it's recommended to feed at least once a day, whereas soil mixes should be allowed to slightly dry out to prevent overwatering. A practical rule of thumb is to insert your finger into the soil; if it's dry to your first knuckle, it's time to water again. This tailored approach ensures the specific needs of each growing medium are met.

Medium-Specific Guidelines

Coco-Perlite Watering and Feeding: 

While coco-perlite may resemble soil, it functions as a relatively inert medium and should be treated accordingly. For clones and seedlings finding their footing, allow a slight drying between waterings (not bone dry) and then administer thorough watering to achieve a 10 - 15% runoff (if 100ml is added, aim for at least 10 - 15ml drainage from the pot). Once plants are established and actively growing in coco-perlite, daily watering is recommended. During the vegetative phase, maintain an EC of 1.5 and a pH of 6.0. Transitioning to the flowering stage, adjust the EC to 1.8 - 2.0, peaking at 2.4 EC in mid-to-late flower before gradually tapering down to clean water at the end. Regular monitoring of runoff EC is essential. If the EC is 0.4 mS/cm higher than the solution, it indicates that plants are utilising more water than nutrients. Remedies include one or two feeds of clean water to flush excess or, preferably, more frequent watering at a lower EC per day (this medium can be fed up to 8 times per day once rooted out). Alternatively, adjust the feeding EC until the runoff is within the desired range.

Although watering to 15% runoff may seem wasteful, consider collecting the runoff for fertilising your vegetable patch, lawn, or other plants. If runoff EC is high, dilute it with clean water before using it on other plants. One of our customers even stopped irrigating his lawn as he used the runoff from his cannabis plants to maintain the lawn.

A note on coco coir and Cal-Mag - NEWTS already includes a significant amount of Cal-Mag, eliminating the necessity for extra supplementation, even in coco coir. This remains true when your coco coir is properly washed and buffered. However, many coco coir brands may not undergo thorough washing or buffering. If you're unsure about the status of your coco-perlite mix, it's advisable to err on the side of caution and incorporate additional Cal-Mag during the initial 2 to 3 weeks. Afterwards, once the coco coir is buffered, NEWTS will fulfil all your nutrient requirements.

Soil and Soil Blends Watering and Feeding: 

The variety of soil blends reflects the diversity among soil growers, but we can broadly categorise soil into the following:

Growing in the Ground: Cultivating your plant directly in the ground holds the potential for substantial yields - this is dependent on having nutrient-rich soil. While cannabis can thrive in almost any soil type, achieving high-quality results with modern strains requires incorporating a significant amount of compost and organic material to a depth of about 30cm. These plants can be watered every other day to every third day with substantial amounts of water. During the vegetative phase, adhere to the standard veg EC (around 1.5 mS/cm), and in the flowering stage, consider an increase to about 1.8 mS/cm.

Lightly Amended Soil Mixes: The majority of commercially available soil mixes fall into this category. Simply follow the feeding chart on the bottle, but unlike coco-perlite, the soil should be allowed to dry out between waterings. The plant should never droop, but the top layer of soil should dry to the depth of your first knuckle. Large plants in the soil may require daily watering. Similar to growing in the ground, it's advisable to provide your plant with plain water every third or fourth watering, allowing the soil to retain some nutrients and release them when plain water is supplied.

Heavily Amended Soil Mixes (Supersoil): Originally conceived by the legendary grower and breeder Subcool, the idea behind supersoil was to require only water and no additional nutrients. However, most, if not all, supersoil available on the market necessitates supplemental feeding. If the soil is rich in guano, bone meal, worm castings, etc., feed NEWTS at ¼ strength of the recommended dosage on the bottle at pH 6 for the first two weeks. Subsequently, continue with half-strength Veg A and Veg B throughout the vegetative phase. In the flowering period, a half-strength regimen can be maintained if the soil is genuinely heavily amended, although adhering to the recommended NEWTS amounts on the bottle is often more effective based on experience.

Important Note on Using NEWTS in Soil: NEWTS is non-toxic, and none of its ingredients are classified as dangerous, corrosive, or harmful to insects, including bees and micro-organisms. Unlike some mineral fertilisers with unnecessary fillers and cheap nitrogen sources, normal dosages of NEWTS do not harm the vast microbiomes and mycorrhizae present in the soil. NEWTS is bio-available straight from the bottle, eliminating the need for a microbiome, as required by some other nutrients.

If you wish to enhance your microbes, especially when specific microbes like Trichoderma Asperellum or mycorrhizal inoculants have been added for disease prevention or suppression, you can introduce a tablespoon of unsulphured blackstrap molasses per 10 litres of water once or twice per week throughout your grow to nourish the microbial life. However, if your soil already incorporates abundant organic materials such as compost or worm castings, there's no necessity to add molasses.

Hydroponics: 

Although modern hydroponics emerged in the late 1930s, historical evidence suggests that ancient civilisations like the Egyptians and Babylonians practised some form of hydroponics. Mainstream historians acknowledge that humans have been cultivating plants without soil for at least approximately 2600 years.

Hydroponic systems are truly remarkable. It's not uncommon for plants to experience rapid daily growth, and indoor growers often achieve double or even triple their usual yields in a significantly shorter time. However, despite these advantages, there's a reason why only a few commercial hydroponic farms exist. While hydroponics offers impressive yields, it is labour-intensive, and when issues arise, they can escalate quickly.

Fortunately, integrating NEWTS into hydroponic systems significantly simplifies the feeding process. Some of our customers have successfully utilised NEWTS to cultivate various crops, from cannabis to tomatoes and leafy greens, with astonishing results. We've invested substantial time and resources to develop a nutrient solution that maintains pH stability, employing multiple chelators to ensure the availability of even the smallest microminerals as long as the pH is controlled.

Feeding NEWTS in hydroponic systems is straightforward. You have a reservoir containing water, and NEWTS is added based on the correct EC specified on the back of the NEWTS bottles corresponding to the growth period. Adjust the water's pH to 5.7/5.8. As the plant absorbs water and transpires, the reservoir water level decreases, leading to pH and EC changes. Simply top up the reservoir and adjust the EC and pH accordingly. For optimal results, periodically drain the entire system every few days to weeks (depending on the system) and replenish it with fresh water and nutrients. If the water level remains constant, it's an indication that your pH or EC needs adjustment, as the plants are unable to take up the water.

Plants release hydroxides and other substances from their roots, absorbing nutrients at varying rates as needed. Although your EC may seem accurate after multiple top-ups, the plants might have consumed most of a particular nutrient, creating an imbalance. Therefore, regular cleaning and refilling of the reservoir are essential to ensure mineral ratios stay balanced.

It's worth noting that not all hydroponic systems are suitable for cannabis. For instance, the Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) is often problematic for cannabis due to root clogging and plant support issues. Aeroponic systems, while effective for cloning, present challenges for growing large plants. On the other hand, Ebb and Flow (flood and drain) tables can work well, particularly in a Sea of Green (SOG) setup with closely spaced plants and netting. However, the true champions of hydroponics systems for growing cannabis are the Deep Water Culture (DWC) systems and the Hempy/Dutch Bucket systems.

NEWTS Supplements

NEWTS Maintain

This product is simple yet plays a very important role. Tailored for hydroponic cultivators, aeroponic growers, and those utilising reservoirs and irrigation systems, Maintain features a chlorine molecule bound to a Hydrogen and Oxygen Molecule, known as HOCL. Recognised as a safe form of chlorine for plants, humans, and animals, HOCL was even used to fog offices and schools during the COVID-19 pandemic due to its safety. This product effectively descales and maintains cleaner reservoirs and pipes for extended periods. A minimal dose is sufficient to enable the higher-temperature operation of aeroponic growers, fostering rapid root development in just days. During warmer seasons, a simple addition of 1ml per litre of reservoir water every other day ensures optimal performance. For hotter-running growers or hydro systems, a daily dosage of 1ml per litre of reservoir water is recommended. Regular use at 1ml per litre daily in reservoirs keeps them clean for months. Remarkably, Maintain stands out as one of the few substances guaranteed to combat the notorious HLVD (Hops latent viroid disease). To prevent disease spread, dipping tools in undiluted Maintain before moving to the next plant is advisable. Not recommended for use in soil, as it may impact the microbiome.

Newts Boost

Newts Flower B already incorporates a built-in bloom enhancer and substantial amounts of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). Despite claims from a study suggesting cannabis may not require extensive phosphorus, given the study's limitations (only 4 plants), certain strains exhibit a persistent need for more. Enhance your Flower A and Flower B mix by adding 2ml per litre of Boost to provide extra P, K, chelated iron, and ionic sulphur. This unique combination empowers growers to maximize PK without triggering nutrient lockouts.

Choose the NEWTS Range to Achieve Your Dream Harvest

As we bring this guide to a close, we trust it has proven to be a valuable reservoir of information. The NEWTS Range transcends the realm of mere plant nutrients; it embodies years of hands-on expertise, scientific inquiry, and an unwavering commitment to delivering top-tier quality to your plants.

Bear in mind that the cornerstone of success lies in consistency. Adhering to the recommended dosages, coupled with a profound understanding of your plant's unique requirements, lays the groundwork for extraordinary yields. Whether your cultivation journey unfolds in soil, coco-perlite, or hydroponic systems, The NEWTS Range emerges as a streamlined and potent solution. Embrace the inherent simplicity, precision, and scalability encapsulated in our 4-Part series, and may your harvests mirror the frostiness and abundance that mirror your dedication to the art of cultivation. Happy growing with NEWTS!

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