FloraFlex - V2 Vegetative Part 2

V2 is the second half of FloraFlex's vegetative feed and brings the phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and sulphur that V1 does not have. FloraFlex's page carries something alongside it that almost no manufacturer publishes: a limit on the water you start from.

The EC of your source water, with a ceiling attached

For the V pair, FloraFlex specify that for the best result you should make sure the EC of your water sits between 0.2 and 0.3, and that it may range up to but must not exceed 0.7.

That is an unusually concrete figure. Most brands say "use clean water" and leave it there, when the difference between source water at 0.2 and at 0.7 decides how much room you have left before you have added any feed at all.

The reason is that an EC reading adds everything together. Whatever is already in your tap water counts exactly as much as what you put in, except that you can control the second and not the first. If your source water sits at 0.7, a large part of your total headroom is already taken by calcium, magnesium, sodium and bicarbonate you did not ask for, and you cannot swap those out for what you actually want to feed.

In the Netherlands this is not a theoretical matter. Tap water varies considerably by region, and in parts of the country hard water sits close to that 0.7. Measure it once before buying into a nutrient line. If you are above it, reverse osmosis or a blend with RO water is not a luxury but the condition under which this schedule holds.

What V2 brings

FloraFlex's guaranteed analysis: 6% total nitrogen, of which 4% nitrate and 2% ammoniacal; 17% phosphate as P2O5; 25% potash as K2O; 2% magnesium; and 6% sulphur. Derived from potassium nitrate, monopotassium phosphate and magnesium sulfate.

Convert those two oxide figures before comparing against another brand. P2O5 is 43.6% phosphorus and K2O is 83.0% potassium, so V2 supplies roughly 7.4% phosphorus and 20.8% potassium. Our own page used to say 17% phosphorus and 25% potassium; those were in the wrong form and have been corrected.

Set it beside V1 and the division of labour is obvious. V1 supplies the nitrogen and the calcium, V2 supplies the potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and sulphur. Between them they cover the six elements a plant needs most of during growth, and neither part does it alone.

In use

Add V2 once V1 has fully dissolved, throughout the vegetative stage. Check that the powder really is in solution and measure your EC before watering.

FloraFlex note that at lower dosages V1 and V2 can also serve as a base alongside other additives. They publish no fixed dose in grams as a single figure: it lives in their weekly schedules by programme, and that schedule is the source.

Available sizes

Technical Specifications:

• Type: water-soluble powder, part 2 of the two-part vegetative feed
• Manufacturer: FloraFlex
• Guaranteed analysis: 6% nitrogen (4% nitrate, 2% ammoniacal), P2O5 17%, K2O 25%, magnesium 2%, sulphur 6%
• Converted to elements: roughly 7.4% phosphorus and 20.8% potassium
• Derived from: potassium nitrate, monopotassium phosphate and magnesium sulfate
• EC of your source water: 0.2 to 0.3 ideal, 0.7 maximum
• Order: add once V1 has dissolved
• Period: the whole vegetative stage
• Dose: per FloraFlex's feeding schedule

Frequently asked questions

What if my tap water is above EC 0.7?
Then work with RO water or blend with it. FloraFlex name 0.7 as the upper limit and 0.2 to 0.3 as ideal.

Is 17% phosphorus a lot?
It is not 17% phosphorus but 17% P2O5, which works out at roughly 7.4% phosphorus.

What is the difference with V1?
V1 supplies nitrogen and calcium, V2 supplies potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and sulphur. You use them together.

In what order do I mix?
V1 first, and V2 only once V1 has fully dissolved.

Why is there no dose in grams?
Because FloraFlex publish none. They give weekly feeding schedules and a calculator.