Bio Tabs Feeding Chart | Usage Guide
- 1. Main products
- 1. a. Bactrex
- 1. b. Mycotrex
- 1. c. Biotabs
- 1. d. Orgatrex
- 1. e. Startrex
- 2. Supplements
- 2. a. Boom boom spray
- 2. b. Silicium flash
- 2. c. Bio pk 8-5
- 2. d. Guerrilla juice
- 2. e. Pk booster compost tea
- 3. Biotabs feeding step-by-step
- 3. a. Soil preparation
- 3. b. Feeding schedule for photoperiodic plants
- 4. Biotabs feeding guide for autoflowers
- 5. Recycling the substrate
- 6. Nutrients and cannabis - a quick guide for beginners
- 6. a. Macronutrients
- 6. b. Secondary macros
- 6. c. Micronutrients
- 7. In conclusion
BioTabs is a well-known Dutch company, responsible for producing organic fertilizers and soil conditioners. They have over 35 years of experience in plant cultivation and for the last 10 years have been researching how organically growing cannabis seeds can result in better harvests and a stronger smell and taste, resulting in an overall better harvest. So read along if you’re looking for one of the simplest ways to grow organically and how to use BioTabs for autoflowers.
1. Main Products
BioTabs offers a 100% organic product line that contains quality nutrients and soil improvers that any healthy soil needs, containing everything you need to make a organic soil filled with beneficial living microorganisms while being super easy to use.
Their product line consists of pre-amending the substrate and using their organic tabs to release the nutrients slowly, suitable for coco and soil either indoor or outdoor and the best of all, it’s so simple you only need to add water!
Bactrex
Bactrex is a 100% organic product that contains specially selected beneficial bacteria and Trichoderma that convert organic matter into nutrients and protect your plant’s roots against diseases. This product can be used with clones or seedlings to protect them from mold, and to achieve a good soil structure while improving its fertility, just have in mind that this is a living product so it should be used within 6 hours of mixing it in water.
Mycotrex
Mycotrex contains a mix of different species of Endo Mycorrhiza spores along with beneficial Rhizobacteria, seaweed meal, and humic acid which increases water and nutrients absorption, thus improving growth ratio. This product contains beneficial microorganisms that develop a beneficial relationship with your plants, increasing the reach of the roots and resulting in a 700% increase in the roots uptake capacity.
BioTabs
BioTabs are slow-release tablets that condition the soil by activating it with live microorganisms while also providing the nutrients your plant and the microorganisms need, making organic feeding really easy and suited even for beginners. These tablets, with an NPK of 15-7-8, contain a special formula made from organic nitrogen, bone meal, blood meal, feather meal, fish meal, natural humic acids, and beneficial soil bacteria which provide an overall healthier environment for the roots to grow in and also for better nutrient absorption. BioTabs hold absolutely everything your crop could possibly need to keep them in the healthiest state throughout their entire lifecycle.
No matter if you are growing autoflowering plants that go from seed to harvest in ten weeks, or huge photoperiod beasts that take 6 + months, BioTabs has you totally covered and will provide any and all feed requirements during both the vegetative and flowering growth periods. Bio tabs contain slow-acting macronutrients - Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K) -, natural humic acids, and beneficial soil bacteria. This balanced mix not only improves soil conditions but also helps with the healthy uptake of the nutrient formula. This allows for perfectly uniform growth throughout the entire crop.
Orgatrex
Orgatrex is an organic liquid fertilizer designed to be used during the vegetative stage or the flowering stage, containing a mix of alfalfa meal, molasses, silicon oxide, and rock dust. Thanks to the quality ingredients, this product provides a balanced quantity of Zinc, Copper, Calcium, Magnesium, manganese, Sulphur, Silicon, and Iron with an NPK of 5-1-5.
Startrex
Startrex is an organic soil conditioner that brings soil back to life by introducing beneficial microorganisms that immediately start working as soon as you mix this product into the soil. This 100% organic soil contains fulvic acids, hummus, and silicon which can enter the plant’s cells, bringing nutrients into them while also providing a good amount of nutrients, with an NPK of 3-1-2.
2. Supplements
BioTabs also offers a couple of organic supplements that can be used to treat nutrient deficiencies faster, protect your plant against stress, or grow a healthier plant.
Have in mind that these products are not part of BioTabs feeding schedule, so you should use them only if necessary.
Boom Boom Spray
Boom Boom Spray is a 100% vegan plant bio-stimulant containing organic amino acids, peptides, glucosides, and minerals that act as an anti-stress, helping your plants overcome stress caused by extreme hot or cold, lack of light, and dehydration. Apart from the anti-stress effect, this product also acts as a growth booster due to the nitrogen that helps your plant develop shiny and dark green leaves during the first weeks of growth while also stimulating productivity and the absorption of minerals.
| Composition | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Organic matter | 45% | Peptides & Amino Acids | 10% |
| Organic nitrogen | 5% | Glucides | 30% |
When And How To Use It?
To better use this product you will have to dissolve 5ml per liter of water and:
- All plants: 1x week during veg and 1 x week on week 1 and week 2 of flower.
- Mother plants: Spray plants 2 days before taking cuttings.
- Cuttings: Spray cuttings 2 days after they’re rooted.
- Transplanting: Spray right after transplanting.
- Stressed plants: Spray once and repeat after 5 days if necessary.
Silicium Flash
Silicium flash is a quick-acting fertilizer that contains a dose of Silicon, nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium that will be rapidly absorbed by your plants, providing an NPK of 4-3-3. This product can be used to treat nutrient deficiencies, increasing your plant’s resistance to heat, diseases, and bugs, resulting in stronger plants and higher yields.
When And How To Use It?
To better use this product you will have to mix 5g per liter of soil or coco as a top dressing or you can mix it with 2g of Bactrex and water your plants with it. For mother plants, it’s recommended to mix 100g per plant as a top dress and repeat every two months.
Bio PK 8-5
Bio PK 8-5 is an organic booster that contributes with seaweed, vitamins, auxins, and other phytohormones that will result in bigger yields and more fragrant buds, while also promoting a better rooting, growth, and flowering. Thanks to its unique formula, this provides phosphorus, potassium, calcium, molasses, humic acids, and vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, and B12, allowing your plants to reach their full potential while providing an NPK of 2-5-8.
When And How To Use It?
You should use 1-3ml of this product per liter of water, starting from the second week of flowering until one week before harvest. Or, you can feed with 10ml per plant mixed in 1 liter of water, starting from week 3 of flowering until week 6 of flowering.
Guerrilla Juice
Guerrilla juice is an organic liquid fertilizer that helps cultivators maintain optimal conditions in any and all soil mixes. It contains a mix of alfalfa meal, mixed molasses, kali vinasse, silicon oxide, and fine rock particles as a basis for micronutrients. With a balance of NPK 5–1–5, it is perfect for use in both the vegetative or flowering growth stages and can be used in conjunction with all other Bio Tabs products. It has a high count of trace elements and sugars, meaning it works in harmony with the beneficial soil bacteria and mycorrhizae fungi. Guerrilla Juice is produced using only ingredients that are approved by the Soil Association.
When and How to Use It?
Guerrilla Juice can be used at a dilution rate of 2ml per liter of water and can be applied after the 2nd week of vegetative growth all the way up to harvest. It is best used in conjunction with beneficial soil bacteria and mycorrhiza fungi, such as Bio Tab products Bactrex and Mycotrex. Once mixed and diluted, it can be safely stored in a cool dry spot for up to 2 days. Always shake or stir the solution well before use, and keep it well away from the reach of minors.
PK Booster Compost Tea
To produce the best results possible with organic cannabis cultivation methods, the richness of the soil life is of the highest importance. Bacteria, worms, fungi, and other microorganisms do the hard work of breaking down all of the organic matter and converting it into compost where the nutrients are bio-available to the crop. A rich, healthy, living soil also produces antibiotics and vitamins. PK Booster Compost Tea considerably enriches the soil life and can be the make-or-break deciding factor between you producing a bumper crop with the fullest terpene profile genetically available, or a semi-decently tasting and smelling harvest.
PK Booster Compost Tea contains all the active bacteria-dominant micro-organisms your plants could ever wish for. It mixes this with, bat-guano, kelp, and a few other selected ingredients. This product also contains a unique mixture of bacteria that naturally produce bio-available phosphorous (P), and mobilizing soil potassium (K) which give your plants a large dose of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), a true PK boost - perfect for any and all flowering plants!
When and How to Use it?
While the tea itself only has a half-life of 4 hours, as long as it is kept well aerated it can be stored for up to 36 hours in a cool, dark place. Be sure to only mix it with well-filtered water, as chlorine will kill the beneficial micro-organisms in the product. To remove water from tap water simply let it sit for a minimum of 8 hours after it has been released from the tap. Add one 1 tablespoon (15 gr.) of the PK BOOSTER COMPOST tea mixture to 1 liter of water. This should then be left to bubble with a mater oxygenator for 24 to 36 hours. For the best possible results, also add mycorrhiza fungi to the mix one hour before the bubbling finish, at a rate of 1 teaspoon per 5 liters of of PK BOOSTER COMPOST tea mixture. Use within 4 hours. Each plant should receive between 0.5 and 1 liter of tea.
2. BioTabs Feeding Step-By-Step
Using BioTabs products is super easy, and by following 4 simple steps you’ll be growing organically in no time but despite being easy.
Make sure you follow the steps thoroughly because their products are 100% organic, and failing to follow the steps can result in the death of the microorganisms that this method depends on.
Soil Preparation
Before starting, remember that these products are designed to be used in coco or soil and they should not contain any nutrients so make sure you stay away from Light-mixes or All-mixes.
Step 1
Add 5g of Startrex per liter of soil;
Step 2
Make the planting hole and spread 2g of Mycotrex in the hole;
Step 3
Plant in the seed or cutting and add 1 BioTab per 5 liters of medium, make sure the tablets are 5cm deep into the medium.
Step 4
Water with a solution of 1g of Bactrex and 5ml of Orgatrex per liter of water.
Feeding Schedule For Photoperiodic Plants
As said before, BioTabs is super easy to use and you won’t have to do much once you’ve prepared the soil. Once you’ve prepared the soil and watered your plant with the solution described in Step 4, you just have to follow the following schedule:
| Week 1-4 (Veg) | Plain water when necessary. |
|---|---|
| Week 5 (Pre-flower) | 20ml of Orgatrex + 1g of Bactrex mixed in 500ml one time only (per plant). |
| Week 6 until harvest | Plain water when necessary. |
Remember that with these products there’s no need to measure the pH or the EC but it’s a good idea to measure the pH of the water you’ll be using throughout your grow cycle to avoid problems.
Have in mind that the number of tabs may change according to the pot size, it’s recommended you 1 tab for a 5L pot, 2 tabs for a 10L pot, 3 tabs for a 20L pot. Also, if at any moment you feel that your plants are hungry, you can feed your plants with a mix of 5ml of Orgatrex and 1g of Bactrex per liter of water.
3. BioTabs Feeding Guide For Autoflowers
If you thought the feeding schedule for photoperiodics was easy, then for autoflowers it’s even easier but you’ll need a couple of extra things. First of all, this method consists of just using plain water so you will have to use a Light Mix from any brand you prefer, obviously, we recommend opting for the best quality you can such as Plagron or BioBizz but you can use whatever you can find. You’ll also need to use Bactrex, Orgatrex, and BioTabs tablets, around 2 tablets for a 15L pot or 3 for a 25L pot.
Step 1
Fill the pot with the Light Mix soil;
Step 2
For better results, mix 1g of Bactrex + 5ml of Orgatrex per liter of water and soak the soil, letting it sit under the light for 24hs for the microorganisms to activate, then you can go ahead and plant the seed or clone.
Step 3
One week before pre-flower (around week 4 or 5) add 2 BioTabs tablets, one on each side of the plant.
4. Recycling The Substrate
One of the benefits of using BioTabs or other organic products is that it allows you to recycle your soil up to 4 times, this way you save a bit of money, and the best of all, it’s really easy to do it, just follow these steps:
Step 1
Remove the stem and dispose of the first 5cm of substrate, leaving the roots in the soil;
Step 2
Mix 25g of Startrex and 3g of Mycotrex to the new soil you’ll be using to replace the 5cm of soil you’ve disposed of;
Step 3
Make a new planting hole and spread 2g of Mycotrex in the hole;
Step 4
Soak the soil with 1g of Bactrex per liter and, after placing your seed or clone, push in the same amount of BioTabs tablets you used before.
5. Nutrients and Cannabis - A quick guide for beginners
So, there we go - our full rundown and feeding guide for the fantastic BioTabs range. Perfect for all the beginner growers out there, or anyone new to organic cultivation with the BioTab range. But what do all the nutrients that are contained in these products actually do? Let's dig just a little deeper for a second, and quickly run through all the most important nutrients for cannabis crops. Having even just a basic understanding of all the nutrients that your plants need, can go a long way to helping you achieve high yields and the best-looking and smelling buds imaginable. Also, very few cultivators get through their first few crop runs without a couple of teething problems, so knowing what each nutrient does, and how to spot a deficiency might be worthwhile.
Macronutrients
Macronutrients are the nutrients that the plant needs in the highest concentrations and are split up into two categories - primary and secondary macros. The primary macros are the ones that most growers have heard of, as they are three nutrients most often displayed on nutrient labels. Primary macros are Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K). These elements provide the main ‘building blocks’ to help with the growth and development of the cannabis plant.
Nitrogen (N)
Nitrogen is extremely important during the entire lifecycle of a cannabis plant but is needed in higher quantities during the vegetative growth stage. It helps to promote the development of foliage and leaves, while also aiding chlorophyll production - which is essential for photosynthesis. Nitrogen is essential in amino acid production, which is in turn essential for protein production.
Nitrogen deficiency can present in a couple of different ways, but the most common is if the leaves at the base of the plant turn yellow, while new growth becomes pale green or turns yellow. If the issue becomes more severe you may see the leaves start to curl, and some brown spots appearing is also not uncommon.
Phosphorus (P)
Phosphorus is needed in higher concentrations during the flowering and fruiting stage, but just like nitrogen, it is still an essential nutrient during the entire growth cycle. It helps stimulate root development while aiding the plant's immune system. Phosphorus is essential for proper flower and bud formation and is also used as an energy carrier in photosynthesis.
Phosphorus deficiencies are usually seen during the flowering stage, and you may notice slow bud formation or the buds may be small and lack flavor. Darker leaves with a slight blueish tint can also indicate a phosphorus deficiency, but it is not always easy to spot.
Potassium (K)
Potassium is especially important during the flowering stage, helps to promote the growth of stems, and also aids in the development of strong root systems. It helps to regulate water uptake and acts as a catalyst for other nutrient absorption, as well as aiding in photosynthesis. Potassium deficiency will usually be seen as yellowish leaves, with some brown spots appearing and stems becoming brittle if left unchecked.
Secondary Macros
Secondary macronutrients include Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), and Sulfur (S). All three of these elements are still essential for the proper growth and development of a cannabis plant, just in slightly less concentrated doses than the primary macros.
Calcium (Ca)
Calcium is primarily used to promote strong and robust plant structure, for building strong cell walls, and helps with the development of flowers, fruit, and also new roots. It aids in the movement of other nutrients throughout the plant and helps with photosynthesis, as well as being the main nutrient involved in signaling where growth hormones should be distributed. Calcium deficiency is usually seen as yellowing or browning tips, or leaves with dark spots on them.
Magnesium (Mg)
Magnesium is the essential driving nutrient for photosynthesis. Magnesium is the main building block for chlorophyll and helps to make other nutrients available throughout the plant. It helps in aiding the development of young leaves and regulates phosphorus uptake. All plant life needs a good source of magnesium to ensure proper protein synthesis, enzymatic activation, and cell division.
Magnesium deficiency takes up to a month or so to really show any major signs, but you can expect to see the older fan leave growth to slowly yellow, especially in the vein areas. This will be followed by the appearance of rust spots first on the leaves, and then throughout the entire plant. This is especially true during flowing, and can quickly lead to a much smaller harvest.
Sulfur (S)
Sulfur is essential for the production of proteins, terpenes, flavonoids, and enzymes. It helps break down fatty acids and aids in the formation of amino acids and essential oils. It also aids in helping to control pH levels and assists with photosynthesis regulation. Sulfur deficiency can be seen as yellowing in the new leaf growth, followed by the affected leaves turning very brittle and dry. If this is left unchecked you may also start to see some signs of root rot.
Micronutrients
The micronutrients, also known as trace elements, are iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), boron (B), copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), and molybdenum (Mo). While they are needed in much smaller doses (less than 1000 ppm) they are still essential for proper plant health and development. Check out our full guide on plant nutrition to find out more about the micros!
6. In Conclusion
BioTabs is a great way for beginners or those who want to have less work while still growing deliciously tasting organic flowers, either for coco or soil, their products make it easier for you to grow organically by just adding water. If you’ve used BioTabs products before please share your experience with fellow growers, leave a comment in the comment section below!
