FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Recharge FAQ

WHY ISN’T RECHARGE AVAILABLE IN MY COUNTRY?
Recharge is categorized as a biological product, and therefore is regulated differently in different countries. There is considerable time and investment needed to export to all of our customers worldwide. We are working towards increasing distribution outside of the USA. Pssst - we are working on Canada!!

If you’d like to help us, please let us know!

WHAT WILL RECHARGE DO TO pH?
It will raise your pH initally but as soon as it hits the soil the microbiology will start to make carbonic acid to help buffer and regulate the pH to an acceptable zone.
HOW CAN I GET SAMPLES OF RECHARGE?
You can buy them here

OR

You can request a free sample be sent to your local shop. Details here: www.realgrowers.com/samples

HOW CAN I OFFER RECHARGE IN MY BRICK AND MORTAR RETAIL STORE?
Register to become a retailer at www.realgrowers.com/wholesale-registration
MY RECHARGE HARDENED UP WHAT NOW?
If it’s still brown / gray and just bricked up, you can break it or scrape it into smaller chunks and it’s fine. You might just have to stir it a little more than usual.

If it’s black and tarry, it has been exposed to too much moisture. This moisture has activated and has been activated and it’s no good anymore.

If you smell ammonia, discard immediately.

MY RECHARGE IS FROZEN, NOW WHAT?
They are good to go! Microbes live in the ground and endure freezing temperatures naturally.
RECHARGE SHELF LIFE AFTER MIXING WITH WATER
To maximize biological activity, use Recharge solution within 24 hrs.
WHAT NUTRIENT LINES WORK WITH RECHARGE?
Recharge works with and increases the efficiency of any nutrient line - traditional mineral-based or organic. Recharge holds more of your favorite nutrients in the soil so less is washed away and more is used by your plants.
SHOULD RECHARGE BE USED WITH CHLORINATED, FILTERED, OR UNFILTERED WATER?
Recharge can be used with filtered or unfiltered water. Most chlorinated municipal water is not harmful to the microbes in Recharge.
TOO MUCH RECHARGE?
Nope, but you will likely experience diminishing returns if using more than 1 tbsp per gallon. Recharge at high application rates will not harm your plants. Recharge does not force-feed nutrition to your plants, it makes more nutrition available to your plants. Your plants will only take what they need from the soil. Recharge will not burn your plants at any concentration.
RECHARGE AS A FOLIAR SPRAY
Spraying kelp and fulvic acids that are in Recharge will be beneficial for your plant to get phytohormones and some nutrition.

Recharge as a spray is kind of like compost tea spray. The microbes will out-compete pathogens and create a hostile surface for them.

WHEN SHOULD I STOP USING RECHARGE?
It is not harmful, but most folks stop using Recharge in week 5 or 6 of flower. The additional Nitrogen that is made available is generally not needed at this stage of the plant's lifecycle.

However, Recharge can be used to reverse a Nitrogen deficiency in mid to late flower if needed, instead of adding grow nutrients.

Grow Dots FAQ

Activation & Release

What makes Grow Dots release their nutrients?

Adding water activates your Grow Dots so they start releasing their nutrients. This prevents them from releasing nutrients while they’re in the bag. Once they get wet, nutrient release is dependent on the temperature of the medium.

Moisture is the “On/Off” switch. Temperature controls how much they release.

What temperature should my media be at to ensure proper nutrient release levels from my Grow Dots?

It’s ideal to maintain an average media temperature of between 68 and 75 degrees.

Higher temperature will cause nutrients to release faster. Lower temperatures will cause slower nutrient release.

Maintaining around 70 degrees in your media will feed your plants for up to 4 months, with a tapering off during the last two weeks.

I accidentally got my Grow Dots wet before I was ready to use them, what should I do?

Lay them out on a flat surface to dry. Once they’re completely dry, they’ll stop releasing nutrients and you can bag them back up for later use.

Usage

What media can I use Grow Dots with?

Grow Dots work best in an inert, soilless media like ProMix, Sunshine 4, or Coco Coir. Use 15 grams (One Tablespoon) per gallon of media.

When using fortified media, use less Grow Dots to compensate for already available nutrients. However, Grow Dots are very forgiving, and aren't likely to burn your plants, even when used at full strength in fortified soil.

How much Grow Dots should I use?

Use 15 grams (1 TBSP) per Gallon of soilless media.

If you’re growing in a highly fortified soil, it’s best to use less Grow Dots to avoid nutrient burn.

Grow Dots are very forgiving and are not likely to burn your plants, even in a fortified soil.

Mix Grow Dots into media, or top dress?

Either or, However we recommend incorporating it into the media if possible

Do I need to pH my water when using Grow Dots?

  • It’s good to know your water pH levels.
  • For coco, you’ll want your pH between 5.0 to 6.5.
  • For Soil, you’ll want your pH between 6.0 to 7.0
  • When using with Recharge, between 5.0 and 7.0 pH in any media.

If I use a bag soil like Fox Farm Ocean Forest should I lower the application rate of the Grow Dots?

Charged and fortified soils have plenty of nutrients built in. You can still use a full dose of Grow Dots in your soil, without fear of burning your plants, but they’ll be “jacked” (speaking scientifically).

How long should I stay in the solo cup before transplanting into my 5 gal with Grow Dots?

Add 5 grams of Grow Dots when you plant in the Solo Cup. At the end of two weeks, transplant to your 5 gal and mix in 1 Tablespoon (15 grams) per gallon of soil.

What is the recommended grow cycle to use with Grow Dots?

Grow Dots work great with a 4 Week Veg and up to a 10 Week Bloom.

A 16 Weeks grow cycle is the maximum we’d suggest for Grow Dots. But you’re much better off going with a 14 week grow cycle.

Grow Dots is great for growing small plants that produce a lot. It’s not made for growing grow big trees that don’t produce a lot.

Storage

What is the shelf life of Grow Dots?

Because the nutrients in Grow Dots are salt-based and wrapped in a food grade safe polymer, they can be stored almost indefinitely. Just make sure to keep them in a cool, dry, dark area.

Autoflowers

Is the time release of Grow Dots acceptable for auto flowering plants?

Yes. Most auto flowering plants go for about 90 to 100 days.

Three and a half months is perfect.

How early should I add Grow Dots to Autos?

Mix in Grow Dots when you transplant into your 5 gallon bucket. Just mix them in with the soil before you transplant.

This is the same for autos and photos.

How much Grow Dots should I use with my Autoflowers?

Same as photos. 1 tablespoon (15 grams) per gallon of soil.

Can I top dress my autos that have already sprouted with the Grow Dots?

Watering

Do I want 10-20% run-off when using Grow Dots and coco?

Nope. That method works great for traditional fertilizers in hydroponics. With Grow Dots in coco, There’s no need for watering to run-off.

Do you recommend coco and hempy buckets with the Grow Dots or will soil and a drip system work?

Both systems work great with Grow Dots.

Can I use Grow Dots with...

Can I use organic teas safely while Using Grow Dots?

A good organic tea will work great with Grow Dots. We recommend using something like Recharge as an instant compost and watering it in, once a week.

Should I add cal mag to my water when using Grow Dots with RO water System?

If you’re running a reverse osmosis system, you should consider supplementing in some cal mag with your water.

Is there any silica in Grow Dots, should I be adding it?

There is no silica in Grow Dots. But, silica does complement Grow Dots. So adding it in isn’t a bad idea.

Anything we should add? Maybe calcium if needed, silica and microbes, maybe Winter Frost

Some strains might need additional cal mag. This is a very strain-dependent answer. Microbes are always a plus. We recommend using Recharge with Grow Dots to help get the most out of them.

Can I use Recharge and Grow Dots together?

YES. Grow Dots were designed with Recharge in mind.

Can I use grow dots as a top dress once the nutes expire from the ffof soil?

Yes. But keep in mind, this will push your veg out about 3 weeks from when you top dress.

If you’re looking for an extended veg, this is a great way to accomplish that.

Is it a good idea to mix earthworm castings in with the coco when using Grow Dots?

If you like using earthworm castings, go for it. There’s no reason not to mix them in with your soil when using Grow Dots.

Can I reuse my Coco even though there are grow dots in it already. Will those throw off the feed or just use new Coco.

It’s best to just use new coco with each grow cycle. But, if you went the full 14 to 16 weeks previously, the old Grow Dots will have been spent and you’re good to add new ones.

Can I use Grow Dots with Peat Moss?

Yes. It works great with peat moss. 1 Tablespoon (15 grams) per gallon of peat mix.

Can I use Grow Dots outside in my garden bed?

Yes, You’ll want to use 7.5 tablespoons (about 112 grams) of Grow Dots per cubic foot of soil.

Can I use Grow Dots in a pot bigger than a 5 gallon bucket?

Yes. Just stick with one Tablespoon per gallon of potting mix in your container.

Can the grow dots be used with growing food? Ex. Tomatoes, lettuce, etc?

Yes, but different produce feeds on different nutrients.

So far, we’ve had amazing results with all kinds of peppers and tomatoes.

Can I use Grow Dots in DWC? Will Grow Dots also work in hydroponic growing systems?

Grow Dots were designed to be used with potting mixes like soil and soilless media, specifically coco coir or peat moss.

We did not make Grow Dots to work in something like DWC.