Liquid organic growth fertiliser, NPK 3-1-5

The dose is progressive. At first roots, you start at 0.25 ml per litre, then move to 0.5 ml per litre at the first true leaves and 2 ml per litre at full growth, which is the maximum dose. At pre-flowering, the dose is reduced to 1 ml per litre, at the same time as you introduce the flowering version at the same dose. In soil or in pots, the dose is 10 ml in a 5-litre watering can, at every watering according to the growth stage, with at least one plain water watering per week.

In open ground, the product also serves to prepare the soil 2 weeks before planting, with two waterings per week at 0.5 ml per litre, and the same mixture kick-starts activity in a compost heap or mulched soil. This microbial activity depends on warmth, however. It slows noticeably below 15 °C, so you will benefit from keeping the grow medium and solution above 20 °C, by planting in soil that has already warmed up and watering with tepid water.

This liquid is one of the rare organic fertilisers designed for soilless cultivation in a recirculating solution, a method known as bioponic growing. The solution must be kept moving and well oxygenated, with a working pH of between 6.5 and 7, higher than in mineral hydroponics. Start the system 2 days before planting, using 0.5 ml per litre of each fertiliser along with a dose of Trichoderma powder. A sudden drop in pH indicates die-off of the micro-organisms, so check the solution regularly using a liquid pH test kit.