If you’ve followed my blogs in the last couple years, you already know I make a “beneficial bacteria tea” once a week. If you don’t know what beneficial bacteria is (stoners call it “bennies”), it is an actual living bacteria that inoculates your root zone. The word “bacteria” sounds bad, but in when it comes to beneficial bacteria in your roots, it’s all good. You may have heard of products like “great white”, “Hydro Guard”, “ZHO”, and other mycorrhizae and trichoderma fungi; these are all forms of beneficial bacteria.
A couple years ago, I had a battle with “root rot”, or “Pythium” in a deep water culture grow. DWC is notorious for being prone to pythium. Pythium is the bad, anaerobic type that will literally make mush of your roots. Once you get it, it is near impossible to over come. The roots die, plants start yellowing from the bottom up, and there is little hope for them. I tried to combat it by killing ALL bacteria, with products like H2O2, Dutchmaster Zone, physan 20. I was completely unsuccessful. After 3 months of pain, I finally turned to beneficial bacteria. I started making a beneficial tea concoction of Mycos, aquashield, zho, and ancient forest, and molasses. It worked. I finally was able to grow new, white roots! On a side note, I highly discourage people from growing in DWC, because it is so risky. Pythium is lurking, even for experienced growers.
Since then, I’ve been making the tea once a week. It’s a pain in the ass. To start, it costs almost $100 just for all the ingredients. Then, I add all the ingredients to a bucket of water and aerate for 48 hours. Then I use the tea on my plants. The tea lasts for 48 hours, and after that, the microbes die off, and I start over again. My roots are amazing, when I use the tea. If I skip tea for a couple weeks, my roots are NO longer amazing.
I don’t consider myself an expert on beneficial bacteria. In fact, I don’t fully understand how it works. It has something to do with the microbes breaking down nutrients, and storing them for the plant, so the roots can take in those nutrients better. Another huge advantage, is it helps to eliminate nutrient lockouts from PH swings. If your PH is too high or too low, it is difficult for your plant to use certain nutrients. With RECHARGE, your PH range can be much wider, and your plant doesn’t care. What I do know for sure… I have seen the difference between using beneficial bacteria, and NOT using it. The difference is night and day. If you’re NOT using beneficial bacteria, you are not maximizing your plant’s health and growth rate.
A few months ago, I was listening to the DUDEGROWS show, and I heard about RECHARGE. I looked up the product, and sure enough, I see claims like this:
“Recharge is a Natural Soil Conditioner that enhances the quality of any crop, potted plant, lawn or landscape material. If it grows in soil, Recharge will grow it bigger, stronger and most importantly, the way nature intended.“
If you’ve kept up with my blogs, you know how I feel about these kinds of words. It’s so easy to slap this on a label. I’m always skeptical, but a few weeks ago, I got my hands on some recharge.
I’m a hydro grower, in rockwool. Most of what I’ve heard and read about RECHARGE, is related to dirt. But it doesn’t matter if you’re in COCO, rockwool, dirt, beneficial bacteria works in them all. Here is how I use RECHARGE:
1. Start with a pitcher of R.O. water (or distilled). Most city tap water has chlorine in it, which may kill beneficial bacteria.
2. Pour in a teaspoon of RECHARGE, and stir.
3. Pour about 4oz on the little ones, and about 8oz on the big ones (both veg and flower).
Notes:
The water looks really dark, but your roots will look pearly white.
If you don’t use all the water you made, pour it on your house plants, your grass, or your bushes.
Don’t worry about using too much.
Don’t worry if you get it on the leaves, it won’t hurt them.
If you’re using synthetic nutrients (not organic) it is best to pour the tea, at the base of the stalk, after you have watered with nutrients. Synthetic nutrients don’t necessarily kill beneficial bacteria, but the salty nutrients are not idea for the bennies.
You can use the RECHARGE every day, once a week, whatever you like. I’ve been using it every day, and these are my results after only two weeks:
Here’s how we look up top:
Why does RECHARGE work so well?
It’s all in there. I don’t know how they did it, but when I compare the ingredients I put in my tea, those same ingredients are in this RECHARGE jar. There is $100 worth of ingredients in this $29 jar, and there’s no brewing needed. No special instructions. It’s so easy, I don’t know that I’ll ever go back to making tea again.
I’m only been using the recharge a few weeks. I will come back to this article and post more results, after a few months.
Happy Growing, from, The Captain.
EDIT: 12/8/2014 A few people have messaged me and asked where they can get the Recharge.
You can get it on Amazon: Amazon link
Ebay: I won’t post the ebay link, in case it changes
If you want 25% off, you can get it at RealGrowers.com
In order to get it 25% off, you can enter this coupon code at check out: capn
I oredered an 8oz container of recharge, gonna give it a try on my flood and drain system. Any tips on method of delivery? My 3 X 3 table is filled with grow stones. I plan on using your method shown here for my 1st try.
How do I use recharge in my rdwc, is it possible?
I make a gallon of it. Then dump it on base of stalk let it flood back into res then do a nute change ima doing once a week on nute change day
You can’t go wrong following The Capn’s methods! The Tea works great but is a bit of a pain to always find the ingredients and brewing 48hrs in advance is sometimes a hastle! Sounds like Recharge is a cool product!
>>>flood and drain system. Any tips on method of delivery?
Hey Tony. Yes, you would use the recharge the same way I do it. Mix up a pitcher of it (one teaspoon per quart of water) stir, and pour about 8oz at the base of the stalk, of each plant. I would do it every day for a week, then every other day after after that.
If you feel like recharge is getting down into your reservoir, then you can use an airstone in the res (if you don’t have one already). The powdered molasses in the recharge will feed any microbes in the res, for a few days. Good luck and keep us posted.
How long has this Recharge product been around?
If we have a recirculating system (like in flower) as in capn method so wound the bennies will get into the reserviour. Is it okay, beneficial, problem ?
Also thanks for sharing this method because that $100 method of tea making (not to mention the shipping charges internationally) is so vast and also you have to collect so many items. Well the recharge is reallly really worth the money….I have known abt this but was using the $100 dollar method but will switch to this…tHX
The Ph of the recharge is very high should this be a concern? running 8 with RO water That is 0ppm
“The Ph of the recharge is very high should this be a concern? running 8 with RO water That is 0ppm”
I second this question.
Secard,
Thanks for writing us of your concern. I use ReCharge as a staple in my garden. The water in my area normally is about 7.4 ph right from the tap, Yes I use tap water. I simply mix in my remaining nutrients and then ph my water as I always do. Thank you again and I hope I answered your question. If you have any other concerns please let us know.
This answerd nothing. I use as the capn does. I do not mix other nutes with it . I use it 1 teas per quart of water poured aroung the root ball. This leave a ph of 8 when using RO water.
Well that is the choice we have growing you are able to do whatever works for you. I was simply sharing my use. I really don’t think there is a right or wrong way and it is perfectly fine to mix nutrients
Michigan and Secard, you should lower your ph depending on what medium you are using and what week you are in. Although the microbes in Recharge will adjust the ph to a range they like, you should still lower your ph down from 8.0. Plant’s in all mediums like a lower ph in veg through the first few weeks of flowering (N is better absorbed at a little lower ph) and they like it a little higher towards the middle/end of flowering (P is better absorbed at a little lower ph). In soil/soilless you should start at about 6.5 and finish about 6.8-7.0. Coco is 5.8-6.0 to start and 6.2.-6.4 towards the end. In hydro you should start about 5.5-5.6 to start and finish about 5.8-6.0. I have plants growing in all mediums from TLO for head stash, coco for my mom’s and some test grows, and straight hydro (RDWC) to veg plants that will be transplanted into my main production tables. I then flower my main production tables in a hybrid system that is top feed hydro with organic nutes and I start those tables at 5.8 and finish at 6.2. Like I said to start, the beneficials in Recharge will adjust the ph to a zone they like, but why make em work harder than they need to. In RO water you should not need much ph down since there is little to no mineral buffer. A few drops should do the trick. – Jmystro
P is better absorbed at a little higher ph, not lower. Sorry for the brain fart. – Jmystro
I’m strictly talking about the ph of the 4 mixed recharge. I understand the ph of my system.
Imo, if you are only adding 4-8 oz of solution per plant, pH is negligible. Especially in soil.
Just ordered some, looking forward to trying this product out. Thanks Captain for the info!
Capn style with recirc and recharge.. Can someone tell me if I will have problems with the recharge when my timer pumps it into the rez? I’m doing a recirc with 45 gal coming on 2x daily and running synthetics… Is this a waste of recharge? Does the hand watering method still remain viable even though they will be flooded as soon as 12 hours later? Thanks y’all! To be fair my roots are looking pretty pearly with his method to the T and no recharge!
Thanks so much capn you’re leading the way on my new 2 light
build out!
>>>Can someone tell me if I will have problems with the recharge when my timer pumps it into the rez?
We know that beneficial populations can be hindered with high ppm / salty nutrients. But don’t worry about this. Just keep using the recharge a few times a week, and your roots should look like mine in just a week or two.
How do you breed beni’s without brewing? I’ve always understood that bacteria is a living organism requiring oxygen to multiply.
>>>beni’s
Stoner slang.
>>>How do you breed beni’s without brewing? I’ve always understood that bacteria is a living organism requiring oxygen to multiply.
As soon as you add water, the beneficial bacteria “wake up”. It’s not necessary to “brew” recharge. The proof is in the results 🙂
Thanx duude! 🙂
“On a side note, I highly discourage people from growing in DWC, because it is so risky. Pythium is lurking, even for experienced growers.”
Wow. These two sentences pretty much entirely discredit your credentials to be giving ANYbody growing advice dude. I dont mean that to be hostile, its simply the truth.
There are many that have been growing DWC with Bennies for some time now. A few simple rules need to be followed to avert algal blooms, pythium etc. Pythium is not even slightly “lurking” as long as the water culturist knows what they are doing. If you DONT know what youre doing, however, then indeed, one shouldnt attempt the fastest nutrient delivery system currently known: i.e: DWC. I agree its not for the novice.
Having been a lifelong saltwater aquarist, I understand the denitrification cycle and beneficial bacteria VERY well. Its simply the cornerstone of saltwater aquaria. Without it, you cannot even have a functioning healthy system.
The same is true in DWC with “Bennies.” You need to understand how they work, and just as importantly, you need to understand the correct way to colonize them, which nutrient profiles to feed with, and the fact that chilled water carries a higher DO content then an unchilled Res. These are just a very few critical points of many. For the sake of brevity, I will not list the entire Bene DWC recipe for success, but I just had to laugh at this blog. For that, thanks homes.
-J
Grown in rdwc many times. With great success. The grow cubes is so much more simple with a greater harvest it not funny. DWC is more time consuming the RW. I also believe RW grows just as fast as DWC and RW is cheaper. So laugh away. Fish man
I’m not sure if this was answered already but, I keep getting form in my res… could it be from the hydro guard ? I’m a fool and didn’t realize that recharge had all that good stuff in it. So can anyone help me out? Is the hydrogaurd causing the form when mixed with recharge?
Hey Fish Man John, sorry I did not see your comment until just now. Once you have had a severe bout with root rot, you may think differently. I also kept reef aquariums for 10 years. I designed filtration systems for several saltwater public aquariums too, so I’m with ya on that.
But you said it all with this, “I will not list the entire Bene DWC recipe for success”. Chillers, bennies, dissolved oxygen… as Michigan grower said, “The grow cubes is so much more simple with a greater harvest it not funny.”
For what it’s worth, I grew in DWC / RDWC for about a year. Very fast growth rates. It’s fun for awhile. Until you get root rot. And yes, pathogens are always lurking. That’s why you won’t see many professionals running DWC. It’s not for beginners, not for pros… it’s for the DIY type of guy who is ok with hoses and air pumps and chillers and backup generators, and, and, and.
Hey Dude,
Thanks for your shows they rock. I’ve been learning a lot from you and Scotty and I thank you for doing what you do for the community. Anyways, I have a question. I am starting a RDWC system. It is my first grow. I want to try RDWC see how I do. I going to get the Current Culture UC4XL or the UC4. I am going to try to fit the pots which hold the plants inside my grow tent and the res and the water chiller outside the tent. (The res and water chiller will be cover my black and white poly to make sure there are no light leaks) Also can I use Recharge in my Res? Thanks for the information!!
Nothing like rockwool, no pest, no root rot, no problems and the growth rates and yield are every bit as good as dwc. Have a couple of friends who started growing dwc and it was the worst mistake they ever made. Although dwc can produce excellent results if system is completely sterile, zone, high doses of peroxide, physan, etc.
Firat off, i dont believe hype. I believe reaults. Soil is my medium and Geopots are my bag, baby.
I have changed a few minor things in my grow/veg environment. Stronger light (6 lamp T8 to a 4 lamp HO T5), using 5ml silica per gallon, everytime I water, and Recharge. Everything else is identical from before. My light wasn’t horrid,
My girls look amazing. Picture perfect. Textbook. They are perfect green, strong, healthy, and bug/disease free. I have never had this type of growth or vigor before.
Use Recharge. Drop your scepticism and trust your sugary friend Koolaid…Recharge, oh yeah!
Hi Koolaid! What type( brand) of Silica do you use?
Capn appreciate all the info went out and bought some recharge… I didn’t really find a answer to the question if you need to ph the recharge solution. I am running coco with canna nutrients ..the only answer I got from recharge was that the microbes in the soil will find the correct ph. I ph my nutrients at 5.8. Thank you
>>>It is my first grow. I want to try RDWC see how I do. I going to get the Current Culture UC4XL or the UC4. I am going to try to fit the pots which hold the plants inside my grow tent and the res and the water chiller outside the tent. (The res and water chiller will be cover my black and white poly to make sure there are no light leaks) Also can I use Recharge in my Res? Thanks for the information!!
samantha, I’m sorry but this is the worst idea ever. I know DWC looks “cool”, but that’s about it. It is a recipe for root rot, especially for a new grower. I would like to see you successful, not disappointed and wasting money. Fine a different grow method than the undercurrent or DWC.
>>>skunk: Have a couple of friends who started growing dwc and it was the worst mistake they ever made.
+1
>>>Capn appreciate all the info went out and bought some recharge… I didn’t really find a answer to the question if you need to ph the recharge solution. I am running coco with canna nutrients ..the only answer I got from recharge was that the microbes in the soil will find the correct ph. I ph my nutrients at 5.8. Thank you
PH is not a verb. I think you meant… do you have to ADJUST the PH of the recharge mix? The answer is no. Don’t worry about it at all. But it is best to use RO water or distilled water.
Thanks.
Hey Captain
Do you use Recharge all the way through flower ?
Hi Captain,
Old granny here, grew in the 80’s but it’s a whole new ball game today. I will be growing outdoors in soil (of course) My query..Will the recharge have all the Mycorrhizal Fungi that my plants will need? Or should I buy some and give them a little extra shot?
Thanks wcgranny
Thanks CAPN For bringing Your knowledge to us . we all very greatful
So Cap’n,, hello and how r u ?
I use an ebb & gro bucket system that floods 3-4 times a day.
I use 3 part GH ( have tried most ). Would like to learn how to buy the salts and make my own,,,, but I digress,,,,,,, I also use rapid start and some koolbloom liquid and koolbloom powder.
So,, simply yes or no, can i use recharge?
That way maybe I could go organic without it blowing up.
Right now I use 1 mll per ten gallons of Clorox bleach and never a problem and pearly white roots.
Could you suggest a great organic recipe? Earth juice?
Thank you for your consideration.
Right above this comment Cap’n.
Hey Cap…
Just curious how do you compare og biowar compared to recharge?
You don’t use the og biowar anymore?
Capn, you say ” you know how I feel about these kinds of words. It’s so easy to slap this on a label” I agree so true. We know that marketing people will stoop to any falsehood to make sales.
In conclusion you say “Why does RECHARGE work so well?
It’s all in there. I don’t know how they did it, but when I compare the ingredients I put in my tea, those same ingredients are in this RECHARGE jar. ” this sounds as phony as the marketing claims you deride. Do you own a microscope? Have you compared live organism counts in tea and recharge. Can you explain how live soil microorganisms and/or spores are able to remain viable in a bone dry container?
Why hasn’t recharge been assayed like other inoculation products.
http://odanews.wpengine.com/news-release-oda-issues-stop-sale-and-removal-orders-on-12-horticultural-products/
Hoping I could have a sample of recharge very interested in product.
The comments may have already answered the question but here goes so in a autopot watering system I wouldn’t add recharge to the res but do just like you in the pitcher of ro water and top feed
do you think this product is equivalent ? and much cheaper as well
https://www.thenutrientcompany.com/product/tnc-mycorrhydro/
Me and a friend went halves on a packet. Sure enough in 48 hours the difference was clearly visible. The plants are much healthier, the leaves greener, they are all reaching up to the sun, there’s no more drooping – they look like different plants. I have no reason to try and sell you this product, I’m just a casual grower who wants to get the best of out my plants. I will never grow again without it, simply based on the changes I’ve observed in a couple of days.
what ever happened to great conversations like this? Did the Captain retire?
The Capn hasn’t been around in years. Luckily for us he left a lot of great info here for us. Click on his name under author and you can check out all of his posts. Or use the search bar with his name.
Here’s the full user guide for RECHARGE
https://www.dudegrows.com/realgrowers-recharge-cannabis-user-guide/
Thanks for the info!
I’d love to see a side by side comparison. ====Recharge vs No Recharge. ====
@Lickey
I second that! Why has this NOT been done before in the many many years this and other products have been for sale?
Bennie grow vs. No Bennie grow