Why do all 3 bases run together instead of "one per stage"?
The "base A in veg, base B in bloom" dogma came from 1990s marketing, not plant physiology. Cannabis needs nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and micronutrients at every stage of its life — what changes are the ratios, not the presence. ALPHA delivers an N-dominant profile for growth, BETA reinforces P and K for the reproductive phase, and GAMMA supplies calcium, magnesium, and micronutrients for root support. None of the three is optional in any week of the cycle.
How is the Helix reference cycle structured?
The photoperiod reference cycle runs 13 weeks across 6 stages. Doses for each product are linearly interpolated from minimum to maximum within each stage (first week of stage = minimum, last week = maximum). Exact mL/L values by substrate are available at /calculadoras/dosis.
- Week 1 — Seedling: low doses, roots establishing. Low target EC.
- Weeks 2–4 — Veg: ALPHA ramps up progressively, N-dominant. BETA and GAMMA follow along.
- Week 5 — Pre-flower: transition. ALPHA and BETA reach full doses; GAMMA climbs.
- Weeks 6–9 — Bloom: BETA holds high, GAMMA scales up week by week.
- Weeks 10–12 — Bulk/Ripening: ALPHA tapers, BETA and GAMMA hold with minor adjustments.
- Week 13 — Pre-flush: minimum doses or plain water to clear residual salts before harvest.
What does the science actually say about N, P, and K shifts by stage?
The common narrative of "low N in bloom" is more myth than data. Saloner & Bernstein (2020) and Bevan, Jones & Zheng (2021) show that optimal N for yield during flowering sits around 160–194 ppm; it only makes sense to pull it back during the bulk and ripening phase to favor cannabinoid concentration (Saloner & Bernstein 2021, Dilena et al. 2023). Phosphorus is the other big myth: Westmoreland & Bugbee (2022) and Hershkowitz, Westmoreland & Bugbee (2025) demonstrate that 15–60 ppm of P is sufficient across the full cycle — pushing it higher doesn't improve yield or quality. The commercial PK booster approach (150–200 ppm of P in bloom) has no support in the peer-reviewed literature.
When does CALMAG come in, and when does CANDY start?
CALMAG isn't an emergency product — it's part of the base program, especially in coco and hydro where the substrate contributes no calcium or magnesium. Calcium deficiency can cost up to 44% of floral biomass (Llewellyn et al. 2023). CANDY (carbohydrates) feeds the substrate microbiome and is incorporated from week 4 onward, in alternating waterings, not every feed.
- CALMAG in coco: starts at seedling (week 1) at a higher dose, held through pre-flush. Coco has high cation exchange capacity and pulls Ca/Mg out of solution.
- CALMAG in hydro and soil: starts progressively from week 1, at lower doses than in coco.
- CANDY weeks 1–3: not used — roots don't have an established microbiome yet.
- CANDY weeks 4–6: once per week, alternating waterings.
- CANDY weeks 7–12: up to twice per week, alternating waterings.
- CANDY week 13 (flush): discontinued.
What's the target pH range by substrate?
Feed pH directly affects nutrient availability; being one point outside the range can cause deficiencies even when the nutrient is present in the solution. Always adjust pH after mixing all products.
- Hydroponics: pH 5.6–5.8
- Coco: pH 5.8–6.2
- Soil: pH 6.0–6.5
What is the flush week and why does week 13 matter?
The flush week (or pre-flush) closes the cycle: you water with pH-adjusted plain water and no nutrients, letting the plant mobilize residual salts built up in the substrate and plant tissue. The goal is a harvest that doesn't taste like fertilizer, and final ripening days without external N input — which can favor cannabinoid and terpene expression. The minimum ALPHA and BETA doses shown in the calculator for week 13 correspond to a soft flush; many growers go straight to plain water.
What's the correct mixing order?
The order in which you add concentrates to the tank matters to prevent precipitates and clogged drippers. Correct order: SIGMA (if using) → CALMAG → ALPHA → BETA → GAMMA → CANDY. Add each product separately, stirring between additions. GAMMA is acidic — always add to water, never the other way around. SIGMA is alkaline — it goes first and alone. Adjust pH only after everything is mixed.
Do autoflowers follow the same schedule?
Autoflowers compress the cycle: they typically run from week 1 to weeks 8–10 with no distinct pre-flower week. The nutritional pattern is the same (seedling → veg → bloom → bulk → flush), but each stage is shorter. Use the calculator by selecting the real week based on your plant's visual behavior, not the photoperiod. The logic stays the same: ALPHA, BETA, and GAMMA always together, CALMAG and CANDY according to substrate and week.
