Athena Fertilizers: How to Use Them

Athena: Birth history to the present day

Athena has established itself as a leading brand in the world of horticulture and cannabis cultivation, born out of the need for innovation and quality in the sector. Founded by Brandon Burkhart, an experienced grower, Athena began its journey in the grow rooms of Los Angeles, California. Since its inception in 2017, the company has grown exponentially, earning a place among the top ten cannabis nutrient companies worldwide.

Athena’s beginnings lie in the grow rooms of Los Angeles, California, where a group of passionate growers set out to change the game. Frustrated by the lack of products that met their high standards, they embarked on a journey of research and development to create solutions that truly met the needs of the modern grower.

Brandon Burkhart: A Visionary in Cannabis Cultivation

Brandon Burkhart is an experienced grower and entrepreneur who has left an indelible mark on the cannabis industry. Prior to founding Athena, Brandon worked extensively in cannabis cultivation, utilizing a wide variety of nutrient lines. However, he became frustrated by the need to use dozens of different products in his feeding program and the inconsistencies this created during the cultivation process.

Motivated to design a simpler product line that improved quality, reduced costs, was well-balanced, and required fewer parts to operate, Brandon founded Athena. He partnered with Jungle Boys, one of the largest growers in California, to transform his idea into a solid concept and put it into practice right away. This partnership allowed Athena to be developed for the ideal grow after years of testing at grow facilities in Los Angeles.

Athena's growth and expansion

Since its launch in late 2018, Athena has experienced massive growth and expansion of know-how in record time. The company has invested heavily in production infrastructure, acquiring an additional production facility in Sacramento, California, and purchasing custom equipment from Murray and Doyle to combine both Athena lines. These new automatic mixing and packaging machines will significantly increase Athena’s production capacity.

In terms of production, once completed, the two facilities are expected to be capable of producing 2.5 million gallons of liquid fertilizer and 20 million pounds of dry marijuana fertilizer mixes per year.

In just a few short years, Athena has experienced exponential growth, earning a place among the top ten cannabis nutrient companies globally. Its presence has expanded beyond the borders of the United States, reaching international markets in Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Australia, Chile, Peru, Puerto Rico, Spain, Portugal, and Macedonia.

Athena: Philosophy and Commitment to Growers

According to Brandon, Athena exists to support the modern grower on multiple levels. “Our founding principle is to formulate products that improve quality, reduce costs, and encourage consistency. Athena was born in the grow rooms of Los Angeles, California, where we are always striving for perfect execution. As the weight of being a grower increases, we exist to make the complex simple. Athena is not a nutrient line; it is a program,” states the founder.

Athena has earned its reputation for its unwavering commitment to quality and effectiveness. Offering a variety of product lines, each designed to meet the specific needs of different stages of the crop, Athena stands out for its ability to make the complex simple, especially when crop load increases.

Looking to the Future

As Athena looks to the future, its commitment to innovation and quality remains unwavering. The company continues to research, test and develop, with the goal of being among the top three most widely used nutrient lines in the cannabis industry globally. With plans for expansion and new product launches, Athena is positioned to remain an industry leader and an invaluable ally for growers around the world.

In terms of expected growth, Athena has seen a steady increase in monthly and annual revenue since its launch approximately five years ago. The company has established itself as one of the top ten brands in the cannabis nutrient sector in terms of expansion and revenue realization. Athena continues to support growers of all sizes and growing styles, and is proud to continue to do so in the future.

Fertilizer Lines: Innovation in Every Drop

• Pro Line: Professional-grade base nutrients formulated for lush growth and abundant flowering.
  
  
• Blended Line: Complete and convenient nutritional solutions, perfect for those seeking simplicity and efficiency.
  
  
• IPM: Products dedicated to Integrated Pest Management in marijuana , essential to maintain a protected and healthy crop.
  
  
• Clean Line: Solutions for cleaning and maintaining irrigation systems, crucial for equipment longevity and constant nutrition.
  
  
• Foliar Line: Products formulated for foliar applications, providing nutrients and protection directly where they are needed.

Athena Products: An Overview

Athena has established itself as a benchmark in the cultivation industry, offering high-quality and highly effective products. Its catalogue is designed to cover all cultivation needs, from basic nutrition to pest control and system cleaning. Below is a revised overview of Athena's product lines.

Pro Line

The Pro Line is a series of professional-grade base nutrients formulated to provide plants with everything they need for lush growth and abundant flowering. It includes products such as:

• Pro Core : A base fertilizer that provides the essential nutrients for growth and flowering.
  
  
• Pro Grow : Designed specifically for the growth phase, it provides plants with the necessary nutrients to develop a strong and healthy structure.
  
  
• Pro Bloom : Formulated for the flowering phase, it ensures that plants receive the necessary nutrients to produce abundant, high-quality flowers.
  
  
• Cleanse : A product to clean and condition irrigation systems, ensuring efficient delivery of nutrients.
  
  
• Fade: Helps plants use nutrients stored during the final flowering phase, improving fruit quality and maturity.

Blended Line

The Blended Line offers a complete and convenient solution for growers, with products including:

• Athena Grow A & B and Bloom A & B : Two-part base fertilizers for the growth and flowering phases.
  
  
• Athena Balance : A water conditioner that stabilizes pH levels and improves nutrient absorption.
  
  
• Athena CaMg : Provides additional calcium and magnesium to prevent deficiencies and improve plant health.
  
  
• Athena PK : A flowering enhancer that provides additional phosphorus and potassium to maximize flower and fruit production.

IPM

IPM focuses on Integrated Pest Management, offering solutions to protect crops from pests and diseases.

Clean Line

The Clean Line includes products for cleaning and maintaining irrigation systems, such as:

• Reset: A system cleaner that removes salt and debris buildup.
  
  
• Renew: A system conditioner that helps keep irrigation systems in optimal condition.
  
  
• Perafoam: Peraform is essential for preventing and eliminating build-up of mineral salts and organic residues in irrigation systems, thus ensuring a constant and effective delivery of nutrients to plants.

Foliar Line

The Foliar Line is designed for foliar applications, delivering nutrients directly to the leaves for fast and effective absorption. Product includes:

• Athena Stack : A foliar enhancer that helps improve cell structure, increases essential oil production and improves nutrient absorption.

Athena products are designed to work together, providing a complete solution for cannabis cultivation. From basic nutrition to pest control and system cleaning, Athena has everything you need to take your grow to the next level.

Nutrient Addition: Using Athena Pro Line with Cleanse and Fade

Athena's Pro line provides a complete solution for growing marijuana, and proper use of their products is crucial to getting the best results. Here I provide you with a detailed guide including the use of Cleanse and corrections for using Fade.

Pro Core

• Dosage: 11.4 grams per 10 liters of water.
  
  
• Usage: First add Pro Core to the water solution, mixing well until reaching an EC of 1.5.
  
  
• Phases: Use at all stages of cultivation, from germination to the flowering phase.

Pro Grow

• Dosage: 19 grams per 10 liters of water.
  
  
• Usage: After adding Pro Core, incorporate Pro Grow into the solution, mixing well until reaching a total EC of 3.0.
  
  
• Phases: Use during the vegetative growth phase of the plant.

Pro Bloom

• Dosage: 19 grams per 10 liters of water.
  
  
• Usage: After adding Pro Core, incorporate Pro Bloom into the solution, mixing well until reaching a total EC of 3.0.
  
  
• Phases: Use during the flowering phase of the plant.

Pro Fade

• Dosage: 19 ml per 10 liters of water.
  
  
• Usage: Use Pro Fade during the last two weeks of flowering, removing Pro Core from the mix and adjusting EC to 3.0.
  
  
• Phases: Use during the final flowering phase to help plants utilize stored nutrients.

2.5 Cleanse

• Dosage: 10 ml per 10 liters of water.
  
  
• Use: Add Cleanse to the nutrient solution throughout the crop, from germination to harvest.
  
  
• Phases: Use at all stages of cultivation to help keep the system clean and prevent salt build-up.

Incorporating these Athena products into your growing regime will ensure that your plants receive the proper nutrition at every stage of their development, maintaining a constant EC of 3.0 for optimal growth. At GrowIndustry.es, we are committed to providing you with the products and knowledge necessary to achieve success in your cultivation.

Extra tips for using the PRO Line correctly:

Success in growing marijuana depends largely on the correct application of nutrients and maintaining optimal conditions throughout the growth cycle.

• Importance: Maintaining a constant EC of 3.0 and a pH between 5.8 and 6.2 is crucial for optimal nutrient absorption.
  
  
• Tools: Use a reliable, regularly calibrated pH meter to measure the EC and pH of your nutrient solution.
  
  
• Mix First: Always add Pro Core first to your water solution and mix well before adding other nutrients.
  
  
• Correct Dosage: Make sure you use the correct dosage of 11.4 grams per 10 liters of water.
  
  
• Last Two Weeks: Use Pro Fade during the last two weeks of flowering, removing Pro Core from the mix.
• Throughout the Grow: Add Cleanse at a rate of 10 ml per 10 litres of water throughout the grow to keep the system clean and prevent salt build-up.

Athena Blended Line User Guide for Growing Marijuana

Athena's Blended line is an excellent choice for cannabis growers looking for a complete and balanced solution for all stages of plant growth. Here we provide a detailed guide to using the Blended Line, including specific dosages and instructions for use.

Grow A+B

Two-part formula designed for the vegetative phase, providing plants with the essential nutrients for robust and healthy growth.

• Dosage: 29 ml of A and 29 ml of B for every 10 liters of water.
• Phase of Use: Vegetative.
  
  
• EC Objective: Start at 1.5 - 2.0 and increase progressively.

Bloom A+B

Specific formula for the flowering phase, ensuring that plants receive the right proportion of nutrients to maximize flower and fruit production.

• Dosage: 29 ml of A and 29 ml of B for every 10 liters of water.
  
  
• Phase of Use: Flowering.
  
  
• EC Objective: Increase to 2.6 in week 4 of flowering and then progressively decrease to 1.5 in week 9.

Cleanse

Cleaning solution that helps prevent the build-up of mineral salts and residues in the irrigation system, ensuring efficient delivery of nutrients to the plants.

• Clones: 3 ml/10L.
  
  
• Vegetative Phase: 5 - 7 ml/10L.
  
  
• Flowering Phase: 8 - 13 ml/10L, increasing to 26 ml/10L in the last two weeks.
  
  
• Use Phase: Entire crop cycle.

PK

Formula rich in phosphorus and potassium to stimulate flowering and fruit production, improving yields and crop quality.

• Week 2 and 3 of Flowering: 11 ml/10L.
  
  
• Week 4 of Flowering: 16 ml/10L.
  
  
• Week 5 of Flowering: 24 ml/10L.
  
  
• Week 6 of Flowering: 26 ml/10L.
  
  
• Week 7 of Flowering: 32 ml/10L.
  
  
• Week 8 of Flowering: 26 ml/10L.
  
  
• Flowering Week 9: 26 ml/10L.
  
  
• Week 10: Stop using and only use Cleanse.

Balance

Solution designed to stabilize pH and provide silicon, improving plant growth and structure, especially useful in soft or reverse osmosis water.

• Use: Only in case the pH rises.
  
  
• Recommendations: Recommended in solution tank mixes and not for use with NetaFlex.
  
  
• Use Phase: Entire growing cycle, as needed.

Following these dosages and guidelines will ensure that your plants receive the proper nutrition at every stage of their development, maintaining optimal EC and pH for healthy growth and optimal yields.

Extra Tips for Using Athena's Blended Line Correctly

• Maintaining EC and pH: Maintaining proper EC and pH is crucial to ensure optimal nutrient uptake. For Blended strains, adjust EC progressively from 1.5 - 2.0 in clones to 2.6 EC in week 4 of flowering, then progressively decrease to 1.5 EC in week 9.
• Reliable Meters: Use reliable EC and pH meters and keep them calibrated regularly to ensure accurate measurements.
  
  
• Add Grow or Bloom A+B First: It is crucial to first add Grow A+B during the vegetative phase or Bloom A+B during the flowering phase to your
  water solution. Make sure to follow this order and mix well before proceeding to add other nutrients.
  
  
  • Importance of Not Mixing A and B Directly: Never mix components A and B directly before diluting them in water, as this can cause the nutrients to precipitate and make them unavailable to the plants.
  • Correct Procedure: Add component A to the water first, mix well, then add component B. Once both components are well mixed in the water, you can proceed to add the other nutrients as needed.
    
    
• System Maintenance: Add Cleanse throughout the grow at a rate of 5 - 13 ml per 10 litres of water, depending on the phase, to keep the system clean and prevent salt build-up.
  
  
• pH Stabilization: Use Athena Balance only in case of high pH, ​​especially recommended in solution tank mixes and avoiding its use with NetaFlex systems.
  
  

By following these tips and maintaining optimal conditions, you will ensure success in your marijuana cultivation using the Athena Blended line.

IPM: Integrated Pest Management

Athena's IPM line focuses on Integrated Pest Management, providing effective solutions to protect your marijuana crops from pests and diseases. Using products from the IPM line will help you maintain a healthy growing environment and prevent potential infestations.

• Prevention: Use IPM products as a preventative measure, even if you don't see obvious signs of pests or diseases.
  • Dosage for Prevention: 15 ml per liter of water.
    
    
• Regular Application: Follow a regular application schedule to ensure consistent protection.
  
  
• Infestation Treatment: In case of active pest or fungus infestation, use the product as an insecticide.
  • Treatment Dosage: 25 ml per liter of water.
    
    
• Correct Application: Make sure to apply the product evenly and completely, covering all affected areas.

Clean Line: Cleaning and Maintenance of the Irrigation System

Athena's Clean line is meticulously designed to ensure optimal cleaning and maintenance of your irrigation systems, crucial to the success and health of your marijuana crop. Using specific cleaning products is essential to prevent blockages, remove residues and keep your equipment running efficiently.

• Renew: A system conditioner that helps keep irrigation systems in top condition. It is vital to prevent the buildup of salts and other residues that can negatively affect your plants.
  
  
  • Normal Cleaning: Use 78.1 ml per 10 liters of water for regular cleaning and system maintenance.
  • Extreme Cleaning: In cases where buildup is significant, increase the dosage to 156.2 ml per 10 liters of water.
    
    
• Reset: This is a powerful system cleaner, designed to remove the toughest build-ups and sterilize your equipment.
  
  
  • To Sterilize Systems: The recommended dosage is 78.1 ml per 10 liters of water.
    
    
• Perafoam: This product acts as a foaming agent to help clean and disinfect irrigation systems.
  
  
  • General Use: Use 78.1 ml per 10 liters of water for effective cleaning.