Shogun Start: The Gentle Giant for Young Plants

The first few weeks of a plant's life are the most critical, yet most nutrient companies overlook this stage entirely, focusing only on rapid vegetative growth. Shogun Start is different.

Through extensive field trials and scientific studies, Shogun discovered that crops given a specific "establishment nutrient" tremendously outperform those just fed with "half-strength" base nutrients. This isn't just a watered-down feed; it is a scientifically refined blend designed to maximise yield potential from day one.

The Science of Establishment

Shogun Start provides your young plants with full-strength trace elements while keeping the NPK low to avoid burn. But the real magic is in the additives:

• Boron & Calcium Boost: The formula is boosted with a unique ratio of Boron and Calcium—elements identified in peer-reviewed journals as the key drivers for vigorous root growth.

• Humic & Fulvic Acids: These organic acids are included to improve healthy growth and drastically increase the uptake of nutrients during these early, fragile stages.

Why It’s a Game Changer

• Fluffy White Roots: The specific formulation steers both lateral root development and root proliferation, encouraging the growth of those "fluffy white roots" that every grower wants to see.

• SmartZen Maximiser: Contains the unique SmartZen ingredient to enhance nutrient uptake, increase chlorophyll content, and supercharge photosynthesis efficiency.

• Reduced Failure Rates: Whether you are popping expensive seeds or taking sentimental cuttings, Shogun Start accelerates germination time and significantly reduces cutting failure rates.

• Pathogen Resistance: A healthy start means a strong immune system. This formula increases your plant's natural resistance to infection from pathogens.

The Perfect Pair: Synergistic Effects

For the ultimate start, we recommend using Shogun Start alongside Shogun Katana Roots. These two products work in perfect synergy. Shogun Start amplifies the effect of Katana by helping to move auxins (growth hormones) around the plant more effectively. This results in faster growth initiation and better establishment in a much shorter time than using either product alone.

How To Use

Shogun Start is designed for the very early stages of a plant's life (seedlings and rooted cuttings).

1. Prep Your Water: Allow your water to reach room temperature (around 18-20°C). If using tap water, let it stand overnight to dissipate chlorine.

2. Pre-Soak Media: Use Shogun Start to pre-soak your propagation media (like Rockwool or plugs) before transplanting. This gives your plants an immediate nutrient buffer.

3. Mix: Add Shogun Start to your water at a rate of 4mL per litre.

4. Adjust pH: Before adding the nutrients, reduce your water pH to just below 7. After adding Shogun Start, recheck and adjust the pH to between 5.5 and 6.5.

5. Check EC: Ensure your EC (Electrical Conductivity) is no higher than 1.4.

Pro-Tip: Temperature Matters Young roots are incredibly sensitive to cold shock. Always ensure your feed water is at room temperature to prevent stalling that delicate early growth!