Source of N other than KNO3

[Blinky]

I've looked everywhere. I mean everywhere - hardware stores, Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Rona, Zellers and more. I haven't been able to find KNO3. So I came home, hopped online, and confirmed what I feared - KNO3 isn't available to anyone in Canada (unless you have your Blaster's Licence which, needless to say, I don't have!).
Can someone recommend a substitute? I've got an NPK fertilizer, so it's not something I need to find immediately, but I do want to be able to dose N, P and K separately since my plants use them up at different rates - usually N is the first to go.

[Captain Hook]

They have it readily available at Hydroponic stores. Here's a good list of them in Toronto. BTW you should check out the forums in my sig, mostly GTA people.

STORES (http://www.toronto.com/search?sort=rank-desc&cslink=cs_keyword_home&type=bridge&query=hydroponics&context=generic)

[Blinky]

Thanks! I guess what I read must have been wrong. Much appreciated - I'll find a hydroponics place and give them a call :D

[happychem]

There is some reluctance to provide it in large quantities to the average joe, but it never occurred to me that there may be an all out ban. hmmm.

When we were kids making smoke bombs, we got it from the pharmacy as 'saltpeter'.

[daveedka]

I can check into canadian regulations today, but generally quantities below 5 pounds aren't viewed as an issue. If you repeatedly/ frequently buy it you will be monitored, otherwise there isn't usually a problem. A quick way to find out would be to contact Gregg Watson and ask if he is allowed to ship KNO3 to Canada. In my area it is very hard to find, but If I go out into the rural areas, most farm markets and Amish general stores have it.
Dave

[happychem]

Hehe, I was just going to add that they'd likely have it in rural/farm areas, maybe a trip out towards London is in order? Farmers use it to keep bulls from being, um, frisky, so don't eat it!

[Torf]

Do they not sell Green Light Stump Remover in CAN?

Plants can secure Nitrogen from Ammonia very easily. If that was supplemented to the tank to perhaps a .05-.1 ppm daily, nothing would be affected. The organisms are already producing a little, and the plants would easily remove that small amount.

I have dosed with low amounts of ammonia before for short term fixes. It works fine.

It won't give you any potassium like KNO3 will though, and you should keep your pH below 6.8 or so.

[Darkblade48]

Blinky, where do you live in TO? I live in the Scarborough region and found a place that sells Traces, KNO3, K2SO4, and you can easily pick up a bag of MgSO4 + 7H2O at Shopper's Drug Mart (2 kg bag for 4.99).

It's a little shop called Jungle Hydroponics on Main and Gerrard.

Here's their site
Hydroponics.com (http://www.hydroponics.com)

[Blinky]

I went to the pharmacy yesterday and they looked at me like I was barking when I asked for Saltpeter. Apparantly 'reputable' pharmacies (their word not mine) don't carry it any more... :P to them, I say, I'm going to the hydroponics shop!

Darkblade48: Main & Gerrard is SO easy for me to get to, I will definitely check this place out - thanks so much!

happychem:... rural, you say? My parents have a farm, I never thought to ask them if they could get it at the local co-op!

daveedka, Len told me he called Gregg Watson and he does ship to Canada for a small fee.

Thanks for all the help you guys! :D

[daveedka]

I haven't found the Canadian regulations, which means they probably aren't too strict. I e-mailed the ISEE (international society of Explosive engineers) but haven't received a response. since you have found that it is available I'll probably drop the hunt for now.
Dave

[beviking]

I know this is moot now but...
My local HomeDepot seemed to only cary stump remover during a short window of time. Once it was gone, they didn't get anymore in. Just an fyi.

[happychem]

Was it a seasonal thing? If so, what season? I'm going to need more KNO3 in a couple months and if I can get it cheaper (or same price for more) from HD I'll be happy.

[Timmain42]

I know this is moot now but...
My local HomeDepot seemed to only cary stump remover during a short window of time. Once it was gone, they didn't get anymore in. Just an fyi.

Sounds familiar... I had to go to a Lowe's almost 20 miles from my house jsut to get Greenlight. Don't you know I bought 6 cans of the stuff so I wouldn't have to go back anytime soon.

When I need it again, I'll be getting it from Gregg Watson tho.

[Darkblade48]

Was it a seasonal thing? If so, what season? I'm going to need more KNO3 in a couple months and if I can get it cheaper (or same price for more) from HD I'll be happy.

Definitely, I called my local Home Depot and they said that it was "late in the season" to be trying to get Stump Remover (I did call in November...LOL)

Blinky: I got the KNO3, K2SO4 and the chelated Iron mix at Jungle Hydroponics for 14.92 (CAND) (that's with tax). Don't bother buying the Epsom Salts, as you can just pick up a cheaper bag at Shopper's (I believe there is one on Danforth and Main, just south of the TTC terminal)

[Blinky]

I've got Epsom salts, bought 'em at the drug store. I've been trying to get everything together to dose N, P and K separately - the Fleet was pretty easy to find (if a little embarassing to buy ;)), the No-Salt was easy, but the KNO3 has been VERY elusive.
I'm going to go shopping in the next couple days at the hydroponics shop, thanks SO much for the info :D

[happychem]

Hehe, yeah, I suckered myself into buying the MgSO4 at the hydro shop, it was like 2 times the price of Epsom salts at Walmart, d'oh!

I had the wife buy the Fleet on one of her regular trips to Shoppers. :D

[djlen]

Happy, you send the wife????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!???????????:)
What a chicken!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I like to take my bottle up to the register and shuffle my feet a lot, looking very uncomfortable and asking her to hurry it up. People will move out of the way when they see what I'm holding.

Hey, HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU AND ALL MY FRIENDS AT AC.
I feel blessed in many areas of my life and the folks at this forum and others are considered almost family to me. Thanks for being there for me.

Len

[happychem]

Nah, she was already going and asked me if I needed anything. :D

Happy thanksgiving all you latecomers! ;)