Roots Organics Elemental – 40 lb

Roots Organics Elemental is a dry calcium and magnesium supplement formulated to prevent and correct the nutrient deficiencies that commonly develop in fast-growing plants. The 40 lb bag is sized for commercial operations and serious home growers who want a reliable, cost-effective source of both macronutrients in a single product.

Roots Organics Elemental Specifications

Elemental is a granular dry amendment. The values below are sourced from the canonical product data and the manufacturer’s labeled analysis (SKU ROEL40).

Specification	Value
Brand	Roots Organics
SKU	ROEL40
Net Weight	40 lb (40.04 lb actual)
Calcium (Ca)	20%
Magnesium (Mg)	4%
Form	Dry granular amendment
Category	Nutrients & Additives — Growth & Bloom Boosters
Supplement Type	Macronutrient and micronutrient Cal-Mag supplement

Why Choose Roots Organics Elemental

Calcium and magnesium are two of the nutrients most commonly found to be deficient in fast-growing crops, particularly in hydroponic, coco coir, and soilless systems where there is no mineral substrate to buffer supply. Roots Organics Elemental was built specifically to address this gap. Here is what distinguishes it from generic calcium or magnesium products sold separately:

• Dual-macronutrient formula in one product. Elemental delivers both calcium (20%) and magnesium (4%) in a single dry amendment, so growers do not need to source and measure two separate supplements to correct or prevent deficiencies.
• Supports cell structure and photosynthesis simultaneously. Calcium is required for cell wall integrity, membrane function, and several biochemical signaling processes. Magnesium sits at the center of the chlorophyll molecule and is directly involved in photosynthesis. Addressing both together means plants can build structure and capture light at the same time.
• Formulated for fast-growing plants. Fast vegetative growth and heavy fruiting cycles draw down calcium and magnesium reserves quickly. Elemental was specifically designed with this demand profile in mind, making it appropriate for high-production environments rather than general garden maintenance.
• Bulk 40 lb bag reduces per-application cost. The 40 lb format is the largest available size for Elemental, making it well-suited for commercial operations, multi-room grows, or any grower who applies Cal-Mag consistently across multiple feeding cycles.
• Roots Organics product line integration. Elemental is formulated to complement the broader Roots Organics nutrient lineup, making it easy to incorporate into an existing Roots Organics feeding program without compatibility guesswork.

Best Uses for Roots Organics Elemental

Elemental is a targeted supplement rather than a complete base nutrient. It works best when added to a program that already addresses nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, or when deficiency symptoms indicate a specific need for calcium or magnesium.

• Hydroponics and coco coir systems. These growing media provide no buffering capacity for calcium or magnesium, so any shortfall in the nutrient solution shows up quickly in plant tissue. Elemental provides a consistent source of both nutrients in formulations that do not rely on soil mineral reserves.
• Heavy-fruiting crops in late vegetative and early bloom. Calcium demand increases sharply when plants begin developing fruit, flowers, and new root tips. Incorporating Elemental into the feed schedule during the transition from vegetative growth to bloom can prevent blossom-end rot and related calcium-deficiency symptoms.
• Correcting magnesium deficiency (interveinal chlorosis). When older leaves show yellowing between the veins while the veins themselves remain green, the plant is typically pulling magnesium from mature tissue to support new growth. Elemental supplies magnesium directly at the root zone, addressing the root cause rather than masking the symptom.
• Preventive supplementation in RO-water or low-mineral water systems. Reverse osmosis water strips calcium and magnesium along with unwanted minerals. Growers using RO water as a base need to add both nutrients back before mixing their nutrient solution; Elemental does this in one step.
• Commercial greenhouse and nursery operations. The 40 lb bag size is practical for operations that go through Cal-Mag supplements regularly and want to reduce packaging waste and per-unit cost. If you are also working with other soil amendments, the Down To Earth Crab Meal 40 lb is another dry amendment available in bulk format for comparison.

Roots Organics Elemental vs Similar Cal-Mag Products

Several Cal-Mag supplements are available in both liquid and dry forms. When comparing Elemental to similar products, the key variables are form factor, calcium-to-magnesium ratio, and pack size.

Dry vs liquid Cal-Mag. Liquid Cal-Mag products are common in smaller hobby-scale grows because they dissolve immediately and allow fine dose adjustments per gallon. Dry amendments like Elemental require thorough mixing to dissolve fully but are generally more cost-effective at volume, generate less packaging waste, and are easier to ship and store in bulk quantities. Growers who are already managing multiple liquid additives sometimes prefer consolidating dry amendments for logistical simplicity.

Calcium-to-magnesium ratio. Elemental provides a 5:1 Ca:Mg ratio (20% Ca, 4% Mg). Some liquid Cal-Mag products offer ratios closer to 3:1 or 4:1. The higher calcium fraction in Elemental makes it especially well-suited for crops with elevated calcium demand — heavy fruiting plants, for instance — where magnesium demand does not increase at the same rate as calcium demand.

Comparison with iron-fortified Cal-Mag products. Some competing Cal-Mag supplements add chelated iron to address the interveinal chlorosis that can also result from iron deficiency rather than magnesium deficiency. Elemental focuses on calcium and magnesium without iron, which gives growers more precise control over iron inputs from their base nutrient program. If you need a root stimulant alongside your nutrient program, consider pairing with the Heavy 16 Roots additive for root-zone support.

Compatibility

Elemental is a dry calcium and magnesium supplement compatible with most hydroponic, coco coir, and soil-based growing systems. The following notes apply based on the product’s formulation and category characteristics:

• Growing media: Compatible with soil, coco coir, perlite, rockwool, and recirculating hydroponic systems. In recirculating systems, ensure the amendment is fully dissolved before introducing solution to the reservoir to avoid particulate buildup at pump inlets or drip emitters.
• Nutrient program compatibility: Elemental is designed to work alongside a complete base nutrient program. It does not replace nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium inputs. It integrates with the Roots Organics base nutrient line and is generally compatible with other brands’ base nutrients, though growers should check total calcium and magnesium levels in their complete solution to avoid over-supplementation.
• pH range: As with most dry calcium and magnesium amendments, target a solution pH of 5.8–6.5 for hydroponic and coco applications and 6.0–6.8 for soil applications to ensure calcium and magnesium remain plant-available. Calcium availability decreases significantly above pH 7.0.
• Pairing with beneficial microbes: Dry Cal-Mag amendments are generally compatible with microbial inoculants. If you are using a microbial additive such as Advanced Nutrients Tarantula, introduce it at a separate feeding or verify the pH and EC are within the microbe manufacturer’s recommended range before combining.

Dosing Guidelines

Specific dose rates per gallon or per cubic yard are not published in the available manufacturer documentation for this SKU. The following general guidance applies to dry Cal-Mag amendments of this type and should be verified against the label on the bag you receive, which may include updated application rates.

• Preventive supplementation: For growers using RO water or low-mineral source water, add Elemental to the nutrient reservoir at the rate specified on the product label. Begin with the lower end of the recommended range and increase based on EC readings and plant response.
• Corrective application: When addressing an active calcium or magnesium deficiency, apply at the higher end of the label rate and reassess plant response within 5–7 days. Visual improvement in new growth typically confirms the deficiency was nutritional rather than environmental.
• EC management: Adding calcium and magnesium inputs raises total EC. After incorporating Elemental, check the total EC of your solution against your crop’s target range for the current growth stage before feeding. Reduce base nutrient dose proportionally if the combined EC exceeds the target.
• Frequency: Cal-Mag supplements are typically used with every watering or every other watering depending on deficiency severity, water source, and base nutrient calcium/magnesium content. Follow the product label for specific guidance.
• Storage: Store the dry product in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight. Reseal the bag tightly after each use to prevent moisture absorption, which can cause clumping.

How to Use Roots Organics Elemental

1. Check your current calcium and magnesium levels. Before adding Elemental, test the EC and, if possible, run a water analysis on your source water to understand the baseline calcium and magnesium content. This prevents inadvertent over-supplementation, which can antagonize potassium uptake.
2. Measure the recommended dose. Use a calibrated scale or measuring cup to portion the dry amendment per the label directions for your application volume. Do not estimate by eye — dry granular amendments can vary significantly in density.
3. Pre-dissolve in a small volume of water. Add the measured dose to a small volume of warm water and stir until fully dissolved before adding to the main reservoir or mix tank. This ensures even distribution and prevents undissolved particles from settling in the system.
4. Add to reservoir after pH adjustment of base water. Mix the pre-dissolved Elemental into the main reservoir after adjusting the base water to the target pH range (5.8–6.5 for hydro/coco, 6.0–6.8 for soil). Adding calcium inputs before pH adjustment can make pH correction harder.
5. Mix thoroughly and measure final EC. Stir the reservoir thoroughly after adding all nutrients and amendments. Check the final EC against your target range for the current growth stage.
6. Verify pH after all inputs are added. Adding Elemental can shift solution pH slightly. Take a final pH reading after all amendments are added and make minor corrections before feeding.
7. Monitor plant response over 5–10 days. If using Elemental to address an active deficiency, inspect new growth for improved coloration and vigour over the following week. If symptoms persist in new tissue (not just in already-affected older leaves, which will not recover), reassess dosing or rule out other causes such as pH lockout or root health issues.

Sources & Further Reading