The Important Role of Nutrients in Hydroponic Gardening
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Hydroponics literally means the process of growing plants in water using no soil. The idea behind this is for various media, which carry all of the nutrients in natural soil, to support plant growth. Therefore, it’s these nutrients which are the most vital component in the hydroponics process. When growing plants in soil, the soil contains a whole lot of essential nutrients, which is the reason why fertilizers usually do not contain all the thirteen nutrients. But still, in the case of hydroponic plants, these fertilizers are not adequate and therefore fertilizer formulated specifically for hydropolic systems are the ones that you have to use.
The type of your plant will determine how often it needs which kinds of nutrients. Best hydroponic nutrients are sold in solutions with simple labels such as ‘grow’ or ‘bloom’ so that even a novice grower can pick up these solutions easily. As the growing cycle of your plants evolves make sure the nutrients evolve along with it. An additional reason for changing the solution is because a depletion of elements is subject during the growth stage of your plant. At certain times, important components can run out more quickly. Ideally you should change the solution every two weeks. One must note that the proportion of nutrient solution and water must remain stable. If the fertilizer level increases due to evaporation of water, it could cause extensive root damage.
The hydroponic nutrient solutions available are typically sold in a concentrated form. The grower has to mix it according to the instructions and as per the requirement of the plant. For plants that are in poor growing conditions, like overheated flowerbeds or in low lighting, a weaker solution should be used. Even plant cuttings which have just been planted will benefit from a solution which has been diluted. Use a regular solution on your normally growing healthy plants. You may be able to use a stronger solution if your garden has all of the requirements for high growth. For example, do you have good air flow and good lighting such as natural sunlight or grow lights like LED grow lights? What about the production and circulation of carbon dioxide? However, it is advisable to increase the concentration of the fertilizer gradually to save the plant from burning up.
Although the concentrate to water ratio is between 150-600 parts per million, most plants require 300-400ppm. Remember that these need to be mixed only with water, and no other part of the solution.
Now that you are aware of the need for different nutrients, you need to know which ones to use. It is important that you know what nutrient you need. Your first consideration should be your growing medium–whether it be stone wool, sand, coco, etc. For example, if you are utilizing coco, look into the particular nutrients such as canna coco nutrients. Super Veg A or Super Veg B would be ideal, and is a great formula for a vegitable in the crop stage.
The medium determines the kind of nutrients required. The best hydroponic ingredients are composed of mixtures of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. Leaf vegetative growth depends on nitrogen Potassium aides in cell production, while phosphorus helps to make roots grow.
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November 11th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
Actually, hydroponics “literally” means “working water”. It is commonly defined as growing plants in the absence of soil.
But the literal translation is water (hydro) working (ponics).
December 7th, 2008 at 10:26 am
[…] The Important Role of Nutrients in Hydroponic Gardening … - Hydroponics literally means the process of growing plants in water using no soil. The idea behind this is for various media, which carry all of the nutrients in. […]