Finding the Right Nutrient for your Hydroponic Water
Using nutrients in your plants water supply is the one of
the most important aspects of growing plants hydroponically. Choosing the right
nutrients for your hydroponic water is not a simple task, and there are so many
choices and so many different formulations. Finding the right nutrient solution
may seem confusing, but there are certain ways to minimize your selection and
ultimately buy the one that suits your plant's needs. When growing plants hydroponically
it is mandatory to buy nutrients for your plants. There are hundreds of
nutrient solutions and there are a number of ways in which they are formulated.
Some growers make the mistake of thinking more nutrient
parts equal more yield, but this is often not the case. Actually, more nutrient
parts equal more control, and more complex nutrient solutions will give added
control over plants. There are several nutrient solutions to choose from.
Single part nutrients are easy to use, which are ideal for novice growers.
These nutrients are often perceived as being "for beginners only," but many
commercial growers prefer the simplicity of single part nutrient formulations
when mixing in large quantities. Some ingredients are restricted in one-part
nutrient formulations, because everything is contained within one bottle. In
these formulations there are certain nutrient salts that will react with each
other if stored together and would render the nutrient unusable. So many
effective ingredients must be left out or replaced in one-part solutions.
The most popular nutrient is the two-part solution. Two part
nutrients consist of an A and B component for the growth and bloom
formulations. Splitting the formulation into two parts, allows for the adding
of extra ingredients that would otherwise be unstable in a one-part solution.
The two part solutions will almost always out perform the one part solution if
used correctly. One-part solutions are easier to use than two part solutions,
so it's highly possible to make a mistake. You can add more of the same mixture
of nutrients, but you cannot control the individual strength of each major
element within the solution to suit your plants.
Three part nutrients offer growers the most control over
what they are feeding their plants. The solutions consist of three separate
Grow, Bloom, and Micro formulations, and the grower must decide how much of
each they will use to create their final solution at their plant's stages of
growth. This allows the grower to change the overall NPK ratios of their
nutrient as their plants grow, and to respond to the signals given by plants.
There are recommended formulas for mixing the three parts and the flexibility
can allow superior overall performance. It's easy to make a mistake when using
the three-part solution and it's easy to misread the signals your plants are
giving you. Three part nutrient solutions are not best for the novice grower,
but if your willing to take the time to learn about three part systems, then it
will give you total control over your plants' feeding schedule.
When choosing the right nutrient for your hydroponics water,
you must understand nutrient solution management. Complete nutritional control
requires a basic understanding of your plants nutritional needs. The plants
should be supplied with the 16 essential mineral elements that all plants
require. When formulating hydroponic nutrient solutions, you may mix your own
from individual fertilizer salts or you may use commercially available
fertilizer that is specifically formulated for growing plants hydroponically.
If you are a novice grower, it is always best to commercial formulas, that
require less work and give your plants all the nutrients the need.
