Nutrients and Fertilizer
It’s been said that luck is nothing more than a combination of preparation and opportunity. Experienced growers know that, when it comes to hydroponic nutrients and garden fertilizers, what comes out of your garden depends largely on what you put into it. Wishing for a lucky green thumb? Maximize your preparation and opportunity by researching your options before your seeds sprout!
Water
The operative root of hydroponics is hydro. Your fertilizer and nutrients must all be well mixed into water so, for the best results, start with the best water you can find. Using a Small Boy filtration system or a Reverse Osmosis Filter is important in the purification of nutrient feedings. Some growers prefer pure rainwater, and others feel that tap water is fine, provided it is soft water, or you have a appropriate filter on your tap. Be cautious! Tap water may have a high salt content, not suitable for young plants. PH should remain between 5.5 to 6.5. Our Milawakee PH Meter or our General Hydroponics PH Control Kit will be a great investment in maintaining your plant. The solutions known as PH Up and PH Down come in both liquid and powder form. This product is a key element in balancing your PH.
Nutrients
Our staff will consult you on the appropriate nutrient feedings, providing all of the necessary elements.
Below is a list of common elements found in all of our nutrient lines
Magnesium
helps your plants produce the enzymes that let them grow to
maximum size.
Potassium
is utilized in myriad ways: this chemical encourages photo-synthesis (the transformation of light into food), growth, protein formation, and fruiting. Plus, it helps your plants fight off diseases and bacteria.
Phosphorus
also stimulates photosynthesis and strengthens your crops; it helps form healthy roots and flowers, and keeps your plants healthy even in the face of stressors like unhealthy temperature or movement.
Calcium
another macronutrient, creates healthy cell walls and protects the plant from salt and acid, while
Sulfur
is important in the production of proteins, enzymes, vitamins, among other things.
Nitrogen
is another macronutrient, which we’ll discuss in the fertilizer section.
While micronutrients are needed in lesser amounts, they are no less important than the macronutrients. Your hydroponic nutrient solution should also include chloride and manganese.
Chloride
is a chemical that naturally occurs in soil, so it’s a special consideration in hydroponics, as it’s necessary for the plant to process energy.
Manganese
All plants require manganese, as well, as this micronutrient is necessary in converting energy into carbohydrates. In fact, there are a number of other micronutrients that occur naturally in soil, and must be added to any hydroponic system:
Boron
helps the plant regulate nutrients and produce sugars,
Copper
creates healthy roots and reproduction,
Iron
is also important in chlorophyll production,
Molybdenum
aids the plant utilize available nitrogen, and
Zinc
helps regulate growth and carbohydrates.
Garden Fertilizer
Garden fertilizers are just as important as nutrient solutions for plant growth. Our store is fully stoked with garden fertlizers such as Bat Guano, Earth Worm Castings and more.
Can’t I Use Something Else?
Be careful! Your hydroponic plants requires a different approach than your soil grown plants. You will need to feed your plants with nutrients and fertilizers guaranteed to succeed in hydroponic applications.
Organic?
Hydroponic does not mean organic, and organic does not mean hydroponic. If organic food is important to you, read labels carefully to ensure that you’re purchasing an organic product. Nutrients lines such a General Organic’s, Advanced Nutrient’s Mother Earth or Jungle Juice and the Earth Juice line, would be best fit for the organic gardener. And remember that just because a product is labeled organic, it is not necessarily a hydroponic product. Consider all the soil-based nutrients your plants needs, and your hydroponic system lacks, and make sure you’re feeding your plants everything they need to feed you!
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