NPK hydroponics
NPK hydroponics is a key to success in the cultivation of any hydroponic plant. Many beginners struggle to get a grip of it. However, there is a point to those letter and number sequences you see on nutrient solutions. Today, we will cover the following essentials:
- NPK hydroponics – what is it?
- NPK hydroponics – how to get the right ratio?
- NPK hydroponics – and beyond
- NPK hydroponics – where to get your nutrients?
NPK hydroponics – what is it?
In NPK hydroponics, NPK stands for three macronutrients that all the plants need: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). Nitrogen is used in amino acid creation, the very building blocks for plant protein. Hence, it is indispensable in plant development and vegetative growth. Phosphorus is an important component of DNA and RNA. It plays an important role in root development, crop maturity, and seed formation. Potassium does not form a specific plant part but is vital in a life of a plant as it is required for activation of over 80 enzymes. It makes the use of water and nutrients efficient and is responsible for plants´ ability to withstand disease, drought, and extreme temperatures. In NPK hydroponics, the nutrient solution delivered to the plants is based on the mixture of those three vital elements. As hydroponic plants are grown in the absence of soil and placed directly in the water or an inert medium such as perlite or wood fiber, the nutrient solution is the only source of their sustenance. It is ever more important that you find the right NPK ratio and provide your plants with everything they need, when they need it.
NPK hydroponics – how to get the right ratio?
NPK hydroponics products, in their majority, will have their NPK ratio clearly stated. For instance, in a 3-3-4 solution, 3% of the weight is nitrogen, 3% is phosphorus, and 4% of the overall weight of the product is potassium. Choosing your ratio you need to take into consideration your crop type as well as its growth phase. For example, during vegetative growth, your plants will need more nitrogen. During the blooming and flowering, plants will require more phosphorus for flower and fruit production. At this stage, they will have the leaves they require, so you can decrease the nitrogen levels. In NPK hydroponics, you will be modifying your nutrient solution as you go to match the changing needs of your plants. Learn more about hydroponic nutrition here.
NPK hydroponics – and beyond
In NPK hydroponics, even though the plant life is based on large amounts of NPK, there are other microelements indispensable to the plant´s health and development. Calcium, magnesium, sulphur, iron, manganese, copper, zinc, molybdenum, boron, and chlorine in trace quantities are as important to your plants as the big three of NPK. Keep this in mind while choosing your NPK hydroponics nutrient solution.
NPK hydroponics – where to get your nutrients?
A well-balanced, high-quality NPK hydroponics nutrient solution is a key to successful hydroponic growing. See BAC´s offer of hydroponic nutrient solutions here. These two-formula products allow you to find the right ratio of nutrients by mixing them. You can consult BAC feeding schedules here. If you have any questions about BAC´s products or how to use them, please contact BAC experts here.
