What nutrients for hydroponics?
Understanding what nutrients for hydroponics is the one single piece of knowledge you cannot go without if you are planning to start your soilless adventures. Today, we will cover the following aspects of the topic:
- What nutrients for hydroponics – basics of nutrition
- What nutrients for hydroponics – organic or mineral?
- What nutrients for hydroponics – and where to get them?
What nutrients for hydroponics – basics of nutrition
Learning what nutrients for hydroponics is the first step you need to take if you are interested in growing hydroponically. Most plants grow more rapidly when cultivated in hydroponic systems when compared to traditional soil farming. This is because the physical conditions as well as nutrients delivered, can be fully controlled by the grower. It is a great opportunity, as well as a risk. Hydroponically grown plants are more fragile to any deficits in nutrition as they cannot fall back on the soil supply for the nutrients they lack. This is why you will want to know what nutrients for hydroponics before you get started. All plants grown hydroponically will need large amounts of the three main macronutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. All plants need the following micronutrients, too: calcium, magnesium, sulphur, iron, manganese, copper, zinc, molybdenum, boron, chlorine. The ratio will depend on the type of your crops, your growing system, and your plant´s development phase. For example, during the vegetative stage, a plant needs extra nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium. When it starts flowering, it needs much more phosphorus and potassium. Click here to learn more about nutrition in hydroponic systems. Once you know what nutrients for hydroponics, the trick is to choose a well-balanced, high-quality mix and apply it according to your plant´s needs.
What nutrients for hydroponics – organic or mineral?
Once you know what nutrients for hydroponics, one of the following decisions will be to choose between organic and mineral nutrient solutions. Both organic and mineral solutions contain naturally found elements, but while in organic products, they come directly from plant or animal matter, in mineral ones they are extracted in chemical processes. While organic nutrition has its indisputable benefits, it can also get tricky. Organically grown plants might be more resistant to diseases and have lower levels of nitrates and toxic residues. In traditional farming, the organic nutrients are firstly decomposed by beneficial soil microorganisms that make the nutrients available to the plants. In hydroponics, as there is no soil present, this cannot happen in quite the same way, which limits significantly the sources of readily-ingestible organic nutrients for hydroponics. Furthermore, many studies show that organically fed hydroponic plants tend to grow smaller and slower. Large pH fluctuations can be a problem, too. As organic hydroponic requires a lot of knowledge, experience, as well as a hefty investment, many growers go with mineral products first.
What nutrients for hydroponics – and where to get them?
Once you know what nutrients for hydroponics you need, you might want to get your nutrient solution right off the bat. Go for research-based, well-balanced, high-quality products. BAC professionals know exactly what nutrients for hydroponics are needed, and our products are of the highest quality. Click here to see our hydroponic products that will help your plants grow to their full potential. If you have any questions about our products or how to use them, feel free to contact BAC professionals here.