How much nutrients for hydroponics?
How much nutrients for hydroponics? Is important to know as it plays an important role in keeping your plants healthy in the most efficient way. Today, we will cover the following issues:
- How much nutrients for hydroponics – the basics of plant nutrition
- How much nutrients for hydroponics is enough?
- How much nutrients for hydroponics should you buy to start with?
How much nutrients for hydroponics – the basics of plant nutrition
To know how much nutrients for hydroponics you need, it might be a good idea to understand what nutrients you need in the first place. In a hydroponic system where plants are placed in water or inert medium instead of soil, the nutrient solution you deliver them will be the only source of food they have. This is why hydroponic systems are more fragile to deficiencies and need you to be sharp and informed about your plant nutrition. All plants need fairly large amounts of three macronutrients: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). Nitrogen is vital in vegetative growth as it constructs proteins, the very building blocks of plants. Phosphorus is indispensable in the flowering phase as it helps construct flowers, fruit, as well as roots, and seeds. Potassium helps the plat distribute its water and nutrients efficiently, and is responsible for releasing more than 80 different enzymes. It makes the plant more resistant to extreme temperatures, disease, and drought. Apart from the big three macronutrients, various micronutrients are essential to plants´ health: calcium, magnesium, sulphur, iron, manganese, copper, zinc, molybdenum, boron, and chlorine. A well-balanced nutrient solution will contain all of those elements. However, how much nutrients for hydroponics you need will depend on the type of your growing system, the crop type, and the growing phase. Learn more about hydroponic nutrition here.
How much nutrients for hydroponics is enough?
How much nutrients for hydroponics you use will depend on various factors. Firstly, the ratio of nutrients you need to use depends on the growing phase of your plants. Generally, you will use fewer nutrients in the first stages of life, but with a higher ratio of nitrogen, as it is responsible for vegetative growth. Once the plants start blooming and flowering, you will want to increase the dosage of nutrients, and boost your phosphorus level. It depends on your preference if you want to mix all of the nutrients yourself or use professional-made mixtures. Either way, follow the package instructions of the specific product to obtain the right ratio of water and nutrition solution. The important variable to know how much nutrient for hydroponics you need is to know how big your reservoir is. In general, you will need 1 to 2 cups of pre-mixed liquid nutrient solution per 60 liters of water, and in the majority of cases, you would add it every time you refill your reservoir (approximately every two weeks).
How much nutrients for hydroponics should you buy to start with?
Before you decide how much nutrients for hydroponics you will buy to start your soilless adventure, you should not underestimate one great advantage of hydroponic systems: they are much more nutrient efficient than traditional farming. If you go for a well-balanced, high-quality professional nutrient solution, a little will go a long way. See BAC hydroponic offer here. If you have any questions about their products, how to use them, or how much nutrients for hydroponics you will need, feel free to contact BAC experts here.
