By the urban gardener

Australia's online hydroponics supplies & indoor grow shop

To succeed in plants growing a gardener must not underestimate plants fertilizing. Too little nourishing may result in the weak and slow-growing plants, while too much fertilizer can burn their roots and even destroy them completely. Therefore, it is important to know the basics of the plants fertilizing, the key facts of which are described below.

Hydroponic nutrient solutions are available in the shops in the concentrated forms. To make a solution suitable for the plants, it is necessary to add a certain amount of a fertilizer to the water. The ideal ratio of hydroponic nutrient solution contains 150-600 parts per million. The nutrients are usually sold in two or three parts. It is necessary to mix nutrients in water prior to combining several of them together.

How Much Hydroponic Nutrient Solution to Use?

Different plants require different concentrations of the nutrients. Moreover, the strength of the solution even depends on the growth stage of the plants. No wonder that hydroponic nutrient solutions can be found in “grow” or “growth” formulas, which are suitable either for the vegetative or blooming stage of the plants. Do not forget to timely switch to the flower stage solution in order to promote richer blooming and fruiting, trying to make the most of every plant.

Weak nutrient solutions are usually utilized if the plants grow in the poor conditions, like increased temperature in the garden, low lighting, plants crowding, and so on. Cuttings that have just rooted or the transporting plants are also fertilized with only weak nutrients.    

Healthy plants growing in the good environment should be watered with regular strength solutions. However, it is possible to use stronger formulations to improve plants efficiency. In this case, grow area should meet all the requirements of the perfect garden, including lighting, ventilation, and aeration. In the presence of such conditions it is recommended to increase nutrient solution strength gradually to avoid roots burning.

The improvement in the plants growth can be reached with the use of different additives, available in the gardening stores. However, a gardener should always keep the diaries with the description of the additive used and its influence on the plants. This will help to track and timely eliminate any negative plants reactions by cleansing the hydroponic system.

How to Measure Hydroponic Nutrient Solutions

To define the strength of the nutrient solution the method of defining electronic conductivity of the minerals dissolved in the water is used. A unit of measure here is called ppm (parts per million). However, this option allows to only approximately define the conductivity, but it does not provide the actual strength figures of the solution. To ease the process of mixing the nutrients, they are sold as the mix of tree parts, which offers a gardener a possibility to change the strength of the solution if necessary.

Overuse of Hydroponic Fertilizers

If a gardener suspects overfertilization, he should flush the access nutrients out of the growing medium. Clean water should be used to water the plants until the first signs of the nutrient deficiency are seen. Then it is necessary to return to the usual feeding of the plants. A top down flushing is used to wash the hydroponic solutions taste out of the plants two weeks before harvesting.

pH Testing

The process of pH testing is also called the power of Hydrogen. It is the way of measuring the acidity (alkalinity) of the nutrient formulations by defining the hydrogen ion content. pH level can be between 0-14, bases range between 7-14 (14 being the strongest), and the content of acids measures between 0-7 (0 is the most acidic). If the nutrients are added to the solution, they stir up to activity hydroxide and hydrogen ions, thus changing the pH level. It is advised to constantly check pH to be sure it has not changed.

Ideal pH for Plant Growth

The perfect pH level of the solution is nowadays believed to be 6-6.5; however, the majority of plants will grow well if watered with solutions, which pH ranges between 5 and 7. Nevertheless, there are many plants that require further studying of this topic and need some other pH level. Therefore, a gardener should always do the research to know what level exactly is necessary for the particular plants he is growing.

Be Careful When Handling Chemicals

Chemical solutions can be quite dangerous for the human skin and eyes if their pH level is under 3 or beyond 10. It is best to work with them wearing goggles and gloves to protect yourself from the accidental spill of the formulations, which can be strong bases or acids. 

Controlling pH Level

A gardener should get used to the frequent and constant checking of the pH level of the solutions and water he uses to nourish the plants. The latter absorb the nutrients and the acidity of the remaining solution increases. If it is frequently too high, the solutions should be changed more often.  

These days there is a great variety of different pH test kits a gardener may use to define the pH level of the solutions. Many of them are inexpensive, easy-to-use, and reliable. Liquid pH tests and litmus paper may be used to measure pH for the majority of the plants; however, some more delicate species may need the use of the more accurate test kits. It is possible to adjust the pH of the solution with the help of pH UP and pH DOWN chemicals.

Plant Growth Factors

Hydroponic gardening main benefit is its independence from the environmental conditions. Indoor gardens are a perfect place for the plants to grow in, as hydroponic gardening systems create there all the necessary conditions. Here belong the optimal grow medium, lighting, air ventilation, humidity, temperature, pH level, oxygen and CO2 supply. 

Light and Photosynthesis

Plants feed on the water, carbon dioxide, and nutrients and use them to create energy and essential sugars through the process of photosynthesis, triggered by light of the peculiar spectrum. Therefore, lighting is one of the crucial elements in the indoor gardening. Improved lighting is known to lead to the increased production of sugars in the plants.

In the natural environment a plant enjoys about 8-12 hours of sunlight a day with some variations depending on the season. Indoor gardening should offer not less than this amount of light as well. Besides, it is always recommended to significantly increase the amount of light to improve plants efficiency. Keep in mind that the crowded plants or those placed too far from the lamps may receive less light; thus, spacing also plays an important role in the process of photosynthesis and the successful growth of the plants.

Lack of proper lighting leads to the development of the elongated, spindly, and thin stems with small discolored leaves, and these effects are irreversible. Moreover, such plants tend not to bloom and fruit.  

Providing good lighting do not forget to pay attention to the presence of carbon dioxide in the indoor hydroponic garden system, as this element is also very important for the successful photosynthesis. Special CO2 systems are designed to increase the amount of it in your garden.  

Air circulation, ventilation, and constant supply of the fresh air to the indoor garden are of not lesser importance, as they all always provide oxygen and CO2 for the plants. There are various types of fans available to do this job in your garden. They can be purchased in various sizes and connected to the same timer as the light system

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Systems

The availability of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the indoor garden cannot be overlooked. This element plays an important role in the photosynthesis along with light, air, and water and thus, it is crucial for the plants growth. Its absence may have devastating influence on the plants and may cancel the efforts of the other hydroponic gardening system parts.  

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Injectors

Most gardeners find it very convenient and cost-effective to add CO2 to the hydroponic system by means of CO2 injectors. They consist of a gauge, valve, and regulator to control the level of CO2 released into the air. Besides, more sophisticated CO2 injectors are available for the same purpose. CO2 tanks can be purchased at the restaurant supply stores and medical supply outlets.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Generators

The use of CO2 generators is another way of supplying carbon dioxide to the plants. This equipment is designed to produce CO2 by burning natural gas, propane, or some other carbon-based fuel. Though it is more expensive, it is said to be more convenient. Moreover, they last longer and may be used for obtaining several yields.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Monitors and Controllers

Such serious and professional equipment is expensive, but it ensures automatic control and maintenance of CO2 level in the indoor hydroponic garden systems. CO2 monitors and controllers minimize the work of a gardener. They consist of an electronic CO2 monitor and CO2 controller. By the way, monitors are available for purchase separately and are convenient, because it is possible to connect them to different types of controllers. As a result, a gardener is free to design his hydroponic garden according to his preferences.

Water

Different indoor hydroponic garden systems require various quantity of water. Nonetheless, it is necessary to maintain its adequate amount in order to avoid the irreversible harm to the plants and the possible permanent reduction of the expected crops.   

Water quality is also important for the plants, their normal growth, and for the whole system of the indoor hydroponic garden. Tap water, which is commonly used for plants watering, is usually called “hard”. It contains salts and minerals, which presence can change the amount and balance of nutrients in hydroponic solutions. Such water often has to be adjusted to the necessary pH level and the amount of salts should not exceed 325 ppm.

Temperature

The amount of crops a grower expects to get from an indoor garden depends on the temperature constantly kept inside. The latter, actually, depends on the plants growing in the garden. Some of them prefer cooler temperatures (like lettuces, which require 10^o C to 18^o C), others give better and richer crops if grown in the conditions of 18^o C to 26⁰ C.

Primary Hydroponic Nutrients

Nitrogen (N)

Nitrogen is the most important element for the plants in their vegetative stage of growth, as it is necessary for the normal development of the stems and leaves. The highest concentration of nitrogen is found in the hydroponic nutrient solutions marked as “grow” or “flower”. The most vivid signs of nitrogen deficiency are yellowish, discolored, thin, and weak plants.

On the other hand, plants between their growing stages can perfectly make it with the solutions containing half-strength nitrogen. Normal amount of the element in the solution is resumed once the plants switched to the “flower” stage. Such schedule will provide better blooming and will help avoid plants stretching and elongating.

Phosphorous (P)

Flowering and roots growth depend on the amounts of phosphorus supplied. If a plant lacks this element it grows very slowly, which postpones flowering and fruiting stages. Nutrient formulas designated for the “bloom” stage contain high concentrations of phosphorus and potassium.

Potassium (K)

Potassium is vitally important for the plants, in spite of the fact that it actually has no nutritional value for them. The matter is that this element is capable of promoting absorption of all the other nutrients by the plants. Potassium deficiency causes slow irregular growth and susceptibility of the plants to diseases and pests. Note that during the fruiting stage the amount of potassium should be significantly reduced, as it prevents fruits development.  

Secondary Hydroponic Nutrients

Calcium (Ca)

Calcium enhances the absorption of other nutrients, but it is necessary for the plants mainly during the vegetative stage, while its supply is reduced in the flowering phase. Beside, this element may increase to some extend the pH level of the nutrient solution.

Magnesium (Mg)

Magnesium aids in the production of chlorophyll during photosynthesis; thus, its deficiency leads to the growth of yellow leaves and discolored stems.

Sulfur (S)

It is necessary to underline that yellow leaves may also be a sign of sulfur deficiency. However, this chemical is present in the nutrient solutions only in small amounts.

Iron (Fe)

Lack of iron may as well result in yellow leaves. Its absorption may be reduced due to the high pH levels of the solutions; thus, it is one more reason to regularly check their pH. 

Molybdenum (Mb)

Molybdenum enhances the absorption of nitrogen and aids in the conversion of nitrates to ammonium.

Boron (B)

Boron does not belong to the essential elements; furthermore, it is not even present in the regular soils. However, it is said to help transport carbohydrates in the phloem; thus, it is sometimes supplemented in the nutrient solutions. Nevertheless, beware of the overdose of boron, as it may kill the plants.