What Is Hydroponics?
Hydroponics is a way of growing plants without soil. Hydroponics, translates from hydro=water and ponos=works. Hydroponics literally means water works. Hydroponic equipment is best suited for indoor gardening or greenhouses. Soilless gardening lets plant take up nutrient faster which means a quicker growing, more compact and more nutritious plant in a smaller space.
Nutrient FAQs
|
Carbon
|
C
|
Component of all organic compounds |
|
Oxygen
|
O
|
supplied by air & water |
|
Hydrogen
|
H
|
That's why its element #1 |
|
Nitrogen
|
N
|
Part of chlorophyll, amino acids, proteins |
|
Phosphorus
|
P
|
Used in photosynthesis and almost all aspects of growth |
|
Potassium
|
K
|
Activates enzymes, used in formation of sugar and starch |
|
Calcium
|
Ca
|
Used in cell growth and division, part of cell wall |
|
Magnesium
|
Mg
|
Part of chlorophyll, activates enzymes |
|
Sulfur
|
S
|
Part of amino acids and proteins |
The Micronutrients called such because they are required in trace
amounts.
Also refereed to as trace elements.
| Boron | B | Affects reproduction |
| Chlorine | Cl | Aids in root growth |
| Copper | Cu | Used in chlorophyl, activates enzymes |
| Iron | Fe | Used in Photosynthesis |
| Manganese | Mn | Part of chlorophyll, activates enzymes |
| Sodium | Na | Used for water movement |
| Zinc | Zn | Part of enzymes, used in auxins |
| Molybdenum | Mo | Used in nitrogen fixation |
| Nickel | Ni | Liberates Nitrogen |
| Cobalt | Co | Fixates Nitrogen |
| Silicon | Si | Makes tougher cell walls: enhances heat and drought tolerance |
Common chemicals used in mixing your own nutrient formulas.
| CaNO3 | Calcium Nitrate |
| K2SO4 | Potassium Sulfate |
| KNO3 | Potassium Nitrate |
| KH2PO4 | Mono Potassium Phosphate |
| MgSO4 | Magnesium Sulfate |
| TE | Trace elements |
| NH4NO3 | Ammonium Nitrate |
Common materials used as fertilizers and soil amendments.
|
Material
|
N
|
P
|
K
|
Notes
|
| Blood (dried or meal) |
12-15
|
1.2
|
1
|
soluble |
| Bone meal (unsteamed) |
2-4
|
15
|
25
|
calcium,TE |
| Bone meal (steamed) |
2-3
|
18-25
|
.2%
|
Ca, TE |
| Canola meal |
0
|
1.2
|
1.3
|
iron, TE |
| Cottonseed meal |
7
|
2
|
2
|
acidic |
| Ploultry manure (dry) |
3-4
|
2-4
|
1.2
|
soluble, TE |
| Compost |
1-2
|
1
|
1
|
TE |
| Cow (Steer) manure |
.6-2
|
.3
|
.5-1
|
excess salts |
| Coffee grounds |
2
|
.3
|
.7
|
acidic |
| Feathers (dry or meal) |
12-15
|
0
|
0
|
some TE |
| Fish meal |
8
|
7
|
2
|
soluble |
| Goat manure |
.5
|
.4
|
.4
|
TE |
| Granite dust |
0
|
0
|
4-5
|
some TE |
| Potash rock |
0
|
6-8
|
0
|
some TE |
| Greensand (glauconite) |
-
|
1
|
5-7
|
iron,Mg,TE |
| Guano (Bat) |
2-5
|
8-10
|
1-2
|
soluble, TE |
| Guano (sea bird) |
10-15
|
5
|
2
|
soluble, TE |
| Hoof & horn meal |
6-15
|
2
|
0
|
TE |
| Paper ash |
0
|
.1
|
2-3
|
High pH |
| Soft phosphate |
0
|
18-24
|
0
|
calcium,TE |
| Seaweed (liquid) |
.5
|
.5
|
.3
|
soluble, TE |
| Seaweed (meal) |
1
|
1
|
1
|
soluble, TE |
| Sheep manure |
.8
|
.4
|
.5
|
TE |
| Swine manure |
.6
|
.4
|
.5
|
TE |
| Wood ash (hardwood) |
0
|
1.5 |
7-10
|
soluble |
| Wood ash (softwood) |
0
|
.8
|
5
|
soluble |
| Worm castings |
3.5
|
1
|
1
|
TE |
TE = Trace Elements also called micronutrients.
Measured levels for hydroponic nutrients.
|
RANGE DESIRABLE PERMISSIBLE
|
EC as mS 0.75 to 2.0 |
TDS as PPM 500 to 1300 |
|
(with potential for concern)
|
2.0 to 3.0
|
1300 to 2000
|
|
PROBABLE SALT DAMAGE
|
3.0 and up
|
2000 and up
|
1 mS = 10 cF = 700 PPM
EC = Electrical Conductivity
mS = Milli Siemens
cF = Conductivity Factor
TDS = Total Dissolved Salts
PPM = Parts Per Million
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