Hydroponics can be defined as a method for growing plants in water rather than soil. The idea behind this is for various media, which carry all of the nutrients in natural soil, to support plant growth. So it is really these nutrients that are key factors in the process of hydroponics. When growing plants in soil, the soil contains a whole lot of essential nutrients, which is the reason why fertilizers usually do not contain all the thirteen nutrients. However, in the case of hydroponic plants, these fertilizers prove inadequate and so fertilizer formulated specifically for hydroponic systems has to be used.

The type of your plant will determine how often it needs which kinds of nutrients. If you are looking for hydroponic nutrients for your plants, look for the ones with easy to read labels. The best ones are the ones that just say “grow” or “bloom” or some such. With this type of mixture, even a new gardener knows what to pick! Change the nutrients along with the growing cycle of your plants. An additional reason for changing the solution is because a depletion of elements is subject during the growth stage of your plant. At certain times, important components can run out more quickly. In an ideal word, the solution should be changed every two weeks. Keep in mind that the proportion of nutrient solution and water remains consistent. If a loss of water occurs due to evaporation, the fertilizer levels will increase potentially causing serious damage to root systems.

Usually the hydroponic nutrient solutions that are available are sold as a concentrate. The grower must follow instructions and consider the plant’s unique needs when he or she mixes it. For example, give a diluted form of application for plants exposed to adverse environments such as overheated and crowded conditions or even low lighting. A weaker solution can aid even delicate newly planted cuttings. Use a regular solution on your normally growing healthy plants. You may be able to use a stronger solution if your garden has all of the requirements for high growth.  For example, do you have good air flow and good lighting such as natural sunlight or grow lights like HPS grow lights? What about the production and circulation of carbon dioxide? However, it is advisable to increase the concentration of the fertilizer gradually to save the plant from burning up.

Though the concentrate to water ratio is in the range of 150 – 600 parts per million, the level for most of the plants is 300 – 400 ppm. Remember that these need to be mixed only with water, and no other part of the solution.

Right now, we know we need something more than just soil-based fertilizer, but what do we use?  It is important that you know what nutrient you need. You have to first and foremost decide on the growing medium such as stone wool, coco etc. For example, if you are utilizing coco, look into the particular nutrients such as canna coco nutrients. In the crop stage, a vegetative nutrient formula is better suited for the vegetative stage of the plant such as Super Veg A or Super Veg B.

The medium will determine the type of nutrient requirement. Basically the organic or best hydroponic nutrients are made up of different combinations of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. Nitrogen is essential for leaf growth and development. Potassium helps in the process of cell production and phosphorus is responsible for root development and flowering.