Guidelines for Nutrients and Feeding

All types of plants need nutrients that are able to give them the elements that they need to complete vital biochemical processes. Nitrogen (N), potassium (K), and phosphorus (P) are usually the top three listed, but there are dozen other elements that plants need. Iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), and calcium (Ca), along with many other elements are needed in other for a hydroponic plant to perform its essential roles. Plants in soil-based gardens also need these elements to function properly.

Nitrogen is mainly used by the growing leaves of the plant. Though the air is about 79% nitrogen, plants need this element in the form of a supplement. The N2 molecule that is present in the air is highly stable, and plants aren’t able to break it apart in order to use single nitrogen atoms. Phosphorus is an essential element for root growth. Potassium aids the plant in resisting against disease. Potassium is known to help enzyme formation in plants.

The other elements that plants need to perform a vast range of functions. Calcium, for instance, is a large part of cell walls. It also helps to deliver iron to many parts of the plant. Chlorine (Cl) is a component of chlorophyll which plays an important role in photosynthesis. Iron helps with hemoglobin, formed by both plants animals, to help transport oxygen that is necessary for cellular respiration.

Many of the pre-made solutions that are available are the easiest way to give your plants the elements they need. As with any plant compound, dosage is important. If you are treating young plants, like small cuttings or those just germinating plants, 1/3 teaspoon of calcium nitrate should be used and dissolved in a gallon of water. Flowering plants need a little more, so 3/4 teaspoon should work.

Because water and temperature are important factors when feeding your plant, it is important to keep track of both. Any solution given to your plants should be given at room temperature. This should also be the temperature used in any hydroponic garden.

Dry plants should not be given nutrients because of the chance of nitrogen burning. This is a rare problem with hydroponics, but plants grown using aeroponics are prone to surfer nitrogen burning.

Allowing any type of water to stand overnight will help to evaporate any excess chlorine that may come from home water sources. It is preferable to use mineralized water to distilled water because it will already have calcium and other helpful elements.

It is also a good idea to regulate the pH and to keep it as neutral as you can. As plants take up nutrients, they will make the water slightly alkaline. Adding a small amount of sulfuric acid can easily help to move the pH back the neutral range. Sodium hydroxide will help make acidic water more neutral. There are many types of testing kits that you can use to measure the pH of the hydroponic water.

Hydroponically grown plants are much more sensitive to nutrient levels and aren’t as able to self-regulate as well as those plants that are grown in soil. In soil, plants are able to take up as well as shed compounds. When hydroponic plants release compounds, the water medium isn’t able to move them away from the plant. In this case, the hydroponic gardener will have to use a lot more care to keep his/her plants healthy.

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