Hydoponic garden - Gravity feed

Step 10 Nutrients

Nutrients

Mixing nutrient solutions is possible with out any special gear, I do however recommend purchasing and EC ( electro conductivity) meter,(27a) while they will appear expensive to start, they can be very mighty useful when it comes to calculating just how much concentrate is required to make up the optimum EC for a plant type. Additionally they are very good for defining which alterations to make to the fluid in the tray tubes, during for example hot days, and other enviromental changes.

While you can get a basic cheap EC meter, I recommend you splash out and get a waterproof combo meter, If you are seriously in to they idea of hydroponics, my combo measures EC, pH and temperature.

The best place to figure out the nutrient requirements of your plants is to goggle EC values (depending on your metre these are measured in cF or ppm). Each plant has its likes and dislikes which can make all the difference to how it grows or fruits.

The other difference to understand is that plants that are either growing vegetative structures ( i.e. leaves ands stems ) and those that now have flower buds or are ultimately going to produce fruit have different nutrients requirements.

There is plenty on this subject on the Internet, but lets keep it simple with regards to nutrients;
a) Seedlings - I use water only , then follow the nutrient recommendations of my supplier with a nutrient designed to promote green growth.(27b)
b) Mature plants - are up to full strength of the same growth promoting nutrient.
c) Mature plants that begin to flower ( and I am interested in the seeds, or fruit that transpire) I switch to a nutrient solution that promotes flowering and fruit production.(27c)

The flowering nutrient does continue to support green growth - but then I use and all in one concentrate. - ask at your local hydroponics store.

Mixing the nutrients

Step a)
First you need to shake your premix concentrate bottle well, ( you can see in fig.27d how it separates after only a short time)

Step b)
Pour in to a cup and before it can settle, use a disposable plastic syringe (27e)(60ml) to suck up the required amount (this is where an EC meter is handy you can easily calculate how much this is required) and add it to the plastic Jerry can which is full of water.

Step c)
If you are mixing the nutrients in a separate container ( ideal while you are learning) then put the cap on and thoughly shake. If you are mixing the water supply containers then take a length of garden hose and blow big bubbles(fig.28) in the water supply Jerry can.

Step d)
Using the EC meter - check the EC reading to be within the desired range - adding nutrient or water to achieve the correct level. ( it can pay to mix in another container until you get the hang of this)

Step e)
Log the plant type, the nutrients type, ( grow or bloom) amount of concentrate required, final EC etc. This means as you get more practiced you will not have to work it all out each time.

The only time I have had to act on nutrient levels was during high temperatures inside the growing area ( i.e. when living in Australia and the temp went above 28 Degrees Centigrade - water added directly to the tray tube. With out an EC meter one could certainly work it out but you would need a fine eye for observing plant health.

Now sit back and watch it grow....

Comments

[Pizzapie500]

Where do you get nutrients and expanded clay balls?

[agatornz]

hi in New Zealand we get them from our local hydroponics store:-0 you can if you ultra keen make your own nutrients using raw minerals mixed in water but that's all bout getting the right amounts - i just get pre made fairform concentrate