Hydroponic Nutrients: To Make Or To Purchase?

A person can purchase hydroponic nutrients, or a person can make hydroponic nutrients (also known as hydroponic fertilizer). The nutrients are the key for the plants, not the soil. So, determining how to feed your plants the nutrients they need to grow is a “sink or swim” issue. Hydroponic plants grow well without soil but not without nutrients.

Do you just want to make your own? If so, can you find an agricultural agency, a nursery, a gardening store, a plant-food supplier, etc. that could give you fertilizers salts? If yes, you will have to purchase more than you actually need, most likely. However, if you want to do this on your own, you can. And getting your hands on fertilizer salts is the first step.

All salts are not alike. Potassium sulphate is superior to potassium chloride; magnesium sulphate is superior to magnesium nitrate. If you are making your own hydroponic nutrients, do your research.

Nutrients that are key to plant growth are nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. In addition to these three keys, you will want to feed your plants traces of the following nutrients: iron, zinc, boron, calcium, molybdenum, sulphur, manganese, copper, magnesium, and chlorine. Each benefit they plants in their own unique ways.

Specifically, iron is necessary for the production of clorophyll. Zinc is essential for energy transfer within the plants. Calcium fosters root growth and potassium absorption. And the list goes on with at least one benefit connected to each listed nutrient.

Should you choose to purchase your hydroponic nutrients rather than make your own, you will find many products out there to support your cause.

Reading reviews of such “already made” nutrient products can give you great insight into what works, what doesn’t work, what ratio to use, and the cost of the products compared to their real benefits. After a time though, most suggest that you just pick one and go with it. People disagree, and too many opinions are not helpful.

Do your best to present your plants with balanced (proper ratios of elements) amounts of nutrients. By giving your plants a balanced solution of nutrients, your plants will take what they need without you having to guess.

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