Sugars in hydroponic nutrient solutions
Carbohydrates are an integral part of plants. They produce them from carbon dioxide, requiring no additional external carbon inputs for the process. However, since plants can absorb molecules through their…
Read More
Controlling pH in hydroponics using only electricity
The ability of plants to assimilate nutrients changes as a function of pH. This makes maintaining the pH of nutrient solutions within an acceptable range – most commonly 5.8 to…
Read More
The media exchange solution test: A better measurement of media effects in hydroponics
In the traditional hydroponic paradigm we want media to be as chemically inert as possible. The ideal media in this view would absorb no nutrients, give off no nutrients and…
Read More
Why you should optimize your nutrient solution for your particular setup
In hydroponics, most plant nourishment is delivered through the use of a nutrient solution. This solution is prepared from raw fertilizer inputs by the grower – or a fertilizer company…
Read More
High P or low P? The mystery of phosphorus in hydroponic culture
If you searched for the optimal P concentration for plant growth in hydroponics you will likely find very different results, ranging from low values to very high values. This is…
Read More
Using a biodegradable iron chelate (IDHA) in hydroponics
Chelates are a very important part of hydroponic nutrient solutions as they provide a reliable source of heavy metals. Without chelates, heavy metals can easily go out of solution and…
Read More
Selenium in hydroponic culture
The element selenium (Se) is not commonly used in hydroponic culture – as it’s not necessary for plant life – but the fact that it’s necessary for human life has…
Read More
Five ways to save money in hydroponics
Commercial hydroponics can be extremely expensive, given the technological complexity and supplies required for a successful crop. The biggest costs are usually related with the initial setup but subsequent crops…
Read More
Calcium’s behavior in hydroponics
Calcium is often one of the most puzzling elements in hydroponic culture due to its ability to respond fairly non-linearly to nutrient concentrations in solution. This behavior is the result…
Read More
Five things you should know when mixing your own hydroponic liquid nutrients
Many hydroponic growers – especially large scale ones – can benefit greatly from mixing their own custom nutrients. Not only can this save money in the thousands of dollars per…
Read More