In hydroponics - opposite to soil cultivation - the plant gets everything it needs for growing directly to the roots by the nutrients dissolved in the water. Unlike conventional methods, nutrients do not have to be removed from the soil by watering. This also saves the plant a lot of energy, as it has easier access to the nutrients.
To ensure that the nutrients in soil-free cultivation can be absorbed by the plants directly from the water, special hydroponic fertilizers are available for hydroponic cultivation.
Plants require additional nutrients for growth, like dissolved minerals and trace elements. Plants absorb the nutrients through their roots when they are dissolved in the water as ions. In hydroponic fertilizers, all essential ingredients must be contained in the fertilizer, since nothing can be additionally extracted from soil.
Macro elements - are needed in larger quantities
Nitrogen N, potassium K and phosphorus P
Secondary nutrients - important but needed in smaller quantities
Calcium Ca, Magnesium Mg and Sulfur S
Micronutrients - Traces, important for enzyme reactions
Iron Fe, copper Cu, zinc Zn, manganese Mn, boron B, molybdenum Mo, chlorine Cl, silicon Si - to name the most important
In hydroponic systems the nutrient solution need to be checked regularly in regard to nutrient quantity and pH value using a pH meter and a EC meter.
...a fertilizer specially developed for the cultivation of plants in water, which only enables effective cultivation without soil. A good hydroponic fertilizer is characterized by the fact that it contains all nutrients and trace elements necessary for healthy growth in a directly usable form.
which are available in solid or liquid form, as single-component fertilisers or multicomponent fertilisers.
With mineral fertilizers, or inorganic fertilizers, the nutrients consist of mineral salts. They are obtained from natural raw materials through processing and the composition is precisely adjusted.
Mineral fertilizers for hydroponic applications contain everything that plants need. The nutrients are available in a way that they can be absorbed and processed directly by the plants.
A relatively large amount of energy and resources are consumed in the production of mineral fertilizers. In order to produce sustainable fertilizers, many fertilizer manufacturers now rely on the use of renewable energies and easily recyclable packaging materials.
The nutrients in organic fertilizers originate from plants or animals and are called natural fertilizers. Meanwhile there are also organic bio fertilizers or vegan fertilizers for hydroponics.
The nutrients in organic fertilizers are not all directly available for the plants to absorb, but must first be partially converted by microorganisms such as EM (Effective Microorganisms) so that they can be processed by the plants.
If low expenditure and high yields are desired, organic fertilizers are not so optimally suitable.
Hydroponics single component fertilizers contain everything a plant needs for growth and are generally well suited for green plants, such as salads and herbs.
With hydroponic multi-component fertilizers, it is possible to respond more specifically to the various growth cycles of the plant and to provide the plant with an optimum supply, especially in the flowering and fruiting phase. Here you will find the terms "Grow" or "Vega" for the vegetative phase and "Bloom" or "Flores" for the flowering and fruit phase. So-called additives "Boost" or PK 13-14 (phosphorus and potassium components) can also be added, e.g. in order to further improve the flowering and fruit formation.
Bionova Aero Supermix
= Single component complete fertilizer. It can be supplemented with PK 13-14 during the flowering phase.
Canna Aqua – Vega + Flores
= Two-component fertilizer. Vega (A+B) is used in the growth phase, Flora (A+B) in the flowering phase.
T.A. TriPart (GHE FloraSeries)
= Three component fertilizer. All 3 components are always added, in different doses depending on the growth phase.
Our recommendations are addressed to urban hydroponics hobby gardeners who want to achieve good yields with little effort.Together with water, the hydroponic fertilizer forms the nutrient solution that supplies the plants. Therefore the water quality also plays an important role. In the professional sector, tap water is specially treated in order to have complete control during cultivation. In our opinion it is sufficient to use tap water for hydroponic urban gardening.
that mineral fertilizers are best suited not only for beginners in hydroponics. They are easy to use, the fertilizer content is easy to dose and the cleaning effort is very low. We have had very good experience with the Canna Aqua series and with Bionova Aero Supermix.
