Hydroponic Nutrients: Fertilizer for Your Hydroponic Garden

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Phosphorus: Stunted plants with dark, dull and sometimes discolored leaves, unusually hard stems, poor root system, and very little branching. Deficiency attacks lower, more mature leaves first. Occurs especially when nitrogen level is low.

Potassium: In early stages, yellowing and curling of older leaves. Newer leaves will begin to droop. Older leaves then become blotchy and scorched. Flowers are lackluster, and stems are soft. The plant will be more susceptible to diseases such as mildew and rust.

Calcium: Underdeveloped roots are the first to be affected. Younger leaves will be immobile and their edges will curl. Plants will be stunted and have dark, crinkled leaves.

Magnesium: Symptoms do not appear until deficiency is well established. The plant will be stunted. Leaf veins will stay green while the remainder of the leaf turns yellow. Brown spots will appear and then the plant will dry out. Flowers will be slow to develop, if at all. Flowers that do grow will be lackluster.

Iron: Tips of new leaves will become either pale or yellow, and this will spread inward. The leaf will likely turn blotchy from a lack of green pigment, eventually turning brown and drying out.

Manganese: Poor blooming, weak growth. Leaves may turn yellow or blotchy.

Boron: Brittle stems, and immobile new leaves with brown tips.

Zinc: Growth will be stunted.

Carbon Dioxide Enrichment

Carbon dioxide is absolutely essential for plant growth. This gas is required for photosynthesis-turning light into energy. The optimum level of .15% C02 in the air is required for most plants. The minimum requirement is .03%, which can be used up very quickly in an enclosed indoor area. Studies show that the optimum level can provide up to 25% of additional growth to your plants.

You can add more carbon dioxide to the air by renting a tank of C02 from softdrink manufacturers, or by purchasing a C02 generator, which burns propane to create the gas. (The generator is actually the best choice for large grow rooms or greenhouses.) If you choose to rent a tank, you should use a timer and flow meter to ensure that the expensive gas is not wastrel.

Hints for Storing and Making Hydroponic Nutrients

•Store fertilizer salts, trace elements, and nutrients in airtight containers, away from moisture.
•When making nutrients, use a large, clean bowl for mixing. Crush crystals with a mortar and pestle (the chemist's type is best).
•Grind trace elements separately and add these last, stirring everything together very carefully.
•Make sure .ill powders are completely dissolved in water before application to your hydroponic system.
•Excerpted from the book Hydroponics for the Home Gardener, by Stewart Kenyon (Publishers Group West).

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