THE NUTRIENT FLOW TECHNIQUE
(Page 3 of 4)
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Since hydroponically grown plants are solely dependent upon
the "feed" that you give them for nourishment, careful
attention to nutrient formulas and handling techniques will
be vital to your water garden's success. There are three
factors to consider: the ingredients, pH, and potency of
the nutrient solution.
Everyone connected with hydroponics seems to have his or
her favorite fertilizer formula. I've had good results with
Hydro-Sol-a product of the Robert B. Peters Co., and
available from many garden centers-with the addition of
anounce of calcium nitrate for each ounce of the commercial
product. Two ounces of this mixture will yield 15 gallons
of nutrient . . . and will supply all the nitrogen,
phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and calcium (as well as
the trace elements iron, boron, copper, zinc, manganese,
and molybdenum) that most plants need. Other good
commercial mixtures are available from garden centers under
the names Hyponex, Dr. Chatelier, and Ra-Pid-Gro . . . and
many mailorder suppliers offer their own blends.
Organic gardeners have often expressed concern about the
use of chemical plant foods in hydroponics. I must admit
that I find the explanation given by James B.
DeKorne-MOTHER NOS. 29 (page 68), 39 (page 32), and 48
(page 97) -convincing. Jim says that-while organic
fertilizers are clearly superior in soil culture, where
bacteria in the growing medium can break down the nutrients
to their ultimate (and usable) form -in hydroponics we feed
the plant, not the "soil" . . . and the nutrients must be
in an already broken-down form for the roots to absorb
them. Those who aren't swayed by DeKorne's argument should
look at MOTHER NO. 44, page 106, for some all-natural plant
food recipes. Pyramid Hydroponics (see Editor's Note) also
offers an organic fertilizer.
However he or she may feel about the question of natural
vs. manufactured fertilizer, though, there are still two
other items that demand the novice hydroponic gardener's
attention: maintaining the proper pH in the solution, and
assuring the potency of the nutrients. It's easy to monitor
the acid/alkaline balance (or pH) with nitrazine paper
(available from most any drugstore) or by using test kits
sold by hydroponics suppliers.
Plants generally do best with a slightly acid nutrient . .
. so a pH of 6 to 6.5 (pH 7 is neutral) is desirable. As
the roots remove chemicals from the fertilizer, the pH of
the liquid tends to drift toward the alkaline . . . which
causes some nutrients (especially iron) to precipitate out,
and thus become unavailable to the plants. A small quantity
of distilled white vinegar-remember that a teaspoon of the
acidic liquid per gallon of nutrient will drop the pH by
two points!-will restore the proper "sourness" to the
solution . . . while you can make the fluid more alkaline
(less often a problem) by adding a small amount-monitored
by nitrazine paper tests-of lime or bicarbonate of soda.
