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Hydroponics - This is a type of horticulture where plants, typically edible crops, are grown without soil and in a water-based mineral nutrient solution. 

Plants are commonly grown grown hydroponically in a greenhouse or contained environment. 

Common plants grown hydroponically are:

• Tomatoes
• Peppers
• Cucumbers
• Strawberries
• Lettuces
• Herbs

What nutrients are needed for hydroponics?

Learning what nutrients are needed for hydroponics is the first step you need to take if you are interested in growing hydroponically. 

Most plants grow more rapidly when cultivated in hydroponic systems when compared to traditional soil farming. This is because the physical conditions as well as nutrients delivered, can be fully controlled by the grower. It is a great opportunity, as well as a risk. Hydroponically grown plants are more fragile to any deficits in nutrition as they cannot fall back on the soil supply for the nutrients they lack. This is why you will want to know what nutrients are needed for hydroponics before you get started. 

All plants grown hydroponically will need large amounts of the three main macronutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. All plants need the following micronutrients, too: calcium, magnesium, sulphur, iron, manganese, copper, zinc, molybdenum, boron, chlorine. 

The ratio will depend on the type of your crops, your growing system, and your plant´s development phase. For example, during the vegetative stage, a plant needs extra nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium. When it starts flowering, it needs much more phosphorus and potassium. 

To get started with the essential nutrients for your hydroponic garden, we stock all the nutrients you need to get going. See our Hydroponic Nutrients HERE