The Best Organic Hydroponic Nutrients
The Best Organic Hydroponic Nutrients. Hyrdroponic food production reduces crop failure and increases yield. Hydroponics is a horticultural technique that uses nutrients rather than soil to cultivate plants. An alternative to organic farming, which is costly and time-consuming, hydroponics is a clean, economical and healthful way to grow produce....
Hyrdroponic food production reduces crop failure and increases yield. Hydroponics is a horticultural technique that uses nutrients rather than soil to cultivate plants. An alternative to organic farming, which is costly and time-consuming, hydroponics is a clean, economical and healthful way to grow produce. Studies comparing organically and hydroponically grown vegetables show significantly more vitamins and minerals are retained by hydroponics.
Hydro-organic Fertilizers
Hydro-organic-based formulas are best in hydroponics because they don't leave build-up or residue like straight organic fertilizers can. A pre-mixed liquid solution is applied to the roots either directly or indirectly through the growing medium. Some come as dry matter that needs to be completely dissolved in water before using. Some formulas are made for a specific plant type, while others are made for general use on all plants. They come in single-part solutions so that you don't have to mix and measure pH yourself. Fertilizer solutions usually carry a blend of natural ingredients.
Homemade Nutrient Tea
You can make a nutrient tea for your hydroponics using worm castings and bat guano. according to "Jason's Indoor Guide," an organic hydroponics education website. Bat guano, which is high in nitrogen, mixed with two parts worm droppings can be used for the vegetative stage of the plant. For the flowering stage, use one part worm castings and two parts high phosphorous guano. Place the organic mix in a sock or pillowcase, and then mix it with several gallons of water and a liquid hydro-organic solution for additional hormones and vitamins. Before using your own nutrient tea, make sure to check the pH level.
Aquaponic Fish Waste
Aquaponics involves the growing of fish and vegetables simultaneously by recreating an ecosystem through an integrated system that recirculates the nutrient-rich fish water from a fish tank for use as crop fertilizer. Beneficial bacteria actively converts fish waste into plant food, and in return, the plant helps to purify the water for fish. Aquaponics is a completely natural process and the use of organic fish food makes it a completely organic process.
Natural Ingredients
Bat guano, seaweed or kelp, fish waste and worm droppings are common nutrient-rich ingredients in hydroponic fertilizers. Bat guano, made of approximately 10 percent nitrogen (helps plant color and growth), 3 percent phosphorous (helps promote root growth and flowering) and 1 percent potassium (for strong stem growth). Seaweed and kelp contain major and minor plant nutrients which condition plants, help with water retention and make the plant more resistant to pests and disease. They also promote healthy bacteria growth in the hydroponic reservoir. Fish waste is converted into nitrate, a plant nutrient, and worm castings are rich in nitrogen but do not burn plants, even when applied directly.
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