Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
FIGURE 5.2
Complete liquid hydroponic nutrient solutions. Grow formulation
on the left, Bloom in the middle, and Ripe formulation on the right. (Courtesy of
Botanicare, Tempe, Arizona.)
chelate. The second component (B) includes potassium sulfate, monopo-
tassium phosphate, magnesium sulfate, manganese sulfate or chelate, zinc
sulfate or chelate, copper sulfate, boric acid, and ammonium molybdate.
Today many single complete formulations as well as ones with A and B
parts are available in liquid form. Some are composed of the basic fertil-
izer salts that we normally use in hydroponics. Many others are of organic
base, such as fish fertilizer, bat guano, humic acid, seaweed extract, feather
meal, kelp, alfalfa extract, and molasses, and other organic derivatives by
themselves as pure organic nutrients or in combination with some fertilizer
salts and micronutrients. When selecting a nutrient, look for those spe-
cifically formulated for hydroponic use. There are numerous nutrients that
are suited specifically for the various plant stages of growth, particularly
for the initial vegetative growth stage, followed by bloom and ripening
stage formulations to promote flowering and fruit production. For example,
Botanicare markets CNS17 Grow Formula 3-2-4, Bloom Formula 2-2-5,
and Ripe Formula 1-5-4 (Figure 5.2). General Hydroponics has a FloraNova
series of nutrients with a FloraNova Grow (7-4-10) and a FloraNova Bloom
(4-8-7) for the different growth stages of the plants. These are a few of the
nutrient suppliers that are listed in Chapter 8 in Table 8.1.
Hydroponic shops also sell a wide range of plant supplements and addi-
tives (Figure 5.3). Mycorrhizae inoculants are beneficial fungi that live
symbiotically on plant roots (Figure 5.4). The fungal filaments (hyphae)
extend into the substrate particles and extract, transport, and assist in the
plant roots' efficiency of nutrient and moisture uptake. Some of these
