Other than sunlight and water, the plant needs proper and good fertilizers and nutrients to grow and survive. If you are into gardening, you must know about the importance of fertilizers and nutrients for a plant. Usually, soil plays the role of giving the required nutrients to the plants through plant roots.
However, in the hydroponic gardening method, plants do not get the required nutrients from the soil as the soil is not used in hydroponic gardening. If you use hydroponic gardening in your house, you must know about the proper nutrients for your plants. Would you mind choosing the correct nutrient for your plant to give it a healthy and thriving life?
Important Hydroponic Nutrients
Generally, every plant in this world needs the five essential nutrients. Those are:
· Magnesium
· Nitrogen
· Calcium
· Phosphorous
· Potassium
Let’s discuss them in detail.
1. Magnesium
The majority of the people in this world are unaware of magnesium as a plant nutrient. It helps in increasing the intake of phosphorus in a plant that helps with the process of photosynthesis. Moreover, magnesium is also rich in chlorophyll, the main component for growth in a plant. Chlorophyll helps in making your plant green. Without the proper intake of magnesium, your plant may lose all of its colors.
2. Nitrogen
The major component of chlorophyll is Nitrogen. Chlorophyll helps the plants to turn the sunlight into energy during the process of photosynthesis. Nitrogen is also essential to build the amino acids in plants that create the protein. This protein is necessary as it gives the ability to a plant to photosynthesize its food.
3. Calcium
Calcium is one of the essential nutrients that plants require. Just like for humans, calcium also helps in strengthening the cell wall of plants. Moreover, calcium also helps in developing the tissues of the plant at a faster rate. For better water and nutrient infiltration, calcium neutralizes the cell acids. A shortage of calcium in a plant leads to a breakage of the cell structure, resulting in a weakened look.
4. Phosphorus
Everyone who loves gardening knows about the importance of phosphorus for the growth of a plant’s root system as well as for seed creation. Moreover, phosphorus also protects the plant from pests and diseases.
5. Potassium
Sunlight and water are essential for the plant, but intake of carbon dioxide is also necessary. Potassium helps the plant to consume carbon dioxide during photosynthesis. Without the intake and outtake of carbon dioxide, the photosynthesis process is incomplete in a plant. Plant growth gets slow when there is not enough potassium.
Too little nutrients and an overdose of nutrients can damage your plant. Talk to a gardener once in a while to know the appropriate amount of nutrients for your plant.
Choose the Correct Base Nutrient
The Ratio of N-P-K
While choosing the base nutrients for your plants, add Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Potassium in equal quantities. The chemical or scientific name of Nitrogen is N, and Phosphorus is P. In contrast, the chemical name of Potassium is K. The best ratio of N-P-K is 5-5-5, which means the base nutrient consists, 5% of Nitrogen, 5% of phosphorus, and 5% of potassium. This mixture is likely to make your plant grow and thrive. If your crops need more nutrients levels, then you can increase the ratio of N-P-K.
Best Form of Nutrients
Fertilizers and nutrients come in many forms, such as:
· Granular
· Liquid
· Powder
Depending on your plant, choose the correct form of the nutrient. The nutrient you choose for your plant must go with hydroponic gardening. For example, if you wish to mix the nutrient in the water, go for the powder form.
Keep in mind to give the nutrients to your plant consistently. Plants need constant care and attention. Other than water and sunlight, good nutrients and fertilizer help in the growth of the plant.
Which one to Choose – Organic or Synthetic?
Many people are confused when it comes to choosing the organic nutrient or synthetic nutrient. However, it is ideal to go for organic nutrients for your plants. Organic fertilizers are made from many plants and animal waste products. However, for some plants, organic fertilizers may not be suitable as the components may not be ideal for them.
In such cases, synthetic nutrients are the best alternative. Synthetic nutrients are filled with man-made chemicals, nitrates, etc. These things also made them ideal for multiple plants. Organic nutrients are a better choice than synthetic nutrients for your plants in the long run. Talk with a gardener before choosing the nutrients for your garden.
Deciding the correct nutrient for your hydroponic garden may be overwhelming, but the correct nutrient helps you make your garden healthy and beautiful. Choose the correct nutrient and grow healthy vegetables and fruits in your home.