Hydroponic essentials boils down to 4 things: A grow system, hydroponic grow medium, light requirements & planning, and hydroponic nutrients. A hydroponic system provides water management and nutrient delivery to the plants or crops within the system. For an introduction to the different systems and methods of hydroponics, read our post here!

Once you’ve found the method of hydroponics that fit your growing requirements, the next step is choosing a grow medium. Grow medium replaces soil and holds the plants and roots within a hydroponic system.

At this point, the infrastructure is complete. Your plants have a solid foundation and are within a system that will provide them support and nutrient delivery. From this point, plants will be plants and use the nutrients you provide them through your hydroponic system and begin to under go photosynthesis.

A key benefit of hydroponics is the ability to control variables such as nutrients, typically measured and managed using electrical conductivity (EC), another variable is light. Hydroponics can be used with direct sunlight, artificial grow lights or a combination of both.

Light requirements can get into the weeds as you start improving growth efficiencies. Light is measured in terms of MOL and PPFD. Think of MOL as the minimal amount of light required for a plant to survive. photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) is the amount of photons a plant is exposed to and can receive.

Choosing a Hydroponics Grow Medium

Grow medium is simply the material your plants will be planted and grown in. As opposed to traditional gardens, hydroponics uses grow medium to replace soil. This is important because the grow medium doesn’t provide nutrients similar to soil. Hydroponic grow medium is often pH neutral as well, this allows accurate measures and management of pH & nutrients.

Hydroponics Grow Medium serves as plant support, root protection, aeration (the ability to allow oxygen to the roots), and saturation (the ability to evenly absorb hydroponic nutrients).

Hydroponics is a soilless plant-growing technique in which various grow mediums are used. These mediums are essential to hydroponic systems because they promote strong root development and maximize plant growth. Here are a few typical hydroponic grow media:

What is Hydroponic Rockwool?

Rockwool is a common growing medium because of its superior aeration and water retention qualities. It is made from molten rock that is spun into fibers. It offers a sturdy framework for plant roots and is easily shaped to fit various plant species.

What is Perlite?

It is a volcanic glass that expands when heated in the form of a porous and lightweight substance. Perlite is frequently used to enhance drainage and aeration in the root zone in hydroponic systems.

What is Coco Coir?

A natural fiber made from coconut husks is called coco coir. It is often used in hydroponic gardening because of its superior water retention and aeration qualities. coco coir can be used alone or in combination with other mediums to provide a well-balanced substrate for plant growth.

What are Hydroponic Growstones?

Growstones are pH-neutral and offer superior drainage and aeration. They are made from recycled glass or clay pebbles. For hydroponic gardeners, they are an environmentally favorable option because they are lightweight and reusable.

Key Nutrients in Hydroponics:

The primary nutrients you as a hydroponic grower should be familiar with is Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Calcium, and Magnesium. Nutrients play a major role in the growth of the plants, from root and vegetative growth to overall plant health and immunity.

As you just start out, a full understanding of these nutrients is not required. Many nutrient manufacturers simplify it and tailor their products to pre-measured nutrient amounts for your plants. General Hydroponics and Masterblend offer some of the most beginner friendly hydroponic nutrients available.

Simply read the label and dissolve the nutrients into your hydroponics water reservoir. Hydroponic nutrients last a long time and are easily added as needed with growth phases and new plantings. Compared to soil gardening, soil must be replaced or toiled which becomes messy and tiresome with heavy bags of soil.

Why does Nitrogen matter for hydroponic plants?

Nitrogen (N):

It is also essential for the synthesis of chlorophyll and overall plant growth. Nitrogen is necessary for vegetative development.

Understanding that Nitrogen promotes vegetative growth, if you are farming leafy greens, your nutrients will have more Nitrogen. This understanding may be important if the nutrient blend you are using is not fostering the growth you expected or need. General Hydroponics Flora Series is a three part nutrient blend, after following the instructions, you may choose to add more Nitrogen heavy solution to your mix.

Why does phosphorus matter for hydroponic plants?

Phosphorus (P):

Phosphorus helps plants transmit energy internally and it is necessary for root development, blooming, and fruiting stages. As your plants transition between growth phases, Phosphorus is what gets it there! Phosphorus will always be required to promote strong healthy roots, but as your plants begin to flower, Phosphorus nutrients should be increased.

In the example of leafy greens, we don’t want lettuce to flower or bolt. Less phosphorus should be given while growing greens. Alternatively, plants such as tomatoes and strawberries require flowering and blooming. Increasing Phosphorus promotes healthy blooming and ultimately fruit production.

If you notice your flowers are falling off or aren’t pollinating, you may need to increase Phosphorus.

Why does potassium matter for hydroponic plants?

Potassium (K):

It contributes to general plant health and stresses resilience with photosynthesis, enzyme activity, and water management.

Think of Potassium as the human equivalent to vitamins such as vitamin C.

If your plants are getting burnt from grow lights or sunshine you may need to add Potassium, assuming your lighting is sufficient and not harming the plant. To determine plant light requirements check out our guide on the topic!

Calcium (Ca):

It is beneficial for the integrity of membranes and cell walls and also helps plants from diseases like blossom end rot.

Magnesium (Mg):

Magnesium is a component of chlorophyll essential to photosynthesis and the activation of enzymes, which maintains the general vigor and production of plants.

Base Nutrients

The foundation of hydroponic gardening is provided by base nutrients, which offer vital components needed for strong plant growth. These nutrients usually consist of a well-balanced combination of secondary macronutrients like calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) with fundamental macronutrients like nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). Base nutrients are supplied in liquid or powder form, and their precise quantity is made to match the plant's evolving nutritional needs from seedling to harvest. By ensuring a constant supply of these essential components strong growth and maximum yields can be sustained in hydroponic systems.

Additives

Conversely, additives supplement base nutrients by providing targeted solutions to meet certain plant needs and environmental circumstances. Micronutrients such as iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn), which are essential for enzyme activation and general metabolic processes, are included in these supplements. Furthermore, organic compounds, bloom boosters, pH adjusters, and root stimulants are examples of additives that can be used to fine-tune nutrient solutions and maximize plant performance. Hydroponic gardeners can customize their cultivation strategy to improve nutrient uptake, resistance, and crop quality by incorporating thoughtfully chosen additions into their nutrition regimen.

Light for Indoor Plants or Hydroponics

Traditional plant-growing methods need natural lights for growth but in terms of indoor hydroponic plants you need artificial lights for the maximum yield. These hydroponic grow lights also play an important role in the development of plants. We need to consider many things for artificial light, such as the photo-period, light intensity, and light spectrum.

The photo-period is the time in a given 24-hour period, that a plant or other organism is exposed to light. Simply, the quantity and quality of light that plants receive determines the season. Summertime brings longer days and more light for outdoor plants. It's the other way around in the winter. There is little seasonal variation in tropical areas, but there is a noticeable fluctuation in colder climeates from one season to the next.

You should also modify the photo-period when the plant gets bigger. If you have sown the plant in the early spring and it is mature enough, then extend the photo-period and you should gradually shorten the photoperiod for plants that you seeded in the late summer.

Best Hydroponics Grow Light Color Spectrum:

Another significant aspect of the light that plants receive is their color. The frequency of light waves is determined by the color, which is frequently expressed in wavelengths or nanometers. We can detect visible light between 400 nm (violet) and 780 nm (red). Light-emitting diodes, or LEDs, are the most popular type of light bulb used.

In hydroponic gardening, they generate extremely little heat, are readily available, and need less energy than most alternatives. In addition, LEDs provide a high brightness and don't require a warm-up time.

How to measure light requirements for indoor plants and hydroponics?

Measuring light intensity can be easily understood and accomplished using the Photone App. This app uses your smart phone to measure light intensity and measure that intensity in PPFD, MOL, brightness, and temperature.

For simplicity, download the app and place your camera where your plants are or should be. Take not of the PPFD to determine if more or less light is required. For more details about determining hydroponics light requirements read our guide here!

Conclusion:

While Hydroponics has a very scientific background, it should not discourage you from growing with Hydroponics. Companies have tailored their products to be consumer friendly. Understanding the science will help scale and create efficiencies through observation and experimentation with your plants.

No one garden is the same given the many variables at play. View our Sponsored Products for hydroponic essentials to get you started in the right direction. Our recommendations consider brand quality, price, ease of use & consumer friendly, and holistic approaches towards hydroponics.

As hydroponics becomes more viable for home growers, companies have simplified the 4 basic essentials. There is no shortage of systems, grow medium, and nutrients you can experiment with and grow amazing food!

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