Why Farmers Buy Hydroponic Nutrients

| Wednesday, January 9, 2013
By Dorothea Garner


Hydroponics is the process of growing crops in solutions of mineral nutrients. It is subset of hydroculture and is commonly known as soilless culture. The plants are grown without using soil. Hydroponics is divided into two main categories which are the medium and solution cultures. There are three types of solution culture namely static, aeroponics and continuous flow. The medium culture differs from the solution culture because the roots must have a solid medium. There are several classifications of this method which are based on the type of medium used. The most commonly used mediums are rockwool, gravel and sand.Farmers buy hydroponic nutrients to improve crop production.

This agricultural technique was discovered about a decade ago. It has been very resourceful and it has facilitated the provision of optimum conditions needed for proper plant growth. Plants are provided with ideal proportions of minerals, proper lighting and optimum environmental conditions that are controlled. It supports plant growth in areas where the natural conditions are unfavorable. The benefits derived from these minerals have caused scientists to carry out studies to improve crop production. This has led to the discovery of additives, supplements and boosters that supplement the nutrient formulas.

It is important for consumers to educate themselves about these products. The farmer should understand the specific requirements of the crop.There are about twenty mineral elements considered beneficial for effective plant growth. Those supplied by water and air are oxygen, hydrogen and carbon. Micronutrients are needed by plants in large volumes and they include magnesium, phosphorus, sulphur, calcium, potassium and nitrogen. The essential macronutrients are needed in trace amounts and they include chloride, sodium, iron, copper, boron, manganese, nickel and molybdenum.

Nutrition plays a major role in ensuring the crops are healthy and the farmers get better yields. This can only be achieved by using high quality nutrient formulas. The nutrient formulas in the market are in most cases two or three part. The process of mixing these fertilizers should be done as per the specified instructions. If the amount of water used is not enough a concentrated suspension is formed. The mineral salts to gather together and leave the suspension. The users are required to read the instructions carefully and follow them to achieve maximum results.

The nutritional requirements of plants change as the plant moves from one growth stage to another. There are formulations for the various stages of the growth cycle. Plants need a grow formula during their vegetative stage and a bloom formula in their flowering stage. During the vegetative stage plants need large amounts of nitrogen which is essential for healthy development of stems and leaves. Insufficient amounts of nitrogen mineral leads to yellowing leaves and stunted growth. The ratio of nitrogen to potassium and phosphorus is decreased during the flowering cycle.

Growers have also devised ways of improving plant nutrition. The growers stimulate biological functions in plants using vitamins and natural hormones. Other products have specifically been designed to speed up the rate of nutrient absorption by the roots.

Regular changes should be made on the reservoir to ensure fresh nutrients are available to facilitate healthy growth. Electro conductivity can be installed to regulate the supply of the nutrients and ensure that the plants get an optimum supply. The pH should also be checked after mixing the nutrient solution. Leaching is necessary to get rid of excess salts that may be present in the growing medium.

There are so many shops where one can buy hydroponic nutrients. The hydroponic industry has experienced a lot of developments attributed to the recent scientific studies. Organic nutrients should be soluble and should not have sediments.




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