Hydroponic Gardening Today » Nutrients

What are some symptoms of nutrient deficiencies?

admin — Tue, 13 May 2008 02:34:37 +0000

The following list provides a small sample of some signs of deficiency exhibited by plants in your hydroponic vegetable garden. This list is far from complete and should be use strictly as a guideline for your own research.

Nitrogen – Entire plant is light green in color; lower leaves are yellow; growth is stunted. This is one of the more common deficiencies.

Phosphorus – Entire plant is bluish-green, often developing a red or purplish cast; lower leaves may be yellow, drying to a greenish-brown to black color; growth may be stunted. This is the second most common deficiency.

Potassium – Important to enzymes critical to photosynthesis. Leaves have a papery appearance; dead areas along the edges of the leaves; growth is stunted.

Magnesium – Lower leaves turn yellow along the tips and margin and between the veins; the lower leaves wilt. Fairly uncommon, however excess can lead to potassium deficiency.

Calcium – Young stems and new leaves die. Excess calcium may lead to boron or magnesium deficiencies.

Zinc – Leaf tissue between the veins is lighter in color; yellowed; papery in appearance.

Iron – Leaf tissue appears yellow, while the veins remain green.

Copper – Leaf edges appear dark green or blue; leaf edges curl upward; young leaves permanently wilt

Sulfur – Y oung leaves turn pale green, while the older leaves remain green; plant is stunted and spindly. Fairly uncommon.

Manganese – Growth is stunted; lower leaves have a checkered pattern of yellow and green.

Molybdenum – Leaves are stunted, pale green, and malformed

Boron – Young leaves are scorched at tips and margins

Check back next time to learn more about hydroponic vegetable gardening.

How to measure hydroponic nutrient solutions?

admin — Sun, 11 May 2008 02:54:49 +0000

You may be wondering by now how you go about measuring the concentration of nutrient solution you are using for your hydroponic vegetable gardening. The concentration of nutrients in the solution is typically measured by the electrical conductivity of the dissolved minerals in the water. The measurements results are in parts per million (ppm). The drawback to this method is that it only measures the total conductivity of the solution, not the concentrations of the components in the solutions. This is why the solutions are sold in concentrated mixes of multiple parts instead of individual chemicals. Once you have the mixes adjusted correctly, its easy to add water to dilute the solution to achieve the correct conductivity that you’re after.
It is also important to measure the pH of the nutrient solution. Too base, ie the pH is too high, and you’ll burn the plants possibly even killing them. Too acidic, ie the pH is too low, and you also run the risk of killing the plants. The ideal pH of the nutrient solution should be between 5.5 and 6.5 for optimal plant uptake. pH can be adjusted downwards using a pH lowering solution, or even lemon juice in a pinch. pH can be adjusted upwards using a pH raising solution or sodium bicarbonate in a pinch. Neither of these solutions will be as good as a store bought chemical for adjusting the pH.

What are hydroponic gardening nutrient solutions?

admin — Sat, 10 May 2008 03:01:26 +0000

Most problems with plants are a result of using the wrong amount of fertilizer. If you use too little, your plants will be weak and underfed. If you use too much you risk burning and even killing the plant. In most cases it is a judgment call and requires constant monitoring and adjustment over the lifespan of the plant.
Hydroponic nutrient solutions are typically sold in concentrated forms. They are designed to be diluted and then added to your garden’s water supply at a specific ratio. The ideal concentration for your hydroponic vegetable garden is 150-600 parts per million (ppm). For the majority of plants, that range can be narrowed to 300-400 ppm. The solutions are usually sold in two or three part solutions because some of the chemical components cannot be mixed together directly. In fact, always be sure to mix your nutrient solutions into water and never directly with one another.
The solution is simply water with fertilizer dissolved into it. Always start with good quality water and mix in the fertilizer at a rate dictated by the manufacturer. The pH of the nutrient solution is also very important and must be adjusted as needed using liquid pH adjusters. While the pH requirement is dependent on the plant, a good rule of thumb for the pH is between 6.0 – 6.5 for all growing mediums other than Rockwool. Rockwool requires a pH of 5.5-5.8.
For young plants, the sultion should be mixed at a ¼ to ½ strength of what the manufacturer suggests for full strength. At two weeks of age you can adjust upwards and start using a full strength solution. Remember, you want to keep the growing medium moist, but never saturated, with the nutrient solution.
Check back again for the next installment of knowledge about starting your hydroponic vegetable garden.