Proper nutrient formulation is essential to hydroponics. There are thirteen mineral elements necessary for satisfactory plant growth, and all must be present in the proper proportions. Although the "minor" elements are required in much smaller quantities than the "major" elements, plant growth will suffer if even one of these nutrients is missing.
| Major Elements | | Common Sources | | Nitrogen | | calcium nitrate or potassium nitrate | | Phosphorus | | potassium phosphate, also from phosphoric acid used for pH control | | Potassium | | | | Calcium | | | | Magnesium | | magnesium sulfate (Epsom salts) | | Sulfur | | | | | | | | Minor Elements | | Common Sources | | Iron | | iron chelate (FeEDTA or FeDTPA - expensive but essential) | | Manganese | | manganese sulfate | | Boron | | borax or boric acid | | Copper | | cupric sulfate, copper chelate | | Zinc | | zinc sulfate, zinc chelate | | Molybdenum | | ammonium molybdate | | Chloride | | found in water supplies, or as a contaminate in the other materials |
Sodium, cobalt and silicon are also necessary in trace amounts. Pre-mixed, dry blends of hydroponic nutrients are available, which need only be dissolved in water. It is considerably easier to use these mixes than to attempt to mix your own.
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