Regardless of the hydroponics system chosen for organic hydroponics, care needs to be taken to provide the components to create a high quality growing environment. This article will cover the role of hydroponic nutrients including beneficial microbes, nutrient solutions, humic and fluvic acids, carbohydrates and enzymes. For information on organic hydroponics and appropriate hydroponic systems for organic growing see: Understanding Organic Hydroponics
Table of Contents
The heart of the organic hydroponics system is the cultivation of beneficial microbes in the growing environment. Products containing beneficial microbes help to expand the root surface which increases nutrient uptake as well as creating a balanced biology, and an increased concentration of chitin and cellulose recycling organisms.
Healthy, growing environments include both beneficial bacteria and fungi in a wide variety. Bacteria and fungi are consumed by the microbial biology contained within the nutrient solution, and are released as nutrients that can easily be taken up by the root system. A full-range of microbial biology significantly reduces the minimum amount of nutrient required for vigorous plant growth, while still allowing for the use of the same level of nutrient as before beneficial microbe inoculation for maximum nutrient uptake.
When adding beneficial microbes, to the system. Start with pure, de-chlorinated water, add in the nutrients, and then inoculate the nutrient solution with a mixture of beneficial microbes.
Another option for inoculating the nutrient solution with beneficial microbes is the use of some form of compost or vermiculture tea. Some growers brew compost tea in a simple set up consisting of a large bucket, small air pump and a nylon stocking to be used as a tea bag.
In non organic hydroponics, synthetic fertilizers and mineral salts are used for plant nutrients. The plants access the nutrients in water without the benefit of microbial activity. Fortunately, many reputable hydroponics manufacturers now produce quality organic hydroponic nutrients.
With the flood-to-waste system, you start with pure pH adjusted water, properly mixed nutrient solution and beneficial microbes, and use this solution to water the plants. With a quality media mix, plants may only need to be watered every two to seven days, but make sure not to allow the mix to completely dry between watering. Trial and error will quickly allow one to learn how much nutrient solution is needed to minimize the amount that drains out the bottom of the growing containers. If a recirculating system is used, change the reservoir solution each week.
Flushing a system with plain de-chlorinated pH adjusted water for seven to ten days before harvest will improve the aroma and flavor of produce. In a recirculating hydroponics system, change the plain reservoir water with fresh water every day for these last days.
Humic and fulvic acids are a big part of the good stuff that composting aims to develop in a traditional soil based garden. The complex molecules in these acids are formed as organic matter decays. These acids enhance the nutrient richness of soil and they are believed to increase the permeability of plant membranes, promoting the uptake of nutrients resulting in stronger, healthier, better producing plants. Those wishing to supplement the nutrient solutions of hydroponic systems may want to try humic and fluvic acid products. Humic acids are the fluvic acids are both extracted from humic substances.
Using sugar supplements along with fulvic acid and humic acid can bring great benefits plants with no downside. Some products contain carbohydrates along with fluvic and humic acid, or they can be supplemented separately. The process of photosynthesis is where plants make sugars that are vital to the cellular preparation, to maintain the plants metabolism and vigor. Plants are efficient at making the sugars they need, but in the process of photosynthesis they use large amounts of energy. Plants burn the carbohydrates that are produced for the production of fruit, vegetables or blooms. By adding organic carbohydrate supplements to the hydroponic nutrient solution, carbohydrates that have been allocated to the flowering process will be replenished more easily. This will save on the energy plants would normally use to create those sugars.
Plants use energy produced by burning sugars and starches to move water and nutrient through cells up to the leaves where through photosynthesis these elements are converted to sugars and starches which sent back down to the root zone for possible storage. Plants must produce the enzymes necessary to take up these nutrients, minerals, and vitamins, and this process also requires energy. Supplementing these enzymes allows plants to devote more energy for growth and flower/fruit production. Enzymes also play other important roles in plant growth, most notably improving the root zone by creating naturally occurring enzymes and beneficial microbes that keep the root zone free of sickness. Fortunately sophisticated enzyme formulations which contain the proper balance of numerous enzymes are available from many of the same venders who sell beneficial microbe formulations.
Organic Hydroponics Feeding Tips Website Accessed August 15, 2010
Organic Hydroponics by Paul Wright Website Accessed August 15, 2010
A Simple Solution by Miranda Smith Website Accessed August 15, 2010
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