Skip to main content
Nana Organics logo

Grow Guides

Crop guides written for South African growers

Choose a crop for general growing references and the current NaO 3+3+3 mL/L instructions. EC references are not measured results of that dose; actual yields vary.

Beginner

Lettuce & Leafy Greens

Lactuca sativa, kale, spinach, pak choi

A short-cycle leafy crop suited to NFT and DWC systems. Harvest timing depends on cultivar and growing conditions.

30–45 days
Varies by cultivar and conditions
Open guide
Intermediate

Tomatoes

Solanum lycopersicum

A fruiting crop suited to Dutch buckets, coir and DWC. Needs trellising, pollination and close water management.

90–120 days
Varies by cultivar and conditions
Open guide
Beginner

Basil & Herbs

Ocimum basilicum, mint, parsley, coriander

A leafy herb suited to NFT and DWC. Regular cutting and suitable root temperatures support repeated harvests.

28–40 days
Varies by cultivar and conditions
Open guide
Intermediate

Peppers & Chillies

Capsicum annuum

Hot and sweet peppers require a longer growing cycle, suitable temperatures and support during fruiting.

100–140 days
Varies by cultivar and conditions
Open guide
Intermediate

Cucumbers

Cucumis sativus

A climbing fruit crop requiring trellising, regular water supply and ventilation.

55–70 days
Varies by cultivar and conditions
Open guide
Advanced

Strawberries

Fragaria × ananassa

Strawberries suit coir and some vertical systems. Choose cultivars for your climate and monitor roots and pests.

60–90 days to first fruit
Varies by cultivar and conditions
Open guide

Build a custom feed plan in 30 seconds

Use our free Nutrient Calculator — pick your crop, stage and reservoir size and we'll give you exact ml of MICRO, GROW and BLOOM.

Plant looking sick?

Yellow leaves, brown tips, tiny flies, root rot — find out what's wrong and exactly how to fix it.

Turn a guide into a growing record

Choose a crop for your conditions

These guides cover leafy greens, tomatoes, basil, peppers, cucumbers and strawberries. Choose for light, climate, available support and the time you can spend observing plants. Short-cycle greens have different management demands from fruiting crops needing trellising, pollination and a longer production period.

Ask the seed supplier about cultivar, season and growth habit. Related species in a guide category are not identical. Dates and EC ranges provide context, not guarantees or alternatives to the published directions.

Look after the roots and water delivery

Roots require water, oxygen and suitable temperatures as well as mineral nutrients. Confirm that flow reaches every plant, drains remain clear and aeration works where the system requires it. A pump running in the reservoir does not prove that all emitters or planting pockets receive water. Protect the solution from light, inspect tanks and lines for algae or biofilm, and remove plant debris.

Clean equipment between crops and follow equipment and disinfectant labels for dilution, contact time, protective equipment and rinsing. Do not improvise peroxide, bleach or pesticide treatments in a live reservoir. Leaf yellowing, wilting and brown roots can have multiple causes. Persistent or rapidly spreading symptoms warrant qualified advice, not repeated fertilizer additions.

Further reading

These sources support general cultivation guidance, not verified Nana Organics product performance. Current NaO instructions take precedence over another brand’s feeding schedule.