Hydroponic Plant Nutrition

The 17 essential elements and nutrient delivery

Plants require carbon, hydrogen and oxygen from air and water, plus 14 mineral nutrients from solution: N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S (macros) and Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, B, Mo, Cl, Ni (micros). In soil these are unevenly distributed, bound to minerals, and partly inaccessible. In hydroponics they are dissolved, ionised, and presented directly to the root surface at the EC and pH chosen by the grower.Resh, 2013Sonneveld & Voogt, 2009

EC and pH — useful readings, not yield predictions

Electrical conductivity (EC) is a proxy for dissolved salts, not a measure of individual nutrients. Crop requirements differ. For NaO, maintain hydroponic tank pH at 5.5–6.0 and measure EC after mixing 3+3+3 mL/L. Source-water chemistry, nutrient form and roots influence availability.Sonneveld & Voogt, 2009Resh, 2013

Recirculation and measured water use

Recirculating systems can reduce irrigation losses. Water use and yield depend on crop, climate and management; published comparisons do not establish performance for Nana Organics products or hardware.Sonneveld & Voogt, 2009

Why a 3-part nutrient line works

• MICRO 4-0-1.5: supplies calcium and micronutrients; add first and use with GROW and BLOOM.
• GROW 3-1.5-7: supplies nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and sulphur; contains no calcium.
• BLOOM 0-5-6: supplies phosphorus and potassium from MKP, plus magnesium; contains no nitrogen or calcium.
• Use all three NaO parts together at 3 mL each per litre. Add MICRO to water first and mix, then GROW and mix, then BLOOM. Maintain NaO hydroponic tank pH at 5.5–6.0; never mix undiluted concentrates. Other brands’ schedules are not NaO instructions.

Recirculation reduces some irrigation losses; actual water-use efficiency requires system measurements.Sonneveld & Voogt, 2009