Deep Water Culture (DWC) hydroponic systems are unique in that they rely entirely on the nutrients in the water to feed the plants. Therefore, choosing the right hydroponic nutrients for your DWC system is key to the success of your plants.
There are many different hydroponic nutrient brands and formulations available on the market, and the best one for your system will depend on the specific needs of your plants. However, when you get started you can get by with some simple guidelines:
- Small plants require very diluted nutrient solutions. If you take inch tall sprouts and place them in a full strength nutrient solution you will likely have problems. Seeds carry enough food to sprout so they can be started in normal water without any nutrients added. Once you get to the point where you get a set of leaves and a couple inches of growth you can introduce nutrients at 1/4 strength. Finally, when your plants have a nice root growing out of the bottom of the rockwool you can start using nutrients closer to full strength and watch them explode with growth.
- The plants will enjoy different blends of nutrients at different parts of the growing cycle. At a minimum use one blend for leafy “vegetative growth” and change to another blend for when you want your plants to produce the yield.
- During the vegetative growth stage, plants require higher levels of nitrogen (N) to support the growth of leaves, stems, and roots. They also need moderate levels of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) to support the development of strong roots and healthy foliage.
- In contrast, during the flowering stage, plants require lower levels of nitrogen and higher levels of phosphorus and potassium to support the development of flowers and fruit.
- Understanding how to have optimal grows is science but it’s not rocket science. Make small changes and watch how your plants respond. Dont change everything at once but don’t be afraid to experiment a little too.
- Once established a plant can tolerate a day or two without food and even a few hours without water. If things start to go wrong and your plants look unhappy (wilting, yellowing, leaves dropping or curling) you can drain the reservoir and let the plant flush with clean water for a day to rest and reset.
Some popular hydroponic nutrient brands for DWC systems include General Hydroponics, Advanced Nutrients, and Botanicare. It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for mixing and using the nutrients to ensure the best results for your plants.
I find the General Hydroponics dry formulas the simplest, cheapest and most foolproof for growing most food. Use their MaxiGro product for vegetative growth and their Maxi Bloom product once the plants are mature and you want to invoke flowering or fruiting. These bags go a long way. You will likely be able to get multiple seasons of growth from a bag.
Tags: Nutes