Top 5 Ranked Nutrients for Hydroponics 🌳 Updated 2023
Gardening isn’t a new concept. It’s something that has been going on ever since the cradle of man. I mean, Adam and Eve were the first pioneers in this field.
On the other hand, hydroponics might be a little bit new to those hearing about it for the first time. Well, it’s one of the coolest and most productive inventions in the agricultural sector.
With the rate at which available agricultural land is diminishing due to human activities and a fast-growing population worldwide, hydroponics couldn’t have come at a better time.
Hydroponics is a system that allows people to grow vegetables and fruits in-house and sometimes even commercially. They are often easy to manage, and starters can easily set up one on their own, with a little guidance, of course.
Anyway, unlike humans, plants don’t have the luxury of going on a diet. You might end up with a fantastic figure, but plants will wilt and die. Therefore, you must check and take care of your plants regularly, and one of the most critical things you should always remember is to supply them with the right nutrients. The standard hydroponic nutrient application routine usually is after every 7 to 10 days.
By doing so, you will be sure that your plants have the right supply of plant growing elements such as Nitrogen, Iron, Calcium, Magnesium, Sulfur, Phosphorus, and Potassium.
Those who’ve been practicing this for a long time will agree with me that finding the best hydroponic nutrient is a challenge. Well, the marketplace is flooded with oceans of products purporting to be the best nutrients for hydroponics.
If this has been one of your struggles, then you shouldn’t worry anymore because we will be discussing the top five ranked nutrients for hydroponics in this article.
Let’s dive in.
Best Nutrients for Hydroponics
General Hydroponics MaxiGro Plant Food
Pros
- Has high concentration of dry nutrient formula
- Great for plants during early growth stages
- Very affordable
- Easy to transport and store
Cons
- Two-part system only
- The zip lock isn’t very durable for long-term keeping
The General Hydroponics MaxiGro Plant Food contains a highly concentrated nutrient formula that quickly dissolves in water to release primary, secondary, and micronutrients that plants need during the vegetative growth stage.
This makes it suitable for young seedlings, cuttings, and any sprouting plant. Unlike most of its liquid-based competitors, the General Hydroponics MaxiGro Plant Food is powdery, making it perfect for storage purposes, and you don’t have to worry about leakages while traveling with it.
Apart from its solubility and portability, this product is entirely pH-buffered, and we love that it doesn’t alter the soil’s pH once the healthy target is met. While applying this particular product, you should remember that the General Hydroponics MaxiGro Plant Food is just the first step of a two-part treatment developed by General Hydroponic.
General Hydroponics FloraGro
Pros
- Allows one to customize their own nutrient schedule
- Boosts both vegetative and flowering growth stages
- Great for complete beginners
- Lasts for a long time depending on usage
Cons
- Non-organic
- One has to determine their own consumption ratio
One of the biggest hydroponic-growing hurdles you might have to overcome is the constant worry that you’re not giving your plants enough nutrients. Well, the General Hydroponics FloraGro is a great addition that will take this confusion away.
It contains a highly soluble nutrient formula specifically meant to help your plant grow well by supplying it with the right amount of different minerals. As the name FloriGro suggests, this product is perfect for boosting your plants’ vegetative and flower development phases.
The fact that the content is concentrated gives you the liberty to adjust the amount needed for your plants.
If there is one thing that we still enjoy about this product, it’s convenience. It gives users the freedom to customize their nutrient application schedule.
Depending on your consumption rate, this concentrate comes in a voluminous package enough to last you a long while.
Besides figuring out your consumption ratio, we believe that the General Hydroponics FloraGro is perfect for the complete beginner who is more worried about starving their hydroponics.
Root Farm Liquid Nutrient for Hydroponic Plants
Pros
- Easy to use
- Great for all kinds of hydroponic plants
- Supports holistic plant growth
Cons
- Should be mixed with Part 1 for best results
- Isn’t pH-buffered
The Root Farm Liquid Nutrient for Hydroponic Plants contains a specially formulated content that is best for all kinds of hydroponic plants ranging from leafy vegetables to different herbs. This all-purpose supplement provides plants with nutrients for boosting all plant growth stages ranging from root to fruit development.
This means that you don’t need to worry about using different hydroponic nutrients for varying growth cycles. All you need is the Root Farm Liquid Nutrient for Hydroponic Plants, especially when you combine part 1 and part 2.
For best results, you should always remember to mix it thoroughly with water before applying it to your hydroponic system.
Lettuce Greens and Herbs Hydroponic Nutrients
Pros
- Easy to use
- Easy to store
- Highly portable
- Great for both leafy plants and herbs
Cons
- It isn’t pH-buffered
- Doesn’t have a single-step system
The Lettuce Greens and Herbs Hydroponic Nutrients is a complete nutrient formulation that boosts the growth of lettuce herbs and microgreens. Out of the package, it comes in solid form that can be converted to a 128 gallon of nutrients easily.
This product is perfect for both small-scale setup and commercial use. Just be sure to follow the exact formulation requirements included in the package. For starters, all you need to get it ready for use includes 3 five gallon buckets, a pH adjuster, water, and a measuring cup. For a pH down, we suggest that you use phosphoric acid. Otherwise, keenly follow the instructions for mixing just to make sure that you don’t mess up.
This inexpensive product offers a blend of 5 macronutrients and all the six micronutrients that are perfect for a huge variety of plants. For best results, we advise that you use your Lettuce Greens and Herbs Hydroponic Nutrients in a two-part system.
General Hydroponics Armor Si for Gardening
Pros
- Makes plants stress resistant
- Maximizes yield
- Great for all plant growth stages
- Boosts plant structure
Cons
- Can’t be used on its own
Plant growth is always faced with numerous challenges. Some of the main hindrances of proper growth in plants always stem out from stress stimuli that could range from temperature fluctuations to inadequate light intensity. As you can see, these critical aspects should be kept in check for maximum yield.
However, plants growing in hydroponic systems, coco coir, and other soilless media are prone to these resistances and lack of vital nutrients such as Silica. Could this be adding to your worries already?
If yes, worry not because the General Hydroponics Armor Si for Gardening was specially formulated to improve your plants’ resistance to such stresses and maximize their growth for excellent yields. This means that the General Hydroponics Armor Si for Gardening is perfect for boosting plant structure and enhancing productivity.
It is great for literally all growth stages and can directly be used with your irrigation water or mixed with your regular fertilizer.
What to look for when buying nutrients for hydroponics
Easy to Use
Ease of use tops the list of concerns amongst buyers across the world, especially those shopping online. It’s safe to assume that you also don’t want to buy something that is either complicated or technical to use, right?
When it comes to the best nutrients for hydroponics, their ease of use can be measured during application. Apart from having things like a container with an ergonomic sprayer for the liquid-based products, you should consider how easy it is to obtain the requirements needed to prepare solid concentrates before applying its solution.
Thickness
Thickness in hydroponic nutrients equates to its effectiveness. I mean, the thicker the solution, the better the results.
From experience, the thicker a product is, the more concentrated it is. This also helps make it more economical because you’ll only need to apply it in smaller bits. However, you should pay special attention to how much of the concentrate is recommended for each use because too much can be dangerous for the plant.
On the other hand, keenly follow every instruction for preparing powerful hydroponic nutrients to ensure that you mix it right by having the right balance in its thickness.
That said, always make sure that your preferred pick comes with a separate manual containing adequate information about the right amount for preparing the end product and usage.
Value for Money
Now for the big elephant in every buyer’s mind, is your most preferred hydroponic nutrient worth its cost? While many might be tempted to go for the cheapest nutrients for hydroponic plants, we suggest that you consider these pointers first.
Remember that none of them is cast on stone but should instead help guide your buying decision.
These products either come in solid or liquid form. The former is always more affordable and portable, while the latter is very easy to use.
Secondly, while products with a one-step/part system might appear cheaper and less complicated, you should note that these options don’t give users the flexibility to customize for different plants and varying plant growth stages.
With these in mind and depending on your specific needs, we rest assured that you will go for a product that will offer you the best value for your money.
Summary
Hydroponic gardening isn’t just about watering plants and hoping for the best. Even if this works for you, it’s apparent that you aren’t getting the maximum field from all your hard work. By choosing and using any of our top 5 ranked nutrients for hydroponics, we can assure you of better results, healthier plants, and fulfilling practice. We suggest that you keep on experimenting until you find the best combination for your hydroponic system. Happy gardening!