The CANNA Aqua feeding schedule for recirculating systems uses CANNA Aqua Vega A and B in rooting and vegetative growth, then Aqua Flores A and B once flowers or fruit form. CANNA’s US grow schedule lists Vega at 9.3 mL per gallon of each part during rooting (days 1–5), 10.7 mL/gal from days 6–25, and 12.2 mL/gal in the next two weeks, then Flores at 12.9 mL/gal of each part, dropping to 11.4 mL/gal late in the cycle. Target total EC runs from 1.6 to about 2.5 mS/cm, and CANNA recommends pH 5.5–6.2.
Key takeaway: Feed Aqua Vega A+B, then switch to Aqua Flores A+B when flowering begins, keep total EC about 1.6–2.5, and hold pH 5.5–6.2.
| Stage (CANNA US) | Product, each part | Total EC (mS/cm) |
|---|---|---|
| Rooting, days 1–5 | Vega A+B 9.3 mL/gal | 1.6 |
| Vegetative I, days 6–25 | Vega A+B 10.7 mL/gal | 1.8 |
| Vegetative II, weeks 1–2 | Vega A+B 12.2 mL/gal | 2.0 |
| Generative weeks 3–6 | Flores A+B 12.9 mL/gal | 2.0, peaking 2.5 |
| Generative weeks 7–8 | Flores A+B 11.4 mL/gal | 1.8 |
| Final week | Water only | 0.2 (water) |
How the CANNA Aqua Feeding Schedule Works
CANNA Aqua is designed for recirculating systems like NFT, ebb and flow, and DWC, where nutrient flows back to the reservoir. The schedule assumes your water has an EC of about 0.2 mS/cm; CANNA suggests adding CALMAG Agent to soft water to reach 0.2–0.4. The total EC targets include the water. CANNA notes the schedule is meant for flowering or fruiting plants starting as a one-week-old seedling or cutting.
Light Hours in the CANNA Aqua Feeding Schedule
CANNA’s schedule shows 18 hours of light in rooting and vegetative growth and 12 hours in the generative phase. Those light hours are written for short-day flowering crops. Many vegetables, like tomatoes and peppers, don’t need a 12-hour switch to flower, so follow your crop’s own light needs and use the nutrient stages as a guide to when you switch from Vega to Flores.
CANNA Aqua Feeding Schedule: Additives in the Schedule
The full schedule also lists CANNA Rhizotonic, CANNAZYM, CANNABOOST, and PK 13/14. CANNA adds PK 13/14 at 5.7 mL/gal for one week, 3–4 weeks before harvest. These are optional; the A and B base parts supply the core nutrients. If you’re on a budget, start with Vega and Flores only and check how plants respond.
CANNA Aqua Feeding Schedule: Mixing CANNA Aqua
- Fill the reservoir with water and check its EC.
- Add CALMAG if needed to reach 0.2–0.4 mS/cm.
- Add part A and stir.
- Add part B and stir.
- Add any additives.
- Check total EC and adjust pH to 5.5–6.2.
Never mix A and B concentrates together. See nutrient mixing order.
Adjusting the CANNA Aqua Feeding Schedule for Vegetables
The schedule is a template. Leafy greens often grow well at the lower vegetative EC, while tomatoes may handle more. Oklahoma State lists lettuce at EC 1.2–1.8 and tomatoes at 2.0–4.0, which shows how much crops differ. Use EC as your main guide and adjust the milliliters to hit your crop’s target. See pH and EC meters.
CANNA Aqua Feeding Schedule: Reservoir Changes and Top-Offs
Recirculating nutrient drifts as plants feed. Top off with plain water if EC rises, or a weak mix if it falls, and replace the reservoir fully every one to two weeks. See how to lower EC.
Common Mistakes With the CANNA Aqua Feeding Schedule
- Using CANNA Terra or Coco products in a recirculating system.
- Ignoring source water EC.
- Mixing A and B concentrates together.
- Following 12-hour light changes for crops that don’t need them.
- Skipping pH checks.
CANNA Aqua vs Other Base Nutrients
CANNA Aqua is a two-part base tailored for recirculation. Three-part bases like pH Perfect Grow, Micro, Bloom use different dose rates; see Advanced Nutrients feeding chart. Don’t swap milliliter amounts between brands; match EC instead.
Equipment Checklist for CANNA Aqua Feeding Schedule
- A calibrated EC meter.
- A pH meter or kit and pH up/down.
- A measuring syringe or cup in milliliters.
- A notebook or app to log readings.
- A clean reservoir with volume marks.
- Plain, low-salt water for top-offs.
Most of this gear is reusable from crop to crop, so the first setup costs the most. Buy reliable meters first; they prevent the majority of problems.
Beginner Mistakes With CANNA Aqua Feeding Schedule
Most problems come from ignoring source water EC, using CANNA products made for soil or coco, and copying the 12-hour light schedule for crops that don’t need it.
Getting Started With CANNA Aqua Feeding Schedule
Start small, change one thing at a time, and keep a simple log of pH, EC, temperature, and what you changed. Most hydroponic problems show up as patterns in those numbers before they show on the plant. Compare your notes with the sources below, and adjust slowly rather than chasing every small swing. A steady routine matters more than any single product or setting.
CANNA Aqua Feeding Schedule for Different Reservoir Sizes
| Reservoir | Vega 9.3 mL/gal each | Flores 12.9 mL/gal each |
|---|---|---|
| 5 gallons | 46.5 mL | 64.5 mL |
| 10 gallons | 93 mL | 129 mL |
| 20 gallons | 186 mL | 258 mL |
These scale CANNA’s US per-gallon rates. Mix A fully before adding B, then check total EC against the schedule; CANNA notes phase length depends on crop, cultivar, and plant size.
FAQs: CANNA Aqua Feeding Schedule
When do I switch from Aqua Vega to Aqua Flores?
When flowers or fruit begin to form.
What pH does CANNA recommend?
5.5–6.2.
What EC should I run?
CANNA’s schedule runs total EC from 1.6 up to about 2.5 mS/cm.
Do I need all the additives?
No; Vega and Flores supply the core nutrients.
Is CANNA Aqua for DWC?
Yes, it’s made for recirculating systems.
What water EC does CANNA assume?
About 0.2 mS/cm.
Sources
- CANNA — CANNA Aqua Grow Schedule (US)
- Oklahoma State University Extension — Electrical Conductivity and pH Guide for Hydroponics
- Photo credits (Wikimedia Commons, edited with titles): Electrical conductivity meter by Nuno Nogueira (Nmnogueira) (CC BY-SA 2.5); White plastic bucket by Santeri Viinamäki (CC BY-SA 4.0); Medals weighed in digital scale by Kpubkalanami (CC BY-SA 4.0); Pepper No. 30 by Edward Weston (Public domain); Deep water culture by ArcadiYay (CC BY-SA 4.0)