Category: Hydroponic Water & Nutrients

Fulvic and humic acids are organic compounds from decomposed plant matter, sold as supplements that may improve nutrient uptake and root growth. In hydroponics, fulvic acid is the more practical choice because it stays soluble across a wide pH range, while humic acid can precipitate in acidic nutrient solutions (around pH 5.5–6.0) and cloud reservoirs. Research shows some positive effects on root growth and micronutrient availability, but results vary. They are optional additives, not essential nutrients.

Kelp and seaweed extracts can be added to hydroponic nutrient solutions in small amounts as biostimulants, not as main fertilizers. Research shows that some seaweed extracts, especially from the brown alga Ascophyllum nodosum, can improve stress tolerance, root growth, or yield in certain crops, but results vary by product, dose, and crop. In recirculating systems, kelp products can also feed biofilm, cloud the solution, and clog pumps or emitters. For most home growers, kelp is optional: try it at low doses, monitor closely, and never rely on it to replace a complete nutrient.

Dyna-Gro Foliage Pro 9-3-6 is a one-part liquid fertilizer containing all the macro and micronutrients plants need, which is why many growers use it as a simple hydroponic base nutrient. The label rate for hydroponics is 2–3 teaspoons per gallon for recirculating systems and about 1 teaspoon per gallon for non-recirculating (drain-to-waste) systems. Many home growers start lower, around 1–2 teaspoons per gallon for leafy greens, then adjust based on EC readings and plant response. It works especially well for lettuce, herbs, and houseplants.

For hydroponic lettuce EC , aim for about 1.2–1.8 mS/cm with pH 5.8–6.2 during most of the crop, which is the range UF/IFAS Extension recommends for lettuce in small hydroponic systems. Start seedlings lower, around 0.6–1.0 mS/cm, and move to the full range after transplant. In hot weather, run toward the low end to reduce tip burn; in cool weather, the high end is fine. On a 500-scale ppm meter, 1.2–1.8 mS/cm reads 600–900 ppm.

The EC to ppm conversion is simple once you know your meter’s scale: multiply EC in mS/cm by 500 for the NaCl (500) scale, by 640 for the 640 scale, or by 700 for the KCl or “442” (700) scale. So EC 1.0 mS/cm reads 500, 640, or 700 ppm depending on the meter. If your EC is in microsiemens (µS/cm), divide by 1,000 first. Because these are estimates, not true measurements of dissolved solids, compare charts by EC whenever you can.

Hydroponic nutrients for seedlings should start weak and late. Use plain, pH-adjusted water until the cotyledons open, then feed a complete hydroponic nutrient at about one quarter to one half of the label’s full rate, roughly EC 0.5–1.0 mS/cm (250–500 ppm on a 500-scale meter), at pH 5.8–6.2. Raise strength gradually after the first true leaves form. Seeds carry their own food at first, and young roots burn easily, so too much nutrient too early causes more failures than too little.

Calcium nitrate hydroponics feeding is the standard way to supply calcium and nitrate nitrogen in water culture. Greenhouse-grade calcium nitrate contains about 19% calcium and 15.5% nitrogen, and it dissolves completely. A common home dose is about 2.4 grams per gallon alongside an equal amount of a base fertilizer such as Masterblend 4-18-38, which adds roughly 120 ppm calcium and 98 ppm nitrogen. The most important rule is to dissolve it separately; never mix concentrated calcium nitrate with sulfates or phosphates.

Hoagland solution is the classic plant nutrient recipe published by D.R. Hoagland and D.I. Arnon at the University of California in 1938 and revised in 1950. Full-strength Hoagland No. 1 supplies roughly 210 ppm nitrogen, 235 ppm potassium, 200 ppm calcium, 31 ppm phosphorus, 48 ppm magnesium, and 64 ppm sulfur, plus trace elements. It is made from separate stock solutions of potassium nitrate, calcium nitrate, monopotassium phosphate, magnesium sulfate, iron, and a micronutrient mix. Most home growers today use it at half strength, or buy a modern premix that copies its ratios.

A hydroponic ppm chart tells you how strong your nutrient solution should be for each crop. As a rule of thumb, lettuce and leafy greens run about 560–840 ppm, herbs 700–1,120 ppm, and fruiting crops like tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers 1,400–2,450 ppm on the common 700 scale (EC 0.8–3.5 mS/cm). Because meters use different conversion factors, the most reliable approach is to read EC and use ppm only with the scale printed on your meter. The chart below uses both.

Hydroponic nutrients for herbs should be a complete, mild mix, since most herbs grow best at a lower EC than fruiting crops. Oklahoma State University lists basil at EC 1.0–1.6 mS/cm and pH 5.5–6.0, sage at 1.0–1.6 and pH 5.5–6.5, and parsley at 1.8–2.2 and pH 6.0–6.5. A general-purpose hydroponic base or a leafy-greens formula, mixed at reduced strength, works for most kitchen herbs. Too strong a mix burns leaf tips and can weaken flavor.