Question 1

What is a hydroponic nutrient?

Accepted Answer

A hydroponic nutrient is a liquid fertilizer made for growing without soil. It carries every nutrient the plant would normally find in the ground in an already-dissolved form, so the roots absorb them directly from the water.

Question 2

What is the difference between hydroponic and soil fertilizer?

Accepted Answer

Soil holds and releases nutrients on its own; water does not. A hydroponic nutrient therefore supplies a complete, balanced feed including trace elements, while a soil fertilizer relies on the soil to complete the plant's diet.

Question 3

Can I use regular garden fertilizer in hydroponics?

Accepted Answer

It is better not to. Many garden fertilizers contain organic or poorly soluble fractions that do not dissolve fully, can clog pumps and drippers, and make pH and EC unstable.

Question 4

Can hydroponic nutrients also be used in soil or coco?

Accepted Answer

Yes. VitaBase, for example, is used in soil, coco or hydroponics at 1–4 ml per litre.

Question 5

Which nutrients do hydroponic plants need?

Accepted Answer

The macronutrients nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), the secondary elements calcium, magnesium and sulphur, and trace elements such as iron, manganese, zinc, copper, boron and molybdenum.

Question 6

Why do I need a calcium supplement?

Accepted Answer

In hydroponics calcium is often the first element to run short. A deficiency shows as burnt tips, necrotic spots and marbling. VitaCal is used through the whole cycle at 1 ml per litre.

Question 7

What does silicon do for plants?

Accepted Answer

Silicon strengthens cell walls and makes the plant more robust. VitaSilica is used through the whole cycle at 0.25 ml per litre.

Question 8

How much hydroponic nutrient per litre of water?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the product and the stage. With the Vitaponix line: VitaRoot 1 ml/L, VitaBase 1–4 ml/L, VitaBulk 4–5 ml/L, VitaSweet, VitaCal, VitaBud and VitaFinish 1 ml/L, VitaSilica 0.25 ml/L. Always start at the lighter dose.

Question 9

How do I mix a nutrient solution?

Accepted Answer

Fill the reservoir with water, add each product separately while stirring well after each one, then measure and correct the pH last.

Question 10

What happens if I add too much nutrient?

Accepted Answer

An EC that is too high stresses the roots and burns leaf tips. If it happens, dilute the solution with clean water and check the EC again.

Question 11

Which nutrient is used in growth and which in flowering?

Accepted Answer

VitaRoot in the first two weeks and at every transplant, VitaBase through the whole cycle, VitaSweet from week 1 to week 6 of flowering, VitaBulk in weeks 4 and 5 of flowering, VitaBud and VitaFinish in the last two weeks.

Question 12

What is the right pH for hydroponic nutrients?

Accepted Answer

After mixing all products, bring the pH to between 5.8 and 6.2 — the range where roots absorb nutrients best.

Question 13

What EC should the solution have?

Accepted Answer

The standard Vitaponix program starts at 0.5 EC in the first weeks and rises gradually to 1.2 EC in full flowering.

Question 14

What temperature should the water be?

Accepted Answer

Keep it below 23 °C: above that, water holds less oxygen and the roots suffer.

Question 15

Can I use tap water?

Accepted Answer

Often yes, but measure the EC of your water first: very hard water leaves less room for nutrients. In that case filtered or reverse-osmosis water helps you control the values.

Question 16

How often should I change the nutrient solution?

Accepted Answer

As a rule of thumb every 7–10 days, or sooner if pH and EC drift a lot. Between changes, top up and re-check the values.

Question 17

How do I prevent root rot?

Accepted Answer

Fresh water below 23 °C, good oxygenation, and a reservoir kept dark and cleaned between cycles.

Hydroponic nutrients: the common questions.

The basics

Nutrients

Mixing and doses

Water, pH and EC

Maintenance

Where to go next

Feeding chart

Hydroponic nutrients guide

The Vitaponix line

Discover the Vitaponix line.