Making your own nutrients does not have to be as difficult as you may think. The following is a list of the essential elements required to increase plant growth.
# 1 CaNO3 Calcium Nitrate
# 2 K2SO4 Potassium Sulphate
# 3 KNO3 Potassium Nitrate
#4 KH2PO4 Mono Potassium Phosphate
#5 MgSO4 Magnesium Sulphate
#6 TE Trace elements
There are 20 different elements for plant growth.
The following is a list of how each element can benefit your plant.
Macronutrients are required in large amounts |
Carbon |
C |
Component of all organic compounds |
Oxygen |
O |
Supplied by air & water |
Hydrogen |
H |
Combines with oxygen to form water |
Nitrogen |
N |
Part of chlorophyll, amino acids, proteins |
Phosphorus |
P |
Used in photosynthesis and almost all aspects of growth |
Potassium |
K |
Activates enzymes, used in formation of sugar and starch |
Calcium |
Ca |
Used in cell growth and division, part of cell wall |
Magnesium |
Mg |
Part of chlorophyll, activates enzymes |
Sulfur |
S |
Part of amino acids and proteins |
|
Micronutrients are required in trace amounts |
Boron |
B |
Affects reproduction |
Chlorine |
Cl |
Aids in root growth |
Copper |
Cu |
Used in chlorophyll, activates enzymes |
Iron |
Fe |
Used in Photosynthesis |
Manganese |
Mn |
Part of chlorophyll, activates enzymes |
Sodium |
Na |
Used for water movement |
Zinc |
Zn |
Part of enzymes, used in auxins |
Molybdenum |
Mo |
Used in nitrogen fixation |
Nickel |
Ni |
Liberates Nitrogen |
Cobalt |
|
Fixates Nitrogen |
Silicon |
|
Makes tougher cell walls:
enhances heat and drought tolerance |
|
General Mixing Directions
based on teaspoons/10 liter
(for small quantities only)
| Nutrient |
Veg. Formula |
| CaNO3 |
2 1/2 |
| K2SO4 |
1/6 |
| KNO3 |
5/6 |
| KH2PO4 |
5/8 |
| MgSO4 |
2 3/4 |
| TE |
1/5 |
A & B concentrate (stock solution)
For Mixing directions
based on teaspoon/10 litre
When using an EC Metre it's helpful to form a concentrate that is easily administered to the nutrient solution to keep EC at optimum level. To achieve a 100x concentrate, mix ten times the amount shown of each A's and B's in two separate one litre containers: A = 1st, 3rd and 6th nutrient on the list, B = 2nd, 4th and 5th nutrients on the list.
|
General Mixing Directions
based on grams/liter
(more accurate for a larger volume)
| Nutrient |
Veg. Formula |
| CaNO3 |
1.500 gr |
| K2SO4 |
0.115 gr |
| KNO3 |
0.522 gr |
| KH2PO4 |
0.348 gr |
| MgSO4 |
1.120 gr |
| TE |
0.100 gr |
A & B concentrate (stocksolution)
For mixing directions
based on grams/ltr
When using an EC Metre it's helpful to form a concentrate that is easily administered to the nutrient solution to keep EC at optimum level. To achieve a 100x concentrate mix ONE HUNDRED times the amount shown of each A's and B's in two separate one litre containers: A = 1st, 3rd and 6th nutrients on the list, B = 2nd, 4th and 5th nutrients on the list.
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For information on where you can buy all in one packs of these mix it yourself nutrients visit www.homegrown.ca.
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Tips when mixing your nutrient:
-
Nutrients lower pH so, pH balance your water after mixing in nutrients.
-
When using EC/PPM equipment, mix as directed,
gradually adding equal amounts of A & B to obtain desired
salt content.
-
Yellowing bottom leaves indicates that your
nutrient level is too low or pH level is incorrect.
-
Leaf-tip curling under, or tip burning indicates
that your nutrient level is too high or pH level is incorrect.
-
Remember, when you change your reservoir
use your leftover nutrient for your house plants and outdoor
gardens.
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